SendStation - Support

General

1. I have an iPhone/iPad/iPod with Lightning Connector. Is the PocketDock Combo compatible with Apple’s Lightning to 30-pin Adapter?

Apple’s Lightning to 30-pin Adapter does not support FireWire, thus the FireWire-side of the PocketDock Combo is not supported. USB sync & charge however works flawlessly.

If you are looking for line out audio together with USB connectivity, we'd suggest to use the ultra-compact SendStation PocketDock Line Out Mini USB together with Apple’s Lightning to 30-pin Adapter.

For compatibility of all other PocketDock models see respective support sections.

Sync & Charge

1. Can I charge my iPod/iPhone using the PocketDock through a USB wall or car charger? Why do some chargers not work?

Yes, except for the 3G iPod (with touch wheel and 4 circular red-backlit buttons) and earlier models, which do not support USB charging.

Note that not all generic USB chargers will work:

The reason for this is the fast charging option offered by modern iPod models and iPhones. Instead of only 300 or 500 mA, an iPhone for instance may draw up to 1,000 mA from a USB power supply, thus charges twice as fast. An iPad with its large display is charged fastest at 2,100 mA.

The decision on how much power can be drawn (and thus to prevent the charger from being overloaded and blown), is done through specific resistors bridging the USB pins. If a charger is not equipped with these resistors, no power is drawn and the iPod/iPhone won't charge.

In addition to that, other points to be considered are:

The USB charger must provide enough power. The iPhone for instance requires min. 500 mA.
Many USB car chargers don’t make proper contact with the electrical pins inside the lighter jack. One should think that all lighter jacks are the same, but they actually aren’t. We have seen various chargers and cars which just don’t fit together, which means they don’t receive power from the car at any point or only intermittent. We therefore recommend to choose car chargers which provide feedback through an integrated Power LED.

If you are looking for an iPod-only car charger with built-in Line Out you should consider the SendStation smartCharge. (Make sure to check for compatibility with your iPod model before ordering).

Generic USB chargers which carry the ‘Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad’ or ‘Works with iPhone’ badge are guaranteed to work.

But how can I be sure that the PocketDock isn’t defective
and that the USB charger is the actual problem?

If the PocketDock works when attached to the USB 2.0 port directly on your computer, then it definitely is not defective.

2. Can I charge my iPad using the PocketDock through a USB wall or car charger?

Yes, however for fastest possible charging the iPad requires 2.1A USB power (which is up to 4x more than an iPod or iPhone). Furthermore the iPad requires the charger have a specific USB configuration. The latter is to prevent underpowered chargers from being blown when attached to an iPad.

Any charger advertised as being iPod, iPhone and iPad compatible (e.g. Apple’s iPod, iPhone and iPad USB chargers) works flawlessly with a PocketDock and the iPad, whereas the actual charging speed depends on whether the charger provides 500 mA, 1A or 2.1A of power.

3. Can I sync my iPod/iPhone/iPad using the PocketDock’s FireWire port?

Only if it is one of the following models:

iPod mini
3G iPod
4G iPod incl. iPod photo and iPod color

All iPod models thereafter and all iPhones and iPads in general do not support sync over FireWire.

4. Can I charge my iPod/iPhone/iPad using the PocketDock’s FireWire port?

Yes, if it is one of the following models:

iPod mini
1G iPod nano
2G iPod nano
3G iPod nano
3G iPod
4G iPod (incl. iPod photo and iPod color)
5G iPod video
6G iPod classic
1G iPod touch
2G iPhone

All iPod & iPhone models thereafter and iPads in general do not support charging through FireWire.

5. Can I use 4-pin FireWire connections (also known as i.Link™) for charging?

No, due to the fact that 4-pin FireWire 400 (1394a) doesn’t provide any power, it can be used to sync only. For FireWire charging the port on your computer or power supply needs to have either the typical 6-pin FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a) connector or the 9-pin FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) connector.

6. Can I use a FireWire wall or car charger with the PocketDock?

Yes.

7. My computer only has USB 1.1, which does not provide enough power to charge my iPod/iPhone. Does a PocketDock Combo help the situation?

Yes, but only if you own one of the following iPod models:

iPod mini
1G iPod nano
2G iPod nano
3G iPod nano
3G iPod
4G iPod (incl. iPod photo and iPod color)
5G iPod video
6G iPod classic
1G iPod touch
2G iPhone

The above listed models support both FireWire charging and USB syncing: Simply use a PocketDock Combo to sync via USB 1.1 and at the same time charge via FireWire, using either a 6-pin FireWire port on any computer or an external FireFire power supply. If you are connecting to a FireWire port on a different computer to draw power, unmount the iPod from that computer first, prior to connecting it to your computer’s USB 1.1 port. (Otherwise a communication conflict regarding the iPod may occur). It should be noted though that USB 1.1 (12 Mbps) is much slower than USB 2.0 (480 Mbps).

8. Can I charge my iPod/iPhone/iPad using the PocketDock through a USB port on my computer?

Yes. Premise is a so-called high powered USB 2.0 port (min. 500 mA for iPod and iPhone, min. 2.1 A for iPad), which can be typically found directly on the computer or powered hubs. Low-powered USB ports (max. 100 mA) as often found for instance on older keyboards do not provide enough power to the iPod or iPhone.

Dimensions, compatibility with cases, locking

1. Does the PocketDock Combo block the iPod nano’s headphone jack?

Unfortunately, yes, although the PocketDock Combo is as small and compact as it can be. However there are slimmer models available: If you are seeking for USB only connectivity you might take a look at the PocketDock Line Out USB or the PocketDock Line Out Mini USB, for FireWire only connectivity the PocketDock FireWire or the PocketDock Line Out FW. Make sure to check compatibility with your specific iPod or iPhone model.

2. My PocketDock doesn’t lock properly when plugged into the iPod. Why doesn’t it have the hook-type latches with release buttons?

All our PocketDocks are designed with the smallest possible size in mind. In order to achieve the tiny size, our engineers had to choose a release-button-free design.

The so-called friction latches ensure secure locking, while still being easy to unplug when required (the best way to pull is to put the thumb on top and the index finger underneath). This release-type has been approved through nearly a hundred different cell-phone connectors which we’ve designed in the past. Meanwhile you can find the same locking mechanism even on Apple accessories, best known through the USB cable which comes with today’s iPods, iPhones & iPads.

A simple test whether the PocketDock locks secure enough is to plug in a cable into your PocketDock and the PocketDock into your iPod. Place a big, soft pillow on the floor, lift the iPod by the cable a few inches above the pillow and gently shake the cable. According to our tests the latches inside are strong enough to keep the PocketDock in place. If it falls out too easily, you can improve the locking stiffness by slightly pulling out the latches using a needle or some small pliers.

3. What are the dimensions of this PocketDock model?

Click here for dimensions of all PocketDock models.

Backing up from digital cameras etc.

1. Does the PocketDock allow me to sync my digital camera with my iPod/iPhone/iPad?

No.

2. Is it possible to attach a memory card reader (Compact Flash, SD Card, etc.) to a PocketDock in order to download images or data to the iPod/iPhone/iPad?

No.