driving me nuts, should I get the car dock or not?

[tdubs]

I can upgrade in a few days and I'm going to get the atrix. I'm coming from an iPhone and I'm looking for a different experience and from the research I've done, this is what I'm looking for.

The accessories look awesome, specifically the car dock. I'm looking at the car dock because I spend at least an hour and a half a day in my car and I text and talk on the phone a lot for work during that time. I'm not sure, but I've also heard that this can be used as a GPS which would be great too.

The cheapest I've seen them for is on amazon for $55 including a micro-usb car charger since the dock doesn't come with one (which is stupid) and I can't decide if it's worth it or not, especially since it doesn't seem to work with a case (I'm just getting a clear hard case from ebay). If all it's really good for is hands free texting, then I think I'd rather just save my cash, but if the features are really that cool I would get it.

I don't have an aux input for my car so all I can see using it for is hands free texting, GPS, and charging the phone which doesn't seem worth it since I can get a car charger for a few bucks. Are the any other features that make this cool or should I just hold off? Thanks for the help.

 

[jess.hickey]

I took the car dock back because of the issue with it not fitting with a case. I spent my money on this

Newegg.com - Accessory Power GOgroove FlexSMART X2 In-Car Stereo Bluetooth Adapter

You get this in conjunction with one of the one-size-fits-all mounts (which most will fit a case) and you're good to go. You can still use the GPS feature and the after market CarHome Beta is a nice addition.

The sound quality of the FlexSmart is the better than any iTrip I've ever had.

Welcome to android!!!

 

[tdubs]

That FM transmitter looks sweet. How is the sound quality? Does it work well with voice texting?

 

[jess.hickey]

The sound quality is awesome. I was really skeptical when I bought this figuring there would be a bunch of sound degredation from the phone to the transmitter via BT then from the unit to FM...but it is nice. Like I said, it is better, IMO, than the most recent iTrip I had. I can not attest to the speech to text quality as I haven't used it...I use my BT headset for all calls and speech to text

 

[Kalashnikev]

I run an Auxillary audio cable and the sound is even better. My mount is an Mountek MT5000.

I was wondering though... is there a dock app or how do I make the phone go into car mode?

 

[jess.hickey]

I run an Auxillary audio cable and the sound is even better. My mount is an Mountek MT5000.

I was wondering though... is there a dock app or how do I make the phone go into car mode?

Check out my link to CarHome Beta in post #2 in this thread. It is much more graphically pleasing IMO than the stock car dock.

Once you place the phone in the car dock it SHOULD automatically go into car mode...and I took my dock back prior to installing the CarHome Beta so I'm not sure if you could set it to automatically open when placed into the dock.

 

[tanda4]

Fry's has them for $39

 

[Doyer]

If you're going to get a dock for the Atrix, I'd say a car dock is the least necessary. The laptop and multimedia dock are probably more useful in that they allow certain functionality.

The car dock just holds your phone and charges it while you drive, which can easily be accomplished with an affordable aftermarket car mount and cheap car charger. You can still use car mode.

If you've got the cash, go ahead and get all the docks. If you want to save some money, get an aftermarket car mount like this Arkon mount for $15 and get the multimedia dock and / or laptop dock.

 

[tdubs]

That's good to know. I think I may go the route of the bluetooth FM transmitter and the car mount. Even though it's a little more money, it seems to be worth it.

 

[anon(180004)]

If, like me, you drive for a living and use your phone for gps, phone and entertainment then I highly recommend the Atrix vehicle dock. My stereo is not bluetooth. It comes with a proper high amperage charger. It allows me to use the line in on my stereo in my personal truck and my cassette adapter for my work truck.

I installed one in my personal truck all nice and tucked away and am waiting on my second one for my wife's car/work truck.

I am completely satisfied with my purchase.

On the other hand, if you want a case then you are SOL since even the slim case I tried did not properly fit. Some here have had success but I have not and have decided to run naked for now.

Hope this helps anyone thinking of purchasing this accessory.

Mine was purchased from the Bell store for $60 plus tax.

 

[DeeDawg]

Very happy with my Moto car dock. Note, please, that the dock as purchased direct from Moto DOES come with the charger and cords in the box. The same dock purchased from AT&T DOES NOT come with the charger and cords in the box (must purchase separately) Go figger. I bought mine from Moto.

 

[j_squared]

I just got the car dock from AT&T it was 39.99 + tax and it came with all the cords, but not the actually charger.

 

[calbearz24]

Does the car dock use micro USB charger or is it a different jack like the HD dock?