SteveGavJR

Ok, First and foremost, let me apologize for the poor quality of the pictures. They were taken with an 8mp Digital SLR camera, but the lighting was crap, and I was in a hurry. So....sorry.


Alright, so what we have here, is boxwave's docking station for the HTC wizard and it's variants. It's pretty straight forward, in the box comes the cradle with attached usb cable, and a power cord.




Upon first inspection, the quality is nice, it's not 'thrown together' like some ebay-special. It looks nice, it's built fairly solid(What do you want? It's a phone cradle.), and it'll clean up your desktop a bit while still proving to be functional.

When I first plugged in the power, I immediately noticed the shining beacon that is the power led. While it shows that the device is powered and functioning, I don't think it's necessary to be able to see it from the moon. In other words, it's bright. Bright as hell to be exact. I had the cradle in my bedroom sitting on my bureau hooked up to my laptop, and I turned it around. That's how bright it is. Granted, most people don't keep computers and docking stations in their room, but I still think they could have turned it down a notch.

Next, is the fitment. It's a little difficult fitting the device onto the cradle. Most docking stations have some sort of backing to it, or sides that seem to hold and 'cradle' the device. This does not, while the base of it fits absolutely perfect, there side walls are very short, and the back is non-existent. Now don't get worried! The only thing time this causes a problem is when putting the device on the cradle, because there's nothing there to really guide it into place. However, when you find that little mini-usb port, BAM! It sits in there as if it was all one piece.

As far as synchronization is concerned, it's the same as if you had connected a data cable. No real change there.


So to sum things up, the build quality is excellent, they could have made it a little easier to get the device lined up, and they need to dim down that led.

I'd give it a 7 out of 10. This score could possibly be lower due to the devie not being easily placed in the cradle. For myself, it's not much of a problem. I'm sure for some, it will be a deal breaker.

radimus

See my 3 rules for devices... There is no need for these bright LEDs. The phone will indicate if it is being charged, the cradle doesn't need to as well.

I also prefer multiple functions in a given device. So if it is a charger/sync base it ought to be able to utilize the same ports for additional funtions and be a handsfree kit for the phone device.

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SteveGavJR

Originally Posted by radimus

See my 3 rules for devices... There is no need for these bright LEDs. The phone will indicate if it is being charged, the cradle doesn't need to as well. I also prefer multiple functions in a given device. So if it is a charger/sync base it ought to be able to utilize the same ports for additional funtions and be a handsfree kit for the phone device.

I see your liking for usb charging, however, if you wanted to use this as just a phone charger, that is possible without the use of usb adapters for power. I only have basic needs though. I deal with technology too much as it is, my girlfriend might kill me if I start integrating everything...lol

The LED thing is right on though...it was blinding.

For a cradle, the only thing keeping this product for being a perfect 10 is the fact that the device doesn't just 'drop in' to the cradle. Everything else is tolerable.

radimus

I'm looking for something like this:
shop.brando.com.hk



But including the mic so i can answer a call without popping it out of the cradle.

I would keep this on my nightstand and charge via AC and sync via BT. and use My Mobile to manage it from my PC if necessary

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Chris Leckness

I have that same cradle ( well, it looks like it but has a different company branding ) and it's great. Really only a pass through, but I like a cradle more than laying the device out on my desk.

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SteveGavJR

Originally Posted by radimus

See my 3 rules for devices... There is no need for these bright LEDs. The phone will indicate if it is being charged, the cradle doesn't need to as well. I also prefer multiple functions in a given device. So if it is a charger/sync base it ought to be able to utilize the same ports for additional funtions and be a handsfree kit for the phone device.

Originally Posted by radimus

I'm looking for something like this: shop.brando.com.hk But including the mic so i can answer a call without popping it out of the cradle. I would keep this on my nightstand and charge via AC and sync via BT. and use My Mobile to manage it from my PC if necessary

Touche

I'm not sure how I feel about a mini-boombox on my desktop though. It's not my taste, I'm a minimalist.