Review: ☆ UPDATED: Simply put, it works quite well ☆
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 14, 2012
Review updated 12/9/2012:Note to all buying thisAmazon Kindle PowerFast for Accelerated Chargingfor use with the new Kindle Fire HD and other models, I've had this in use continuously since September 2012 when it was first announced. The price has gone up and down since I first purchased it here for the then-prevailing price of $19.99, yet I don't regret purchasing it here. But do not buy it like I did. Read the 'Add Kindle Accessories' section on the right side of the various new Kindle models on the appropriate product page and you'll see that you can get this Kindle PowerFast charger for $9.99 and not the $19.99 that you see on the product page here as of the time of this update.Please don't shoot the messenger, as I'm a purchaser just like you: this item is NOT included with the new Kindle Fire models. In my case, this unit was needed it in advance for my current original Kindle Fire to accelerate the charging time, but you need to see the better ways of buying it.If you note the Special Offer on the product page, it states something to the effect that you can get the Kindle PowerFast for Accelerated Charging for about half the price listed here when you purchase it with the new any of these new devices that you can see at these links:◆ NewKindle Fire 7", LCD Display, Wi-Fi, 8 GB◆ NewKindle Fire HD 7", Dolby Audio, Dual-Band Wi-Fi, 16GB or 32GB◆ NewKindle Fire HD 8.9", Dolby Audio, Dual-Band Wi-Fi, 16GB or 32GB◆ NewKindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G LTE Wireless, Dolby Audio, Dual-Band Wi-Fi, 32GB or 64GBIf you look at the Add Kindle Accessories box on the right of any of the links to the new Kindle models listed above, you'll see the offer for getting one of these for about half the price listed here. You won't need a supplementary USB 2.0 cable, as each of the above models comes with one packaged in the box.Likes:+ Solid, well-made charger; appears to be a quality item for long term use+ Can be used with all Kindle Fire and Kindle models; almost universal+ 9W, 1.8Amp adapter; charges faster than prior Kindle power adapters+ AC Power prongs fold away; convenient for travel and storageDislikes:- Should be included with the new Kindle Fire modelsThis Kindle PowerFast charger is a step or two above some most of the others offered here on Amazon, including some others that I've bought. This one was purchased as a faster charger for my original Kindle Fire, as it's able to charge this model in three hours, beating the original Kindle Fire AC Adapter that came with that device by an hour, maybe more. It seems to be close in charge time to some of my other higher-output (over 2.0 Amp) chargers, but I haven't done a side by side scientific comparison between these and the Kindle PowerFast charger.I've posted some photos of the PowerFast charger in comparison with a few others that I have have bought here, and hope that it helps. The actual size is a bit difficult to figure from the product images here, so I included a coin in some of them so that you can see the size.So far, have tried this PowerFast charger with the following devices:◆ Kindle Fire HD 8.9" (new December 2012)◆ Kindle Fire, 1st generation◆ Kindle Touch◆ Kindle 2◆ Plantronics Voyager PRO+ Bluetooth Headset◆ BlackBerry Curve 9330 smartphoneThe PowerFast charger is rated at a DC output of 5V, 1.8A, so it will work with all of the Kindles and many other devices; check your manual. The AC input is rated at 100-240V, 50/60Hz. Please note that if you're traveling outside of the US, you will need a plug adapter, such as thisUSA to Europe Heavy Duty Adaptor Plug, but shop around here, because some of them are country specific.Summary:ThisAmazon Kindle PowerFast for Accelerated Chargingunit was purchased at full price here for charging my first-generation Kindle Fire, as noted above. I now have the newKindle Fire HD 8.9"and am currently configuring it, and running it a number of charge/discharge cycles. I've also been running theBattery HD Proapp after doing its full calibration routine, and that seems to help, as I'm easily beating the under 5-hour full charge as listed in the product specs for the PowerFast. There are other chargers that are available here, and I have some of them, but for personal use with my Kindle Fire HD 8.9", this one works well, and is highly recommended after months of use.Original post on 9/14/2012; updated 12/9/2012.