Athena Docking Station....Check this out!!

[neildunne]

Couldn't beleive it when i saw it........ http://www.gpsforless.co.uk/product_details.php?id=9908

Compared to this at Expansys........http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=145164&asource=145430

[Deiota]

Neither do I!!!
I think there must be a mistake!!!!

[leoni1980]

Neither do I!!!
I think there must be a mistake!!!!

This docking station doesn't have USB host ports. It is available on Ebay for less than via this link. Good value if you're not bothered about using USB devices

[vzuravlo]

Neither do I!!!
I think there must be a mistake!!!!

Not mistake.
Expansys - abbreviation from words expansive systems.

[neildunne]

This docking station doesn't have USB host ports. It is available on Ebay for less than via this link. Good value if you're not bothered about using USB devices

If you look, its got a usb host port on the back. Check the description.......

Key Features


* Sync and charge your PDA & spare battery at the same time.
* A/V interface: VGA (15pin) port, Video out port, S-Video (4 pin) port
* Mini USB Port
* USB Port
* LEDs display status
* Complete with mains charger (correct mains charger will be supplied for destination country)

[leoni1980]

If you look, its got a usb host port on the back. Check the description.......

Key Features


* Sync and charge your PDA & spare battery at the same time.
* A/V interface: VGA (15pin) port, Video out port, S-Video (4 pin) port
* Mini USB Port
* USB Port
* LEDs display status
* Complete with mains charger (correct mains charger will be supplied for destination country)

I think you're probably right, I didn't notice the smaller picture. I stand corrected.

What I will say is that the Expansys one IS an official HTC docking station. It has two usb ports and I suspect that it is of a superior build quality to the GPS For Less model.


This does not detract from the fact that the official HTC dock is a bit of a rip off!!!

[adamelphick]

cradle looks pretty good. No problem with a single USB - can just use a hub i guess!

Plus looks like no logo on it so I can spray it silver to match my Ameo! WOOHOO

Anyone bought one yet?

[newworld666]

I received it, a couple of days ago... quality is not that good... difficult to connect my X7500 in it... the VGAexpansion connector is not well aligned with the USB...
Doesn't charge the X7500 itself, but no problem with the spare battery..
I didn't try the VGA or Video out ...
no problem to synchronize with Vista ...

So... I am not sure I would recommend this accessory, although it is very cheap

[Deiota]

I've questioned the store and they confirmed IT'S NOT THE HTC.
Even is half the price, I wont buy it...
Best regards,
Deiota

[leoni1980]

I've questioned the store and they confirmed IT'S NOT THE HTC.
Even is half the price, I wont buy it...
Best regards,
Deiota


I suspected it would be too good to be true. I doubt that Expansys would overcharge their customers to that degree as much as I doubt that GPS for Less could undercut Expansys by half. Presumably the cost of the docking station is set by HTC: the long and short of it is that HTC's device is a rip-off, but a cheap docking station with poor build quality and usability (if opinions are to be believed) is equally a rip-off at 30 quid.

[neildunne]

The bad build quality is just on persons view, and i doubt gpsforless would have taken it on board if it was crap, as they are also a reputable company. It is also well known that expansys are rip-off merchants, ya just have to check and compare prices with ebay and various other websites on many items to see how they over-charge customers.

newworld666...... Can ya post some pics of various angles of the unit which you have received, then people can judge for themselves, Thank-you

[Palmchen]

Couldn't beleive it when i saw it........ http://www.gpsforless.co.uk/product_details.php?id=9908

Perfect,
thanks, I've bought just now the gpsforless-dockingstation.
I believe it's enough for me and my wishes.
Really thanks for this info :)

[RichardKAthena]

The bad build quality is just on persons view, and i doubt gpsforless would have taken it on board if it was crap, as they are also a reputable company. It is also well known that expansys are rip-off merchants, ya just have to check and compare prices with ebay and various other websites on many items to see how they over-charge customers.

newworld666...... Can ya post some pics of various angles of the unit which you have received, then people can judge for themselves, Thank-you

I've had crap stuff from GPS For Less, like car mounts that fall apart. You get what you pay for. Expansys don't set the price of the HTC docking station, they just may not be discounting it very much or reselling what looks like a very inferior plasticky design.

I find all the Athena docking solutions to be unappealing because of the need to slide the device onto the USB port. It has connectors on the base for the keyboard; why not add a few more pins in the first place for USB/power/VGA and have it drop into the dock.

[newworld666]

One more week ... now the HTC 7500 can be connected much easier to the cradle...
I will make some pictures tomorow and post them....

With Vista pro .... I have to take off the USB connector from the cradle and then plus it again.... another way it doesn't get synchronize.. It is difficult to say it is the cradle fault or Vista or X7500 .... just it is anoying..

The fact is that when the spare battery is charging it is almost impossible to charge the X7500 itself ... so I have to control, wheter the X7500 is fully charged or not, quite often...

[Doodle]

Just received the official HTC Dock. Good quallity, and when I put a usb stick in one of the ports and my logitech mouse in the other, both worked immediately. I am impressed indeed. This is worth the high price

[optimuspt@mac.com]

If you look, its got a usb host port on the back. Check the description.......

Key Features


* Sync and charge your PDA & spare battery at the same time.
* A/V interface: VGA (15pin) port, Video out port, S-Video (4 pin) port
* Mini USB Port
* USB Port
* LEDs display status
* Complete with mains charger (correct mains charger will be supplied for destination country)

Its very hard sync withis dock station, the pc dont recognize the pda, need try many and many times, perahps one or two situations recognize.
the usb port, its valuable for mmc card and mouse or keyboard, hothing more.
poor dock station

[mardibloke]

Couldn't beleive it when i saw it........ http://www.gpsforless.co.uk/product_details.php?id=9908

Compared to this at Expansys........http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=145164&asource=145430

Anyone got the cheaper dock now on expansys, and can comment on the quality

http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?i=151437

Or recommendations for other places to get a dock - need VGA out and fast charging.

[tootallk2000]

Anyone got the cheaper dock now on expansys, and can comment on the quality

http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?i=151437

Or recommendations for other places to get a dock - need VGA out and fast charging.

Check out this thread. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=380062

We did audio mods to the docking stations after we purchased them. Something you might want to consider, and if you're asking about privacy, no the telephone conversation doesn't get transmitted to the TV or AV receiver.

[mardibloke]

Check out this thread. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=380062

We did audio mods to the docking stations after we purchased them. Something you might want to consider, and if you're asking about privacy, no the telephone conversation doesn't get transmitted to the TV or AV receiver.

Looks an easy Mod and no problem giving it a try.

Can you point me to a current ebay item that is the same as the one you have?

[tootallk2000]

Looks an easy Mod and no problem giving it a try.

Can you point me to a current ebay item that is the same as the one you have?

Here ya go: http://cgi.ebay.com/Charger-Sync-Dock-Cradle-AC-TV-Output-for-Dopod-U1000_W0QQitemZ140225903921QQihZ004QQcategoryZ2033 6QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Let me know how your modifications went.

[mardibloke]

Here ya go: http://cgi.ebay.com/Charger-Sync-Dock-Cradle-AC-TV-Output-for-Dopod-U1000_W0QQitemZ140225903921QQihZ004QQcategoryZ2033 6QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Let me know how your modifications went.

Cheers

I see in the other thread you mention you fixed the slow charging issue - but you don't say how. What was the mod/fix for that?

[tootallk2000]

Cheers

I see in the other thread you mention you fixed the slow charging issue - but you don't say how. What was the mod/fix for that?

I used a 3mha power adapter instead of the 1.5mha the docking station came with.

[mardibloke]

Thanks - ordered the ebay one

[bob_beringer]

All,

I got the docking station for charging the battery and I love it :-)

The slide-in port doesn't marry up perfectly, but it does slide-in nicely.

The USB ports are present, but don't allow you to charge the device or spare battery through the 5V usb adapters like we would like for it to.

The video out ports work fine, the charger is fantastic, but the one thing that I don't like is that you have to take off the leather case in order to cradel the device and sometimes simply plugging in the system to the docking station will force a reset.

If anyone can find a dock that allows for us to keep the leather case on, then that would be awesome :-)

I look forward to hearing other good news from the group, as you have the time.

v/r
Bob