Palm 3198WW Cradle Kit Reviews

• TWO dead out of the box! [ZERO STARS]

  
  By A3901UFHY19IGV on 2005-10-13
  As others have described in reviews on Amazon over the past several weeks, there is a bad batch of these cradles floating around at Amazon. I ordered two, and both are DOA, although the sync function works fine if you connect the Treo 650 directly to the USB cable. Both of the defective cradles I received are stamped "REV B 0525". I bought one at CompUSA stamped "REV B 0529", and it works perfectly. Amazon needs to inspect the stock of this item in its warehouse and return the bad ones to the manufacturer.
  
  
  

• Works like a champ and comes with accessories too!

  
  By A2L90RS4B7YLLS on 2005-05-18
  I was pleasantly suprised to find that this cradle came with not only the charger and USB sync cable that you can use separately, but it also came with the travel adapters for foreign countries!
  
  The cradle has a separate compartment for charging an additional battery.
  
  I hooked everything up and hotsynced without issue.
  
  Just like the cradle for the older Treo 600, this one allows you to see what's on the screen and use it upright as upposed to laying it flat. It makes speakerphone calls bearable and also makes it easy to use your palm apps while using a headset and charging at the same time.
  
  Amazon's price is much better than Palm's direct price at about forty bucks.
  
  

• Palm Treo 650 Docking Cradle DOESN'T WORK

  
  By ADO9HXA0WS2ON on 2005-11-03
  As you'll see in the other customer reviews on this product, I share the same pain... This should have been tested before Palm released this item - it simply doesn't work. (I won't even bother selling the item online because I would feel terrible for the buyer). DO NOT PURCHASE THIS CRADLE.
  
  

• Very disappointed

  
  By A19VSUD8ZXWRZ9 on 2005-10-25
  I enjoy the Treo 650 a good deal. This cradle, however, is junk. It's already in the trash...I'm not even bothering to return it.
  
  I just don't understand product designers. They obviously don't use the products themselves, or they would never make them so badly. This doesn't have any weight to it, despite the fact that the connector is a very snug fit. This means that docking or undocking the Treo is always a 2-handed operation...which is simply inexcusable.
  
  Also, the sync capability works about half the time. I've even switched out cables. It's just garbage. Don't buy it. I just bought the Seidio Innodock instead. It's also a 2-handed job (hate that), and the sync button is so small and takes so much pressure to depress that even THAT is a 2-handed operation. But at least it syncs when you hit it.
  
  VERY SAD. People who design products should be forced to use them for 60 days before they are released to an unsuspecting public.
  
  

• palmOne comes up short on design, usability

  
  By A3F3UARRAYEQH6 on 2005-07-03
  How can palmOne design the best damn smartphone on the planet, yet keep coming up short with just about every accessory that they've produced for it? This docking cradle is yet another case in point.
  
  Want to charge your Treo 650 in its case? Not with this cradle you don't. However, if you want to synch or charge your phone six feet away from your computer, the cable on this puppy has you covered! And the total package is particularly appealing for secret agents and globe-trotting celebrities who need to carry a half-dozen or so voltage adapters around, just in case.
  
  I will admit that the spare battery charger is nice to have -- if you have a spare battery. Which I don't.
  
  Which brings me to the recently released and identically priced Seidio INNOdock cradle. For some reason this third-party manufacturer does Treo 650 accessories better than palmOne.
  
  One -- count it -- one USB cable (reasonably shorter, too) that when plugged into your desktop or notebook recharges and synchs your data from a single source. And if you happen to use the Seidio Shield holster or a similar case which seats the phone with the screen facing in, you can tuck them both into the cradle at night together.
  
  But wait, there's more! Like many Seidio devices there is a nice bonus feature ... a standard 3.5mm headphone jack in the cradle that allows you to listen to your tunes or watch a video while your phone is replenishing its vital juices.
  
  Unfortunately, neither the Seidio cradle or holster is available on A yet. If you can't wait, most of the websites and blogs that have sprung up to preach the gospel of the Treo 650 have an online store that can hook you up. Just Google it.
  
  
• whats worse...
  By A21X2TI4NM5LSV on 2005-04-03
  whats worse is when you get it, you cant charge your treo without taking it out of whatever case you have and cant get to the spare battery while the treo is docked. Terrible design. Some people seem to be having USB functionality problems as well.
  
  wait for a 3rd party cradle if you can
  
  
• One lasted 3 weeks, one lasted a few months....
  By A1P5QKXHOVUCRH on 2005-12-09
  So, um, I guess they're improving Quality Control, right?
  
  A charging/synching cradle is absolutely neccessary for a Treo- the nice bright screen eats batteries FAST, as does an active internet connection. I leave mine charging most of the time that I'm in the office, and with it in the cradle, I can easily grab it if the phone rings-not as easy with it plugged in.
  
  I returned my first cradle after a month, thinking I had just drawn the unlucky dud. My second one conked out after a few months. Same symptom for both- would not reliably synch. Usually I can get it to work if I jiggle everything just so, but it is quickly getting to the point where that doesnt work EVER.
  
  I have a third party cradle coming in the mail. Keeping my fingers crossed!
  
  
• Didn't work.
  By A14CPBUOGX78DP on 2006-01-24
  Opened the box, plugged it in, didn't work. No light on cradle, didn't charge my Treo. What a big waste of time. Next time I'm going to trust the low ratings from other reviewers.
  
  
• Cannot Sync & Not easy to remove it!
  By A110QB5F5XHHJQ on 2005-09-24
  I have to return it for a refund because I cannot Sync by pressing the button on the dock, but if I use the cable by itself, then it works fine. Also, it is not easy for me to remove the Treo from the dock.
  
  
• Cradles phone nicely, travel adapters are unnecessary
  By A3NI1MAKHJEHQH on 2006-02-18
  This cradles the Treo 650 nicely and makes hotsynching a breeze. It is far better than the cable that comes standard with the phone. It also will charge my spare battery at the same time. Note, it will not charge the phone when it is in any kind of cover.
  
  My only point of contention is that all the travel adapters are really unnecessary and if eliminated, would bring the cost down. Now they just sit in a drawer and collect dust.
  
  
• It was just what I was looking for
  By A13LW2BBE6PIUD on 2005-09-16
  It's not a cradle that you can easily hot sync and charge at the same time; however I was not looking for a hot sync cradle. I only wanted a cradle for charging my Treo. For me it is perfect. The reason it is not easy to use as a hot sync and a charger is because there is a cord for charging and a cord for hot syncing. When you plug in the hot sync cord it covers up the hole where you need to plug in the charger. So if you want to use both features you have to constantly switch from cord to cord. However, I was not looking for a hot sync cradle. I only wanted a charger, for this reason it is great. There is also a nifty convenient spot to charge an extra battery at the same time your Treo is charging.
  
  
• Worst Product Palm has ever made
  By A1N0JTJK3CV50N on 2006-04-01
  This thing just doesn't work. Yes it will charge another battery while the phone is in the cradle, but it just doesn't sync right. I could never get the thing to Sync and was resorting to the incredibly slow bluetooth syncing option until I just gave up on my cradle and started using just the cable. I tried writing Palm about this problem, but got no response. I am glad to see ti wasn't just me that had such problems. This product is garbage, so don't even consider it.
  
  
• Necessary Evil
  By APW9YCHBSW0CD on 2005-08-02
  This unit is a must have for power users and anyone who values an uncluttered lifestyle. It's simple clean lines was a vast improvement over the cable clutter caused by the basic chaging and sync cables. For power users, the extra battery charger is a must. With a seperate spare battery, you can keep battery power at the ready at all times.
  
  Having said that, it is just a shame that this item is considered an add-on accessory despite the highend base price of the Treo 650. It seems Palm is getting away from cradles on all their units. Furthermore, the list price for the cradle is high for what it is. Luckily Amazon is selling for 2/3 of the price.
  
  All-in-all this is a very useful accessory if you can overcome the annoyance of paying extra for something that should have been included in the original package.
  
  
• No Sync
  By A2CCUNR17PLP0Q on 2005-08-15
  I can sync from the USB cable and charge from the cradle but I cannot sync from the cradle and the lite on the front does not come on. I returned the first one and the 2nd one is exactly the same - returning this one also. I do love the phone though.
  
  
• Excellent dock. Must have for Treos!
  By A1AU9OR6M33UXY on 2007-01-23
  I love this docking station. It charges and syncs at once, and has a drawer for charging an extra battery (which I haven't used.)
  Much easier than plugging in the sync cable that comes with the Treo.
  
  
  
• PalmOne Cradle Kit - Docking cradle - USB
  By A3ER1P5M64AACY on 2007-01-13
  great item, great price. I will definitely buy form amazon again. The dock sits on the desk and holds a spare battery while is charges the Treo. I love it.
  
  
• Works great
  By A2CUQXO5JB7ACD on 2007-02-11
  Got this for my Treo and works as advertised. No issues and makes my syncing a snap!
  
  
• Works flawlessly, takes some muscle to use
  By A8QEZL62N7DCQ on 2007-05-25
  The PalmOne Docking Cradle works great but it takes some force and two hands to get it in and out of the docking cradle. It's more of a Palm Treo design problem when it comes to the complicated connection.
  
  
• Docking Cradle
  By ATI8GYJH373WK on 2005-09-15
  The docking cradle should be an included item with the phone. Without it your phone can slide around or even fall off. A needed item.
  
  
• Treo 650 Docking Station
  By A2PW5954TG14VZ on 2005-09-21
  This is exactly what I was looking for. I saw it everywhere online for $59.99 but Amazon had it for $39.99 and free shipping. You can't go wrong.
  
  
• A must for long time Palm users
  By A2V6UN5QN7T56Q on 2006-05-29
  I have been using a Palm PDA since the first Pilot in 1996 and eventually used a Palm IIIxe until 2006. I purchased a Treo 650 and was disappointed that a cradle was not included, only a hot sync cable and a charger. I purchased the cradle kit and was thrilled. I've not encountered any problems and purchased a second cradle, without the cables for the office since I could use the cables that the Treo came with.
  
  I have not had any problems with either cradle and am considering purchasing this kit for my friend as a gift.
  
  
• No problems
  By A7W2DSSEW4UKK on 2006-07-08
  I thought the price Amazon was ofering this at was crazy ($25): at the same time, the Palm store wanted $50 for the same thing. The reviews being so divided worried me. But, I ordered it. Works fine; synchs, charges; no problems. I haven't used any of the adapters.
  
  
• Great accessory!
  By A1T567CD87U1Y0 on 2006-07-10
  If you have more than one battery for the Treo 700w (or I suppose any of the other listed models) then this is a must-have. It not only comes along with an additional sync and power cable (so your orriginal can be used at work or when traveling), but it has a compartment for charging a second battery.
  
  If you have a case for the treo, (I have the Seidio rubber skin) the Treo will not fit in the cradle until you remove the case (which is annoying) but at least I can charge an external battery.
  
  It's a well made, heavy device. The cabling has separate connections for power and sync, so you can choose to have one or both connected. The connections are loosely pressure-fit, so if you pull on the cradle to sharply, they fall out.
  
  
• Only issue I have with this......
  By A135JV62I69DA4 on 2007-07-02
  This accessory is perfect as you would expect since it's built by the phone's manufacturer. However there is one major issue that I have with it. There's no headphones jack on this cradle. With the Treo earphone jack on the bottom of the unit and with the unit cradled there's no way to use it for music or video while its dock. Seems like a design flaw to me. One would assume this feature would have been considered but I guess not.
  
  Had I known this prior to purchase I may not have bought it. Hope this helps.
  
  
• Good Design, Reliable HotSync, Recommended For 680
  By A21GX99SJHL7DF on 2007-09-24
  This is the third cradle I've bought for my Treo 680, and the third time was the charm! The prior two were less expensive, but the first did not fit my 680, and the second would not HotSync reliably, although "not at all" is a better description the more I think about it.
  
  Having read all 42 of the previous reviews, I think most of the issues are ancient history at this point. There is a known incompatibility between some Palm cradles and the 680 (and other later Treos). Since most of the negative reviews didn't mention which Treo they were using, I suspect many are due to this issue, which Palm documents on their support site.
  
  As others have pointed out, one cannot charge or synch the phone in a case. This is true for every other cradle I've researched, except the Seidio, which requires you to buy their case as well. Since I prefer the rubber skin type of case, I just pull it off. I guess this could be a nuisance if you are in and out of the office several times a day, but other than that scenario I can't see it being a big problem for most people.
  
  Did I mention it synchronizes reliably? This was a huge frustration for me with the prior two cradles.
  
  The mounting and removal of the Treo into and out of the cradle is sticky, and two hands should be used. (If you have adequate dexterity, it can be removed by circling the top of the Treo with thumb and forefinger, then pressing down on the case with your middle finger. Large hands are an asset in this case. If this doesn't work for you, stick with two hands.) I think that the connector pins will seat in over time, and removal will eventually be a one-handed operation. My USB cable was sticky at first as well.
  
  Regarding the travel adapters, I travel to the UK every year or two, so this was a plus for me. (However, having reliable HotSync operation is more important to me than the small added cost anyway.) Your mileage may vary.
  
  The one item which is a slight nuisance is that the spare battery charger is not available without removing the phone. As I carry the spare with me most of the time, I'll have to change habits to put it in first before the Treo.
  
  Finally...the complaint about no headphone jack is reasonable, although not very high on my priorities, since for me this is a business phone, not a personal music player. However, it looks to me like space should be available inside the case to mount a Palm Stereo Adapter (Palm P/N 3160WW). This would require drilling two holes in one's new cradle, and if you are horrified at that thought, read no more. A little work with a Dremel tool to fit, and some silicone seal as a grommet should place it in securely. (A spacer of some sort may be useful at the bottom to hold the adapter in place when the Treo is inserted into the cradle. Experiment away.)
  
  It looks like the unit is held together by screws under the silicone feat, although I've only peeled back one to check.
  
  Needless to say, any power tool experimentation you do on your new, pristine cradle is at your own risk, and may result in personal injury or wrecking your new, pristine cradle. But you kids will do anything for your rock'n'roll music. :o)
  
  So: I recommend this cradle highly. Five stars.
  
  
• All those problems????
  By A259GAFTYIQ5C7 on 2006-06-08
  Worked perfectly with my 700P right out of the box. The light on the cradle is supposed to only come on when charging an extra battery. The Treo light changes to red when it is charging. Came with sync cable and power cable as the description said it would. Both my Treo and extra battery charge perfectly well in this cradle. Syncs everytime, too.
  
  Not sure why so many have had problems. Maybe, Palm has redesigned the cradle since they had theirs.
  
  
• The Real Thing
  By A1QVVUAHJGFPSK on 2006-07-19
  These were not available (backordered) when I first got my Treo. I bought a different one which began to fall apart after a few months. The quality of this one is excellent and I expect it to last much better. The Amazon price was no more than the cheapy I bought. Don't bother with the other ones as this is twice as good as they are.
  
  
• Does the Job
  By A9714XZWO9QK0 on 2006-08-02
  This is a quality product - it charges the phone and a spare battery (if you have one) at the same time. It is sturdy with nice rubber feet on the bottom - this helps if you want to use the phone while it is in the cradle - because the cradle does not slide around on a flat desktop. I find the product extremely useful and I am happy with my purchase.
  
  
• great price
  By A27UK7EA530UQR on 2006-08-19
  I bought for price, very satisfied with performance Treo 650. Only US connection tried - it works very well. button hot sync works great and charging extra battery great feature.
  
  
• Great OEM product
  By APEQV4IQ9AKKI on 2006-08-24
  The Palm Docking Cradle Kit was straight from the manufacturer, my customer is extremely pleased, great product, great service, great shipping
  
  

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