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Kanex GoBuddy+ charge/sync cable/bottle opener review

To sum this up quickly, the Kanex GoBuddy+ is a large bottle opener with an eight to ten inch Apple MFI certified Lightning Cable or MicroUSB built into it (although different model numbers).

Kanex GoBuddy+If you’ve travel with a power hungry device and have to keep it charged at all times, you’ve probably taken to carrying around the device, a charger, and the accompanying cabling. The Kanex GoBuddy+ was designed to take one of those spots and provide some extra functionality in the form of a bottle opener.

While some of you have been opening your bottles with your Loggerhead kickstand/bottle opener cases, there hasn’t been much in the way of charge cable/beverage technology blending that I’ve played with until the GoBuddy+. I got a chance to play with the Apple version of the product, but the Android version appears to be the same specs.

I don’t hate it, but I don’t particularly like this product, and here’s why:

It’s pretty big and thick for what it does coming in at around three inches long and ~70mm thick it feels like small smartphone when sat on. While the manufacturer has included a carabiner to attach it to belts, bags, etc., you’re then tethered to that if you want to open your favorite bottled beverage.

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The cables, while they tuck away, tend to  loosen up with or without use. If you’re pulling it from a pocket, you might be dragging the cable ends end through your pocket lint. Not a product-killing problem, but it takes part of the neat aspect and loses it.

I get that the length is probably for leverage on a bottle, but the thing is extra thick with nearly as much plastic and metal devoted to holding the cable in as there is cable, if not more. I wouldn’t have much of a problem of the extra plastic f it kept the cable heads secured in, but it doesn’t on the unit I have.

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It’s an interesting concept, but I think something like a ChargeCard with a bottle opener built in would be a better way to go.

Kanex GoBuddy+For sizing contrast (right image), I’ve included a picture of a credit card sized bottle opener next to the GoBuddy+.

Overall, if this were a $5-12 product I might think “hrmm, that’s ok if that’s your sort of thing, might make a nice gift,” but coming in at $24.95 for a very short cable, a bottle opener, a carabiner, a name that sounds like a portable urinal solution, and coming in at about the size of small brass knuckles, I’d pass.

Kanex GoBuddy+

On another note, as a bottle opener it is pretty good, and as a sync/charge cable it does what any cable should. Together it’s fine for a less expensive product.

The Kanex GoBuddy+ Charge/Sync cable is available from Amazon in black, white, Android, and iPhone flavors for $24.95.

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Paul E King

Paul King started with GoodAndEVO in 2011, which merged with Pocketables, and as of 2018 he's evidently the owner. He lives in Nashville, works at a film production company, is married with two kids. Facebook | Twitter | Donate | More posts by Paul | Subscribe to Paul's posts

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