For those who have multiple devices to charge or want a family charging hub, Scosche makes a BaseLynx modular charging kit that can be added and upgraded as needed. BaseLinux has been around since 2020, but an updated 2.0 version was released last year with MagSafe support and Apple Watch fast charging.
There are multiple BaseLynx 2.0 components that can be purchased separately or in a bundle. BaseLynx is made from a lightweight plastic material, but it wouldn’t look out of place in an office or home environment. Right now, the BaseLynx 2.0 is only available in white, but Scosche is working on a new Qi2 version that will come in black.
The BaseLynx 2.0 2-in-1 stand includes an upright ‘MagSafe’ charger that can charge a compatible iPhone at up to 15W, plus a small platform underneath for charging Qi-compatible AirPods or other devices that don’t require a lot of power. .
BaseLynx 2.0 Watch is a magnetic Apple Watch charger that supports fast charging with compatible Apple Watch models. It has a simple design with a small curved arm that houses the charging puck at the top.
The BaseLynx 2.0 Vert is the most versatile component of the setup, featuring three USB-C ports with a shared 60W output for charging iPads, iPhones and other USB-C devices. The Vert has four metal bars with silicone padding to hold your devices in place while charging
You can stack up to three devices on the bars, although depending on the placement of other components, you may be able to fit one more. The Vert comes with a USB-C cable, but you’ll need to provide other smaller cables to go with it. I bought 12-inch and 6-inch cables and found that 12 inches is the ideal cable size to use with the charger.
You plug one end of the cable into your device and the other end into the Vert, and then put it into a slot on the Vert, so the cable needs to be long enough for that. Six inches is tall enough for an iPhone, but not as big as an iPad Pro. I definitely wish the USB-C ports were on the back of the Vert to better hide the cabling for a cleaner look. Using one port, a device gets a full 60W. With two, it’s split into 30W, and with three, each port gets 20W.
There is also a BaseLynx 2.0 End Cap, which adds additional charging power to a BaseLynx setup. It has a 125V AC outlet and a dedicated 67W USB-C port for connecting laptop chargers or other devices, both of which can be used at the same time. Since the Vert only has 60W of shared power, the End Cap is a good option for charging laptops.
Each BaseLynx component comes with a removable cable element that snaps into one side, and is removed to connect multiple modules together. Since each can be charged individually, you can choose to use them in separate locations, but the idea is to connect multiple chargers together to create a customized charging station. With four modules, it’s 13 inches long and 3.5 inches wide, so you’ll need an oversized desk or enough counter/table space to accommodate it. While I don’t mind the design, it has a bit of a blocky aesthetic that may not be for everyone. In terms of space, it takes up less desk area than most chargers I’ve owned before, and it offers a good balance of charging capacity and usable space.
The end cap is, as the name suggests, designed to fit on the end, but the other components can fit together in any configuration. Each piece has connectors and holes (covered by the aforementioned cable elements and snap-in protectors) that link together. The option to arrange modules is nice as you can set it up in the best arrangement for your usage needs.
You can connect a surprising number of modules in a single setup, and Scosche uses a point-based system to make it easy. Vert five points, 2-in-1 stand two points, watch charger one point and end cap 0 points. The configuration can have a total of fifteen points, so you can connect three Verts only, two Verts, two 2-in-1 stands and a watch charger or a combination of other components.
The setup I tested with the Vert, 2-in-1 stand, watch charger, and end cap is eight points, so I can add additional components in the future if I need to charge more devices. With such expandability, you can set up a charging station that can serve all members of your family or multiple people in the office.
Any setup of 15 points or less requires only one power source and one cable, so it significantly reduces cables to plug in and have at your desk. Having fewer cables and requiring fewer outlets is something I love about the Scosche BaseLynx system. I have test devices so I have a few more Apple products than the average person and it streamlines my desk setup.
With a BaseLynx setup that includes an End Cap, Vert, Apple Watch charger, and 2-in-1 charger, I can charge two iPhones (one is USB-C), an iPad Pro, an iPad mini, an Apple Watch, AirPods, and a Steam Deck. If I use a multi-port power adapter with end caps, it will stretch a bit more. Most devices charge at maximum speed with this setup, though the iPad Pro charges at 20W with all ports and the 13 Pro Max is limited to its maximum wireless charging speed.
I checked the charging speed for all components, and there were no surprises. The 2-in-1 stand charged my iPhone from 0 to 38 percent in one hour in three tests, and from 0 to 39 percent in two other tests. The Apple Watch charger charged my Series 9 as quickly as expected (I charge twice a day in 20-minute increments), and in one particular test, it hit 70 percent in 30 minutes when starting from a dead battery. The Vert Power Split worked as described, using three ports with a 20/20/20 split. These ports are ideal for iPhone and iPad, and I charge my MacBook Air and Steam Deck with an end cap that supports 67W or a power adapter plugged into the included outlet.
bottom line
All components are useful, but if I had to pick one or two, the vert and end cap are the most versatile. Having a multi-port stand for my larger devices that keeps them out of the way frees up a lot of desktop space and has proven to be very convenient. I’ve seen multi-port charging stations that are cheaper on Amazon, but most of them use USB-A and are larger than Scosch’s system. It’s worth noting that there’s no USB-A port available, so if you have things that charge with USB-A, you’ll need a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
I don’t think the BaseLynx 2.0’s design is going to be for everyone, especially those who aren’t fans of upright chargers like the Vert or those who don’t need multi-device charging, but if you need to charge multiple devices, it saves space. I think it works best as a communal charging option in a centralized location, and that’s probably what will appeal to most people.
As with most third-party charging solutions for Apple devices, the downside to Scosche’s BaseLynx 2.0 is the price. Apple sells both accessories for a complete kit for $280, and a standard kit for $180. Other modules can be purchased separately, but the prices are only cheaper if you only want one or two components. Even at this price, if you have multiple devices or want something that will work for multiple people in the family, the BaseLynx 2.0 setup is a good option. It’s slim, it’s modular and can be added to over time, and it keeps devices out of the way while charging.
Scosche previewed a Qi2 version of the BaseLynx 2.0 earlier this year and it will be out later this year. Qi2 offers the same charging speed as ‘MagSafe’ without requiring Apple to license the technology, so it’s possible the model will be cheaper and could be worth waiting for.
How to buy
The BaseLynx 2.0 Pro kit that includes the End Cap, Vert, 2-in-1 charger, and Apple Watch charger is available from Apple for $280, while the standard kit with the Vert and 2-in-1 charging stand is available for $180. Individual components can be purchased directly from Scosche.
The BaseLynx 2.0 for Apple Watch is $70, the 2-in-1 MagSafe Stand is $100, the Vert is $80, and the End Cap is $50.
Note: Scosche provided MacRumors with a BaseLynx 2.0 Pro kit for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
