Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

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I love my iPhone 6 Plus but find the battery to be lacking. I’ve tried a host of settings tweaks to optimize battery life but still run low by early afternoon. Having a strategically-placed charging dock is key for me. The Twelve South HiRise Deluxe is just such a charging dock.
I reviewed the original HiRise and was impressed. This deluxe model takes things to an entirely new level. I love it!

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory
Here’s what Twelve South has to say about it:

“HiRise Deluxe is a beautiful metal pedestal for charging and hands-free use of your iPhone or iPad. Set HiRise on your desk for hands-free calls and eye-level FaceTime sessions, or use this small stand at home to keep iPhone fully charged while streaming music to your favorite speaker. Adjustable support posts makes HiRise compatible with most iPhone and iPad cases and shells. HiRise Deluxe includes both MFi-certified Lightning and Micro-USB cables to keep your iPhone charged, even in a battery case like the Mophie Juice Pack. HiRise Deluxe is available in Silver, Black and Gold to match your iOS device.”

 

“Deluxe on details: HiRise Deluxe takes the beautiful design of HiRise for iPhone, and adds some thoughtful, yet gorgeous details that make this the most beautiful desktop dock available for iPhone. A machined dial, inspired by our HiRise for MacBook, allows for simple, one-handed adjustment of the rear support when switching cases or devices. Also unique to HiRise Deluxe is a chamfer detail surrounding the base, adding even more dimension and style to this one-of-a-kind stand.”

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory  
One of the key ways the HiRise Deluxe brings the “deluxe” to the HiRise is the inclusion of both a MFi-certified Lightning cable and Micro-USB cable. 

“The included Lightning Cable means you can continue to carry your original cable everywhere you go, while the included Micro-USB cable lets you charge your Mophie battery case while on your iPhone.”

That means you not only don’t need to lock up the original USB to Lightning cable included with your iOS device when setting up the stand. It also means the HiRise Deluxe can work with devices that charge via microUSB.

The Twelve South HiRise Deluxe does require a bit of setup so let’s walk through the process of getting the stand ready for your device. 

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

First you will want to put the rear support in place.

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

It sits in a slot in the rear of the stand and is secured with a thumb screw.

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

This thumbscrew makes it easy to loosen the rear support and change the distance between it and the actual vertical piece holding the cable and, eventually, the device.

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

Loosen the screw and move the support back when using a case or move it forward when your device is sans case and, as a result, a bit thinner.

One of best features of this little stand is that it adjusts to fit so many cases. The rear support on HiRise slides back and forth to support protective cases, minimal shells or no case at all. With a sliding rear support and multiple-height clips, you won’t have to give up your dock when choosing your next case.

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

The next step is to install the cable. First you flip over the stand to reveal the cable cover.

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

Removing it reveals the channel into which the cable is fed and, ultimately, held.

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

When you first feed the cable through the stand it will look like this.

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

Next you will want to select and install one of the cable clips.

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

The HiRise comes with three different clips. Each holds the male end of the cable that goes into the device at a different distance. Clip 0 is intended for use if you do not keep your device in a case. Clip 2 is for thin cases. Clip 5 is for those times when you use a case that puts the Lightning connector on the device behind a thick layer of case protection.

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory  
I went with the middle clip and put it in place. 

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

I then fed the cable through the channels at the bottom of the stand and replaced the cable cover.

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

And with that my stand was ready to get to work.

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory

Once I put my phone in place I loosened the thumb screw, pushed the read support forward until it met the phone and then tightened the screw so the rear support was locked in position. Now I had a stand that was ideal for the TYLT case I currently use. And when I device to use a different case I’ll simply adjust things as needed.

So why would you want to use a stand like this? It is actually quite simple. You see, the HiRise raises your iOS device and provides an easier hands-free video calling experience and a better view of news and social media apps when using your device in a handsfree manner. Moreover,

“Because HiRise lifts your iPhone in the air, it doesn’t block or muffle your microphone or speakers. Speakerphone calls are crisp and clear.”

In general, raising your iOS device up off your desk or table improves the overall usability of your device.

“HiRise Deluxe makes a spectacular power pedestal for all your iOS gear at home, including iPhone, iPad and even the kids’ iPod touch. In the kitchen, on a bedside table or as a front end to your wireless home speaker system, HiRise will keep your iOS device charged while you stream your favorite music, display your favorite photos or chat with a friend. You’ll be happy to know this stand doesn’t block your Apple speakers or headphone port.”

 

Twelve South HiRise Deluxe Is a Must-Have iOS Accessory Apple taught me that devices and the accessories you use with then can be both highly functional and aesthetically pleasing. That has been a cornerstone of Twelve South’s approach to industrial design and this is yet another example of just that.  At $59.99 the Twelve South HiRise Deluxe isn’t inexpensive but once you experience using your iPhone or iPad with one on your nightstand you will want a second one for your office or kitchen. You can learn more and order yours here on the Twelve South website.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample of the Twelve South HiRise Deluxe

What I Like: Looks fantastic; Raises iOS or other mobile device for easier viewing; Adjusts to work with a variety of devices and case-ensconced devices; Includes Lightning and microUSB cables

What Needs Improvement: Requires a bit of setup and adjustment; Not inexpensive

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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.