Hercules beefs up outdoor iPod dock

As hard as nails?

By James Sherwood • Get more from this author

28th January 2008 12:14 GMT

Speaker docking stations for iPods are ten-a-penny. However, the i-XPS 120 Outdoor is the first that’s claimed to have Apple’s golden 'Made for iPod' certification.

Hercules' i-XPS 120: rugged enough for the great outdoors?

Manufactured by Hercules, the robust unit’s designed for outdoor use and is coated in shock-resistant rubber. It also boasts a spray- and dust-resistant shield that covers your precious music player whenever it's docked.

The i-XPS 120 suits a selection of iPods, including all generations of the Nano and the iPod Classic. It can’t hold the iPhone, but there’s also an input for the other makes of MP3 player out there.

Two 6W speakers combine to make a 3D stereo effect, Hercules claimed. The unit's powered either by a standard external power supply or four C-type batteries, and there’s a carry handle built in so you can cart it around like a ghetto-blaster.

There’s no mention of a remote control, which is a shame. Instead, controls for volume and track selection are built into the gadget’s top surface.

The i-XPS 120 Outdoor is available now for around $130 (£65/€100). A UK price or release date isn’t available yet.