The original Seidio INNODock is one of the most popular Treo cradles because it can be used while your Treo is still in its case or skin. Another nice feature of the INNODock for the Treo 650 or the INNODock for the Treo 680/700p is that they include an audio output jack so you can listen to music through external speakers or headphones while your Treo is in the cradle. However, if you don’t have any plans to listen to music while your Treo is in the dock, you now have the option to buy the INNODock Junior without audio output and save money.

The original Seidio INNODock was reviewed mytreo.net member David Silver (user name: dsilvertx), and other than the lack of an audio output jack, the INNODock Junior is identical to the original INNODock. In fact, the INNODock Junior even has the same hole where the audio output jack is located on the other models but it is filled with a rubber plug as can be seen here:

Also, while the other INNODocks are available in different colors (to match the colors used by the different carriers), the INNODock Junior is only available in black. This isn’t a problem for me because I like the black version, but if you want your cradle to match the color of your Treo then you might want to pay the extra money for the INNODock with audio output.

Many good things have been said about the Seidio INNODock, and with the exception of comments on the audio output feature, they all apply to the INNODock junior. That said, I also think the INNODock has some room for improvement.

In my experience, no dock or sync cable has worked with 100% consistency and the INNODock Junior is no exception. Sometimes I’ll put my Treo into the dock and press the Hotsync button only to find that nothing happens. Other times I’ll do the same thing and the Treo will start the Hotsync process but my computer will fail to respond. In both cases I’ve found that removing and reinserting my Treo (sometimes more than once) will fix the problem. Again, this problem isn’t unique to the INNODock and is more likely a shortcoming in the Treo’s dock connector design, but it sure would be nice if Seidio could solve this problem.

Another issue I have which is specific to the INNODock (all models) is with the placement of the little rubber pads on the bottom of the dock. It takes a bit of downward pressure to connect the Treo to the dock, but due to the placement of the rubber feet on the bottom of the dock (which are slightly behind the connector) this downward pressure causes the front of the dock to pivot downward on the rubber feet. It’s not a big problem, but if one of the rubber feet had been placed at the front edge of the dock, or maybe of more than four pads had been used, I think this problem could be avoided.

With those two minor issues, I still think the INNODock is a great dock because you don’t have to remove your Treo from the case whenever you want to synch or charge your Treo. Even if you aren’t using a skin or case today, the INNODock is still a good choice because if you decide to use one in the future you won’t have to buy a new dock.

If you decide that you really want an INNODock with audio output then you should be aware that the INNODock designed for the Treo 650 does not work with the Treo 700p or other later model Treos because they no longer send audio through the dock connector. Instead, you will need to buy the INNODock designed for the newer Treos which has an extra audio plug on the doc as shown below:

Conclusion

Since I frequently keep my Treo in a case or skin, the INNODock is my cradle of choice. I had previously purchased the original INNODock with audio output for my Treo 650 so I could charge my Treo at work and listen to music with my headphones at the same time. However, when looking for a cradle to use at home I realized I could save some money by buying the INNODock Junior because I already use my computer to play music and podcasts.

Pros

• Just like the original INNODock, the INNODock Junior is one of the best and most flexible cradles available for the Treo.

• Works with the Treo 650/680/700p/700w/700wx/750
• $10 less than INNODocks with audio output
• Comes with needed USB cable

Cons

• Cradle is a bit unstable when inserting the Treo into the cradle

Tested using Treo 650 and 700p.

Related Links

Review of the original Seidio INNODock

Seidio INNO.Dock Junior for Treo 700p/700w/700wx/680/650/750

Seidio INNO.Dock Dark Silver for Treo 680/700p

Seidio INNO.Dock Silver for Treo 700w/700wx

Seidio INNO.Dock Silver for Treo 650

Seidio INNO.Dock Blue for Treo 650

Seidio INNO.Dock White for Treo 650

Filed under: Accessory reviews