Scosche FoundIT 32W car charger
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The FoundIT car charger is available now for $23.99.
- It’s a dual USB car charger with built-in finder technology for both Apple Find My and Google Find Hub networks.
- It has a built-in battery that charges on its own and will last up to three months if disconnected.
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Ever parked your car in a busy lot and had a hard time finding it? Or maybe you’re car sharing with others and want a simple way to share your location.
While you could use a finder tag in your car, that would require keeping its battery charged. So why not get something useful that has a built-in finder tag? Something like an in-car charger, perhaps?
Also: I ignored Apple’s battery tips and charged my iPhone in all the wrong ways – here’s how it’s fared
One such product I recently found is the Scosche FoundIT, a dual-USB port 12V car charger — a small device with a few unique features.
Externally, the FoundIT looks like any other 12V in-car charger. It features two USB ports: a 20W max USB-C port and a 12W max USB-A port, both of which can be used together so you can charge two devices at once.
Yes, there are more powerful car chargers out there better suited for charging bigger devices such as laptops — but I’ll bet most of us are more concerned about smartphones, tablets, or smartwatches. For these gadgets, it’s more than enough power.
Also: The wireless charger I recommend to hardcore Apple fans costs just $20 (but can do a lot)
In my tests, this charger has no problem handling the full 32W output continuously for hours on end without any signs of overheating.
But there’s more to this little device. Inside is a finder tag that’s compatible with both Apple Find My and Google Find Hub (you have two choices which platform you want to use when setting up the device). Once set up, it works like any other finder tag, and you use the built-in app on your iPhone or Android device to locate your vehicle.
It’s tiny yet surprisingly powerful.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The performance is on par with the best third-party finder tags I’ve tested, and even in a vehicle I get a line of sight Bluetooth range of about 100 feet, and the location accuracy on the map in the Find My app has always been spot on.
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But what happens when the vehicle is switched off, or the charger is unplugged from the 12V port? Scosche planned for this, and built a rechargeable battery into the unit that is automatically topped up when the unit is plugged into the car. This is a great touch.
The battery lasts three months, so it can be unplugged for a long time before it goes dark. One thing worth noting is that I had to charge my FoundIT up for a bit before I could activate it, so perhaps plan on this when setting yours up (take it for a little drive before setting it up).
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Lost your FoundIt under the seat somewhere? Fear not, because the built-in 60dB speaker will help you locate it quickly. Scosche really have covered every eventuality.
ZDNET’s buying advice
At $25, the Scosche FoundIT is a great buy for anyone who’s wandered the lot on search of their car. And because it’s compatible with Apple Find My and Google Find Hub, it can’t be used for nefarious purposes as it will announce its presence.
Even in vehicles that have loads of built-in ports — the Mazda 3 that I tested this charger in had at least five USB-C ports — you can never have enough, especially when traveling with kids or friends. Throw in the finder capability, and it’s really neat gadget.
