Dension Car Dock for iPhone a good alternative to the tomtom car kit?
The Universal iPhone car kit adapter for all vehicles.
Dension’s latest dive into the integration market has brought about a product that’s designed to partially integrate music and handsfree features into all vehicles. The Dension iphone Car Dock offers basic handsfree functions played through the cars audio system as well as music from the iPhone.
The Idea was brought about from the development of the Gateway five and Gateway Blue, which offer a more integrated solution than the car dock. However it was clear that a universal product which fits into all cars (Aerial adapters may be required) would be much more beneficial to the majority of the market. The Kit still offers the great music quality of previous Dension products but now includes handsfree for incoming and out going calls.
The iPhone Car Dock connects to the stereo via the aerial connection (like the Ice Link One) offering the same music integration, however the Car dock also provides additional handsfree functionality using the same connection through the car speakers. Offering excellent quality audio for during the conversation for both parties. The external microphone picks up your voice and makes your voice much clearer on the other end of the line.
The device is controlled via the iphone interface or the specific app found on itunes, which actually makes the functions easier to use. Simple touch buttons allow you to navigate to your music or through your phone book to make a call. When a call comes in the device automatically mutes the music ready for the conversation (played through the cars speakers).
One of the big benefit of the iPhone Car Dock is the removable cradle which can be mounted semi-permanently to the dash or to the windscreen via the suction mount. This system allows the cradle to be easily moved, rotated & positioned into the most comfortable place that suits your driving position & kept vertically or positioned horizontally when requried, if for example your have a map app open.
Overall the quality of the product is very good. Its build is sturdy but usable and the quality of the handsfree functions are second to only the very best kits on the market. Music integration is a big plus, but this is what we come to expect from Dension products. From out tests we’re very happy with the product and would score it 4.5/5 unlike the tomtom kit which has some poorer reviews from customers.