PMA or USB Dock/Stand?

[bassoprofundo]

Hey all... Now that I have a 1520 on the way due to the recent sale, I'm wondering about the availability of docks/stands so I can prop it up on my nightstand. With my 920, I've gone to using a 3d-printed stand for the DT-900 Qi charger that props it upright, and I was wondering if there anyone's heard of anything similar for PMA chargers. I did snag the Incipio PMA case for half price and a free single device powermat (or else I wouldn't have bothered), so PMA is an option. I know next to nothing about how it works vs Qi, so I don't even know if it's possible.

If this isn't an option, does anyone have a recommendation for a USB dock. I don't see any kind of 1st-party (Nokia) solution, so I'm assuming it'd have to be something 3rd-party, but I wonder how well any of the "universal" options out there would work given the sheer size of this thing. Thoughts? TIA!

 

[Laura Knotek]

This does not include a charger, but it is a stand. Clingo Universal Podium - Windows Phone Cradles - The WP Central Store

 

[ThePKReddy]

Look up an article here on wpc about their favorite wireless chargers. I forget the brand, but there was a neat Qi charger which also works as a stand for indoors (not cars)

Sent from my RM-937_apac_hong_kong_222 using Tapatalk

 

[tanithis]

How did you end up getting the case for half price and a free mat? If I could get that deal then I would give up on holding out for a cyan charging shell.

 

[crgsibaja]

I have the Nokia wireless plate charger.. and is AMAZING

 

[Noahma]

Unfortunately there are few options for PMA out there. AT&T is backing the lesser of the two wireless charging standards, and we the customers have to suffer.

 

[mozman68]

I'm not sure anyone can say PMA is the "lesser" of the two at this point from a functional standpoint or that Qi will be the "standard" for wireless charging moving forward. Especially not simply because it is more prevalent at this point.

History is full of tech battles that were won out by what was at the time perceived to be the "lesser" of the two options. The fact that one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world is siding with PMA makes we wonder which will win out.

 

[Noahma]

I'm not sure anyone can say PMA is the "lesser" of the two at this point from a functional standpoint or that Qi will be the "standard" for wireless charging moving forward. Especially not simply because it is more prevalent at this point.

History is full of tech battles that were won out by what was at the time perceived to be the "lesser" of the two options. The fact that one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world is siding with PMA makes we wonder which will win out.

It is not really up to the retailer on who will win this standards battle, its the manufacturers that will win the battle. Right now if you google QI charger, you will find a slathering of chargers of all shapes, sizes and configurations. If you google PMA, you get a list of what PMA is, and about two different charging plates you can order. Same thing happened with Betamax vs. VHS, DVD vs. lazer disk, and blueray vs. HD dvd.

I am a bit peeved that I have bought all of these plates knowing that Nokia was producing their phones to use said standard, but the retailer decided that they will force the manufacturer to strip it out of future devices. I will NOT buy another wireless charger for my next phone if I have to move to PMA, not worth it. especially when things are leaning very heavily in the QI court. One of the main reasons for the pushing of PMA by these major retailers like AT&T, Starbucks and McDonalds is that it has the ability to push advertisements to your phone while QI does not at this point. They are looking for a way to advertise to you while you are charging your phone in their establishments.

 

[Citizen X]

especially when things are leaning very heavily in the QI court.

99.9% of flagship phones sold in the US don't have any type of built in wireless charging so I'm not sure how things are "heavily in the Qi court." Sounds like it is wide open. PMA seems to be developing an install base at businesses like Starbucks. Really in about a year we may have a clearer picture. With at&t going all in on PMA I'm not sure swearing to never accept PMA is a wise idea. It sucks you already bought a bunch of chargers but that's life. Honestly I am considering install Qi into my 1520 and buying some chargers. But I am doing it understanding 2-3 years from now the chargers may be worthless. That's the price you pay for being an early adopter.

 

[bassoprofundo]

How did you end up getting the case for half price and a free mat? If I could get that deal then I would give up on holding out for a cyan charging shell.

I get a sizable accessory discount from AT&T (40%), and the case was on sale at the time. The free powermat was in a cabinet of goodies left over from a buddy of mine who does device testing.

 

[bassoprofundo]

So as an update... I've been using the Powermat for a while on my nightstand, and it seems to work well enough. It's definitely more picky about placement than the Nokia Qi plates are with my 920, but at least it does have a magnetic "lock-in" and sound that guides you when you have correct placement. I do still use my 920 for work and have a stand that props up the DT-900, so I do still have a visible clock/alarm there. It'd still be nice to be able to prop up the 1520 where I can see it overnight an have it charge wirelessly at the same time, but I don't see anything whatsoever out there in the way of PowerMats that stand up... just the flat-lying pads...

 

[mozman68]

I would love a stand like BB and Apple used to have that stands it up in portrait mode with a built in connector that plugs in.

With the Glance feature, I would probably use the phone instead of my clock on the nightstand. Clock, notifications, quick email checking....seems like a no brainer...

 

[mozman68]

Hmmm...just found this one...wonder what it really looks like?

KiDiGi Desktop Dock Charger Cradle AC USB Wall Case Dock for Nokia Lumia 1520 | eBay


The more I look at it, the more I like it...exactly what I need. If I can't find something similar locally, I may just try this one out.

 

[bassoprofundo]

I would love a stand like BB and Apple used to have that stands it up in portrait mode with a built in connector that plugs in.

With the Glance feature, I would probably use the phone instead of my clock on the nightstand. Clock, notifications, quick email checking....seems like a no brainer...

Exactly what I'm after! My Bold 9000, then 9700, then Torch 9810 in bedside mode were my only bedside clocks for years in combo with their stands/docks. My 920 is working fairly well now with Glance enabled and sitting in a 3d-printed stand holding up the DT900 plate. It sure would be nice to have a real solution for the 1520 though.

 

[bassoprofundo]

Hmmm...just found this one...wonder what it really looks like?

KiDiGi Desktop Dock Charger Cradle AC USB Wall Case Dock for Nokia Lumia 1520 | eBay


The more I look at it, the more I like it...exactly what I need. If I can't find something similar locally, I may just try this one out.

I wondered about this one actually. There are a ton of listings specifying a particular model, though, when in fact it's the same universal stand. Makes it seem a little shady...

Would love to hear your thoughts if you pick one up! Most curious about whether it can support the 1520's bulk and whether it can accommodate it with a case on...

 

[mozman68]

I wondered about this one actually. There are a ton of listings specifying a particular model, though, when in fact it's the same universal stand. Makes it seem a little shady...

Would love to hear your thoughts if you pick one up! Most curious about whether it can support the 1520's bulk and whether it can accommodate it with a case on...

FYI...couldn't find any other dock, so I pulled the trigger and ordered two of these (one for my nightstand and one for the office). Will let you know how it works out.

 

[mozman68]

Well, what do you know....they showed up today. I don't see how it is adjustable, but it is flexible...and happens to work very well with the 1520.

Attached are some awful pics as they were not taken with my 1520...:winktongue:

 

[mozman68]

So let me clarify what Kidigi means by "adjustable,"....basically, the mini usb portion of the dock is centered within a flexible "dock" piece that allows it to move slightly forward or back as the phone is placed into it. It also sits up slightly higher than needed for most phones to accomodate the thickness of a case.

Actually, because the dock part is built so well, it doesn't matter. I would think that a 1520 would be a worst case scenario due to its size, but it drops right in and isn't "tippy" at all. I have to say, having it on my nightstand for the first time last night was awesome. Was easily able to see the time thanks to Glance as well as if any messages or emails came in (I have it automatically set to silent mode at night with the Quiet Hours app.)

Comes with everything you need, well built, and works like a charm in the short time I have used it. Even considering its flexibility and ability to work with multiple phones, I still think it could have been about $5-$10 cheaper....but there's nothing else out there, so.....

 

[bassoprofundo]

So let me clarify what Kidigi means by "adjustable,"....basically, the mini usb portion of the dock is centered within a flexible "dock" piece that allows it to move slightly forward or back as the phone is placed into it. It also sits up slightly higher than needed for most phones to accomodate the thickness of a case.

Actually, because the dock part is built so well, it doesn't matter. I would think that a 1520 would be a worst case scenario due to its size, but it drops right in and isn't "tippy" at all. I have to say, having it on my nightstand for the first time last night was awesome. Was easily able to see the time thanks to Glance as well as if any messages or emails came in (I have it automatically set to silent mode at night with the Quiet Hours app.)

Comes with everything you need, well built, and works like a charm in the short time I have used it. Even considering its flexibility and ability to work with multiple phones, I still think it could have been about $5-$10 cheaper....but there's nothing else out there, so.....

Thanks! I might have to snag one, then, especially since it should be future-proof due to the adjustable nature.