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Best dock?

B

bonerp

Android Expert
Looking for a good dock to replace my radio alarm clock beside my bed.

Needs to charge, have the time on dim and wake me up to the radio.

Does anything exist?
 
I am interested in docks too though I don't need the time displayed.

Depending on the dock there may be an option to trigger "daydream" mode though it seems from reading that this may need extra widgets to get a clock. Beautiful widgets apparently does the trick as may others.
 
I like a dock, too, but for what you're wanting to accomplish, a profile app should work fine. You could also get a cover with a kickstand or buy a cheap universal stand at Walmart.

The challenge seems to be getting the display to stay on. Having Motorola phones in the past, there was an option to keep the phone on when plugged in, but I haven't discovered it yet on the Note.
 
Or if you really just want a charging stand that will prop your phone up, the TYLT is pretty awesome. That's what I'm currently using. Wireless charging, but props phone up to be used as alarm clock at night.
 
I bought the universal dock from Samsung and it works fine for my Note 3. I am not sure if it will do all that you want it to do though but it works great for me in as much as I use my phone as an alarm clock at home and at work and it automatically goes into "night" mode just fine in the dock. I used my 50% coupon code when I registered my phone and got two for $50.00 + shipping. It doesn't have the usb 3.0 so it does sit a bit off center but it gets the job done.
 
I use a standard metal phone stand I bought off ebay for $5. Plug in my cord for charging. Then use Night Clock and Llama for my clock. Set up Llama so whenever I plug in my charger cord after 10PM, Night Clock starts up automatically.

Basically I went the cheap way of doing things but it works so I don't care.
 
slickbrave said:
I like a dock, too, but for what you're wanting to accomplish, a profile app should work fine. You could also get a cover with a kickstand or buy a cheap universal stand at Walmart.

The challenge seems to be getting the display to stay on. Having Motorola phones in the past, there was an option to keep the phone on when plugged in, but I haven't discovered it yet on the Note.
Click to expand...
In this thread General Where's the 'screen won't time out when plugged in' setting??? post #2.
Read below

dynomot said:
Menu>Settings>about device>keep tapping your build number until your a developer.

Back to general in settings and a new option of "developer options" has appeared. Tap that and you get an option to "stay awake".

Why it is hidden there is anyone's guess, but there it is.
Click to expand...
 
brilor04 said:
I have the same question about docks. I've been looking at this one:

Samsung Desktop Dock for Galaxy Note 3 - Android Cradles - ShopAndroid

My question is I bought a Spigen Neo Hybrid case from Amazon. Doesn't add a lot of thickness but I'd want to be able to dock the phone without removing the case.

Anyone have this or know someone that does and if it will work with a case or not?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have a thin rubbery case on my Note 3 and it fits the OEM desk dock with room to spare.
 
Just a quick update. I got the dock and I love it so far. Only issue is I have the Spigen Neo Hybrid and there are 2 things I don't like so far:

1. The headphone jack is so recessed I had to get another slim audio cable for my aux jack in my car.

2. The charging port is so recessed that the cable will fit, but the dock port will not fit at all. I have to remove the case when I want to charge

The good news is that the case DOES fit the opening of the dock which the s3 dock would not do. Bad news is I need to now find a case that will seat in the dock so I don't have to remove it.

I like a certain level of protection for my phones. Does anyone have another suggestion for a case? Incipio? Casemate? Seidio?
 
brilor04 said:
Just a quick update. I got the dock and I love it so far. Only issue is I have the Spigen Neo Hybrid and there are 2 things I don't like so far:

1. The headphone jack is so recessed I had to get another slim audio cable for my aux jack in my car.

2. The charging port is so recessed that the cable will fit, but the dock port will not fit at all. I have to remove the case when I want to charge

The good news is that the case DOES fit the opening of the dock which the s3 dock would not do. Bad news is I need to now find a case that will seat in the dock so I don't have to remove it.

I like a certain level of protection for my phones. Does anyone have another suggestion for a case? Incipio? Casemate? Seidio?
Click to expand...

When I had the Note 2 I got a lot of great cases from eBay & Amazon for a fraction of the prices of those you listed here.

In order for anyone to suggest a case for you to use in conjunction with that dock they'd have to have the same dock and from the little I've read, not many people with the Note 3 have it.
 
Looks like I'm a little late but will post anyway.

I bought a decent RND Dock for $25 or so dock off Amazon. See my initial post here. Works good but I've since moved it from my night stand to the office whereby I think it works better.

The reason I say that is at work, I tend to use my phone in portrait mode more and like a dock as I stream music, etc and just prefer it upright. The RND dock accomdates various cases including my Neo Hybrid just fine. The downside is the micro USB Charging connection on the phone is a PIA to get mated up with the dock in the dark. It's much easier to just use a cable and plug it in.

However, now that I decided it won't work at home on my bedstand I had to find a solution. The beauty is I did and it was only $1.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. I bought several of these little guys for various portable devices we have around the house. Works great. Just plug in the cable, set the phone in there and viola!

IMG_4859_zps9a248bfb.jpg


I did trim the slot to be about 1/8th in wider to best accommodate the case but it was as easy as using a steak knife and making two small cuts. Perfect and you can't even tell. Just don't tell my wife I used a steak knife :)

Cliffs:
Forgo the docking station and just buy a cheap holder.
 
ScandaLeX said:
When I had the Note 2 I got a lot of great cases from eBay & Amazon for a fraction of the prices of those you listed here.

In order for anyone to suggest a case for you to use in conjunction with that dock they'd have to have the same dock and from the little I've read, not many people with the Note 3 have it.
Click to expand...

I know a lot of people don't have it, I've just always used one. I haven't found a way to get dock mode to activate just by merely plugging the phone in and at night it's purpose is to sit next to my bed and show a clock. Unfortunately I grabbed a cheaper Case Mate Tough case and same thing...the rubber lining of the case makes it impossible to dock it. It's off by a millimeter.

So, if anyone DOES get the dock, be forewarned...if you get a case...get one thats easy to take on and off because it won't work with the dock!
 
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