What a palaver with this Xda Orbit 2 car kit!
After some Twitter exchanges today, fellow blogger-tester Sarah Blow posted a video in response to mine at the weekend re the difficulties I’m having in getting the phone cradle to fit with the pole thingy.
A brilliant video, Sarah, showing how easy it should be!
Yet no matter what I do, I cannot get this thing together. Here’s another walk-though (embedded below) of the non-result I keep having. Plus a view on what it’s like fitting it in the car.
The phone itself is great; some comments on that here soon. Yet my experience with this accessory kit, something that should be so simple, is not good at all.
Either the accessory is just badly made or I’m just too dumb to figure it out, I’m really not sure which.
Helpful suggestions more than welcome.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Philip 03.04.08 at 3:53 pm
I think she was just lucky…
Martin 03.28.08 at 5:21 pm
I had the same problem with attaching the cradle piece to the stalk - no matter how much force was applied. I got around that by using a small file to file a bevel on the leading edges at the 4 points were it slots in. After doing that it snapped together using a similar amount of force as what Sarah used for her’s. Plus I can detach it and re-attach it easily.
The part that attaches to the windscreen does flex - at least mine does after applying enough force. But I agree that it’s not been manufactured well (in some cases).
Philip 04.10.08 at 10:36 am
Wow, Martin is right - the stick does bend! Having decided it didn’t matter if it broke as it seemed to be utterly useless I have just put all the strength I have into a mighty bending move - and it bent! OK, I admit that I am one of those weaklings who are occasionally embarrassed by screw tops but the force require is pretty considerable. Steve and his chums at VCCP should consider sending a can of spinach out with every phone.
(I have also realised that I can use my Orbit to listen to FIR on my way to work!!!).
Steve 05.14.08 at 10:25 am
haha, sorry just seen this.
spinach on its way!
Helen 06.26.08 at 12:21 pm
the cradle does fit.
you only use two of the slots,it appears that this allows the cradle to be low or high on the
arm quite simple really.
Iain Hewitt 08.07.08 at 3:14 am
Wow! I never knew the stalk bent, I tried and tried, but stopped with fear of braking it. I couldent understand how it was any use in a car if it didn’t bend.. so after reading Martins post I tried again with more force.. and it bent! quite smoothly infact. Oh and my cradle fitted onto the stalk just fine, no effort at all.. and with all four slots.