If you own a Microsoft Band 2 then recharging the fitness wearable is likely part of your daily routine. While the Band support fast-charge letting you grab nearly 50 percent battery back in just 30 minutes you still need to toss it on the charger at least once a day.
LoyalStar made stands for the Band 2 that Microsoft was using in their stores for display. Now, the company is selling this charging station right through Microsoft (online and retail) to consumers for a relatively fair $20 price tag.
Here is my quick review and video.
What you need to know
- The stand is very high quality
- It has a rubber mat to keep the stand planted firmly without sliding
- It does not include a separate charging cable
- It can be quirky to mount, but in the end it is ingenious
So right off the bat, I should mention that this $20 stand does not include its own Band 2 charger, which itself costs $20 to replace. That means you need to use your existing cable that came with the Band 2 or purchase a secondary one to use exclusively with the stand.
Adding and removing a charger from the Band stand is simple enough so there is no worry about permanently mounting the cable. It takes just seconds to put on and remove the cable from the stand as you just snap it with a magnetic hold and route the cable through the stand. However, if you travel frequently it may be just easier to keep a second cable around.
Mounting the Band 2 is a little awkward due to having to connect the Band 2's charging clasp to the stand and charger. It is just like how you charge now where you have to align it a bit and the magnets guide you. Once the charging clasp is connected you then wedge the other end of the clasp between the stand and divot. It is not hard, but you do have to take a second to mount it using both hands.
Once completed the effect is rewarding. The Band 2 now outwardly points up at eye level. Using the Band 2 glance feature (when charging, turn the display off and then on to show the time and percentage of battery) and the Band 2 now functions as a solid mini-clock and notification station. You can even see the percentage of battery left in one percent increments.
The stand itself is well-designed and high quality. It feels mostly solid with soft-touch rubber for the top half (where the Band is mounted) and the bottom of the stand, which keeps it from sliding on your desk.
The stand has a bit of heft to, which is a good thing and it weighs 4.5 ounces (128 grams). For reference, the Band 2 weighs 2.15 ounces (or 61 grams).
The cable channel that sends the cable to the AC outlet is also straightforward, intelligent and well thought out.
So, is it worth the $20? Yeah, I think so assuming you want something like this for your home or office. You certainly do not need to have one, but it does make charging more convenient when working at your desk and I would rather have one than not. Of course, the ideal situation is to also own a second recharging cable, which adds another $20 to the package.
If you are on a budget, you may want to skip, but if you are a diehard Band 2 user who needs a little boost to remind you to top off your Band 2's battery then the LoyalStar Microsoft Band 2 Charging Stand is a reliable choice.
