Docks That Work With Cases

BLACKTOOTHGRIN · Jun 9, 2013

I haven't seen a specific thread for the GS4
that's deals with this issue yet, so I thought maybe it would be useful.

I'm sure there are alot of us out there that would like to purchase a Dock, but don't want to deal with removing their case from the GS4 every time just to dock the phone. Hopefully this thread will be a quick reference for those looking for a Dock and have a specific case on their GS4.

I am personally looking for a Dock that will work well with the UAG Cases. (Urban Armor Gear)
If anyone has found a nice match, please let me know.
If not, and I find one first, I'll do the same.

gadzooks64 · Jun 10, 2013

I'm waiting for my UAG case. I'm hoping it will work with my Seidio dock.

I also have an RND Dock but I doubt that UAG case will work with it - I'll definitely try it though.

DanDroide · Jun 10, 2013

BLACKTOOTHGRIN said:
I haven't seen a specific thread for the GS4
that's deals with this issue yet, so I thought maybe it would be useful.

I'm sure there are alot of us out there that would like to purchase a Dock, but don't want to deal with removing their case from the GS4 every time just to dock the phone. Hopefully this thread will be a quick reference for those looking for a Dock and have a specific case on their GS4.

I am personally looking for a Dock that will work well with the UAG Cases. (Urban Armor Gear)
If anyone has found a nice match, please let me know.
If not, and I find one first, I'll do the same.

Did you try this one (it will even accommodate a Samsung Note 2 with an Otterbox Defender case on it)?

Amazon.com: iBOLT xProDock Active Car Dock/Holder/Mount for Samsung Galaxy S 3, S4 & Note 2 with aux-out to car-speakers. Works with ALL cases: Cell Phones & Accessories

BLACKTOOTHGRIN · Jun 10, 2013

gadzooks64 said:
I'm waiting for my UAG case. I'm hoping it will work with my Seidio dock.

I also have an RND Dock but I doubt that UAG case will work with it - I'll definitely try it though.

Let me know how those two work out with the UAG case.
I'm not familiar with the Seidio Dock, but I've seen some nice RND Docks on Amazon.
I know the RND Docks have a removable sleeve to make it bigger so it can be used with a case, but I'm not sure it would make it big enough for the UAG Case.
(which is funny because the UAG doesn't add much size to the GS4, but does have some bumper type of corners that may get in the way.)

Do either of those two docks that you own actually put the GS4 in "Dock Mode",
or are they basically just used as a charging port?
Either is fine with me...but I suppose it would be nice to have one that actually activated Dock Mode on the GS4.

DanDroide said:
Did you try this one (it will even accommodate a Samsung Note 2 with an Otterbox Defender case on it)?

Amazon.com: iBOLT xProDock Active Car Dock/Holder/Mount for Samsung Galaxy S 3, S4 & Note 2 with aux-out to car-speakers. Works with ALL cases: Cell Phones & Accessories

I guess I shouldve made myself more clear and stated a desktop dock, not car dock.
Thanks though...still good info to post Dan.

gadzooks64 · Jun 11, 2013

My UAG case gets here Wednesday. I will post then if it fits in the RND dock.

Neither of these docks will put the device into dock mode.

BLACKTOOTHGRIN · Jun 11, 2013

Sounds good, thanks.
Please post if it works with either Dock though.
If it only works with the Seidio, then I'll have to get the model number from ya.

Pics would also be nice with which ever Dock it works with.

gadzooks64 · Jun 13, 2013

Ok, got the UAG case yesterday.

Very pleased with the case. Lighter and thinner than I expected but has great coverage and feels and looks awesome.

Was planning to give it to son when he gets his S4 in August but I think I'll just have to buy him his own.

Also realized that other son took the RND dock with him to camp this week so I won't be able to test that one out until Saturday.

Here are pics of the Seidio dock:

BLACKTOOTHGRIN · Jun 13, 2013

Glad to hear you like your UAG Case.
I think they're top notch for a daily driver under moderate conditions.
I presume you're saying it works with the Seidio dock, but all the links to your pics are broken.
Any chance you can fix them so we all can have a look?

Still would like to hear if the RND Dock works (and pics if it does)
when your boy gets back from his trip.

Thanks.

gadzooks64 · Jun 13, 2013

Update photo links.

Let me know if they show up now.

BLACKTOOTHGRIN · Jun 13, 2013

Yep....the pictures are showing up now.

Looks great!

Do you feel that the phone is sturdy in the Seidio Dock, both side to side and forward and back?
(being as there aren't any guides or sides to the dock)
Do you think that the micro usb jack is solid and up to par?
Any trouble with stability and the phone wanting to fall over with this dock?
How about charge time? Does it charge just as fast as it would with the "stock charger"?
(I've read some docks are lower amperage than stock chargers resulting in slower charge times)

gadzooks64 · Jun 13, 2013

BLACKTOOTHGRIN said:
Yep....the pictures are showing up now.
Looks great!

Do you feel that the phone is sturdy in the Seidio Dock, both side to side and forward and back?
(being as there aren't any guides or sides to the dock)
Do you think that the micro usb jack is solid and up to par?
Any trouble with stability and the phone wanting to fall over with this dock?
How about charge time? Does it charge just as fast as it would with the "stock charger"?
(I've read some docks are lower amperage than stock chargers resulting in slower charge times)

Charges just as fast as long as you are using the Samsung wall charger.

The connector rotates forward and backward on the Seidio dock to allow for cases.

No issues with the phone trying to fall over or list. I push the home button to turn the screen on and read stuff all the time.

All in all I'm quite a fan of the Seidio docks. Ours were purchased through the Android Central shop when they had a daily deal special ($20). That said both docks we bought failed and had to be replaced by Seidio.

Seidio are great about replacing items under warranty. We had to have a holster replaced in addition to the two chargers. I suspect there was some quality/design issue with the docks. The model number for the two (supposedly identical) docks were different but I didn't bother to check to see what the model of the replacement units were.

I believe the Seidio docks are designed to work with as many phones as possible. These replacements have been working fine since we got them a few months ago.

I don't hold out a lot of hope for the RND dock working with the UAG case. The UAG case is quite a bit wider than the other two cases I was using in the RND. While there was a little play with those cases I don't think it will be enough to accommodate the UAG case but I will update you on that when I get the RND dock back.

BLACKTOOTHGRIN · Jun 13, 2013

Now here is a NEW question....

Any idea if the Seidio Dock works with a more rugged type of case?
(A Ballistic SG MAXX Case in Particular)
Samsung Galaxy S 4 Ballistic SG MAXX Series Case | goballisticcase.com

I know for a fact there is NO WAY that the RND Dock would work with a more hefty rugged case!

gadzooks64 · Jun 13, 2013

Nice case.

I don't see a pic of the connector opening. That will be key in whether or not the Seidio dock will work.

You have to be able to get the usb connector through the case and into the phone. If the case is too thick then it isn't likely that you will be to seat the connector.

I'm able to do that with the UAG case. If you can find photos to compare the Samsung case to the UAG case you'll be able to see if it will work.

Edit: Based on what I can see of the Samsung case I would say it isn't likely to work with the Seidio dock.

The UAG case does work.

BLACKTOOTHGRIN · Jun 13, 2013

The plug on the Ballistic does pull out, but I have no idea how thick the case is.
I'm actually more worried about the extra thick bumpers on that case hitting the bottom of the Seidio causing it to raise too far away from the Dock. If it did...it definitely wouldn;t work. Either way, the most important thing (for me at least) is that it works with the UAG. The Ballistic I'm just going to purchase for a weekend outdoors and trips types of thing.

Let me grab you a link from another thread really quick.
It has better photos of the Ballistic Case and ports.

gadzooks64 · Jun 13, 2013

The corner bumpers on the ballistic look like the extend father than the UAG ones. It think that will make it problematic with charging on the dock.

I just verified that the model number on my dock matches the model number for the S4 dock listed on Seidio's website. Didn't want you to get one and find out they weren't identical.

BLACKTOOTHGRIN · Jun 13, 2013

Here are the pics from the other thread.
They show the ports which gives you a better idea.
I too think that those dang bumpers on the Ballistic will cause a problem.
The only way that they probably wouldn't is if the bumpers extended past the base of the dock, which is doubtful. And even if they did...they might still hit the table causing the same problem.
The only other thing I could do would be to grind out some notches in the Seidio Dock base to allow for the bumpers.
But not knowing exactly where all the electronics run in that dock, could cause a short. haha. Plus...it would make the dock look like holy hell. :rolleyes:

BLACKTOOTHGRIN · Jun 13, 2013

gadzooks64 said:
I just verified that the model number on my dock matches the model number for the S4 dock listed on Seidio's website. Didn't want you to get one and find out they weren't identical.

Very Much Appreciated!

gadzooks64 · Jun 13, 2013

Highly unlikely that will work on the dock.

BLACKTOOTHGRIN · Jun 13, 2013

Based on all we have discussed,
I think I'll try the Seidio Dock out.
It will give me the best possible option of using the Ballistic Case if any....
and like I had said, the main thing was to be able to use it with the UAG Case.
So thats all good.

If I find that the Ballistic case doesn't work with the Seidio Dock,
and YOU FIND that the RND Dock works wit the UAG Case,
I might buy the RND and see which Dock I Prefer,
then return the other.

Thanks for the help Gadzooks64.
I also hope this thread helps others out who are looking for a Dock that works with different cases, and that others post their finding as well, with various case and dock combos.

twister6 · Jun 13, 2013

Seidio dock with UAG is a go! With MAXX not. Protruding corner protection bumpers will prevent a full contact with micro-usb port.

gadzooks64 · Jun 15, 2013

Tried the UAG with the RND dock.

IF you force it on it will go on but I wouldn't recommend it.

The RND does work with most TPU and one piece cases. I have the Diztronic and the Poetic cases - both go into the dock easily - even with a little wiggle room.

BLACKTOOTHGRIN · Jun 17, 2013

I'm guessing the sides (probably the bumpers) of the UAG Case are just a tad too thick then
and very snug inside the sides of the RND Dock?
Would you not recommend it due to the pressure that has to be applied to the sides of the phone to get it work, or is there another issue with the actual plug-in itself.

I'm still waiting on the Seidio Dock to arrive.
I think it will come in either today or tomorrow.

BLACKTOOTHGRIN · Jun 17, 2013

I received the Ballistic SG Maxx Case on Saturday.
Its great for a more rugged cas, but I still prefer my UAG for everyday type of use.
It definitely will provide more protection than the UAG Case because of the 3 layers and Huge Bumpers.
It doesn't bulk up the phone like the Otterbox Defender so I really like that!
The added bulk and weight that it does add to the phone came as a pleasant surprise though.
It makes the phone feel alot more sturdy and solid in the hand.
(I for one hate the build quality of the S4. Light and flimsy)
As for the Rigid (optional) Screen protector it comes with....eh...
It will do what it's supposed to if used, but unless I'm in an extreme situation,
I'll never use it.
It's a fingerprint magnet, and really ruins the clarity of your screen,
just like all the Rigid screen protectors from all the different rugged cases.
I do think the Ballistic case is the way to go if you want really solid protection,
and don't want to be carrying around a brick all day.
I also feel its the best looking case when compared to the Otterbox Defender or Trident Kraken.

Docks That Work With Cases

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