OWL Car Pad (Qi Car Charger)

ukrainetrain · Apr 3, 2013

Got mine a week ago...

I originally ordered the Carpad about a month ago(the one for the Nexus 4) hoping it work with my DNA. However as we all later found out the coil position was a little low. I contacted Moon at Owl and he took care of everything! He let me know that he'd send me the Carpad N2 as soon as it was ready. Overall I'm very happy with the product and the service.

As far as what I think of the Carpad N2...I think it's awesome! With the DNA docked and screen turned off I average 7-9% of charge every 30 minutes. If I'm streaming music through bluetooth in the car it gains about 2-3% in 30 minutes. The mount is built well and the DNA fits perfectly in it. Maybe I'm biased but I prefer Korean quality over Chinese.

To be fair you probably could get the same or slightly better performance from a regular plug in charger but to me the convenience of Qi charging makes it completely worth it. One of the main reasons I got the DNA was because of the Qi charging. I'm not a big fan of MicroUSB plugs, especially ones that have a flap cover like the one on the DNA.

---------- Post added at 10:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 AM ----------

ukrainetrain said:
I originally ordered the Carpad about a month ago(the one for the Nexus 4) hoping it work with my DNA. However as we all later found out the coil position was a little low. I contacted Moon at Owl and he took care of everything! He let me know that he'd send me the Carpad N2 as soon as it was ready. Overall I'm very happy with the product and the service.

As far as what I think of the Carpad N2...I think it's awesome! With the DNA docked and screen turned off I average 7-9% of charge every 30 minutes. If I'm streaming music through bluetooth in the car it gains about 2-3% in 30 minutes. The mount is built well and the DNA fits perfectly in it. Maybe I'm biased but I prefer Korean quality over Chinese.

To be fair you probably could get the same or slightly better performance from a regular plug in charger but to me the convenience of Qi charging makes it completely worth it. One of the main reasons I got the DNA was because of the Qi charging. I'm not a big fan of MicroUSB plugs, especially ones that have a flap cover like the one on the DNA.

Also...my Carpad shuts off if the phone is 95%+ charged as well. It's a built in feature of the dock to turn off once the phone is fully charged. Obviously 95% is not 100% but so far this is the only flaw I've found with this product.

badogg · Apr 6, 2013

ukrainetrain said:
I originally ordered the Carpad about a month ago(the one for the Nexus 4) hoping it work with my DNA. However as we all later found out the coil position was a little low. I contacted Moon at Owl and he took care of everything! He let me know that he'd send me the Carpad N2 as soon as it was ready. Overall I'm very happy with the product and the service.

As far as what I think of the Carpad N2...I think it's awesome! With the DNA docked and screen turned off I average 7-9% of charge every 30 minutes. If I'm streaming music through bluetooth in the car it gains about 2-3% in 30 minutes. The mount is built well and the DNA fits perfectly in it. Maybe I'm biased but I prefer Korean quality over Chinese.

To be fair you probably could get the same or slightly better performance from a regular plug in charger but to me the convenience of Qi charging makes it completely worth it. One of the main reasons I got the DNA was because of the Qi charging. I'm not a big fan of MicroUSB plugs, especially ones that have a flap cover like the one on the DNA.

---------- Post added at 10:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 AM ----------

Also...my Carpad shuts off if the phone is 95%+ charged as well. It's a built in feature of the dock to turn off once the phone is fully charged. Obviously 95% is not 100% but so far this is the only flaw I've found with this product.

That isn't a flaw, that is to protect your battery. I wouldn't be surprised if it was actually the phone disconnecting the qi link to protect the battery.

preilly44 · Apr 24, 2013

Maybe mine is defective but I've tested it and it actually discharges faster when it is on the car dock (latest version) than when it is. I have it sitting in my glove box just sitting there because it doesn't work.

eakeller · Apr 24, 2013

badogg said:
That isn't a flaw, that is to protect your battery. I wouldn't be surprised if it was actually the phone disconnecting the qi link to protect the battery.

My Nokia DT-900 charges the phone to 100%.

rolltidewall · May 17, 2013

Just ordered one. I love the idea of killing that extra cord.

beaups · May 19, 2013

rolltidewall said:
Just ordered one. I love the idea of killing that extra cord.

What cord will this be killing?

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

yearn2burn · May 19, 2013

beaups said:
What cord will this be killing?

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

I assume he means the one you attach to the phone when you charge it? Alright, I understand your point to an extent. But it does replace a loose wire you have to find and connect each time with a permanent connection that can be neatly concealed. Plus, IF it works well, it's just cool.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

beaups · May 22, 2013

yearn2burn said:
I assume he means the one you attach to the phone when you charge it? Alright, I understand your point to an extent. But it does replace a loose wire you have to find and connect each time with a permanent connection that can be neatly concealed. Plus, IF it works well, it's just cool.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

Hmm. Solar to qi would be cool. Its a windshield mount after all.

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

UltraMagnus0001 · May 26, 2013

I like the way my droid3 mounted in the car. The plug just slid right into the mini usb on the dock, that's it. The mini usb had an audio output at the power connector end that all went through one wire, no crappy bluetooth audio.The lighter plug was 1amp, no slow charging. If you're on a long trip with a low amperage charger, using gps, screen is all the way up, playing music and have hotspot on, you can actually drain the battery while charging! Why don't we have proper dock with an aux audio out through the usb for our DNA? I'm tempted to make one with the desk dock.

rolltidewall · May 31, 2013

Just got mine in the mail. I think it's defective, or I received the wrong one. Is this similar to anyone else's experience? Using the AC home plug, with no phone plugged in, the LED is green. As soon as I dock my phone, it starts blinking red. The phone does not say it is charging at this point.

Does anybody else have this happen? Just wanted to know before I contacted Owl.

bmyton · May 31, 2013

rolltidewall said:
Using the AC home plug, with no phone plugged in, the LED is green. As soon as I dock my phone, it starts blinking red. The phone does not say it is charging at this point.

Using the Nexus4 version of the charger on the DNA will give you this type of error. It sounds like you received the wrong item, let Owl know and I'm sure he'll fix the problem for you.

UltraMagnus0001 said:
Why don't we have proper dock with an aux audio out through the usb for our DNA?

I suppose each person has different expectations, but personally I hate the non-isolated static I get when using a car charger and a hard connection to the stereo. Bluetooth corrects this for me, although the USB audio signal may not have the isolation problem. I know there are line filters that could fix this as well.

Also, I know I would not want to continually have to flip open and closed the USB cover door on my phone. I like that it is there to keep me from building up a layer of pocket grime, and wouldn't want to just cut it off.

If you don't mind dealing with the USB cord then you could go with any number of options:

http://www.amazon.com/xProDock-Acti...=UTF8&qid=1370019019&sr=8-7&keywords=car+dock

-Ben

bigjew92 · May 31, 2013

rolltidewall said:
Just got mine in the mail. I think it's defective, or I received the wrong one. Is this similar to anyone else's experience? Using the AC home plug, with no phone plugged in, the LED is green. As soon as I dock my phone, it starts blinking red. The phone does not say it is charging at this point.

Does anybody else have this happen? Just wanted to know before I contacted Owl.

how long after you placed your order did it arrive? i'm anxiously waiting for mine.

rolltidewall · May 31, 2013

about 2 weeks. Once I got the email saying he shipped it, it took a week to ship. Not too bad.

bmyton · May 31, 2013

beaups said:
Hmm. Solar to qi would be cool. Its a windshield mount after all.

I've spent some time thinking about wiring up a solar option for this car dock, and would probably pick up http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-22007-Coleman-Folding-Panel/dp/B007JU9K32/ref=cm_cmu_pg_t if I do.

The problem I see is that you are compounding the inefficiencies of the Qi interface with the inefficiencies of solar.

If you do give it a shot you should let us know, I would love to hear if it works.

-Ben

UltraMagnus0001 · Jun 1, 2013

I suppose each person has different expectations, but personally I hate the non-isolated static I get when using a car charger and a hard connection to the stereo. Bluetooth corrects this for me, although the USB audio signal may not have the isolation problem. I know there are line filters that could fix this as well.

Also, I know I would not want to continually have to flip open and closed the USB cover door on my phone. I like that it is there to keep me from building up a layer of pocket grime, and wouldn't want to just cut it off.

I already contacted iBolt about that charger, it's not compatible with the DNA. No one makes an AUX out dock for the DNA. The wiring in my 01 GTi has no ground loop noises or ignition noises leaking into the audio, so that's not a problem for me. I use an adapter that turns my CD Changer to an AUX in for the stereo. I can't stand the audio of bluetooth, it sounds like 128 bitrate mp3s. One of the reason I chose the DNA was the high current output from the built in headphone amplifier, so i guess I'll put it to good use as an AUX out. Combine the DNA with Jetaudio player, Velodynes in ear headphones and you're in audio heaven. I just ripped my micro USB cover off mine and never had a problem with my previous phones not having USB covers, even though I never use cases and just shove it in my pocket.

rolltidewall · Jun 4, 2013

After a few e-mails, Moon is sending a new CarPad. I will say, I do like the actual phone cradle better than than my Arkon. It's one hand in and out, quick and easy.

One improvement I would recommend is that it would be powered by Micro USB instead of a seperate plug. I understand though, the voltage is completely different.

rolltidewall · Jun 18, 2013

Just got my replacement OwlPad.. It charges, but is seemingly having issues connecting. If I unplug the DC power and plug it in, in connects. So far it's an everytime thing. Any thoughts? I'm weary to contact Moon again. I'm getting the same results on 2 DNAs.

UPDATE:

In my vehicle, have two DC plugs, one that is hooked up to ignition, the other to battery (always on). If it is on the battery powered port, then it works everytime, no problems.

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app

Topics

Topics

OWL Car Pad (Qi Car Charger)

ukrainetrain

New member

badogg

Senior Member

preilly44

Member

eakeller

Senior Member

rolltidewall

Member

beaups

Senior Recognized Developer

yearn2burn

Senior Member

beaups

Senior Recognized Developer

UltraMagnus0001

Senior Member

rolltidewall

Member

bmyton

Member

bigjew92

Senior Member

rolltidewall

Member

bmyton

Member

UltraMagnus0001

Senior Member

rolltidewall

Member

rolltidewall

Member

Similar threads

Top Liked Posts

New posts