Vehicle Navigation Dock IMPORTANT!

[SGMD1]

- (IMHO Best feature) the USB + 3.5mm audio cable works like a charm: no fooling with bluetooth or separate FM transmitter or separate plug into the phone, just drop it in, clip it, and it's ready to go with just 1 cable coming off of the device.

I'm really looking forward to this

[R2D|2OID]

Great, I'm happy to hear such a positive review. I will be ordering one this week!

[Noodle360]

Ill take my blue tooth over the 3.5 plug any day. In my truck the mount sits kind of far from me, so switching songs would be a struggle while driving... with my BT I can use my remote for the radio to skip and search for songs... also the song scrolls across the radio screen, and looks quite nice, also handy because I can have the music playing then have the Nav up. I can use the remote to switch songs vs having to back out of the nav, bring up the music, skip how ever many songs, then back out of the music and and bring back up the Nav. all while driving.

You can keep your fancy 2 in 1 plug.

[joncarwash]

Ill take my blue tooth over the 3.5 plug any day. In my truck the mount sits kind of far from me, so switching songs would be a struggle while driving... with my BT I can use my remote for the radio to skip and search for songs... also the song scrolls across the radio screen, and looks quite nice, also handy because I can have the music playing then have the Nav up. I can use the remote to switch songs vs having to back out of the nav, bring up the music, skip how ever many songs, then back out of the music and and bring back up the Nav. all while driving.

You can keep your fancy 2 in 1 plug.

I can definitely see Bluetooth working for some, especially those with Bluetooth built into their vehicle, but I was just giving the advantage of the dock with cables for those like me without built in Bluetooth (and who don't want to pony up for either a new car or new stereo & installation). For those who prefer Bluetooth, I'd still recommend the dock without cables (available from Verizon for $40). Either way, the dock itself is still worth it.

[Noodle360]

I can definitely see Bluetooth working for some, especially those with Bluetooth built into their vehicle, but I was just giving the advantage of the dock with cables for those like me without built in Bluetooth (and who don't want to pony up for either a new caror new stereo & installation). For those who prefer Bluetooth, I'd still recommend the dock without cables (available from Verizon for $40). Either way, the dock itself is still worth it.

Sorry I should have said but that was geared toward the "no fooling with bluetooth" comment you made. Didn't mean anything by it, just having some fun... way you said that made it sound like even if you had bluetooth in your car it was a hassle to set up or use everytime. Took me less then 5 minuetsto set up and now when ever I set my phone in the dock it connects automatically.

Like I said was just having fun, no harm ment

[joncarwash]

Sorry I should have said but that was geared toward the "no fooling with bluetooth" comment you made. Didn't mean anything by it, just having some fun... way you said that made it sound like even if you had bluetooth in your car it was a hassle to set up or use everytime. Took me less then 5 minuetsto set up and now when ever I set my phone in the dock it connects automatically.

Like I said was just having fun, no harm ment

No problem. The reason I said it is because I don't have built in Bluetooth, so I have a combo Bluetooth receiver/FM transmitter that I was using with my OG Droid. It worked well, but it was an extra step or two to turn on and set, and I am admittedly lazy!

[Brandon314159]

So,

As I suspected, the Otterbox commuter case for the Droid 4 will NOT fit into the car dock unless you trim the rubber bit off the bottom that is covering the USB/HDMI ports.

If you try to fold this back, the phone won't nest down in the dock and thus won't enter car mode.

And yes, I removed the plastic insert first.

The cheap $6 case that I ordered off of amazon Amazon.com: Black Rubberized Hard Case Cover for Verizon Motorola Droid 4: Cell Phones & Accessories fits just fine in the car dock.

I will be using the lesser case as my daily, and save the OtterBox for when I'm not docking.

I love the car dock otherwise. Well engineered compared to the Seidio I used to have for the Droid 1

[Noodle360]

So,

As I suspected, the Otterbox commuter case for the Droid 4 will NOT fit into the car dock unless you trim the rubber bit off the bottom that is covering the USB/HDMI ports.

If you try to fold this back, the phone won't nest down in the dock and thus won't enter car mode.

And yes, I removed the plastic insert first.

The cheap $6 case that I ordered off of amazon Amazon.com: Black Rubberized Hard Case Cover for Verizon Motorola Droid 4: Cell Phones & Accessories fits just fine in the car dock.

I will be using the lesser case as my daily, and save the OtterBox for when I'm not docking.

I love the car dock otherwise. Well engineered compared to the Seidio I used to have for the Droid 1

Good to know... that means I won't be getting that case... ill probably go with the case and holster combo...

[SGMD1]

The cheap $6 case that I ordered off of amazon Amazon.com: Black Rubberized Hard Case Cover for Verizon Motorola Droid 4: Cell Phones & Accessories fits just fine in the car dock.

Sweet! That's the case I have too (I think). I ordered the vehicle mount last week and was wondering whether my case would work.

[Brandon314159]

BTW for anyone interested:

Did some power supply tests with this powered dock for the Droid 4.

Adapter: Provided Cig Plug --> USB x2 Motorola Brand
Input: 12V DC Agilent DC Power Supply

Adapter w/ no Cable: 16mA
Adapter w/ Cable: 16mA
Adapter w/ Cable Plugged Into Base Unit (no phone): 18mA
Adapter w/ Cable Plugged Into Base Unit (with fully discharged phone powered on): 336mA

I'd suspect that the extra 2mA is some standby current for the technology in the docking station for the audio output (since it only connects to the USB port, not the HDMI port).

Figure useful numbers for anyone leaving this plugged in 24/7

Later,