Scosche Passport FireWire-to-USB iPod adapter gets reviewed

Okay, so this adapter doesn't directly convert a FireWire 400 socket into a USB port, but for all intents and purposes here, it does as much. You see, Scosche's Passport was designed to channel the energy from older FireWire-based iPod charging gear into the USB prongs that the newer iPhone / iPods only accept. Macworld was able to get ahold of one for review, and in testing, it found that everything worked well when toying with new iPods, and while it was designed specifically for in-car applications, critics found that it even worked (albeit inelegantly) with dock-cradle accessories. Was it worth $30? Absolutely, so long as you'd rather burn $30 than replace that mess of wires you've got behind the dashboard (and you would).

[allislost @ Nov 21st 2008 9:05AM]

It's about time they start making what needs done making so i can start making what needs done doing to quickly attain one.

[dan @ Nov 21st 2008 9:28AM]

Does that make no sense whatsoever, or did I just have a stroke?

[Bad Beaver @ Nov 21st 2008 11:44AM]

@ dan: No idea, makes perfect sense to me.

[Aedile @ Nov 21st 2008 9:53AM]

I've got one. It works great. It can be had for $24.95 at any apple store so I am not sure why they are advertising the price as $30.

-aedile-

[OneLove @ Nov 21st 2008 12:03PM]

So apple created the problem and they are now also selling the solution? That should be illegal!

[Ryan G @ Nov 21st 2008 10:04AM]

Thanks engadget! This is EXACTLY what I need.

[Steve Comando @ Nov 21st 2008 10:08AM]

got mine from the apple site for $25 a week ago

[Zadillo @ Nov 21st 2008 10:48AM]

Been waiting for this for a while, so I can charge with my older Alpine head unit. My local Apple Store still doesn't seem to have them in stock, so I probably should just order online.

As a note though, reading the reviews on store.apple.com, seems like people with some other head units and car integration systems weren't having as much luck. Wonder if it is something that certain intergration kits might still have trouble with.

[ceejw @ Nov 21st 2008 2:39PM]

this is the only cable I know of that lets you charge a 3rd Gen iPod while syncing with usb

http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9688G/A?cid=AOS-US-SHOP-Froogle

[Kiran_mk2 @ Nov 21st 2008 10:53AM]

So does this just charge or can you sync over firewire now too? If so I wonder if it will be quicker than a usb2 cable...

[John M @ Nov 21st 2008 11:07AM]

Hey all,

I'm looking for the opposite solution. Have a new car with integrated iphone/ ipod touch (dodge challenger w/ uconnect). Integration works great with the iphone, but i have an old 3g ipod that it doesn't seem to charge in the car. I think this is because the 3g ipods can't charge via usb.

any suggestions for going the other way would be greatly appreciated (as I'm too cheap to just buy a newer ipod to sit in the car)

thx

[Wellard @ Nov 21st 2008 11:22AM]

Anyone know where this is being sold in the UK? I have an old iPod system in my car which works fine, but not with my new iPod Touch 2G.

[Garrett @ Nov 21st 2008 11:46AM]

So, does this mean my 3-series will finally be able to charge my iPhone 3G? I've heard the new y-cables provided by the car dealers might fix this issue too.

[Joseph @ Nov 21st 2008 11:49AM]

i always thought it was "for all intensive purposes." Funny how those things happen sometimes.

A friend of mine thought it was "Allison Wonderland" until Halloween and she is 30.

[OneLove @ Nov 21st 2008 12:05PM]

You and your friend need to stay in school and stop with the meth.

[PyRo1509 @ Nov 21st 2008 12:03PM]

But the engine is still in the wrong place.

Oh, Scosche... I misread

[balls @ Nov 21st 2008 2:05PM]

http://www.sadtrombone.com/

[npChaos @ Nov 21st 2008 2:37PM]

No, the engine is in the right place, it's just that the entire car body is on backwards. Front wheel/all wheel drive and rear wheel steering :D

[adriancal @ Nov 21st 2008 12:22PM]

So how's about a mac compatible firewire usb adapter for my new macbook?

[balls @ Nov 21st 2008 2:06PM]

Firewire is dead, didn't you get the memo?

[yrag @ Nov 21st 2008 3:33PM]

@ adriancal: I agree. I've got 5 external Firewire drives. I want to move up to a MacBook, but I don't have the money for the Pro. I'll probably opt to go with the good 'old' MacBooks. You know, before Apple (Jobs) flipped off all the faithful who bought into it's Firewire mantra.

[Andrew @ Nov 22nd 2008 1:18AM]

i use one of these on my bmw ipod kit. Works like a charm. Allows charging and playing.

[Andy @ Nov 22nd 2008 5:10PM]

I bought this from the Apple Store for $24 bucks, not bad. Had it for about a week, put it through the wash, and now it's toast. My bad. However, just to give you and idea, it did do what it said it would do and not bad. When I turned my car stereo up though, you could hear a lot of noise from the iPhone. Not sure if it was from interference or what but, I'm currently seeking out other options. The connector is kind of big and bulky as well so if you have a nice case, you will probably have to take it out.