Small, effective, cough... just the way we
like it.
Innovative ideas are things that are,
sadly, not as common as we would like them to be. See, every now and then a new
idea comes along, which gets everyone all excited. And then the idea is
rehashed and minimally reworked, resulting in a truck-load of similar products
that vary only in brand name and overall design. And if there is one area in
which this idea is prevalent, it is in the field of video gaming peripherals.
AC-1
Ammoclip for Xbox 360
Then again, it is entirely possible to take
an existing idea and approach it in an original way; innovation doesn’t
necessarily mean coming up with all-new concepts. And that is where Gioteck do
really well. This peripheral manufacturer is coming up with really fresh
approaches to existing ideas, providing consumers with something that - while
not necessarily absolutely new -is more often than not funky and fresh.
Their AC-1 Ammoclip for Xbox 360 is such an
item. Sure, there are tons of controller charging docks out there, but the
ideas behind this particular one are rather unique. See instead of being a
fancy, decorative plastic stand that you park in a permanent position near your
Xbox, the Ammoclip is completely portable. And safely portable, too, thanks to
some really smart design ideas.
At first glance, you may well be forgiven
for thinking that the Ammoclip is a slightly oversized metal DVD of game box.
But the chunky, durable plastic hinge will soon give you a clue that this is
not, in fact, a cool way to transport disks. It is a very well built and
designed charger for two Xbox 360 controllers.
The only downside to this device is that it
does not come with rechargeable batteries. That said, it works with pretty much
any Xbox 360 battery of this nature, and we should all be using those by now...
so there really isn’t a problem there.
Inside the metal case are two contoured
plastic surfaces, designed to add stability when the controllers are plugged
in. In the centre is a black plastic column, with interfaces for plugging the
controllers in to.
The whole affair takes up very little space
(particularly when closed) and the controllers are held snugly in position
while charging. The Ammoclip might not be quite as handy as a magnetic
induction charging system, but it comes really close.
Power is supplied to the unit via a USB
cable (which plugs into the Xbox). The other end of this cable has a
proprietary plug, which interfaces with the Ammoclip itself. The unusual
configuration of this cable means that you won’t want to lose it, because
replacing it may be tricky. Dual LEDs indicate charge status.
If you’re after a quick and convenient Xbox
charging system, look no further.
Gioteck
Xbox 360 AC-1 DualFuel Ammo Clip Premium
At a glance
Summary: A
compact tough and very portable recharging system for two Xbox 360
controllers.
Tech Specs: Portable, Metal casing, Charges two, controllers, USB powered
Manufacturer: Gioteck
Distributer: Apex Interactive
Website: www.apexintco.za
RRP: R299.95
Pros: Very
portable. Tough! Holds controllers snugly
Cons: Rechargeable
batteries not
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