lefei
23rd March 2004, 03:55 PM
<TABLE width="75%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
If you are convinced that a USB Hotsync-Charger is what you need, then the one from Palmlifestyle is the one to get! Several USB hotsync-charger had surfaced recently. However, not all of them are safe to use. Palmlifestyle for one, has been tested and found to be Rechargeable Li-ion battery friendly.
Features
Hotsync and Charge (compatible handhelds) concurrently
Support Windows 95, 98/ME, 2000, Mac OS 8.6 or later
Complies with USB specification version 1.1
Compiles with FCC part 15 class B, CE (CISPR22 class B), VCCI class 2
Design
The USB Hotsync-Charger recharges compatible handhelds and is capable of performing Hotsync operations at the same time. However, a software driver needs to be installed for Hotsync Manager to detect the connection.
Software
Similar to many other USB-Chargers, the software driver did not allow Palm desktop 4.01 to detect the USB-charger as a native USB connection. Instead, the installed software driver mapped the USB port onto the next available Com ort (Com 3, usually). Hotsync Manager has to be configured to listen to this virtual serial port under the "Setup" section.
Hotsync Speed
Despite using a USB port (which is capable of faster data throughput), Hotsync speed is about the same as that on a serial cradle.
Charging
When charging Li-ion batteries in Palm V/Vx/c3, users have to pay attention to what they are using to 'rejuvenate' their expensive handhelds. The reason being that the charging (regulating) circuit is left out of the handheld during design. For some reason, the pins on the handheld serial port connect directly to the Li-ion battery. What this means is that nothing stands in the way of over-charging, which on extreme cases, can cause the battery to explode!
With some research, I realised that charging circuit for the Li-ion battery (the one used in these handhelds) are more complex then those for Ni-Cd (nickel-cadmium) batteries. Complex regulating circuits ensure that Li-ion batteries are properly charged. The bottom line is, use only trusted chargers for these handhelds!
This USB charger from Palmlifestyle does appear to be handheld friendly. It charges the handheld like the cradle does. It automatically stops charging when the battery is full. The final charging voltage was verified with a digital multimeter and found to be acceptable -- around 4.02V.
Dimensions
The cable measures about 1.5m. Beside the USB and serial connectors, there is a section that houses a Hotsync button and I assume that's where the charging circuits resides. This section measures about 8cm by 3cm.
Power consumption
According to the packaging, power consumption is rated at 200mA at 5V.
What's in the package
The USB Hotsync-Charger from Palmlifestyle comes with a cable that connects the handheld to the USB port on a PC or notebook. Software drivers for Win95, 98/ME, 2000 & Mac OS 8.6 or later are included in a CD. A sufficiently descriptive instruction menu contains instructions on driver installation. However, it left out the technical details of how the battery is charged. These reassuring details could help me decide if I can leave my handheld charging over-night, or if I should disconnect it as soon as it's fully charged.
Conclusion
Palmlifestyle USB Hotsync-Charger is great for people who travel frequently. Leave that cradle at home. This Hotsync-charger is all you need. Pack it along with your notebook, or simply walk into an Internet cafe and plug it into a USB port while you surf net. If only the package comes with a travel pouch for the cables and the CD.
The installation CD could have been smaller though. I'm referring to those credit-card sized compact discs that hold about 30MB of data each. This should make the USB Hotsync-Charger even more portable.
Likes
Light, small, and convenient size
Performs as well as a cradle in Hotsync and charging handheld
Over-charging prevention circuit (according to my lab-test result)
Dislikes
Small hotsync button
CD can be smaller
no native USB support
Rating
Where to Buy
Palmlifestyle.com (http://www.palmlifestyle.com/)
Reviewed by Ng Pei Sin
18 Feb, 2002
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
If you are convinced that a USB Hotsync-Charger is what you need, then the one from Palmlifestyle is the one to get! Several USB hotsync-charger had surfaced recently. However, not all of them are safe to use. Palmlifestyle for one, has been tested and found to be Rechargeable Li-ion battery friendly.
Features
Hotsync and Charge (compatible handhelds) concurrently
Support Windows 95, 98/ME, 2000, Mac OS 8.6 or later
Complies with USB specification version 1.1
Compiles with FCC part 15 class B, CE (CISPR22 class B), VCCI class 2
Design
The USB Hotsync-Charger recharges compatible handhelds and is capable of performing Hotsync operations at the same time. However, a software driver needs to be installed for Hotsync Manager to detect the connection.
Software
Similar to many other USB-Chargers, the software driver did not allow Palm desktop 4.01 to detect the USB-charger as a native USB connection. Instead, the installed software driver mapped the USB port onto the next available Com ort (Com 3, usually). Hotsync Manager has to be configured to listen to this virtual serial port under the "Setup" section.
Hotsync Speed
Despite using a USB port (which is capable of faster data throughput), Hotsync speed is about the same as that on a serial cradle.
Charging
When charging Li-ion batteries in Palm V/Vx/c3, users have to pay attention to what they are using to 'rejuvenate' their expensive handhelds. The reason being that the charging (regulating) circuit is left out of the handheld during design. For some reason, the pins on the handheld serial port connect directly to the Li-ion battery. What this means is that nothing stands in the way of over-charging, which on extreme cases, can cause the battery to explode!
With some research, I realised that charging circuit for the Li-ion battery (the one used in these handhelds) are more complex then those for Ni-Cd (nickel-cadmium) batteries. Complex regulating circuits ensure that Li-ion batteries are properly charged. The bottom line is, use only trusted chargers for these handhelds!
This USB charger from Palmlifestyle does appear to be handheld friendly. It charges the handheld like the cradle does. It automatically stops charging when the battery is full. The final charging voltage was verified with a digital multimeter and found to be acceptable -- around 4.02V.
Dimensions
The cable measures about 1.5m. Beside the USB and serial connectors, there is a section that houses a Hotsync button and I assume that's where the charging circuits resides. This section measures about 8cm by 3cm.
Power consumption
According to the packaging, power consumption is rated at 200mA at 5V.
What's in the package
The USB Hotsync-Charger from Palmlifestyle comes with a cable that connects the handheld to the USB port on a PC or notebook. Software drivers for Win95, 98/ME, 2000 & Mac OS 8.6 or later are included in a CD. A sufficiently descriptive instruction menu contains instructions on driver installation. However, it left out the technical details of how the battery is charged. These reassuring details could help me decide if I can leave my handheld charging over-night, or if I should disconnect it as soon as it's fully charged.
Conclusion
Palmlifestyle USB Hotsync-Charger is great for people who travel frequently. Leave that cradle at home. This Hotsync-charger is all you need. Pack it along with your notebook, or simply walk into an Internet cafe and plug it into a USB port while you surf net. If only the package comes with a travel pouch for the cables and the CD.
The installation CD could have been smaller though. I'm referring to those credit-card sized compact discs that hold about 30MB of data each. This should make the USB Hotsync-Charger even more portable.
Likes
Light, small, and convenient size
Performs as well as a cradle in Hotsync and charging handheld
Over-charging prevention circuit (according to my lab-test result)
Dislikes
Small hotsync button
CD can be smaller
no native USB support
Rating
Where to Buy
Palmlifestyle.com (http://www.palmlifestyle.com/)
Reviewed by Ng Pei Sin
18 Feb, 2002
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>