The BoxWave Desktop Cradle for the HTC Mogul
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So many things in the Windows Mobile world have changed for the better over the past six or so years. The amazing software offerings, the more refined and capable operating system, and certainly the awesome array of hardware from the various wireless carriers and device manufacturers.
But, one thing really bugs me. One particular “cut-back” that seems to have been almost universally adopted in the past couple of years.
What am I whining about? Desktop cradles for our phones and PDAs.
Cradles aren’t exciting items to most people. A sync cable will “do the job.” But, I don’t want to just “do the job.” So, for me, a cradle is a must-have accessory for all of my Windows Mobile devices.
Why? In a word, clutter. Or, more precisely, less clutter.
It’s pretty slick when your phone is sitting upright on your desk, displaying your beautiful screen, all the while syncing and charging to keep everything up to date. For me, I like being able to see who’s calling before decide whether to answer, and sometimes I’ll have my device setup to display a slideshow of the hundreds of pictures I keep on my Mogul as I sit and work at my desk. Once in a while, I’ll even stream some television or watch a movie while I’m working. All of these things becomes much easier to do when using a desktop cradle.
It used to be that the manufacturers would include a desktop cradle with each new PDA they sold. My first Pocket PC, a Dell Axim X5 Advanced, had one that looked like it came off of the set of Alien. 
I got one with my Dell Axim X5 Advanced, my Dell Axim X3i and my two Dell Axim X50vs. I think things started to change around that time, as my Cingular 8125 (Wizard) didn’t have a cradle. Just a cable.
Seeing a market to serve, third-party accessory vendors stepped up and began to offer their own cradles. I’ve tried four or five over the last couple of years, and the best one is my newest: the BoxWave HTC Mogul Desktop Cradle.
I’ve been using BoxWave accessories for years. BoxWave sells lots of great items for tons of different devices. Cases, screen protectors, syncing cables and various other power gadgets. I’ve found the quality of their products and their service to be excellent. My only complaint is that they aren’t cheap. They’re not overpriced either, but I’d have even more of their products if they were a little more affordable. To try and ease the pain, BoxWave sells lots of “bundles” of popular accessories, which does make them more affordable.
BoxWave sells two different models of their Mogul cradle. One version includes a slot for charging a spare battery. The one I tried doesn’t have this capability. The difference in price is about $20.00 between the two, and unless you really need to keep a topped-off extra battery handy, I don’t think it would be worth the extra money for me.
The small box surprisingly has everything that you’ll need to set up and use your cradle. There are four pieces total: the cradle, a plastic “back support” for the Mogul, an A/C adapter, and a USB 2.0 sync/charge cable. While you don’t need to use the A/C adapter to use the cradle, you should use it when you can. Your device will charge much more quickly when it’s connected to the wall outlet. The sync/charge cable will provide a “trickle charge,” which will be fine if you unit is almost fully charged, but if it’s low on juice, it might not provide any charge. It will sync fine, whether or not you use the A/C adapter.
Here are some shots of how the cradle looks in a real-world (and a bit dusty–sorry about that–environment.)
The clear plastic backrest is removable, which might enable the Mogul to charge in certain slimmer cases. I don’t carry such a case, so I would mount it directly and never once worried about it falling over or not holding tight.
One suggestion on the design I might offer is to spice up the look a bit. Although the cradle is handsome, I think some bold color choices (perhaps even see-through colored plastic like the old Apple iMac computers) or a wood/leather office look, might help to enhance a quality accessory.
Conclusion:
All third-party accessory vendors are not the same. I’ve never been disappointed in BoxWave’s stuff, which I can’t say about all of their competitors. In fact, before trying this cradle, I bought one that was so crooked, my Mogul looked like the Leaning Tower of Pisa when it sat in the cradle.
But, this one? It’s a keeper. (Sorry, Doug. I’m not sending this one back to you.) It fits beautifully on my office desk so that my clients and I can see my beautiful Mogul’s screen.
I’m even tempted to buy a second one for my home office, since my Mogul looks so darn pathetic lying on it’s back on my cluttered (and equally dusty) desk at home.
(On an unrelated note, I think I may also have to contact BoxWave and see if they sell feather dusters to make my desk look a little neater.)
What I Like:
Nice looking unit. Good quality construction. Holds Mogul securely at a good viewable angle. Includes A/C power cable and USB 2.0 sync/charge cable.
Reliable connection and charging for my device.
What Needs Improvement:
A little bit expensive, especially if you want the model with the spare battery charging slot. Might want to consider one of BoxWave’s bundles to save a little more money.
How about some more color choices?
Vital Stats: (From the BoxWave product page)
-Synchronizes and charges your HTC Mogul
-Supports Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data transfers
-Comes in your choice of two designs: with spare battery charger or without spare battery charger
-Includes a 110-240V A/C adapter cable for quicker charging time!
-Includes a USB cable that synchronizes and charges your HTC Mogul without an A/C adapter cable
Price: “Web Special” for cradle without spare battery charger: $32.95, and for cradle with spare battery charger: $52.95.
Where to Buy: BoxWave
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Good review Andrew. I have used several of the Boxwave cradles for various devices throughout the years and have always found them to be reliable.
I know this is unrelated to the review and I apologize in advance, but I’m curious about something I see on the screen of your Mogul. I see that you’re using spb Mobile, and I’m curious how you are displaying what looks like a Bluetooth headset icon instead of the regular speaker icon for the volume profile menu. Is this a setting in spb Mobile that I’m missing, or did you “hack” it a bit?
Thanks Clinton. I am staring at the cradle as I type this and really love it!
Hi Lesley-
My Mobile Shell 2.1 is totally “stock.” There are some amazing customized layouts on the spbclub.com site and on xda-developers.com, but I haven’t tried them myself.
What you’re seeing is the standard icon for a bluetooth headset profile. It’s one of the included profiles and icons that are already preinstalled when you install MS.
–Andrew
While I agree as to the quality of BoxWave products, I was disappointed that this cradle doesn’t offer a headphone jack. I like to listen to internet radio while at work and headphones are a necessity.
Interesting point, Dan. I’ve never used a cradle with a headphone jack, but I can see that it would make for a nice feature. Although, I can imagine myself spinning around on my chair to grab a file, and strangling myself on the cord.
Since I don’t have any office-mates, I can listen via my Mogul speaker, which while not great quality, does work. Or, I sometimes use my BT headset if I don’t need stereo sound. (I don’t have a BT stereo headset.)