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Accessories Car Dock Discussion Thread
- Thread starter computerpro3
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- htc droid incredible
I have the exact same problem...its just that our vents are more "loose" than maybe some other cars and every time i turn the corner the phone swings to the side!
Ok, so I just tried my brand new car charger w/retractable cord. The cigarette lighter is down low and the vent is higher to the right...I kept no slack in the cord and it kept the vent from swinging to the right when I turn! It worked perfect. If you have a curly cord you could always gather the cord in a rubber band so there's no slack and try that. Hope this helps!
Yep, but you lose the option to charge. If you do try this out, please report back on your experience with it as I'm curious to know if the output is different (better) than the 3.5mm jack.
HTC Audio Cable AC A320 - Phandroid Store
Edit: I'd just verify that is a micro usb port before ordering. I thought some of the other models listed were mini usb.
belash
Newbie
Yep, that is problem. I considered cutting the silicone, but I found another alternative. My Shure SE530 headphones came with a 3 foot extension (male/female) that has a skinny male plug that fits PERFECTLY without interference from the silicone. I ordered another from Shure for $10 shipped after I tested my original in the car and it worked without any problems.
I ended up buying 2 of the Xways. I almost got the the regular GEO or NEO one (still don't know the difference between the two lines) but murdoc's explanation actually makes a lot of sense. The second I got into my car, the phone is going on the Tetrax anyways so the aesthetic issue is really moot. Also, the Xway will give the sides of the phone more support as well.
The dash and vent on my GS300 also slopes back which is causing a bit of concern so I just ordered it and crossing my fingers that it won't be issue. But after thinking about it, the vent's fin is adjustable so the angle shouldn't make a difference right?
This isn't a car dock, but figured I would post it here anyways. If you are looking for a cheap (free) night stand for your Incredible, you can simply use a coat hanger and bend it into a shape that will support it. Just make sure to leave an opening for the USB cable for charging at night. See the images below to get an idea of what is possible. I went a little over board since I was bored today. I ended up adding a wooden rod at the bottom as an accent and stripped a wire and used it as rubber feet for grip/protection.
If you look at the all wire picture (3rd picture), I ended up clipping those curved ends where the bottom of the incredible rests so I could put the wood accent. I clipped the ends, drilled two holes in the wooded rod, and slid it on. Not only did this make it look a little more professional, it also helped stiffen the dock up a bit.
If you want a bedside dock, think about making your own instead buying one. Take some time to look around your house and tool shed for supplies. You will be surprised what you can make with all the old electronics and junk you have been collecting. It'll save you a few dollars, and plus, it's fun and fulfilling to make your own stuff!!
A
Wow! Great job!!
Sorry it took so long, been backed up with work. Anyway here's the Xway installed. Sorry about the iPhone...only 3 more months left on the contract until I can jump to the Incredible.
wonderbread
Android Enthusiast
Is the magnet of the Tetrax really not a concern to damage the battery/screen or memory of the phone?
pretty tempted. I like the xway and the fix since I could stick it anywhere. Only drawback is that I operate my phone while it's laying flat on my desk but with the dimple on the back it would probably rock back and forth as I touched it. Can anyone comment on this?
pretty tempted. I like the xway and the fix since I could stick it anywhere. Only drawback is that I operate my phone while it's laying flat on my desk but with the dimple on the back it would probably rock back and forth as I touched it. Can anyone comment on this?
CaseyKees
Android Enthusiast
I think I'm going to take some electrical tape and tape the vent into place. I am having and aux jack installed in my stereo hopefully this weekend, so I cam just waitng to have that done, and then I'll try to see what I can do about that!
But I will try the cord thing as well. I would be a little worried though that it would put stress on the usb port??
gobluejd
GOBLUE!
golfinglenn
Well-Known Member
I have the cradle from Walmart that fits into the cupholder. My cupholder on my durango is sloped from back to front so I ended up finding a piece of plastic tubing that fit perfect, cut it to the height that I wanted the phone to be and the holder fit perfect into the tube. Spray painted it to match interior with plastic fusion paint and it looks great.
However, I noticed that if I try to swype on the phone when it is in the holder it doesn't work and does all kinds of weird stuff as well as other icons not working very well. If I pick it up, everything works normal. Anybody else notice this with the phone in an cradle or mounted some other way?
However, I noticed that if I try to swype on the phone when it is in the holder it doesn't work and does all kinds of weird stuff as well as other icons not working very well. If I pick it up, everything works normal. Anybody else notice this with the phone in an cradle or mounted some other way?
I bought a Soundgate M2 and installed it yesterday.
I don't have a case, so attached the connector directly to the back of my case. Didn't work well: the softtouch surface must not allow for good adhesion as the connector came right off when attaching it to the mount.
Tried using the Scotch heavy duty mounting tape (holds up to 5 lb) and a bit better, but still came off.
Ultimately I superglued both sides of the mounting tape to the connector and phone. It worked! Pretty much solid as a rock, though removing it won't be pretty.
I don't have a case, so attached the connector directly to the back of my case. Didn't work well: the softtouch surface must not allow for good adhesion as the connector came right off when attaching it to the mount.
Tried using the Scotch heavy duty mounting tape (holds up to 5 lb) and a bit better, but still came off.
Ultimately I superglued both sides of the mounting tape to the connector and phone. It worked! Pretty much solid as a rock, though removing it won't be pretty.
Trickeration
Newbie
That Tetrax looks freaking awesome. Almost perfect. I will definitely be ordering that as soon as a good case comes out.
Quick update after 2 days with the M2. All in all, I'm very pleased and can't see changing this out unless someone finds a way to integrate power and audio into a mount which I highly doubt. Anyway, I ended up unscrewing the bottom screw and reversing the mount to raise the phone up higher. Didn't even think of this at first. It's a much better viewing angle now, but I did lose just a bit of stability because the original way the entire phone was contacting the mount. Now it's floating from the disc. That being said, it's extremely stable while driving, even over some ridiculous PA roads. The only time I notice anything is when I try to hit the lower buttons while driving, but that's easy enough to deal with by just supporting the phone with a finger while pressing, and I honestly think even that small amount of play is from the case as I noticed there is a bit of movement there. So to anyone looking at this mount, I'd definitely recommend it. It's small, gives a decent amount of mounting options and is rock solid once tightened up. Here's the change I made.
Attachments
Yes, there's a thread on this. It seems to be some kind of grounding/electrical problem. You just have to get a finger (from the non-swyping hand) on it somewhere for it to work ok again. This problem even occurs if you just set your phone down on a table and use it with one hand. Touch it with the other hand and all is well again.
GreatGoo
Well-Known Member
Sorry it took so long, been backed up with work. Anyway here's the Xway installed. Sorry about the iPhone...only 3 more months left on the contract until I can jump to the Incredible.
Looks nice. Couple of questions.
- Is the phone high enough to safely view the phone and GPS?
- If i use the regular Verizon car charger and the cord is stretched a little, will it pull the phone off the magnet?
Per your phone charger question. If you're going to snake the power cord through the vent (which I plan on doing as well), I would zip tie it up higher so that you have more slack so there's zero chance of it pulling on the phone while it's on the Tetrax.
You'll want to give it some slack anyways in case you want to switch from portrait and landscape.
gobluejd
GOBLUE!
They come from Rhode Island, which it their US distributor. Shipping is $2.
Walcom USA LLC Copyright
I was all set to buy the Tetrax as well but after checking out my vent layout, I realized it will not work on my car.
Anyway, I did find that you can get the product from Thinkgeek.com.
ThinkGeek :: Tetrax Magnetic Gadget Holders
You can use the coupon 'FORTUNE343034" for $10 off, it should be around $30 with shipping.
Hope that helps.
gobluejd
GOBLUE!
I was all set to buy the Tetrax as well but after checking out my vent layout, I realized it will not work on my car.
Anyway, I did find that you can get the product from Thinkgeek.com.
ThinkGeek :: Tetrax Magnetic Gadget Holders
You can use the coupon 'FORTUNE343034" for $10 off, it should be around $40 with shipping.
Hope that helps.
Don't forget you can get the FIX, which will mount on dash.
Where my phone is mounted I can see and use the phone 100%. YRMV The mount really isn't designed to have a vertical load placed on it. While I'm sure it would hold initially, a bump or jar may knock the phone off the mount.
I've got mine in a case so I'm really not concerned about damage from the magnet. I'm not sure how thick the back is on the Incredible versus the iPhone, but the iPhone feels thick enough to keep any magnetic waves out without the case. As for the dimple making the phone rock back and forth, yes it does. I avoid this by simply holding the phone, but I can see where the concern would arise.
I bought mine right after some tech seminar in the US earlier in the year. As someone else posted, they do have a distributor in Rhode Island, but I bought mine right on the website I linked originally. I got mine in less than a week via USPS.
I was all set to buy the Tetrax as well but after checking out my vent layout, I realized it will not work on my car.
Anyway, I did find that you can get the product from Thinkgeek.com.
ThinkGeek :: Tetrax Magnetic Gadget Holders
You can use the coupon 'FORTUNE343034" for $10 off, it should be around $30 with shipping.
Hope that helps.
Hot DAMN I lose. Ordered it off of that site and paid the full retail price. Thanks for the link (and giving me buyer's remorse)
