Moto Droid Accessory Unboxing Video

[Redflea]

Just purchased a car mount, multimedia dock, and privacy screen at my local Verizon store. They were not on display, but a rep had told me over the phone they were available, so I went in to get them.

They were nowhere to be seen in the store. The greeter told me they didn't have them. I asked him to get someone to check, and a very nice sales rep went back to check and eventually brought them out to me.

$29.95 for the mount and dock, $12.50 for the privacy screen. With corp discount and tax, came out to $59. Not cheap, but I'm likely going to return the privacy screen so my total will be $45 for the dock and mount.

I don't make it clear in the video, but the mount will attach directly via suction to your windshield, or to your dash via a disc you glue to it.

I know, an unboxing video for accessories!?

Here's the link to the video. Be kind, first time every done anything like this (even first time I've ever uploaded to YouTube!).

YouTube - Motorola Droid Accessory Unboxing

 

[Barbara]

The video doesn't work for me so I'll have to ask: does the car mount/dock come with a car charger?

 

[Redflea]

The video doesn't work for me so I'll have to ask: does the car mount/dock come with a car charger?

As sold from Verizon it does not.

I've heard that Moto will be selling a package that does include a charger, but haven't seen it available yet.

 

[Barbara]

O.K. Another dumb question: I have a car charger with USB cable connection that came with my HP PDA with Tom Tom. Would that work with this phone or is the adapter proprietary?

 

[Redflea]

O.K. Another dumb question: I have a car charger with USB cable connection that came with my HP PDA with Tom Tom. Would that work with this phone or is the adapter proprietary?

As my dad used to say, there are no dumb questions, but that was a really good try. Just kidding...good question, actually.

The Droid uses a micro-usb connector, you'll have to check what you have w/your HP PDA.

Here's what they look like...the first on the left is micro (Droid), and the second from the left is mini.

Micro-USB is replacing mini-USB connectors as a part of a standardization/green initiative.

 

[Barbara]

Actually the Droid comes with the micro usb cable. It has the standard usb end that plugs in to the AC adapter. My car charger has the same standard usb port that the AC adapter has. I'm thinking that I can use the adapter with the cable that comes with the Droid without having to purchase another device.

It looks something like this:

http://lifehacker.com/5367016/usb-car-adapter-charges-any-usb-device-on+the+go

 

[rawness]

Thanks for the vid.

I don't see myself getting either of these...I was considering the car mount, but w/o a charger, I likely won't be getting that either.

I'm actually kind of surprised they don't offer a car charger.

 

[Redflea]

Actually the Droid comes with the micro usb cable. It has the standard usb end that plugs in to the AC adapter. My car charger has the same standard usb port that the AC adapter has. I'm thinking that I can use the adapter with the cable that comes with the Droid without having to purchase another device.

It looks something like this:

USB Car Adapter Charges Any USB Device On-the-Go - Gadgets - Lifehacker

That's correct, but the micro-usb cable that comes w/the Droid is required if you want to have a home charger - it plugs into the wall plug unit.

So you can do what you're saying if you don't mind bringing the cable back and forth from your car to the house and unplugging/replugging. Much simpler just to get a second micro-usb cable - just a few bucks.

 

[Barbara]

That's correct, but the micro-usb cable that comes w/the Droid is required if you want to have a home charger - it plugs into the wall plug unit.

So you can do what you're saying if you don't mind bringing the cable back and forth from your car to the house and unplugging/replugging. Much simpler just to get a second micro-usb cable - just a few bucks.

Excellent point. But the actual car adapter should still work without having to purchase another one.

 

[Redflea]

Thanks for the vid.

I don't see myself getting either of these...I was considering the car mount, but w/o a charger, I likely won't be getting that either.

I'm actually kind of surprised they don't offer a car charger.

The one that Motorola sells will come w/a car charger, but there's no info on pricing yet...if it's 29 like the VZW package, getting it from Moto will be a better deal.

You can of course add a car charger from Amazon or other source for a few bucks...since I get a corp discount I could add the car charger and still pay less than $29 for the setup.

Of course, I already have mini-usb car chargers from all my previous phones, so I'll simply get a $3 mini to micro usb adapter and use that w/my existing car charger. Simple.

The nice thing about the car doc is that it puts the Droid into Car mode automatically.

Oh - and the charger isn't integrated into the unit - you'll have to connect it manually to the phone and then put the phone in the car mount. So I wouldn't use it much except for long (>1 hour) drives...my commute between work-home is about 10 minutes, so I'll make very little use of the car charger.

 

[Redflea]

Excellent point. But the actual car adapter should still work without having to purchase another one.

Yes, of course - that's one piece of HW you won't have to change at least.

The standard USB charging/PC connector hasn't changed since it's original introduction, as far as I've seen.

What I should have suggested above is that you get a mini-USB to Micro-usb adapter.

I'm sure you can find them at a local electronics store, or a Amazon. T-Mobile stores sell them for about $5. That way you can have one cable in your car that would support both types of connections, should you find a need for micro or mini usb charging.

I just checked - Amazon has 'em for $1.67 but about $4 shipping through the vendors selling them. So might as well get it fo $5 and change at T-Mobile, if you can't find it cheaper at a local store like Frys. BB might carry 'em as well, of course.

 

[BigRedNole]

This video contradicts what others have said. It shows that the car nav system does not come with a charger. If it doesn't have a charger, then it is a useless piece of plastic. 3rd parties will come up with a carrier for less with a charger.

Can anyone confirm this?

 

[Barbara]

This video contradicts what others have said. It shows that the car nav system does not come with a charger. If it doesn't have a charger, then it is a useless piece of plastic. 3rd parties will come up with a carrier for less with a charger.

Can anyone confirm this?

Actually they did say that it comes without the charger. I think I confused the issue by asking if I could use a car charger for another device with this phone.

 

[Robobandit]

That media dock looks really nice. Maybe I'll swing by a VZW store today and see if they have one.

 

[realbrilliance]

Sorry if this was answered, but does the media dock come with a car charger, or just an ac charger?

 

[CatsTide]

very nice vid...and yes it was interesting for the folks that can't wait for the droid!

 

[CatsTide]

This video contradicts what others have said. It shows that the car nav system does not come with a charger. If it doesn't have a charger, then it is a useless piece of plastic. 3rd parties will come up with a carrier for less with a charger.

Can anyone confirm this?

i had read that it comes with a chatger too...disappointing but i will still pick it up. others will come out with docks but this will have the magnetic sensor that will put the phone into "car mode". i believe any car charger with a micro usb connector should work. i don't own one yet but i will be picking one up somewhere because most new phones are using the micro usb port and you should be able to use it for your next several phones.

 

[Redflea]

This video contradicts what others have said. It shows that the car nav system does not come with a charger. If it doesn't have a charger, then it is a useless piece of plastic. 3rd parties will come up with a carrier for less with a charger.

Can anyone confirm this?

Actually they did say that it comes without the charger. I think I confused the issue by asking if I could use a car charger for another device with this phone.

Sorry if this was answered, but does the media dock come with a car charger, or just an ac charger?

i had read that it comes with a chatger too...disappointing but i will still pick it up. others will come out with docks but this will have the magnetic sensor that will put the phone into "car mode". i believe any car charger with a micro usb connector should work. i don't own one yet but i will be picking one up somewhere because most new phones are using the micro usb port and you should be able to use it for your next several phones.

Here's how it is:

Multimedia Dock: $29.95 from Verizon. No price posted on Moto site yet. Both Verizon and Moto include a wall charger plug and micro-USB cable to connect to the wall plug. No car charger included.

Car mount: Mount only, usable on windshield or dash (via adhesive disc you can apply). Puts Droid automatically into "Car Mode" when inserted in the doc.

- When purchased from Verizon: Does not include any car charger/cable, etc. Just the mount. Price is $29.95.

- When purchased from Motorola: Includes car charger. No price posted on the Moto site, not available for sale there either.

You can easily connect a micro-usb charger to the Droid while it's in the Car Mount. These can be found on Amazon or eBay for cheap.

The reason the Verizon version of the Car Mount does not include a car charger is that they want to sell that to you separately...more money/margin for VZW that way, and they make a ton of $ on their accessories, believe me.

Hope that helps...

 

[realbrilliance]

Here's how it is:
Hope that helps...

thanks for breaking it down for the slow kids!

 

[dmodert66]

i had read that it comes with a chatger too...disappointing but i will still pick it up. others will come out with docks but this will have the magnetic sensor that will put the phone into "car mode". i believe any car charger with a micro usb connector should work. i don't own one yet but i will be picking one up somewhere because most new phones are using the micro usb port and you should be able to use it for your next several phones.

There will be plenty of after market versions with the sensors. I mean, engadget built one with cardboard and magnets! Granted, the link below is for making your own media dock, but I can't imagine it's much more difficult to position the magnets to get car dock mode..

How-to: hack your own DROID dock with magnets and cardboard

 

[CatsTide]

There will be plenty of after market versions with the sensors. I mean, engadget built one with cardboard and magnets! Granted, the link below is for making your own media dock, but I can't imagine it's much more difficult to position the magnets to get car dock mode..

How-to: hack your own DROID dock with magnets and cardboard

yeah i agree it isn't rocket science but i think i will opt for the verizon/moto models friday. with VIP discount they can be had for about 25 bucks each.

 

[Redflea]

There will be plenty of after market versions with the sensors. I mean, engadget built one with cardboard and magnets! Granted, the link below is for making your own media dock, but I can't imagine it's much more difficult to position the magnets to get car dock mode..

How-to: hack your own DROID dock with magnets and cardboard

I love that video - funny and informative.

The main reason to purchase the Multimedia Dock (for me) was that it includes the built-in micro-usb charger port, which means a quick drop into the dock and it's good to go.

The car dock is another story, but I like the custom fit of the Droid dock, and didn't want to deal with a generic holder. $29 is a bit ridiculous...I suspect if you wait a few weeks there will be knock-offs available on eBay.