Accessories HTC Incredible Portrait Dock fits with or without cases CraigsDocks

[CM67]

CraigsDocks

Portrait style Dock, fits with or without cases, extended batteries etc, user adjustable, then once adjusted it becomes semi-permanent (you can reset it if you would happen to get something that alters your phones size.

Leans back for good viewing angle

This is a "Dock" not just something that holds your phone

Aluminum top and steel bottom plate, weighs in at almost a half pound, very stable no need to worry of it tipping over

Dont want it plugged in? ... just slide it slightly to the right and it will sit in the dock without being plugged in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtZWjxcxCKg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj6XPNgOACI


Making them For the HTC Thunderbolt and Motorola Droid X as well

 

[Bundy]

Not bad. Not the most attractive looking dock, but for the right price it could work. Where would I get one? How much are they?

 

[CM67]

Not bad. Not the most attractive looking dock, but for the right price it could work. Where would I get one? How much are they?

Its not easy to make an adjustable dock that fits without a case or with all cases and extended batteries, that lines up and docks automatically just by sliding it in.

As far as I know from looking everywhere on the internet I am the "First" one in the World to make a portrait (vertical) "Dock" that does this, with my invention of the "One Time User Adjustable Port Block"

I use mine everyday, you dont have to line up anything to dock your phone, you just slide it in and it docks.

Thanks for your reply to this thread

 

[tdub88]

You can one of these for $8.90. Will go vertical or horizontal or anywhere in between. It comes w/ different sized 'feet' The Blackberry 9000 work. Probably won't work w/ a case, but it works great for sitting on my desk at work and at home for charging on the counter.




For only $8.00 each when QTY 50+ purchased - Desktop Stand for iPhone 3G/3GS & 4, Blackberry 8900, 9000 & 9500 | Bracket / Stand for iPhone & Blackberry

 

[CM67]

Ummm that is a phone holder, not a dock ... and wont fit with cases

 

[airjordan223]

Looks like a good idea, i think it would work/look better if you made it for landscape mode.

 

[Peoples00]

any plans to make a land scape version? I will jump on one ASAP!

 

[CM67]

Yes I have one fully designed in landscape, although not in production yet, personaly I like/use the portrait type because of all the homescreens on the Incredible from the factory are in portrait mode, plus its a small footprint on my desk ... I can reach over push the power button on top and scroll through home screens look at messages etc. with one hand.

Obviously I can have whatever orientation dock I want on my own desk since I make them, but I do prefer the portrait model myself for the Incredible ... but I am very in tune to the fact people like what they like and I try and design with that in mind as long as it can be made and it will also 100% work perfect, will be very durable and also be user friendly.

The dock you see above is heavy like a small paperweight, very stable and bottom heavy, wont tip over, although all my designs are/will be like that, also they are design to be one handed docks, meaning you reach over with one hand and are able to slide it in and dock it ... you can even do it in the dark, you don't even need to see this dock to be able to use it, you dont have to pick it up and mess around with it or worry about knocking it over.

My whole mindset when making docks is that they must 100% work with no struggle/user friendly and fit the phone correctly and be very durable, then pretty is very last on my list, if on the list if at all, mainly because I think the "STAR" in the whole sceme of things is the phone itself, I try and make the docks as invisible as possible.

I also design backward to what major companies that make cell phone docks do ... they design a neat looking dock and then make a phone sort of fit into it, thats why their docks only fit certain cases and or no case and/or certain batteries, making one fit everything changes the whole game.

I dont skimp on materials thats a big deal too me as well, for intstance that flocking I put on ( I have red flocking as well instead of the black, it matches the speaker grille on the phone) so it wont scratch your desk/phone takes some time and its all done manually, most companies use about 10 cents worth of plastic to make their entire dock and/or make it top heavy when the phone is in it or some kind of universal fit that doesnt fit 100% right.

I look at it like this, if its a struggle or a pain to use, you arent going to use it or avoid using it unless you have to, mine sets in my dock all the time, I actually can't wait to plug it in lol ... I use everything I design for several weeks before its offered for sale to make sure it works correctly and again durable.

Mine is usually just setting off the plug but still in dock, they set in the dock without being plugged in as well, you just move it slightly to the right off the usb micro plug ... most if not all the other companies docks dont do this, it must be plugged in all the time or setting on top of its micro usb port.

The problem I have with alot of their docks is the fact they make them using the micro usb plug as a part of actually holding the phone up/in, pretty scary if you ask me, that micro usb port is delicate, mine are made with 100% of the phones weight on the dock itself, not on the micro usb port.

I don't know about most people but I wouldn't want my phone in something that sort of fits, these phones are a $500+ to replace ... the most important item on these phones is that micro usb port and it must line up 100% perfect for it to slide in easy and to save your phone from any wear/damage

Thanks for all your replies, I do read them all and keep any/all suggestions in mind

 

[CM67]

Updated Dock design:
One peice top and in a different color to show detail, both are flocked in black on the bottoms and phone placement area as well so they won't scratch your desk or the phone itself and as always made from cold hard steel and aluminum from the U.S.A. not some 10 cents worth of chinese plastic (about a half pound of metal here)

These all fit with or without cases and/or extended batteries as always

(notice in the one picture below it shows what they look like before painted)

The one time set-up is still the same as in video in first post on this thread

 

[bckrupps]

Sent you a message on ebay. Mia730. I like this idea of a vertical dock as i just use it for charging and the alarm clock which looks better vertically.

 

[ACD168]

LOVE the idea, and the price is most likely based on materials. But I wouldn't pay that much from a HTC themselves. Just my personal opinion. But then again, I charge my phone before bed, off, every night then it lasts the night time and day til next charge. so it's only on the charger for a few hours tops, so I don't need one. It is a great design very quality build, maybe when then Thunderbolt comes out and you make one for that I'll be more in tune. Nice job, though!

 

[CM67]

LOVE the idea, and the price is most likely based on materials. But I wouldn't pay that much from a HTC themselves. Just my personal opinion. But then again, I charge my phone before bed, off, every night then it lasts the night time and day til next charge. so it's only on the charger for a few hours tops, so I don't need one. It is a great design very quality build, maybe when then Thunderbolt comes out and you make one for that I'll be more in tune. Nice job, though!

Thanks for your compliments and I completely understand what you are saying, this is probably a good time to explain my process as I am sure you know these take some time to make

The labor on these is intensive since they are all done manually, just cutting and sanding the facing smooth on that that billet aluminum wedge to an exact degree takes alot of time and those have to be perfect, then cutting and measuring the aluminum sheet to make the tops on a metal brake takes more time, then I have to cut and smooth the corners on the metal plate bottom as well as sand all the corners on the dock itself to round everything off.

Then after they are assembled they all must be completely hand sanded and cleaned so the paint will stick properly, this is a slow process and they must be completely sanded in all its nooks by hand, first they are primed and then painted 2 to 3 coats, then after all that dries, I have to apply the flocking adhesive by hand to the facing where the phone sets with a small brush and then blow the flocking onto them, then apply the adhesive on the bottom of the docks to apply the flocking to the bottom as well, I have to be extra careful when doing this because if you get the flocking adhesive anywhere other than where its supposed to be it will get flocked as well.

The micro usb port block is also intensive, I have to cut those aluminum blocks then drill a hole for the micro USB cable, then drill a hole from the bottom and then hand tap the threads into it for the set screw to tighten the cable

I can understand the pricing concern because I guess there are cheaper docks but they are either molded or made by a machine and most don't fit with any case if any, I would say I have close to 3 hours invested on each of these docks, would be longer but I dont charge for sitting waiting for stuff to dry lol.

I started making these because I wanted one and I just got hooked on making them, I made other mounts and cradles as well if you look back through old threads, I been messing with these things since I would say May

Thanks for looking at the thread and I enjoy replying to anyone that has a comment or questions ... I do enjoy making these (sometimes) lol

I think if you had one you would use it more than you think, I never thought I needed or wanted a dock myself then once I had one I wondered hey why didn't I want one of these?

 

[dcpmark]

I have 3 of these now, and they are awesome!! The latest version is the best one yet.....solid, and easy to mount and unmount. I much prefer the upright docks for the Incredible because you can actually use them while docked.

As a side tip for ALL docks, they are 10X easier to use if you use QuakeHold or any similar adhesive putty to fasten it to a solid surface. It's not permanent, yet provides a strong hold on the dock making one-handed mounting and unmounting a breeze.

 

[airjordan223]

The colored one is really nice and I think you have a great design, good work man.

Unfortunately I have this big issue with symmetry so the upright one is bothering me haha.

Definitely post up some pics of the horizontal one I'd like to see what your ideas are for that as you seem to have the right mind for designing a solid one hand only dock design.

 

[bckrupps]

I received mine today. Im really liking it vertical. It makes more sense to me. This is one of those products you have to see hands on to appreciate. Its heavy in the sense that its much more solid and stable than plastic would ever be. Its a really high quality usb cable and the 6 feet was a great idea. Mounting the phone is simple and there is plenty of padding underneath the base and putting it together couldnt be easier. My only suggestion to craig would be to include an extra piece of mounting tape just incase of the unlikely event of messing up while setting it up or saving you a trip to the hardware store if you ever switch to a different case. I give it 5 stars. Factor in that its solid, very well made and will accomidate any case its well worth the money especially if you have a otterbox or something thats a hassle to constantly remove. Shipping is really fast. Got mine in 2 business days. Thanks Craig. Great job.

 

[bckrupps]

Hey craig you should make a post about this on the xda forums too. Tons of people talking and lingering around over there.

 

[dsprik]

I will be ordering one of these when I return from a cruise the middle of Feb. Like the design/small footprint/heavy duty materials.

Now if you could just design something for my Buick Lucerne...

 

[Andy Cartwrigh]

The dock you see above is heavy like a small paperweight, very stable and bottom heavy, wont tip over, although all my designs are/will be like that, also they are design to be one handed docks, meaning you reach over with one hand and are able to slide it in and dock it ... you can even do it in the dark, you don't even need to see this dock to be able to use it, you dont have to pick it up and mess around with it or worry about knocking it over.

My whole mindset when making docks is that they must 100% work with no struggle/user friendly and fit the phone correctly and be very durable, then pretty is very last on my list, if on the list if at all, mainly because I think the "STAR" in the whole sceme of things is the phone itself, I try and make the docks as invisible as possible.

I really like this approach. I don't care what the product looks like, it just has to work well.

I long for the days of the old palmpilots and axims which used heavy weighted docks and the device was easily inserted/removed. No drama, just worked well one handed. Having to hold down a dock with my off hand while inserting the device is the kind of stuff that absolutely drives me crazy.

While I understand the one-time set-up and the design idea behind this scheme using the tape, I'm concerned about future adaptability. I am a new htc user and am going to try several different cases, and the stock battery for awhile, and may end up with the 3500 battery. This will play out over the next 6 months or so.

How can this type of situation be dealt with as a users needs/wants mature over the life-cycle of phone ownership? Is it possible to release the tape with the application of some heat? Is it possible to break the tapes adhesion by putting the dock into a bearing press to separate the block from the frame then cleaning the tape residue off with some acetone? Possible to use some low-profile high strength velcro during the phone testing phase and then go to the permanent tape later?

Just wondering how I can deal with this.

Thanks

 

[medwa]

Do you have any closer/more detailed pics of the USB block? I'm interested in how you would adjust the height of the charger for different cases.

 

[CM67]

I really like this approach. I don't care what the product looks like, it just has to work well.

I long for the days of the old palmpilots and axims which used heavy weighted docks and the device was easily inserted/removed. No drama, just worked well one handed. Having to hold down a dock with my off hand while inserting the device is the kind of stuff that absolutely drives me crazy.

While I understand the one-time set-up and the design idea behind this scheme using the tape, I'm concerned about future adaptability. I am a new htc user and am going to try several different cases, and the stock battery for awhile, and may end up with the 3500 battery. This will play out over the next 6 months or so.

How can this type of situation be dealt with as a users needs/wants mature over the life-cycle of phone ownership? Is it possible to release the tape with the application of some heat? Is it possible to break the tapes adhesion by putting the dock into a bearing press to separate the block from the frame then cleaning the tape residue off with some acetone? Possible to use some low-profile high strength velcro during the phone testing phase and then go to the permanent tape later?

Just wondering how I can deal with this.

Thanks

Hello thanks for the question, the tape while very very strong has a push pull strength, twisting it very firmly would release it, the tape never hardens, it would be possible to remove the block by twisting it and picking off the tape and replacing with some new tape ( I do this to my own dock I change cases myself) and thus its ready for a whole new reset, I can include extra tape if this would be needed, I already have started including a few extra tabs in case someone messes up the initial installation.

 

[CM67]

Do you have any closer/more detailed pics of the USB block? I'm interested in how you would adjust the height of the charger for different cases.

The side has a square punched hole that starts at the minimum height needed for a uncased and with standard battery phone, then moves up and out from that point, the adjustment is very large, its actually way bigger than needed for anything that would be ever used on this phone.

Above you can see the side hole, that is the amount of adjustment you have which is alot of movement, its really much more exaggerated than would ever be needed, the block is only used for the depth of the side of the phone, since cases are different in their thickness on their sides, then the block moves anywhere inside that side hole for the height and depth of phone front to back.

 

[Andy Cartwrigh]

Hello thanks for the question, the tape while very very strong has a push pull strength, twisting it very firmly would release it, the tape never hardens, it would be possible to remove the block by twisting it and picking off the tape and replacing with some new tape ( I do this to my own dock I change cases myself) and thus its ready for a whole new reset, I can include extra tape if this would be needed, I already have started including a few extra tabs in case someone messes up the initial installation.

Outstanding. Thank you.

 

[SeeEss]

I bought your product. I LOVE IT. I love the weight at the bottom, the stability, the long cord, the portrait stand, the small footprint, the ability to put the phone on the stand without plugging it in and everything about it. Now I have to figure out how to never lose track of you in case I ever need another one. THANK YOU for your effort and craftmanship.

 

[CM67]

Thanks alot, I really appreciate it, makes it all worth while when I can help another by making something that they enjoy.



Other stuff coming soon

 

[kenc3dan]

Brilliant stuff, I've been watching your eBay auctions and am impressed by the development of the product. Vertical or horizontal orientation, your use of the miracle tape for car mounting and your handling of the micro-usb connection in a real dock context - you have single-handedly outperformed corporate giant HTC in supporting their product.

Have you ever made a dock that uses the AV cable for the Incredible? Charging, USB sync and AV out to stereo/monitors all in one dock. Might be a cool thing to try.