USB Cradle for the Nokia E61
Ever since I bought my first PDA I have been a big fan of device cradles. It helps me organize my cluttered desk while providing a natural place to put my device. In addition, the device is being charged and you can syncronize it at any time.
I was waiting for a USB cradle for the Nokia E61 to come along and when I saw one online I immediately placed an order. The packaging leaves a bit to be desired…. It's good that Mobile Planet / Expansys do their business online and are not a terra firma retailer 
The package includes the cradle and a mini USB cable. Although there is support for AC, an adaptor is not included in the package. The USB cradle will charge the Nokia E61 with the mini USB connected to a PC. The cradle feels very solid and stable. Nokia E61 fits perfectly in the USB cradle. Not too tight and definitely not too loose.
With a little nudge the Nokia E61 is connected with the cradle through the pop port and you instantly see the familiar "Select mode" screen. Syncing with PC suite and charging the device worked like a charm.
I wish the cradle had support for charging additional batteries through something like a slot on the back. It's not a big shortcoming but it would have been a nice to have. However, I still think the cradle is well worth the modest cost of $24.95. Highly recommended!
August 31st, 2006 at 7:25 pm
There is this Nokia original accesory also:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&item=160016974153&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
Regards
August 31st, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Looks great, gonna recommend my dad to get one
September 1st, 2006 at 4:08 am
that’s not exactly a cradle is it?!
September 1st, 2006 at 4:09 am
to vjleon11: That’s not exactly a cradle is it?!
September 1st, 2006 at 8:05 am
Nice cradle, me wants that to !
BUT… What theme are you using on your E61 in these photoes?? It looks nice. I’ve only found a couple of themes I like (3 pieces), but yours looks like it coud be number 4
Regards
September 1st, 2006 at 8:31 am
Nice, perhaps I should go find me one of those. And btw, all my domains and server are completely down; even ftp :/ Guess if im mad at my server-provider.
September 1st, 2006 at 1:03 pm
I have a question, All the pics I see of your E61 are without a case, Do you not own a case? Just wondering what case you use. Maybe you can do a blog for the best cases that fit the E61. Thanks on the heads up for the crade, plan to order one soon.
September 1st, 2006 at 4:10 pm
Hello Craig, no is not, but is another choice…
Regards
September 1st, 2006 at 5:43 pm
Off Topic, i find that PD Air Makes the best cases for the E61, it arrived within two days from Hong Kong
http://www.aussie3g.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=18220
September 1st, 2006 at 6:32 pm
Hi All,
Here’s a cradle on ebay for $21 incl shipping from Hong Kong. The seller has a 99.9 Feedback on 1356 sales. I’ll try this one and post in a couple of weeks when I get it.
As for a case, I chose the Krusell Horizontic PDA Small with the Versaclip. You have to like this style and it’s all personal taste. The case is built really well and for $25 represents a good buy. I looked at Vaja and some other high end cases. I’m sure the leather is better quality but I wanted something I didn’t have to worry about scuffing.
Screen protectors: I’ve used the Invisable Shield on my Archos 500 (which has a big screen to protect) but IS was a pain in the ass and wanted to charge me extra for making a custom for the e61 since they don’t make it yet. I found a company called bestskinsever.com. They claim to be the same material as I.S. and you get a big sheet for multiple devices for less money. An independent review confirmed the material is the same. Only thing is you have to cut your own. BTW, they talk about a water solution but don’t worry. There is so little you won’t hurt anything. I’ll post my experience next week when mine comes in.
September 1st, 2006 at 6:33 pm
Oppsssssssssss…
Helps to put the item #in. 140024878198
September 1st, 2006 at 9:25 pm
THE cradle looks sooo coooooool ..
Love the Blue light …
me too am a big fan of device cradles since i had my Treo 600 ..
September 1st, 2006 at 9:55 pm
Hi everyone,
Just to let you know that I’ve just purchased one here for $14.99!!:
http://www.semsons.com/noe6decr.html
Had to do a lot of search engine work but glad I did.
Enjoy!
September 1st, 2006 at 10:15 pm
Man, you guys are good shoppers! I am impressed. I should have shopped around more before placing my order
Moreover, the cradles look identical. They are probably from the same manufacturer.
Hi Daniel,
I don’t have a case for my E61 …yet! But hope to get one next week
Bobby68,
I’ll post the theme on the site over the next few days.
September 1st, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Hi JP,
That semson cradle even comes with a AC charger! That’s a good deal for $16.99. Mine didn’t come with an AC charger…
September 2nd, 2006 at 1:24 am
Hey, why didn’t you include a picture of yourself in your vacation with your E61?
September 2nd, 2006 at 6:41 pm
I think I did, in front of the houses of parliament. My face might be slightly hidden by the E61 though
Trust me, not much to look at.
Ed
September 2nd, 2006 at 8:51 pm
What about the US E62? It doesn’t use pop port but mini usb instead. With the Cingular launch in Sept will there be a cradle for the E62?
September 3rd, 2006 at 12:30 am
Hi!
About cases …..
As I prefer the horinzontal model I bought this one from Krusell.
http://www.krusell.se/productUni.php?productID=711&category=12
Very high quality leather case with magnetic lock and life time warranty.
Coast about 25-32 USD (20 - 25 EUR).
I am satisfied with this case and can recommend it for Ed as well
/hocki
September 3rd, 2006 at 12:32 am
sorry my bad spellling
Still morning in my country …..
/hocki
September 3rd, 2006 at 4:16 am
I bought Piel Frama’s Leather case
here is the link
http://www.pielframa.com/menu_nokia_e61.htm
very expensive but very high quality
VD1900
September 3rd, 2006 at 7:22 am
The bests cases for nokia e61 are made by Noreve…
http://www.noreve.com/brand/Nokia/product/Etui_cuir_Nokia_E61_-_E62_Tradition.html
September 3rd, 2006 at 8:10 am
Hi Hocki and vd1900,
Thanks for the tip. I actually ordered yet a different case (nice to see that there is a great selection available). I’ll post a mini review in about a week
September 4th, 2006 at 12:17 am
Is the cradle useful with the use of a Mac? Sync over USB does not work right?
September 4th, 2006 at 12:25 am
Hi, does the blue light means anything?
September 4th, 2006 at 10:49 am
Hi Mares,
I haven’t used it with a Mac but I don’t think it will work.
Hi Pat,
The blue light is just an indicator that the cradle is plugged in.
September 4th, 2006 at 2:39 pm
I have a Vaja Classic case for mine - it’s beautiful, though the screen protector scratches very easily. When I asked Vaja how to remove the scratches, they offered me a new case! Great company, with wonderful products.
September 5th, 2006 at 1:00 am
It looks to fit quite well (too well?). I’ve got the clear plastic case for the E61 and I don’t plan on removing them often. Looks like it won’t fit the cradle when the case is on.
September 5th, 2006 at 6:56 am
Hi Bernie,
It is a pretty tight fit as it is so I doubt that you can use the plastic case with the USB cradle.
Glad to hear that Andrew. I am awaiting my Vaja case
September 14th, 2006 at 9:13 am
[...] Since then there has been many blogs and customers praising Vaja for their carefully crafted handmade leather cases for the Nokia E61 - The Vitelino. Now I join them. [...]
September 19th, 2006 at 11:25 am
Hi I have ordered the cradl as well and I’m really happy about it.
The only bad point is, there is no option in the SW of the E61 to let the backlight on. It would be very nice to have a a screensaver with my one pictures. Do you have any idea about a solution?
Thanks an kind regards
Danny
September 19th, 2006 at 12:32 pm
So now that you have the case does the E61 fit in the cradle with the case on? I have a Piel Frama and I am thinking of buying a dock for my desk.
September 19th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Hi Pat,
No, it doesn’t fit with the cradle. I remove it from the case when I use the cradle. I’d be surprised if any cases can be used with the cradle. It’s a pretty tight fit as it is.
Cheers
October 3rd, 2006 at 2:05 pm
Will that cradle work on nokia E62
October 3rd, 2006 at 2:27 pm
Hi Victor,
This perticular cradle will only work with the E61 because of the lack of POP-port on the Nokia E62.
Cheers
October 4th, 2006 at 7:26 am
Hi. I bought the same cradle from expansys and it arrived this morning.
Works fine - syncs and charges when the E61 is docked with the cradle, but after I remove the phone from the cradle, when I turn the phone off later on in the day, the phone “freezes” with a solid white screen instead of turning off as normal and I have to take the battery out to get it to turn off.
*#0000# on the phone reports:
1.06.10.04.04
19-04-06
RM-89
Nokia E61
and unfortunately because it is a UK phone, Nokia Software Updater doesn’t have a firmware update available.
Anyone else having this problem with this cradle? Did you manage to fix it? (if so, How?)
Thanks
Dave
October 11th, 2006 at 4:20 pm
Anyone tried charging with just a USB AC adapter, such as the one that comes with an iPod or Blackberry (just a wall-wart with a single USB port on it providing just power)? I like to reduce the number of chargers I carry when I travel.
Thanks
October 17th, 2006 at 10:17 pm
The Ora cradle is a bit of rip. The nokia chargers don’t fit. And the cradle does not come with a charger.. I have no reason to leave my phone plugged into my mac constantly. In fact the phone seldom goes near the computer except to sync via bluetooth. I was hoping the cradle would simply provide an upright holder that I could plug the phone into while it charged.. no such luck.
October 29th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
How do people like the cradle from http://www.semsons.com/noe6decr.html?
October 30th, 2006 at 8:31 am
Dear All,
What is the best e61 USB cradle to buy. I hear there is more than one brand
November 9th, 2006 at 3:07 am
Just ordered my cradle from Semsons. Am paying $29.99 and that includes shipping already. the item itself cost about $16 and so I should get it by next week. hopefully nothing goes wrong:) this is definitely something worth having on your desk and i wont have to be pulling out my charger from my bag all the time:p
next on the list: a bluetooth keyboard:)
November 28th, 2006 at 9:45 pm
I am in between the Krussel Cabriolet and the Vaja case. Money is no issue. the Krussel case I do have questions which aren’t answered or poorly explained on their website: it says there that the screen is NOT covered with plastic, now is it or not? I am potentially against some plastic scratching and glaring away the wonderful screen…..any advice appreciated
December 19th, 2006 at 12:31 am
I bought one cradle from Brando HK, and it comes today. But I found a very big problem: The cradle can not establish a dial up connection while as a modem(Mac or PC is the same), so th e cradle will be useless to me.
Does anyone have the same problem like me?
December 19th, 2006 at 3:15 am
I bought a USB Cradle from BRANDO HK, and it comes today.
I find it work great in connecting to PC and synchronization, but a big problem: It can not establish a dial up connection as a modem, no matter in Mac or PC, if I use a Nokia Data Cale, then everything will be fine.
Does anyone have any idea, or same problem?
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:54 am
I bought my cradle from ebay and I found it to be great, i am thinking of getting one more for my work but I have once concern, I listen to music at work via my phone but with the pop port connector covered up, is there some other alternative to gettting the music out of the phone and into my headphones?
If I play music while in the cradle can I just plug my headphones into my PC and hear it from their or will the sound just blare out so everyone else can hear?
thanks in advance,
June 18th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I just bought one from Amazon. it exactly the same one you talked about. however my PC doesn’t recognize my E61i at all. it only charges it. did you use any software? did you suffer from the same problem & managed to fix it. appreciate your help. thanks alot.