Car dock with integrated Type C to Type C versus universal car mount?

[MikaelPe]

The car-dock with integrated Type C for Nexus 6P just became available here on Androidcentral.com, see iBOLT cPro Type C USB Car Dock with NFC - Android Car Mounts - ShopAndroid The benefit with a "Dock"versus a universal type cradle/magnet mount is that you don't need to first insert a phone and then separately "fish up" the charging cable from floor/center console and insert. Instead it's an easy 1-step insertion and you can also make a really neat "installation" and hide the charging cable.

The 2 meter cable ends in a type C connector as well instead of Type A because it will charge much faster (but obviously you have must a Type C 3 Amp car charger). Let us know what you think of this solution. Is it better then a Universal holder or?

 

[sjcdal]

I just got one of these...and posted my review on Amazon.
Not sure how long this will be offered, but they will send you a code for 50% off on Amazon if you write to orders@ibolt.co and promise to do a review of the unit. $20 coupon is not bad. And the unit is nice.
This is my review

So far this is great. Just what I was looking for. After some fiddling, I was able to adjust it so that I truly can mount my phone onto the charger cable and secure in the mount. Dismounting still requires two hand, but that may loosen up as the connector gets some more use.[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]This is a nicely thought out car dock. It includes 4 different ways to secure to your car. [/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]1. Standard (but the best sticky/suction cup I have ever encountered) suction cup mount with very adjustable arm to mount to windshield.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]2. a round mounting plate that you attach to your dash with the 3m adhesive, then stick the window mount to that.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]3. a good vent mount (these are still not quite solid enough for me, but this is a good one for what it is.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]4. a small stick on plate with ball mount. (I thought I would go for this as it is by far the cleanest smallest imprint solution)[/FONT]
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[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]The charger cable comes mounted to the device, but you have to provide your own 12-volt charger. Note that in the ytube video it appears they show the cable with going from the reversible and small "C" usb at the dock to an A larger type into a charger. That was their first prototype apparently as now the cable has the C connectors on both ends. This is what you want so that you can get the rapid charge when used with the proper charger.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]Note..since I always plow in without reading instructions I at first thought this device was an awfully tight fit for the Nexus 6P.....but then I noticed that the length of the top gripper bar can be adjusted and then locked into place with two small thumb activated controls on the back. WIth that properly adjusted I can now slide the top of the 6P up against the spring loaded gripper and slide the base into the charging cable. Perfect![/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]Some nicely thought out details include a number of cable management clips on the back so you can direct the cable and keep things neat and tidy.[/FONT]
[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]I can confirm that the cable provided will activate the "charging rapidly" message on the 6P when used with a rated charger.[/FONT]
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[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]Finally..full disclosure I was offered a discount on this unit if I promised to write a review. They did not ask nor require that the review be positive. These are my genuine reactions to the iBolt.

One other nice thing.... the unit is tapered so it does not block the camera on the 6P...if you mount it right that means you can activate a dash cam and it will take a nice shot out the front windshield. I use SMR pro to do this so it activates and starts taking a 5 min video with just a tap.

photos here..https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=aUZtS0JUMEt1UlVMNlNEWkJSYTh1aEhDa1ZxUzF3[FONT=comic sans ms, sans-serif]

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[Gangrel]

I was looking at this the other day, sadly it's not on the Canadian Android shop else I would pick one up.

 

[Michael CS]

Which is really too bad as I am looking for something like this for my Jeep and am in Canada as well.

 

[Gangrel]

We can order from the US store, but $15 for shipping, plus duties, means I will wait and see if it comes here first!

 

[DavinFelth]

It looks like all the weight of the phone is supported on the charging port. Any concerns with this?

 

[Gangrel]

Good eye, I didn't notice that until you mentioned it.

 

[sjcdal]

It looks like all the weight of the phone is supported on the charging port. Any concerns with this?

No worries. It doesn't really rest on the cable end. The cable that is included is encased in a rubber mount that provides the bottom support for the phone.

 

[Gangrel]

Thanks for the pic. A better view than the ones on their site.

Now I wonder if these will make their way to Canada soon......

 

[MikaelPe]

Hi Gangrel, I am with iBOLT and I will make sure that our friends here at AndroidCentral loads them up on the Canadian site asap. We need someone up there anyway to sell the product so stay tuned...

 

[Gangrel]

Thanks for the update. Just one suggestion though. The picture a few posts above mine clearly shows the rubber holder that helps on the bottom of the phones. You should update the pictures on the sale listing and your website to show that as I'm sure some folks might pass this by thinking like we did, that your phone rests solely sitting on the USBC connector.

 

[Gangrel]

Looks like it's up for preorder on the Canadian store.....

 

[Leon Stevens]

I hava a Rhinoshield Bumper on my phone, and I find the connector will not make enough contact to charge (barely; if I press hard it connects momentarily) with the rubber spacer in the bottom. Taking the spacer out, it connects as in their marketing picture. However, for stability, I prefer the spacer. Any ideas?

 

[Gangrel]

Maybe you could modify the stopper? Not sure if that's possible....... You'd need to make it small enough to fit in whatever size hole you have with the case.


BTW, looks like these are now available on the Canadian store.

 

[Leon Stevens]

You are correct. You can easily shave a little off the rubber spacer to make it fit perfectly.

All in all, a really nice mount!

 

[Gangrel]

Here's my review copy and pasted from the Android store.


Pros: Suction cup is strongest i have ever seen
Cons: Placement of NFC chip makes it useless



I purchased this a month or 2 ago to hold my Nexus 6p. Item arrived from the store in Canada within a few days, in a temporary box. Im guessing its so new, they had to use old SPRO boxes for now. But all items were intact, and in good shape.

I can only comment on the window suction cup, as thats what I use, so I havent bothered to try the other connections. But man, that suction cup really sucks! As in, sucks to the window.

Weve had an interesting winter/spring here, with temperatures swinging 30C from cold to warm, and back again in a matter of days. Usually I would find my dock sitting on the passenger seat because the thing would lose suction.

But the cPro hasnt budged! Even better, over all the potholes and bumpy roads around, its stayed attached, and does a good job of damping the phone movement.

The pieces of the dock feel solid and well made, not like the usual cheap plastic on a $10 dock from Walmart. I think this will hold the test of time. And the USB C wire is great, it charges rapidly when paired with the proper car charger.

My only nitpick and loss of the star is the fact that the NFC chip to boot up the iBolt Car Doc app is on the very top of the thing. I tried several times to perform the awkward place my phone on top while bumping against the window thing to pick up the NFC, but then stopped bothering. All it does is load the app, which you can do easier by just putting it on your homescreen.

Its a solution in search of a problem. If you are looking at this dock, get it for the build quality, suction quality, and the included USB C wire. Do NOT get this solely for the NFC, or even the app. I never use the app since Google voice commands do all I want anyway.

But the car dock itself is phenomenal. I have since put a Spigen Rugged Armour case on my phone, and it still fits in the dock just fine.

 

[dataz722]

Are they still offering the 50% of coupon for a review?