Twelve South HiRise Deluxe: The only charging stand you need
The good folks at Twelve South today announced their latest adjustable charging stand for iPad and iPhone. The HiRise Deluxe (US$59.99) works with everything from the iPhone 5/5s to the iPad Air, and now comes in colors to match your favorite Apple device - silver, gold, and black (well, it's kinda close to Space Gray). Take a look at our review, then have a chance to win a gold HiRise Deluxe courtesy of Twelve South and TUAW.
Specifications
Height of front support: 1.65 inches (4.2 cm) Total height: 3.38 inches (8.6 cm) Width: 3.9 inches (10 cm) Depth: 4.8 inches (12.2 cm) Weight: 0.5 pounds (.22 kg)
Design
Like the original HiRise before it, the new HiRise Deluxe uses a large, stable base with two adjustable risers. One contains the Lightning or micro-USB adapter for charging your device, while the other is a "backstop" that holds the iPad or iPhone in place.
Everything as usual comes in a well-designed box that Steve Jobs would have been proud of. Inside a smaller box in the big box are the rear support, cable clips, a Lightning cable and a micro-USB cable.
Functionality
Assembly is required, but it's quite simple and there are good instructions. First, you remove a support screw with a knurled knob and then attach the rear support with that same screw. Next, you remove the base cap by pulling a tab. Now you select your cable (I chose Lightning, but if you use a Mophie case you'll probably select the micro-USB cable) and thread it through the front support.
Next comes the selection of one of three different cable clips, which are selected based on whether your device is in a case or not. The clip holds the cable at just the right distance to give your device clearance for the case if needed.
The clip now slides into the front support and clicks into place, and all that's left to do is to route the cable through a channel in that base, then reattach the base cap.
If you are carrying your iPhone "naked" and later decide to add a case, just be sure to keep all of the extra cable clips and also be sure to adjust the rear support with a twist of the screw.
It's that easy, and took me only about a minute to set up. What you end up with is something that will hold your device solidly while it's charging, and look good in the process.
Conclusion
Twelve South has improved on a classic and now made it compatible with the most recent iPhones, iPads, and iPad minis. They've made the HiRise Deluxe coordinate beautifully with whatever finish you have on your Apple device, and by including a cable you no longer need to use your Apple-supplied cable. The HiRise Deluxe is a stable and attractive charging stand that should last you for years to come.
Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
Giveaway
One lucky TUAW reader is going to have an early Christmas and win a HiRise Deluxe in gold! Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before November 22, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Twelve South HiRise Deluxe valued at $59.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules.
