Iphone Charger in a Car in Europe?

Old Mar 3rd, 2014, 11:19 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Iphone Charger in a Car in Europe?

Here at home in the US I use a "cigarette lighter" type of charger to run my iphone5 in my car. Google maps and the like take a lot of battery otherwise. If I have a rental car in Europe could I bring and use this same charger? Buy something similar in Europe? Or would my car maybe even have a USB connector? If it makes a difference I am renting in Athens, from Avis, a compact car (the example model is a "Toyota Auris or similar").
laurie_ann is offline  
Old Mar 3rd, 2014, 11:26 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, we used Belkin 2-Port Car Charger with Lightning to USB Cable for iPhone 5 / 5S, iPod touch, iPod nano, iPad and iPad mini, 2.1 AMP in Sicily in February. Our car was a Fiat 500 and it worked perfectly in the cigarette lighter. The cords didn't work but we used our apple charger card.
Images2 is offline  
Old Mar 3rd, 2014, 11:46 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car chargers in Europe should be the same as car chargers in the US. I know I used my GPS in a car in Europe - same "cigarette lighter" connector.

A new rental car might even have USB outlets to charge a phone if you are lucky.
Andrew is offline  
Old Mar 3rd, 2014, 12:16 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think that the cigarette lighter connection in cars is a world wide standard, so you will have no issues with your USA device. 12 volt, centre +ve.
Peter_S_Aus is offline  
Old Mar 3rd, 2014, 12:21 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,933
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The cigarette lighter connection delivers more charge than an USB connection, so I would prefer that even if there were a USB port. GPS services are real battery drainers.
bvlenci is offline  
Old Mar 3rd, 2014, 12:23 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The cigarette light connector is the same. You cannot count on cars having USB outlets.

However, you have another option. I used to take a cigarette connector, but since I use a smartphone for navigation, which is not picky about the type of USB cable like Garmin, I have switched to a battery extender to quadruple the run time. Additional benefit of a battery extender vs. cigarette lighter is that now the charging system is portable. I can also use it on plane, trains, buses, boats, while hiking, etc. It is heavier than a cigarette adapter, but it takes less space than cigarette adapters with long coiled cables.
greg is offline  
Old Mar 3rd, 2014, 12:48 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
bvlenci: The cigarette lighter connection delivers more charge than an USB connection, so I would prefer that even if there were a USB port.

That is true, but a phone draws so relatively little current to charge a battery that it should be irrelevant. A phone can only charge your battery only so fast; providing 10X more current doesn't charge the battery 10X faster. Those in-car USB chargers (if your car has one) are designed to provide enough current to charge a phone. Otherwise, why would they even have them?
Andrew is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2015, 03:54 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Will you be using the SIM from your US provider, or will you buy a Greek SIM?
Heimdall is online now  
Old Aug 30th, 2016, 12:17 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
but it takes less space than cigarette adapters with long coiled cables

2012 called. The USB cigarette lighter adapters aren't like that at all anymore (if they ever were like that): http://amzn.to/2bBgAR9

A powerpack only makes sense if you're going to be in a position where you have no access to power.

For the record, when we travel with our GPS (I am a die hard TomTom user), this is what I take: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Spe.../dp/B005MIZYOW
sparkchaser is offline  
Old Aug 30th, 2016, 03:56 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Greg is a switched-on guy. Sorry I couldn't resist.

He is progressive, however, in that a lot of tech people I know who travel are using battery extenders. Charge them overnight, and you are good to go all the next day, and as he says, the form factor is pretty convenient.

For the ultimate in utility, I got my wife a handwarmer that also works as a charger. Next year, maybe I'll find one that doubles as an electric toothbrush.
Ackislander is offline  
Old Aug 30th, 2016, 08:04 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I am finding more uses for the USB battery extender. At accommodations without power plug near the bed stand, if I want a cellphone on the bed stand next to me and want to have it charged overnight, I just use the battery extender. I let the extender unit charged using an "inconveniently" located outlet during the day. I got hit with two extended power outages at home this year. The battery extender again came to rescue in allowing me to continue to use my cell phone over extended period of time.
greg is offline  
Old Aug 30th, 2016, 08:13 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,633
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
sparkchaser: >>2012 called. 2014
janisj is offline  
Old Aug 30th, 2016, 08:24 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why does that matter, janisj? The subject seems to require an updated conversation...

We have a battery pack and it has been really useful. I don't like using USB jacks in public places for security reasons, and electrical outlets can be scarce. We also used it on a camping trip in Mexico. And of course it also makes it possible to charge devices on the go. I wasn't sure that it would be worth having, but now we wouldn't be without it.
NewbE is offline  
Old Aug 30th, 2016, 08:25 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
LOL @ janisj
sparkchaser is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BadgerJayhawk
Europe
9
Jul 18th, 2012 05:07 PM
hawksbill
Europe
17
May 10th, 2012 07:53 PM
CYork
Europe
8
Jun 23rd, 2009 07:53 PM
Jayne11159
Europe
14
Sep 22nd, 2008 07:07 AM
anniebe
Europe
5
Sep 16th, 2007 12:04 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -