Anyone any experience or opinion
I have not yet tried this charger myself, Matt, but it is well reviewed by many and now stocked by SJS Cycles.
For reviews, here is a custom Google search:
https://www.google.com/search?q=igaro+d1+review&oq=igaro+d1+&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i65l2j69i57j0l2.3570j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8Claimed efficiency is very good, exceeding that of many other units if confirmed. This would be hugely in its favor. The form-factor puts me off a little, as it requires attachment outside the bike and has integrated leads. I have general reservations about the longevity of permanently attached leads and connectors (they tend to be subject to flex-fatigue where they exit the unit), but Igaro says they can be factory-replaced. It surely sounds promising and I'd love to test one against my other charging units.
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One big advantage of attached leads on wet tours is they allow charging to occur under cover or in a handlebar bag, as bike-powered USB charger ports are always "on" when in motion and if allowed to operate wet, electrolysis can eventually eat out the connector strips in the socket. For this reason, I charge my devices under cover and when it is raining hard, I fit my little homemade "shower cap" and keep charging as I go. My B&M e-Werk units have shielded lead connectors that attach to various adapters -- including USB, which allows placement in my handlebar bag.
There's advantages and disadvantages to each of the designs out there and these aren't limited to the electrics. There's theft potential to consider as well as the weather, convenience in use, and aesthetics. Thankfully, we've now reached the point where most units work as advertised most of the time, taking into account rider speed the demands of the devices being charged.
The huge remaining problem is the small amount of power put out by dynohubs that we expect to charge ever more power-hungry gadgets. Your best chance of getting things to work well together now and charge consistently comes from buying and using devices requiring USB power that will also charge (albeit more slowly than at high-speed) at USB 2.0 requirements of 5vdc @ 500mA (0.5A).
I'm still awaiting the 3-phase dynohub that has as little friction as today's models. One company has already come out with a 3-phase bottle dynamo, but it is reported to have large frictional losses that make it less suited for continuous charging.
Altogether, this is one area where we'll continue to see further advancement at a rapid pace. If you don't have an immediate need for on-bike charging, the smart thing is to simply wait a bit to see what's coming. Most established companies are at work developing the second generation of their chargers (Tout Terrain has another The Plug in the works, this time with a rotating weather cap). If you have an immediate need, then by definition you'll be an early adopter (like me) and will reconcile yourself to buying replacements as improved models hit the market.
Best,
Dan.
