$0 or cheap DIY AW Dock depending on where you live

[Chupa Chupa]

AW charger was one too many for my device table. It looked like a snake pit. But I was unsatisfied with the AW docks -- I think they are either too expensive for what they are some approaching $100 - 25% of what my AW cost, ha, ha, no thanks. Other just seemed they'd get in they way with their exaggerated height, so solved one problem, created another.

So I decide just to make my own with free sample blocks of engineered flooring from Home Depot (U.S. stores). I know Lowes charges for these - I think .50 to $1. Non-U.S. Home Depots might charge too, but nominal cost. (I made holes for both my AW and my Garmin 620 so they'd both have a home and be out of the way when charging).

If you have a basic set of tools your cost should be nothing or near nothing. You only need a drill w/ a 1" bit, a Dremel, or similar to sand the inside of the hole, and low grit sandpaper to sand the bottom of the wood.

The AW charger has a slightly bigger circumference than 1". Drill the 1" hole then with a sander insert on your Dremel sand the hole until the charger fits snugly. With either a router bit or regular drill bit on your Dremel (I only had a drill bit) drill a channel for the cable. Sand the bottom with a sheet of fine grit sand paper and done.

I then attached a sample block on either side (they just snap in) so the entire watch could lie flat.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Nice work.

My link bracelet doesn't lie flat so I'm using the bottom half of the box that it came in to rest it on its side while charging and it's free too.

 

[dacreativeguy]

Looks like a waste of space. The bottom of the SS box makes a better charger holder. Was worth a few extra bucks to get the sapphire screen, SS body, and nicer box.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Looks like a waste of space. The bottom of the SS box makes a better charger holder. Was worth a few extra bucks to get the sapphire screen, SS body, and nicer box.

Maybe to you it was worth an extra $200. But not for me. 100% loving my sport model AND the fact I only spent $350. Sapphire screen means nothing to me, and certainly a $5 box that is going in the closet until I pack it back up for resale doesn't.

As for my dock itself, no, no space is wasted. It's exactly where my watches sat pre-dock except now they don't shift everywhere. I love how when I put each up they just automatically snap in place. But interesting you carp on "wasted space." I've seen pictures of the SS box and it's quite a bit larger than the watch, not exactly compact. The box also would do nothing for my Garmin. My solution host both of my digital watches. My dress watch, of course, doesn't need a dock.

 

[enderg]

Simplicity

I used a drill on the rear of my bed stand and then through the back of the drawer, now I just open the drawer and the charging cable is there for both the Watch and an iPhone. A bed of socks keeps it charging all safe and out of the way during the night.

 

[xraydoc]

Good work Chupa.

I plan on (eventually) having a link bracelet, so I knew none of the flat charging stations available for sale or homemade would work for me. I bought the Spigen stand which was only $19. Definitely not over-priced for what it is -- one of the few that isn't -- and it'll provide the nightstand organization that was needed.

 

[metacove1]

Nice work. I definitely think having a charging dock of some sort is beneficial.

You can also use a 1 1/8" spade bit and file about .5 mm off either side to achieve very close to the hole size.

I have access to a CNC mill and I go that route but I realize not everyone does

I think many of the plastic stands are overpriced as you have mentioned.