[Lightning Review] Bracketron Power Dock Flex: It's Not As Cool As It Sounds

I love gadgets. Not only that, but I love gadgets for my gadgets: cases, docks, stands, mounts, keyboards, and pretty much anything else you can think of. There's also a dark side at work here, though: I'm also a perfectionist. As such, I'm always on a quest for the perfect thingy-majig, which, in all likelihood, probably doesn't exist.

Ergo, when I saw the Power Dock Flex from Bracketron (I have to admit, I'm a sucker for most things with the word "flex" in the name), I thought it seems like a fantastic idea.

Alas, it's far from perfect.

It's a car dock/charger.How much is it? $35Where can I buy it? Here.It's neat. A flexible phone holder protruding from your vehicle's 12v outlet is a good idea no matter what. As long as you don't need to use the lighter, anyway.It's also a USB charger. It has its own USB port (a short cable is included; good job on that, Bracketron!), so it not only holds your phone, but charges it too. And that's also a good idea.It bends. Instead of holding your phone in a static position all the time, the Power Dock Flex can move around to fit nearly any situation, which is quite convenient.It's adjustable. The arm that actually holds the phone is adjustable, so it should be able to accommodate most phones (maybe not the Galaxy Note, but it holds my Galaxy Nexus just fine).It appears to be well-made. I've only been using it for a month, but it still look exactly like it did when I took it out of the box, so that's a good sign.It's attractive. The design doesn't suck, which makes me happy. 

The weight of the phone causes the flexible arm to "sag." I have to adjust my phone quite frequently because it doesn't stay where I put it. And that's annoying.It wiggles out of the 12v outlet often. This is similar to the above issue. The weight of the phone causes the dock to bounce slightly while driving, which causes the unit to wiggle loose from the vehicle's outlet. This actually shouldn't be an issue in vehicles with an angled outlet, though.It gets in the way sometimes. Since it sticks out of the outlet, it can get in the way on occasion. Again, this may have a lot to do with the design of the vehicle, but it can be annoyance nonetheless.  

 

As you can see, there are a lot of good ideas at work here, it's the execution that could be better. This unit may have scored more points under 'the good', but the negative aspects are almost deal breakers for me. Having  to adjust the arm at least once or twice every time I go somewhere is quite annoying, and the fact that it wiggles out of the outlet is even more bothersome, especially if my phone is on charge.

With that said, these issues are definitely subjective to the vehicle. If the 12v outlet in your vehicle angles downward (as it does it many cars), then the unit would probably stay in place much better than in one that is at a 90 degree angle. As such, I would take a close look at the outlet in your vehicle before buying this dock/charger.  

[Lightning Review] Logitech Bluetooth Keyboard For Android 3.0+ Devices

Earlier this week, I took a look at the new Bluetooth keyboard for mobile devices from ZAGG, the ZAGGkeys Flex. Since one can never have enough gadgets for their gadgets, today we're going to look at Logitech's offering to the Android tablet realm. While this keyboard isn't brand-spanking new (it has been out for a year or so), it's still just as relevant as it was on release day; given the increase in popularity of Android tablets, perhaps even more so.

Before we get into the the good and bad aspects of this keyboard, though, let's first take a look at the details.

 

What is it? It's a Bluetooth keyboard for Android 3.0+ devices with a carrying case that doubles as a tablet stand.How much it is? $70 directly from Logitech, or about $55(ish) on AmazonWhere can I buy it? Logitech or Amazon

 

It's a full-size keyboard, so it brings a desktop-like experience to your tablet.Typing on the keyboard is pretty fantastic - not cramped in the slightest and the keys have a good amount of travel. It's definitely comparable to a full computer experience.Very, very solid. There's nothing flimsy about this keyboard - it feels incredibly well made.Hotkeys for Calendar, Music + controls, volume, home, and back, as well as normal shift+arrow, ctrl+arrow, and alt+arrow line navigation.Classy black and blue color scheme with matching case. It looks quite nice. The case easily converts into a stand for your tablet.Speaking of, the stand offers more than one angle, which is very useful.Very simple pairing/reconnecting process.

 

Non-rechargeable batteries - it uses AAA sized batteries, which is just inconvenient. Since it's Bluetooth, however, it shouldn't need new batteries very often.At 398 grams, it's surprisingly heavy; in fact, it weighs nearly the same as many tablets.It doesn't "sleep" after a specified amount of inactivity, which could lead to faster battery drain. The stand slides around when tapping the device's display (I'm sure this varies with different types of surfaces, but I had to hold onto the tablet while using it on my desk).Not as many Android optimized keys as other Bluetooth keyboard options.

There's no doubt that the Logitech keyboard for Android 3.0+ devices is a dang nice keyboard to type on. It makes inputting information on your tablet a breeze, offers a pleasant typing experience, and looks great doing it. However, it is a bit on the heavy side, especially compared to the ZAGGkeys Flex keyboard that I looked at earlier in the week. For some users, however, the tradeoff of a full size keyboard may be worth the added bulk -- just make sure you carry extra AAA batteries everywhere you go so you never run out of juice.

[Lightning Review] Logitech Bluetooth Keyboard For Android 3.0+ Devices

Earlier this week, I took a look at the new Bluetooth keyboard for mobile devices from ZAGG, the ZAGGkeys Flex. Since one can never have enough gadgets for their gadgets, today we're going to look at Logitech's offering to the Android tablet realm. While this keyboard isn't brand-spanking new (it has been out for a year or so), it's still just as relevant as it was on release day; given the increase in popularity of Android tablets, perhaps even more so.

Before we get into the the good and bad aspects of this keyboard, though, let's first take a look at the details.

 

What is it? It's a Bluetooth keyboard for Android 3.0+ devices with a carrying case that doubles as a tablet stand.How much it is? $70 directly from Logitech, or about $55(ish) on AmazonWhere can I buy it? Logitech or Amazon

 

It's a full-size keyboard, so it brings a desktop-like experience to your tablet.Typing on the keyboard is pretty fantastic - not cramped in the slightest and the keys have a good amount of travel. It's definitely comparable to a full computer experience.Very, very solid. There's nothing flimsy about this keyboard - it feels incredibly well made.Hotkeys for Calendar, Music + controls, volume, home, and back, as well as normal shift+arrow, ctrl+arrow, and alt+arrow line navigation.Classy black and blue color scheme with matching case. It looks quite nice. The case easily converts into a stand for your tablet.Speaking of, the stand offers more than one angle, which is very useful.Very simple pairing/reconnecting process.

 

Non-rechargeable batteries - it uses AAA sized batteries, which is just inconvenient. Since it's Bluetooth, however, it shouldn't need new batteries very often.At 398 grams, it's surprisingly heavy; in fact, it weighs nearly the same as many tablets.It doesn't "sleep" after a specified amount of inactivity, which could lead to faster battery drain. The stand slides around when tapping the device's display (I'm sure this varies with different types of surfaces, but I had to hold onto the tablet while using it on my desk).Not as many Android optimized keys as other Bluetooth keyboard options.

There's no doubt that the Logitech keyboard for Android 3.0+ devices is a dang nice keyboard to type on. It makes inputting information on your tablet a breeze, offers a pleasant typing experience, and looks great doing it. However, it is a bit on the heavy side, especially compared to the ZAGGkeys Flex keyboard that I looked at earlier in the week. For some users, however, the tradeoff of a full size keyboard may be worth the added bulk -- just make sure you carry extra AAA batteries everywhere you go so you never run out of juice.

[Lightning Review] Arkon Mega Grip And Slim Grip Bicycle Mounts: Checking Your Email While Riding Has Never Been Easier

I recently took up bike riding as a good way to get outside and get active. Being a tech-junkie and overall stat-lover, though, I immediately wanted a good way to track my rides in detail, including real-time MPH, distance traveled, and all the other info that may help me better keep up with my progress. Instead of going the traditional "bike computer" route, though, I decided to use my smartphone to accomplish the task at hand.

After finding a couple of terrific apps to get the info that I wanted (Move! Bike Computer and MapMyRide+) and creating an NFC tag so I could quickly put my phone into "bike mode," I was still missing one key component: a way to keep an eye on my phone. So began my quest for a good and secure way to mount my phone onto my bike's handlebars.

That's when I found a trio of mounts from Arkon that could not only mount to my bike, but also in the car with an additional base. I've been using the Mega Grip and Slim Grip mounts on my bicycle for more than a month now, so let's take a closer look at what this set has to offer, aside from an easy to use mount that works across multiple modes of transportation.

 

The mount seat

While I used these mounts exclusively on my bike, the below review is equally as applicable for the vehicle mounts, since they're the same thing. 

 

How much does it cost? Between $20 and $25, depending on the package.Where can I buy it? Here: Car, Bike Excellent Grip. The Mega Grip has adjustable spring-loaded arms that hold your phone in place. Once the phone is placed in the seat, you simply squeeze these padded arms together to form a nice, tight hold.The phone is easy to remove. While the mount holds the phone in place quite nicely, there is a small button on the side that releases the arms, thus releasing its grip on the phone.It should be able to hold basically any phone on the market. This mount held my Galaxy Nexus with plenty of room to spare. It should be able to hold anything from an iPhone all the way to the Galaxy Note without much if an issue.It should be compatible with basically any case. Since it's completely adjustable, it should be able to handle any device without having to remove the case.The top half of the device is still exposed. Since the entire top half is left uncovered, you should be able to access the power button and volume rocker on most devices. If, however, the headphone jack or USB port is located on the bottom half of the device, then it may be covered (more on that down below).It covers the bottom half of the device. This may not cause a problem on certain phones, but it left the headphone jack completely inaccessible on my Galaxy Nexus (the bottom arms are adjustable, but I felt like moving them inward reduced the strength of the hold). This could be a problem for anyone looking to use headphones while the device is in the mount (if the jack is on the bottom or side, that is).The spring-loaded arms could wear out eventually. While the arms feel pretty good right now, I can't say what months of opening and closing could do to them. Eventually, they'll definitely wear out, at which time the unit will need to be replaced.It's Bulky. In my experience, the more robust the product, the more bulky it is. That's still the case here - it's not huge, but it's definitely bigger than I expected it to be.  

 

 

How much does it cost? Around $20, give or take a few dollars depending on the package.Where can I buy it? Here: Car, BikeIt's small, with a thin profile. The Slim Grip takes up significantly less room than the Mega Grip, as it has a more streamlined shape.It has adjustable legs for various-sized devices. The Slim Grip has small grooves in both the bottom and the top for the different-length legs (seen above in the first and second image) so it should fit nearly any size device.It should be compatible with basically any case. Since it's completely adjustable, it should be able to handle any device without having to remove the case.The spring-loaded base makes it easy to insert/remove the device with one hand. The bottom of the mount is spring loaded, which makes inserting your phone/removing it from the mount one-handed quite easy.It's not as sturdy as the Mega Grip. While it may be slimmer and more low-profile than the Mega Grip, it's also not as sturdy. I haven't had an issue with my phone slipping out of it (or anything of the sort), I feel like it could be bumped from this mount much easier than the Mega Grip.It may not be able to handle devices much larger than the Galaxy Nexus. I feel like the GN pushes this mount almost to its limits, so if you have something much larger (like the Note), I would probably steer clear of this one.The spring-loaded bottom could wear out eventually. Like with the Mega Grip, the spring-loaded mechanism in the Slim Grip will eventually wear out, requiring the unit to need replacing. 

 

How much does it cost? $30Where can I buy it? Here.

Arkon also has a water-resistant mount that's specifically designed for use on bicycles/motorcycles, but unfortunately the Galaxy Nexus is too large to fit, so I was unable to see how it perform during real world use. However, it appears to be well made and quite protective.

 

 

The case completely covers the device, protecting it from the elements. It also includes two pads of different thickness, so you can ensure that your phone is as secure as possible. It would probably work very well for devices with four-inch or smaller displays, as the Nexus stuck out of it about half an inch.

An add-on strap for either the Mega Grip or Slim Grip mount that gives a little bit of extra hold.

Overall, these mounts worked out better than I ever anticipated (well, except for the water-resistant model). Both the Mega and Slim grip actually hold onto the device quite well, and while they probably won't provide much protection in the case of a wreck, I can't see my phone coming out during everyday use, regardless of which one I'm using.

So, which one am I actually using? To be honest, I prefer the Slim Grip. I feel like it provides enough hold, while still leaving access to basically everything that I need (power, volume, headphone jack, etc.). Of course, if you're buying one for your bike and are a more aggressive rider or mountain biker, then I would suggest the Mega Grip (or the water-resistant model if you have a small enough phone). For road-riding, however, I really do love the Slim Grip.

For the money, though, you really can't go wrong with either.

[Lightning Review] Bracketron Power Dock Flex: It's Not As Cool As It Sounds

I love gadgets. Not only that, but I love gadgets for my gadgets: cases, docks, stands, mounts, keyboards, and pretty much anything else you can think of. There's also a dark side at work here, though: I'm also a perfectionist. As such, I'm always on a quest for the perfect thingy-majig, which, in all likelihood, probably doesn't exist.

Ergo, when I saw the Power Dock Flex from Bracketron (I have to admit, I'm a sucker for most things with the word "flex" in the name), I thought it seems like a fantastic idea.

Alas, it's far from perfect.

It's a car dock/charger.How much is it? $35Where can I buy it? Here.It's neat. A flexible phone holder protruding from your vehicle's 12v outlet is a good idea no matter what. As long as you don't need to use the lighter, anyway.It's also a USB charger. It has its own USB port (a short cable is included; good job on that, Bracketron!), so it not only holds your phone, but charges it too. And that's also a good idea.It bends. Instead of holding your phone in a static position all the time, the Power Dock Flex can move around to fit nearly any situation, which is quite convenient.It's adjustable. The arm that actually holds the phone is adjustable, so it should be able to accommodate most phones (maybe not the Galaxy Note, but it holds my Galaxy Nexus just fine).It appears to be well-made. I've only been using it for a month, but it still look exactly like it did when I took it out of the box, so that's a good sign.It's attractive. The design doesn't suck, which makes me happy. 

The weight of the phone causes the flexible arm to "sag." I have to adjust my phone quite frequently because it doesn't stay where I put it. And that's annoying.It wiggles out of the 12v outlet often. This is similar to the above issue. The weight of the phone causes the dock to bounce slightly while driving, which causes the unit to wiggle loose from the vehicle's outlet. This actually shouldn't be an issue in vehicles with an angled outlet, though.It gets in the way sometimes. Since it sticks out of the outlet, it can get in the way on occasion. Again, this may have a lot to do with the design of the vehicle, but it can be annoyance nonetheless.  

 

As you can see, there are a lot of good ideas at work here, it's the execution that could be better. This unit may have scored more points under 'the good', but the negative aspects are almost deal breakers for me. Having  to adjust the arm at least once or twice every time I go somewhere is quite annoying, and the fact that it wiggles out of the outlet is even more bothersome, especially if my phone is on charge.

With that said, these issues are definitely subjective to the vehicle. If the 12v outlet in your vehicle angles downward (as it does it many cars), then the unit would probably stay in place much better than in one that is at a 90 degree angle. As such, I would take a close look at the outlet in your vehicle before buying this dock/charger.