Best Budget Qi wireless charger? - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm looking for something simple, sleek design where I can plop my phone down and charge it. What are my options for $10-$35
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

There's an absolutely fantastic thread about cheap wireless chargers in the Accessories section. Here is the thread. Even though it's kind of old, all of those can still be found on Amazon, eBay and Aliexpress etc. I got the large flat one with leds for just above 10USD

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MT4GS Powermat Receiver Door for $9.99

Hey all, I just noticed that the official Powermat back battery door for the MT4GS is on sale at T-Mobile for ten bucks. You'll still need the actual Powermat charger, which goes for $20-30 online. The website also charges shipping and sales tax, FYI. But still a good price:
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/addons/accessories/default.aspx?categorycode=898#tblId10
great find, is it only in black?
These are highly worth the money, it charges the phone much faster and is nice to not "plug" my phone in..
Got one for xmas and works amazing..
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk
shady503403 said:
These are highly worth the money, it charges the phone much faster and is nice to not "plug" my phone in..
Got one for xmas and works amazing..
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my battery door just **** the bed, so this is a godsend!
Case that fits?
I just got the PowerMat and battery door when I upgraded on Saturday. I love it, but I can't find a case that will fit over the slighty larger than normal battery door. Has anyone else had luck finding something that works?
Where's the best place to get a single position mat? Best price?
rorytmeadows said:
Where's the best place to get a single position mat? Best price?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked around Amazon a little bit and saw plenty of single-position mats for a particular device, usually including the receiver door for that device, for under $10. (You know, for a device that you don't have. ) Here is one example (for BlackBerry Bold 9700): http://www.amazon.com/Powermat-Position-Charging-BlackBerry-Receiver/dp/B00462QB4C
It looks like these mats have a custom indentation to hug the back of the device, so it's unlikely to be a perfect fit. Also, if you device doesn't fit into the indentation, it might not charge.
But ... cheap! Most of these are not Amazon Prime eligible, so it costs another few bucks for shipping.
---------- Post added at 10:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:41 AM ----------
I'm sort of inspired by this thread to try hacking some powermat chargers for some other phones where the receiver is still expensive or there just isn't a receiver. If you search around, you can find some reports of folks who have done this with varying degrees of aesthetic sensibility in the results.
One idea, that I kind of like a lot, is to use the Palm Pre charging "Touchstone" as the transmitting mat. Because the Palm Pre was kind of a dud in the marketplace, the Touchstones are available for pretty cheap. Here's an example at Amazon for under $5, including shipping: http://www.amazon.com/Palm-Touchstone-Charging-Dock-Pre/dp/B002CMEIWK. One hitch with the Touchstone is that it uses a couple of magnetic thingies to activate it (and, I guess, hold the device in place). I'm sure one could deal with that somehow.
Thanks for the last post.
Alright, I'm totally confused. I took a look on Amazon earlier this week, but without confidence in the mat actually working with the device perfectly, I decided to check out what was in stores.
I go to Best Buy and couldn't find them. I asked an associate and they said that they no longer are carrying PowerMats because of the shorting out risk.
Ummmmmmm, okay....
I go to Radio Shack and the associate there starts talking to me about two different types and how one doesn't charge fully all the time and that kills your battery over time and the other involves walking around with a "puck" on your phone.
What the hell is everyone talking about??? I thought these were pretty good and I'm reading nothing but nice reviews online, with the exception of the expense. Frankly, at $10 plus shipping for the case, I no longer care about the expense.
Thoughts????
I don't know anything definitive about most of that. From poking around today, I've deduced a few things (none of which involved "shorting out" ).
Powermat and Duracell both made something that looked like roughly the same technology. Some time in the recent past, Powermat and Proctor and Gamble (who I guess own the Duracell brand?) formed a joint venture or some marketing agreement to make and sell "Duracell Powermat" devices.
The mention of a puck thing could mean either of two things. First, Powermat sells a "universal" receiver, which is a little block with the inductor coil inside it. You still have to connect it to your phone's charger port via mini/micro USB (or one of their other tips). Of course, you wouldn't have that on all the time, except when you are charging. Second, Duracell sells or used to sell a gadget that semi-permanently plugs into your USB port and then sticks to the back of your phone. The latter sounds like what the RS guy was talking about.
After a couple days out of town, I returned to find a bunch of packages of el cheapo Powermat stuff for experiments.
I got a single-position mat specially intended for iPhone 3G and 3GS from a 3rd party supplier on Amazon for $7.44 (and free shipping due to Amazon Prime). With the MT4GS Powermat receiver cover from T-Mobile, I can charge using this mat. It's not a perfect fit. The mat does have an indentation, but it's not for the iPhone. The included iPhone case has a rectangular hump on the back, and the indentation is for that hump. Still, by wiggling things a bit and placing the MT4GS off-center, it does charge. The MT4GS cover does not have that hump ... it's just slightly thicker than standard overall.
From the feel of things, there must be magnets that activate the mat. So, I had to fiddle with the placement of the phone to get the mat to turn on. Once it did, the charging light came on for the phone.
(I haven't taken any of this apart yet, so I'm speculating a little.)
On spec, I bought a Palm Pre Touchstone charging kit. They are pretty cool looking and are available pretty cheaply. (Mine cost less than $10, and I've now seen them for $4.) Alas, the kit include the charging dock (which I hope turns out to be compatible with Powermat) and a receiver cover for the Palm Pre (yawn), but it turns out that it wants to reuse the power cord from the original Palm Pre charger.
It looks like it's a mini USB connector (though it could be micro USB), but it fits into a pretty cramped tunnel in the charging dock. None of the USB cords I have on hand will fit all the way into that tunnel.
So, that's a bit of a bust, but I reckon I might buy a Palm Pre power supply since they are also pretty cheap. The looks of the Touchstone are so cool, I hope I can get it working with my MT4GS.
Anyone interested in one or two of these?
Sorry to Necro this thread but has anyone gotten this door to work with Qi chargers? I suppose it won't work out of the box but I can imagine switching out the coil with one for like a SGS3 or some such.

[Q] Has anyone attemted touchstone mod to Nexus 5?

Hello,
I have been a great fan of palm and palm pre series in the past.
As a result, I have about 5 touchstone chargers everywhere and used in modded Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S 3 in the past.
I'm thinking if modding Nexus 5 to have Touchstone compatibility would be possible as well like they have done in Nexus 4.
(webosnation[dont]com/nexus-4-gains-touchstone-charging-thanks-clever-hacking)
From the pictures in ifixit.com, there are total 4 connection coming out from the back cover.
(d3nevzfk7ii3be[dont]cloudfront[dot]net/igi/SJQTUlA5iTNuxHlb[dot]huge)
I just don't know which of the two is the charging sides and which of the two would be + and -.
(d3nevzfk7ii3be[dot]cloudfront[dot]net/igi/OmM5ZNymVr4ODENF[dot]huge)
Any ideas guys?
I'm not a very techy person and I don't have the necessary tools to determine what is what.
Any advices would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I don't get it. Nexus 5 already has Qi charging capability which is wireless like the touchstone...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
atticusmas said:
I don't get it. Nexus 5 already has Qi charging capability which is wireless like the touchstone...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, Nexus 5 does have Qi compatibility, but it doesn't work with touchstone technology as they have different specification. (I've tried but it doesn't charge).
Also, Qi chargers are far more expensive then touchstone for some reason...
As I have already established wireless ecosystem with touchstone, I would like to keep using the touchstone rather than qi charger.
You can buy a qi charger on amazon for like $20. That's a lot easier than popping open the back and risking damage.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
joshnichols189 said:
You can buy a qi charger on amazon for like $20. That's a lot easier than popping open the back and risking damage.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do know that you can buy a qi charger on amazon for like $20 but touchstone chargers are about $10 on amazon now and I already have 5 of them around my work, home, car and my gf's place.
But, most of qi charger is flat, which I personally do not like.
The angle of the phone in a touchstone is quite useful for many reasons and I just prefer it to the flat surface of most qi standard charger.
I've already modded about 6 phones to use touchstone charger, so I know the risk and I assume those risk.
I just need help with which connection is for charging as there are four connections connected to the back cover of the Nexus 5 and I can't clearly pinpoint which two of the four is for charging and which one is plus and minus.
[s22[dot]postimg[dot]org/sfx2fm7n5/1384903574_B0jk_KHu_D_eaf3323[dot]jpg]
So, thank you for the Qi charger recommendations and I am aware of Qi technology, but I'm just curious about the +,- connection of the board.
thanks.
zoni5u said:
I do know that you can buy a qi charger on amazon for like $20 but touchstone chargers are about $10 on amazon now and I already have 5 of them around my work, home, car and my gf's place.
But, most of qi charger is flat, which I personally do not like.
The angle of the phone in a touchstone is quite useful for many reasons and I just prefer it to the flat surface of most qi standard charger.
I've already modded about 6 phones to use touchstone charger, so I know the risk and I assume those risk.
I just need help with which connection is for charging as there are four connections connected to the back cover of the Nexus 5 and I can't clearly pinpoint which two of the four is for charging and which one is plus and minus.
[s22[dot]postimg[dot]org/sfx2fm7n5/1384903574_B0jk_KHu_D_eaf3323[dot]jpg]
So, thank you for the Qi charger recommendations and I am aware of Qi technology, but I'm just curious about the +,- connection of the board.
thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not get one of these? http://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?kw=qi+orb+charger&itemId=&cnm=&cid=&sqp=&_trksid=
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Me too...
zoni5u said:
I do know that you can buy a qi charger on amazon for like $20 but touchstone chargers are about $10 on amazon now and I already have 5 of them around my work, home, car and my gf's place.
But, most of qi charger is flat, which I personally do not like.
The angle of the phone in a touchstone is quite useful for many reasons and I just prefer it to the flat surface of most qi standard charger.
I've already modded about 6 phones to use touchstone charger, so I know the risk and I assume those risk.
I just need help with which connection is for charging as there are four connections connected to the back cover of the Nexus 5 and I can't clearly pinpoint which two of the four is for charging and which one is plus and minus.
[s22[dot]postimg[dot]org/sfx2fm7n5/1384903574_B0jk_KHu_D_eaf3323[dot]jpg]
So, thank you for the Qi charger recommendations and I am aware of Qi technology, but I'm just curious about the +,- connection of the board.
thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm considering the same thing, as I also have a bunch of touchstones that I used with a galaxy nexus that I modded to use the tech. Would like to do the same with the N5.
If you've modded six different phones for touchstone then you're probably the most qualified to figure out how to mod the N5 as well, you should do the mod and then write a guide on it .
sluflyer06 said:
If you've modded six different phones for touchstone then you're probably the most qualified to figure out how to mod the N5 as well, you should do the mod and then write a guide on it .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could do a mod previously as other people who understands the circuit board determined where to connect and such as I don't have the necessary tools to find out about it or the knowledge to fully understand the board.
I intent on doing a guide if I am successful.
Todini said:
I'm considering the same thing, as I also have a bunch of touchstones that I used with a galaxy nexus that I modded to use the tech. Would like to do the same with the N5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
You finally understands what I'm going through.
I find touchstone far superior to qi standard to be honest and have never been able to dismiss it.
zoni5u said:
Thank you!
You finally understands what I'm going through.
I find touchstone far superior to qi standard to be honest and have never been able to dismiss it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For those of us unfamiliar with the tech, care to explain why you like it better?
sluflyer06 said:
If you've modded six different phones for touchstone then you're probably the most qualified to figure out how to mod the N5 as well, you should do the mod and then write a guide on it .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be GREAT!!:good:
just discovered today that the N5 has magnetic points. thus the touchstone charger holds it perfectly at an angle.
now all i want to do is either stuff a Qi charger into the touchstone dock, or what the OP wants and stuff the Touchstone coil into the phone.
I FULLY understand that this is an old thread but I was just thinking this today. The TouchStone holds the Nexus 5 perfectly. And I mean PERFECTLY. See my attached photos. The magnets seem to line up just right and the angle of the phone is great for doing stuff on phone without picking it up. If I had the know how, I would attempt to put a QI coil into a TouchStone. But I dont. If someone ever figured it out and posted directions (which I kind of doubt), I'd attempt it. I owned a Palm Pre with the TouchStone and loved it. I have two TouchStones in a box of random stuff, doing nothing. It would be awesome to be able to use them again. I know there is the Nexus 4 charger. But I heard that doesnt stick very well. I am tempted to try one out though.
P.S. This is mainly a conversational post and not really a high hopes post.
I was just about to buy one Touchstone for my N5, then I ran into this...
Forgive me for never using a wireless charger before, my initial thought on why Touchstone would not work with N5 was that somehow it has a very limited output amp for the phone to be charged, and in that sense, I was suspecting whether its coil is too small or the wire being too thin.
I don't think those cheap ebay Qi charger has anything different but a bigger coil. And obviously there are folks modding those flat-bed Qi chargers into magnets-equipped. So... if the coil was the issue, then you are essentially using touchstone's shell and just replacing a coil in there...
BUT, all those was based on my assumption of "coil matters". so ... anyways, not worth the hassle for me, I'm out. and In for a cheap pad.
Good luck!
I too would like to be informed of when if ever this happens. :good:
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
atticusmas said:
I don't get it. Nexus 5 already has Qi charging capability which is wireless like the touchstone...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any one who has ever used a Touchstone understands! It's incredible!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

OEM Samsung S4 USB cable

I am looking for an ORIGINAL NOT FAKE FROM SAMSUNG USB Charger cable FOR THE S4
My Spigen Neo Hybrid uses a special hole that accompanies Samsungs OEM charger. Chargers ANY bigger than OEM will not fit so I NEED the real samsung USB charger cable
Looking for either a eBay listing, amazon or something. Cheapest price please
Seller is here in Australia. Seemed too cheap to be true but the received item is identical to my original which disintegrated!
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=231044369639
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Samsung website has it for $40, but it also comes with the 2.0a wall charger, but if you sign your phone up and register it on samsungs website you'll get an email for 50% off on things under $50. You can also grab another spare battery for like $50 lololol but still hope it helps. And this is as close to 100% real as you can get.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA07R0K64187
I ordered this one and I also have a Neo Hybrid case. It fits perfectly and it looks just like the one that came with the phone. The only thing is that the wall piece makes my touchscreen act weird (not quite as responsive) while charging. The cord works great though and it charges fast.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Best Qi Charger from eBay?

I'm looking to spend no more than $15 for a Qi charger, can you recommend one of the cheap Chinese ones from eBay or AliExpress that work well with the Nexus 4?
From Amazon, look up LuguLake Qi-Enabled Wireless Standard Charger. I can't post URLs yet, or else i would post it. It's $18.99USD.
I bought this about 2-3 weeks ago. I use it daily at work. It takes ~1hr longer to charge than just connecting to wall directly, but that's no problem for me personally. It is a bit elevated from the bottom and has a small fan, which does take away a lot of the heat it generates. I recommend leaving the protective cover on the pad itself, it is pretty slick so the phone can slide off if its a bit angled.
dehsA said:
I'm looking to spend no more than $15 for a Qi charger, can you recommend one of the cheap Chinese ones from eBay or AliExpress that work well with the Nexus 4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ordered mine from DX. It is now currently 17.99 (23% OFF). Works well, and I have implimented this into my desk. (cut size out, put really thin layer of wood over top, glued back in. It looks like part of my desk now, just put a small outline of where it is with some weak magnets to hold it in place)
kirblar said:
From Amazon, look up LuguLake Qi-Enabled Wireless Standard Charger. I can't post URLs yet, or else i would post it. It's $18.99USD.
I bought this about 2-3 weeks ago. I use it daily at work. It takes ~1hr longer to charge than just connecting to wall directly, but that's no problem for me personally. It is a bit elevated from the bottom and has a small fan, which does take away a lot of the heat it generates. I recommend leaving the protective cover on the pad itself, it is pretty slick so the phone can slide off if its a bit angled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same charger as you. Strangely, I have issues with it charging. It charges my phone 2%, then stops. The strange thing is the indicator is green, and the device says that is is charging, but the actual battery number does not increase.
If you have daydream enabled this will happen.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
kirblar said:
If you have daydream enabled this will happen.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So daydream has to be off to charge on a QI charger?
My daydream was not active, but the setting was actually ticked in settings. Should I turn it off?

Anyone know where I can buy a case for batteries? (a case for a battery NOT phone)

Ok so I been searching amazon and ebay for a CASE for an extra battery but I can't find one. The only one I found was from the official Samsung Extra Battery Kit which cost about $50 and I think it's already too late to get my 50% off accessory code (bought it at launch)....but I wouldn't really want to spend $25 on ONE battery and a case when I already have 2 Anker spare batteries.
Does anyone know where I can find something hard/plastic that can hold my spare Note 4 batteries?
(Picture below)
I was originally using these cases when carrying the batteries in my back pocket but the extra bulk was uncomfortable, so now I am carrying them without the case, no problem. I wouldn't recommend going out of your way for these.
Go to Amazon, pick out an eyeglass case, many different colors, materials, belt clips, rugged etc...
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
Try this
Hard Case Storage For 1000-20000MA Power Bank USB CABLEs Backup Battery Charger
It may not be the same with the original battery case in the OEM Replacement Battery Kit, but it may be useful. & may store more than 1 batteries.
d4rkkn16ht said:
Try this
Hard Case Storage For 1000-20000MA Power Bank USB CABLEs Backup Battery Charger
It may not be the same with the original battery case in the OEM Replacement Battery Kit, but it may be useful. & may store more than 1 batteries.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was looking for something I can keep in my back pocket
You can search on eBay for cheap. Even a Mesh Pouch works too. Anything you store things in. Works for me.
This one is awesome, extremely useful, and the seller is genuine and professional in terms of communication and customer service.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EEEKit-Carr...2?pt=US_Camera_Cases_Bags&hash=item2a45d02290
btort1 said:
Ok so I been searching amazon and ebay for a CASE for an extra battery but I can't find one. The only one I found was from the official Samsung Extra Battery Kit which cost about $50 and I think it's already too late to get my 50% off accessory code (bought it at launch)....but I wouldn't really want to spend $25 on ONE battery and a case when I already have 2 Anker spare batteries.
Does anyone know where I can find something hard/plastic that can hold my spare Note 4 batteries?
(Picture below)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try unregistering your phone and registering it again. If that doesn't work, try calling Samsung at 1-888-987-4357. They'll probably give you another code if you ask nicely.
I've been looking for something like this since I had my GS4, can't believe no one makes anything.
tenaciousj said:
I've been looking for something like this since I had my GS4, can't believe no one makes anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's easier to find one for an S4 because it's square, I found a q-tip traveling case that was perfect for my S4 batteries haha. Sucks our note 4 has skinny and long batteries
What about a pouch or pencil case?

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