I had the chance to review the Brando WorkShop Palm Music Dock for the Lifedrive (it also is compatibile with the TE2, T5, TX). When I first received my Music Dock, I was elated. Why? Well, besides learning how cool it is to have a music dock, I could hear my morning alarm at a louder volume which has really helped me out! I'm no longer mad about over sleeping because my Brando Music Dock wakes me up with no problems!
After unpacking the cradle, I quickly began to set it up. I had no problems setting up the Music Dock to my computer and running a hotsync. It was quick and easy- most importantly it was painless. The Music Dock includes a hotsync button which is a great help to me as I really missed a hotsync button with my TE. Placing the Lifedrive into the Music Dock was surprisingly easy. It set snug and didn't wiggle around at all. Removing was a two-handed process, but I have not seen a cradle that just allowed for one hand so I wasn't bothered by it.
I really didn't like the blue LED light as it illuminated my bedroom at nite! I took a bit of black tape to cover it and now I get a cool lightly glowing Music Dock which looks awesome at night. This is my only complaint over the dock. I have had other cradles that had bright LEDs which I either surgically removed or covered them with tape. Kinda depended on my mood. ;)
OK, the reason you buy a music cradle is to listen to music or some other audio. The built-in stereo speakers surprised me. I didn't think they would get that loud and with a little tweaking of Pocket Tunes volume and the cradles volume, the music played quite loud. Its not going to blow you away, but it will play load enough to hear over my wifes vacuum. The sound will begin to crackle and become distorted if you try to max out the sound. Overall, I thought my music I played sounded great and I didn't noticed any poor qaulity sounds. It was much better than the Lifedrive's built-in speaker. I could also see this as a great help if you like to watch movies on your handheld. As I am writing this review, I am listening and watching Batman Begins and the sound coming from that music dock is sweet!
Besides the hotsync button, the other features the Palm Music Dock includes is a line-in plug to allow for another audio playing to use the stereo speakers (think iPod here) and a volume control that can help you adjust volume for maximum sound. I think the line in feature is a good feature to include as I know many Palm Addicts also have an iPod or another audio player which could be plugged into the Palm Music Dock. The Palm Music Dock will also charge your Palm as it sits in the cradle. This Music Dock does it all- plays music, hotsyncs, charges, connects to my mp3 player, lights my room up! What more could I want!?!
When it comes to my accessories, many times they end up not being used very much. I tend to collect them and they rest inside my PDA shoebox. With the Brando Workshop Palm Music Dock, it is a must have accessory and one that you will not get tired of using and will most certain enjoy it! The Palm Music Dock costs $32.00 and is worth every penny. I give it an essential accessory rating and 5 PA Palms.
Pros:
- Hotsyncs, charges, and plays music
- Has an external volume control
- Sound is amazingly good
Cons:
- LED light is really bright
Comments