iPod Docks

[Jalexster]

First, let me start by saying that I am giving up on iRiver. I'm going to get an iPod. This unfortunently, this means a part of me now hates myself for eternity. The part which wanted an iRiver.

Anyway, I remember hearing that you could put an iPod mini in a 3G iPod dock, because the dock connector is the same (It wouldn't be a perfect fit in the dock, but it would work). Now, this should also mean that the 4G iPods should fit in the dock, because the only difference (in terms of what could affect it being placed in the dock), is the fact that the 4Gs are 1mm thinner. However, on the Apple Australia store (Where I was checking out prices), on the page where you could get additional items for your iPod, there is a new dock, that is said to work with the 4G iPods, and there is a warning on the old (3G) dock, that it won't work with the 4G iPods.

Anyway, is there any actual reason why I couldn't put an iPod mini or iPod 4G in a 3G dock?

 

[realityisterror]

you can use them, and the 4G in a 3G dock will work fine... i've read that putting the beltclip on a mini (i think putting it on upside down) will help it stand up in it's own on a 3G dock...
do you already have a 3G dock/iPod?

reality

 

[Jalexster]

No, I was just wondering.

 

[homerjward]

wouldnt recommend it

ive had bad experiences with un-officially supported hardware stuff. i got a non-official memory card for my ps2 and it deleted all my files. i used a non-ipod fw device with the ipod power adapter like it says not too and it started smoking. i used a ipod battery pack w/ my friend's mini and he's pretty damn mad at me cause it shorted his dock connector. i really wouldnt recommend doing something it specifically says not to do, and i'd still be hesitant if it didnt say you could. the only exception is i use logitech drivers for my kensington pocketmouse le
oh, btw, sorry i got all mad at u for dissing the ipod

 

[Jalexster]

ive had bad experiences with un-officially supported hardware stuff. i got a non-official memory card for my ps2 and it deleted all my files. i used a non-ipod fw device with the ipod power adapter like it says not too and it started smoking. i used a ipod battery pack w/ my friend's mini and he's pretty damn mad at me cause it shorted his dock connector. i really wouldnt recommend doing something it specifically says not to do, and i'd still be hesitant if it didnt say you could. the only exception is i use logitech drivers for my kensington pocketmouse le
oh, btw, sorry i got all mad at u for dissing the ipod

I wasn't talking about 3rd party products. I'm talking about the 4G dock, and the 3G dock. If I do get an iPod, I'm going to get a 20GB 4G, and a Belkin car adpator, so the iPod stays charged while in the car.

 

[justinshiding]

speaking of which....

slightly off topic....but are there any real benefits to getting the dock ? I don't really need 40 gigs of space...and the 20 gig with the recently lowered price looks perfect to me. So is there anything you can do with the dock that you can't without it ?

Anything is a step up from my old creative nomad II c *shudder*

Justin

 

[Jalexster]

The Dock has a Line Out. This can't be connected to headphones, or unpowered speakers, it is designed for powered speakers or something like a stereo.

The Line Out gives much better quality that the headphone connector.

Plus, you can just drop the iPod in the Dock, there is no need to scrabble around for the right cable, and plug it in.

 

[Horrortaxi]

I'm thinking this through and i'm not sure I'd put an iPod into a dock it wasn't designed for. The connector is the same, but the dock is designed to take the weight of the iPod. If you put the iPod into a dock that's too wide or narrow the stress is going to be directed elsewhere and who knows what the results will be? Thinner iPod in wider dock--weight and stress might be on the connector, which is up inside the iPod. Do you think the board inside your iPod is designed to bear a load? Thicker iPod in narrow dock would have the same issue--you could be wedging it into the dock and putting a strain on the iPod's insides.

I don't know if 1mm is enough to cause a problem. Then again .030" might be too much. Unless you know for sure what the consequences will be, don't take a chance.

 

[Jalexster]

The reason I asked is, that in the event that I got a 4G iPod, and then got an iPod mini, I wanted to know If I could avoid having to shell out for a second dock, and just stick the mini in the 4G dock. I was also interested in the difference of the 3G dock and the 4G dock.

Eh, I'll probably never get enough money to buy more than one iPod, so I guess i'll just get the 4G dock.