Registered: Mar 2002
Location:
Posts: 9

Charger & cradle question

I'm on the verge of getting a Neo or perhaps a refurb Prism (it's my first PDA so I wanted to start off small).

I'm a bit confused about the charger and cradle. I have a work PC running WinXP with a USB connection. I also have an older laptop that I use for traveling (Serial port only) and at home, my PC is running WinME with no USB. So I'm trying to figure out what kind of charger and cradle that I'll need.

I was thinking that I would leave the standard cradle at work, and that I might have to buy a second one for the laptop and my home PC. Will the serial sync cradle also charge? Should I invest in a travel charger? I was thinking that I could use the Neo/Prism to keep my work Outlook synced with my home version.

Also, anyone have any thoughts on the refurbed Prisms? I saw the thread, but most of the comments were pretty old.

Thanks!

Tom

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 441

Yes, the serial cradle will charge your prism. And getting a USB cradle for work and a serial cradle for the laptop/home is a good idea.

Also, my prism stopped working last summer and Handspring had to replace it. They replaced it with a refurbed prism and it has worked (for the most part) very well.

If you can, get a prism. Color is worth every penny.

__________________
You know it's bad when your Calculus Professor uses the word "Unpossible"

"It's a long way from my thoughts to what I'll say, It's a long, long way from paradise to where I am today." -Switchfoot, Home

Registered: Mar 2002
Location:
Posts: 9

I'm glad that you've had good luck with the refurb Prism. In fact, I now see that Handspring is tossing in a free camera if you buy a new Prism, so now it' s back to the drawing board <g>.

About the serial cradle and the USB cradle - do they need to be hooked into a PC to charge, or do any of them have an AC adapter? IOW, if I'm on a trip and don't have my laptop, how can I charge the Prism?

I wasn't worried about the Neo because I figured I could just buy some batteries. But needing to always carry a recharger might be a pain.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 441

The way that the cradles charge is that in their plug there's a place to plug in the ac adapter. So basically you have your ac adapter and cradle plugging into your usb/serial ports. You do not need to have this plugged into your computer in order for it to charge. Las august i brought my cradle, ac adapter, and prism with me on vacation and charged it in the hotel without the use of a computer.

If you want to have a computer charge your prism there are special usb cables that will draw power from your computer to charge your pda. If I remember correctly they run about $24.

The battery life on the neo is amazing compared to that of the prism. If you're going to be able to put your prism in the cradle almost everyday then battery life shouldn't be an issue and may even be more convenient because you don't have to swap batteries. When I made the switch from my Visor Deluxe (older form of neo) to my visor prism besides the color screen, i really loved that it was always fully charged.

If you're really worried about keeping a prism charged just grab a car adapter and charge it when you drive. Very useful when you go on long drives. Or you need a quick charge because the 15 degree weather that you're camping in discharged your prism . (you can ask me about that later )

__________________
You know it's bad when your Calculus Professor uses the word "Unpossible"

"It's a long way from my thoughts to what I'll say, It's a long, long way from paradise to where I am today." -Switchfoot, Home

Registered: Mar 2002
Location:
Posts: 9

Okay, I get it - so that being the case, I would probably want to have a second charger of some sort, either AC or car charger so that I could always be assured of topping the battery off when I'm not due back at work. I'm thinking if I wanted to take a long weekend or a vacation then I would need to have something with me. The smaller the better, so maybe a car charger?

Let me ask - since you've had the Deluxe and the Prism, do you really think the switch to color was worth it? How much time do you get on a Prism charge, and how are you typically running it?

I'm really torn between the Neo and the refurb'ed Prism, but I'm leaning strongly toward the Prism. My big concern is that I'll have to buy (and lug around) another cord.

Thanks again.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 441

The switch to color was amazing! Don't let me try and force you to get a prism, but personally I would buy a prism over a neo any day. The only thing I would buy a neo for is the translucent graphite case they come with.

ALso, look around for new prisms, you can probably get one brand new for a little bit more than a neo. Handspring gives you a 1 year warranty on your visor if it's brand new and not refurbed.

__________________
You know it's bad when your Calculus Professor uses the word "Unpossible"

"It's a long way from my thoughts to what I'll say, It's a long, long way from paradise to where I am today." -Switchfoot, Home

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 28

Former Dlx user --> Now Prism user

Subject line cuts to the chase - I recommend the Prism.

I bought a Dlx just as soon as they appeared in retail stores (Q1 2000) and have loved it, but now I love my new Prism even more. Color and Li-ion batteries ROCK! I bought my Prism 2nd hand from a friend who just wasnt using it as much anymore. I wanted PalmOS 3.5 for Certicom's Movian VPN client, color and a rechargable battery and so the Prism was a good fit.

Your choice, but I recommend the Prism especially with refurbished models carrying a warranty and can be found under $199.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

To charge your Prism while travelling, go to VisorSolutions.com and get one of their chargers. They are well-made and worth the low cost!

I got the AA battery version of the 'BattPlug', and love it.

__________________
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are at!

Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 17

CompUSA stores sell travel and car chargers for the Prism and most rechargeable PDAs for about $20. i'm buying a travel charger for my new Prism tomorrow.