Scosche FoundIt review: The first car charger with Apple and Google tracking spoiled me

Source: ZDNet

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 fared

One such product is the Scosche FoundIT, a dual‑USB‑port 12 V car charger – a small device with a few unique features.

Design and charging performance

Externally, the FoundIT looks like any other 12 V in‑car charger. It features two USB ports:

• USB‑C: up to 20 W
• USB‑A: up to 12 W

Both ports can be used simultaneously to charge two devices at once. For most smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches this power is more than sufficient.

In my tests, the charger delivered the full 32 W continuously for hours without overheating.

Built‑in finder tag

Inside is a finder tag compatible with both Apple Find My and Google Find Hub (you choose the platform during setup). Once configured, you can locate your vehicle using the built‑in app on your iPhone or Android device.

[Image: It’s tiny yet surprisingly powerful.]

The performance matches the best third‑party finder tags I’ve tested. Even inside a vehicle, I got a line‑of‑sight Bluetooth range of about 100 ft, and the location accuracy in the Find My app was spot on.

Battery and power‑up considerations

When the vehicle is switched off or the charger is unplugged, the built‑in rechargeable battery keeps the tag alive. It recharges automatically whenever the unit is plugged back into the car. The battery lasts about three months, so the device can remain unplugged for a long time before it goes dark.

Note: The unit needs a brief charge before activation, so give it a short drive before setting it up. The charger’s output isn’t high enough to power some larger devices as quickly as dedicated chargers.

Speaker for locating the charger

If the FoundIT slips under a seat, the built‑in 60 dB speaker can emit a sound to help you locate it quickly. Scosche has clearly thought through many use cases.

ZDNET’s buying advice

At $25, the Scosche FoundIT is a great buy for anyone who’s ever wandered a lot looking for their car. Its compatibility with both Apple Find My and Google Find Hub means it can’t be used for nefarious purposes without announcing its presence.

Even in vehicles with multiple built‑in ports—my test car, a Mazda 3, had at least five USB‑C ports—you can never have too many, especially when traveling with kids or friends. Adding the finder capability makes this a particularly handy gadget.