Gelid Zentree USB Charging Station Review




/ 8 years ago

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Introduction


gelid zentree 1

As our lives increasingly revolve around portable and mobile devices – smartphones, tablets, wearables, and handheld gaming – so our homes become invaded by a tangle of accompanying cables. Thankfully, most devices – even with a proprietary connector on one end – are USB compatible, encouraging the rise of USB charging stations that can centralise the power needs of your many devices.

Unlike many other USB charging stations on the market, though, the Zentree from Gelid Solutions not only provides a single hub into which you can plug up to four devices, but also a series of nubs – the 3D Tree Array – covered by a removable green silicone rubber top, into which you can neatly stack your devices while they charge.

gelid zentree 2

While the 3D Tree Array is the Zentree’s most visible identifier, the station’s real selling point is its Smart IC chip, which auto-negotiates the best power output for each device that is connected to it, and cuts off power to a device once its battery is full. Gelid boasts that the Zentree can charge four iPad Pros simultaneously in the same time it would take to charge one using the proprietary cable.

The Zentree has been specifically tested using Apple’s iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watch, a wide range of Android smartphones and tablets, plus the Pebble smartwatch, various Bluetooth headsets, and portable power banks. The kit includes four USB-to-Micro-USB cables, but any USB cable can be plugged into the four ports.

“Zentree provides a carefully designed docking surface, 3D Tree Array, which supports multiple gadgets of different sizes: iPhones, iPads, androids, tablets, phablets, smartwatches or really any other USB device. The top is made of a soft silicone rubber, it protects your smartphones and tablets from scratches and slip-off. The Smart IC, a core part of Zentree Charger Unit, auto-negotiates the best output charging power for your gadgets and ensures truly safe multi-device charging.” – Gelid.

Specifications

  • 4 Ports
  • 4A per Port
  • 48W total Power Output
  • Active Mode Efficiency: >87%
  • Dimensions (l)x(w)x(h): 224mm x 159mm x 95mm
  • Idle Power Consumption: 0.04W
  • Weight: 590g
  • Smart IC for Safe and Efficient Charging
  • Smart IC Auto-negotiates Best Charging Current for Your Device
  • Smart IC Auto Cuts Off Power when Battery is Full
  • Supports iPhones, iPads, Androids, Tablets, Phablets or Really any other USB Device
  • Individual Surge-protection
  • 3-Dimensional Tree Array
  • Non-scratching
  • Anti-slip
  • Seamless Cable Management
  • Eco-friendly Materials

Tested Devices

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 4
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
  • PlayStation Vita
  • Poweradd Pilot X7 power bank

Packaging and Accessories

Our review sample of the Gelid Zentree arrived in a plain, unbranded box.

Zentree boxed closed

Upon opening the box – revealing the Zentree’s bright green 3D Tree Array poking out of the packaging – I must admit that I was a little daunted, having no idea what the product looked like before I began the review process.

Zentree boxed open

The Zentree includes an IEC C8 power cable, four USB-to-Micro USB cables, and two hooks with adhesive pads on the back. I was happy to find that the USB cables are flat, which is great for preventing tangles.

Zentree cables 1

———————–

A Closer Look


The Gelid Zentree arrived in two parts: the base, which contains the USB ports, and the 3D Tree Array, which holds devices that are being charged.

Zentree top and bottom 1

Zentree bottom internal 1

Zentree top 1

Four USB ports are housed within the white plastic base. Two on this side.

Zentree USB left

And two more here.

Zentree USB right

Upon piecing the Zentree together, it struck me as a tad unwieldy – it was certainly larger than I anticipated – but I soon warmed to its unique aesthetic.

Zentree front

To the rear is the IEC C7 power socket.

Zentree power socket

Four thin rubber feet on the base stop the unit from slipping.

Zentree feet

The two adhesive hooks can be inserted within the white plastic base to help hold the internal USB cables in place.

Installation


Zentree bottom internal w.cable 2

Zentree hook

The internal USB ports will accept any USB cable, including my proprietary PS Vita USB cable, or an Apple USB-to-Lightning cable for charging an iPhone, iPad, or iPod.

Zentree Vita cable

The Zentree appeared a little oversized to me, especially on my small desk, until I slotted my devices – one of which is my big Samsung Galaxy Note 4 smartphone – into the Zentree’s green tress, at which point its size seemed to make more sense.

Zentree Full 2

The Zentree’s signature look – its 3D Tree Array of vertical spikes, covered by a layer of bright green silicone rubber – is effective at neatly supporting any devices that are plugged into it.

Zentree Full 3

———————–

Performance


The key feature of the Gelid Zentree – and the one I was most excited about trying – is its Smart IC chip that intelligently detects and sends the desired charge to each connected device.

Since I’ve owned all the devices I tested for a while – with the exception of the power bank – and have put their respective batteries through constant discharge and recharge, the factory-standard charging times were no longer relevant, so I began by timing how long it took to charge each one – my Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, and PS Vita – using their proprietary chargers for my benchmark comparison. I couldn’t find an official charging time for the Poweradd Pilot X7, and the two times I’ve used it, I charged it by plugging it into my laptop, so I used that as my baseline.

Sadly, I discovered that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 would not charge when plugged into the Zentree, even using the proprietary Samsung cable. While I don’t consider that a fault with the Zentree necessarily – it’s a known issue that the Galaxy 10.1 only charges when using certain proprietary charger adapters – it was disappointing all the same.

Zentree Tab 10.1

The charging times I measured using proprietary cables/chargers were:

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 4: 90 minutes
  • PS Vita: 190 minutes
  • Poweradd Pilot X7: 620 minutes

Since the Zentree is designed to be a multi-charger, sending power to up to four devices at once, I thought that the only proper way to put the device through its paces was to charge all three of my devices at once. In order to fully test its limits, I wanted to connect a fourth device – alongside the Note 4, PS Vita, and Poweradd – so I hooked up my TaoTronics Bluetooth speaker (which was too bulky to fit within the Zentree’s 3D Tree Array). Since the speaker has no battery gauge or charging indicator, I was unable to include its charging time in my tests, but at its inclusion was just to help show me if the Zentree could handle the load of charging four devices at once.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4, PS Vita, and Poweradd Pilot X7 all fit snuggly in-between the bright green spokes of the Zentree while they charged, and thanks to its design, which houses the connections beneath the array, there was minimal cable clutter. I left my devices to charge while I got on with my other work, checking them every few minutes to see if they were fully charged.

Zentree four devices

The results were as follows:

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 4: 110 minutes
  • PS Vita: 215 minutes
  • Poweradd Pilot X7: 420 minutes

While the charging times for the Note 4 and Vita were not as fast as using proprietary mains connections, they were still very reasonable, and the Note 4 charging time specifically compares favourably to the couple of third-party mains chargers I have tried with the phone, which take almost twice as long as the Zentree. The Poweradd, however, charged significantly faster than by any other means I’ve tried in the past.

The Zentree dealt well with the stress test, so I later decided to use it to charge each device separately, testing not only how each device draws power individually, but also to test the efficiency of the hub’s Smart IC Chip.

Zentree Note 4

Zentree Poweradd

Zentree Vita

I was pleasantly surprised to find that each device – the Note 4, the Vita, and the Poweradd battery – all charged individually in same time they took as when plugged in together, which suggests that the 48W throughput is being intelligently distributed, regardless of which device is connected, or how many are charging at one time.

I was not aware, however, of the Zentree cutting power to a device once charged. In fact, the Poweradd’s charging lights remained on, despite being fully charged.

Zentree Poweradd lights on

Another problem I encountered, after two weeks of use, was that the green silicone rubber that covers the 3D Tree Array – designed to stop any devices held within its spikes from slipping – had collected some fluff and hair. That is not a problem in itself, of course – my keyboard requires a weekly clean – but when I attempted to wipe the debris from between the Zentree’s green tines using a duster, and then a lint-free, microfibre cloth, I couldn’t displace it. I dampened the cloth and tried again, but most of the fluff and hair remained on the silicone’s tactile surface. After some trial and error, I discovered that the best method of cleaning the array was by using a baby wipe. Why a damp cloth wasn’t sufficient, I’m not sure, but the texture of the silicone adhering to detritus so firmly was a tad disappointing.

Despite a couple of nagging issues, I was happy to add the Zentree to my desk set-up – though, due to the 1-metre power cable, it was perched on the edge of said desk – and found the centralised nature of having a the USB charging station very beneficial.

Zentree fluff

———————–

Final Thoughts


Price

The Gelid Zentree  which is currently running an IndieGoGo campaign  is currently available for $30 as an early-bird special and will retail at $50 otherwise.

Overview

I was sceptical about the hefty, spiky hunk of plastic I encountered upon unboxing the Gelid Zentree, but found myself pleasantly surprised with the charging hub after a week of testing, and a further week of practical home use. It became a welcome addition to both my desk and my daily routine.

Having been forced to charge my devices via third-party plugs, or even USB-to-computer, in the past, I’ve become used to slow charging times when not using proprietary chargers. The Zentree, however, impressed me with its speed. While not always comparable to proprietary alternatives, the Zentree is the best third-party charger I’ve ever used, and in the case of the Poweradd battery pack, it was the most effective charging method I have found. Couple that with the ability to charge four devices at once without compromising speed, neatly stacked within its 3D Tree Array, and the Zentree ticks all the key boxes you’d want in a USB charging station.

While the inability to charge the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, and the adhesive quality of the array’s silicone rubber cover, were disappointing, I began to consider the Zentree as an important component of my desk arrangement.

Pros

  • Good build quality
  • Clutter-free charging solution
  • Can charge up to four devices at once with no cumulative drop-off in power distribution
  • Charges faster than many other third-party chargers
  • Competitive price

Cons

  • May not be compatible with devices that are locked to proprietary chargers
  • Difficult to clean

Neutral

  • Can only charge four devices at once

“The Gelid Zentree is a tidy and effective USB charging solution which, at its competitive price and impressive charging speeds, comes well recommended.”

Thank you Gelid Solutions for providing us with this sample.

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