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Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Pioneer
Pioneer (yes, Pioneer) has launched a lineup of car accessories aimed mostly at iPhone owners. The company decided to expand beyond its typical business space, so in addition to CarPlay and Android Auto head units and audio systems, it’s now a phone accessory manufacturer.
Before you file Pioneer under the “another phone accessory brand” folder, the company has actually come up with several clever gadgets.
Car phone chargers are already pretty much everywhere, but if you care about charging speed, finding a high-quality model isn’t that easy. I’ve always preferred phone chargers that can be mounted in the air vent for the extra cooling that the phone gets during the summer. Pioneer has come up with an upgrade to this standard design.
It created a Qi2 magnetic wireles car charger that can be installed in the air vent of your car, but in addition to the typical design, it also integrates a cooling fan (and LED illumination, if this is your thing).
The cooling fan is not supposed to blow cold air directly into your iPhone – that’s what the air vent itself is responsible for. Instead, the cooling fan is installed in the back of the charger, so it helps dissipate the heat generated during charging.
The device is capable of charging speed of up to 15W using Qi2, and it was built with MagSafe in mind, so a new-generation iPhone can be attached simply by bringing it closer to the charger.
Photo: Pioneer
Pioneer has also launched multiple variations of this charger, one without the cooling system and another as a universal air vent holder that works with all phones.
You can distinguish these devices by the model number. SDA-SC600 is the cooling-capable model and costs $64.99, while SC400 is the non-cooling edition. SC200 is just an air vent mount with no charging and can be yours for $29.99.
Pioneer has also launched a series of cables that it labels as “Android Auto and CarPlay compatible.” While this is a good marketing strategy, considering that cables have long been an issue for Android Auto users, finding the right cord for these two systems is no longer as difficult as it was a few years ago.
However, the best thing about Pioneer’s new lineup is that it includes a braided model. If you’re a long-time iPhone owner, you probably see where this is going. Apple’s cables are a big pain in the neck, and they often break and require replacement. Pioneer’s USB-A to USB-C cord features a braided design, and the company promises it’s ultra-durable.
This model costs $24.99, but the company has also launched a silicone version of the same cable at $19.99. USB-C to USB-C cables are also available in braided and silicone models.
The last accessory on the list is a dual-port car charger that you can plug into the cigarette lighter to get up to 38W charging speeds. It sports one USB-C and one USB-A port and can be yours for $25.99.