Boxwave VersaCharger Reviewed [Archive]

Stephen Beesley

05-09-2005, 05:00 PM

<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/SB_versacharger_sidecap.jpg" /> Product Category: Charger Manufacturer: <a href="http://www.boxwave.com/index.htm"> Boxwave </a> Where to Buy: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=jasondunn-20&creative=9325&camp=1789&link_code=ur2&path=tg/detail/-/B00065359W/qid=1112939043/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1?v=glance&s=electronics&n=1065836">Amazon</a> [affiliate] Price: Currently $24.95 for the charger only, $25.95 for the charger with plug adaptor and $33.95 for the charger with airplane charging adaptor. System Requirements: Needs the appropriate USB charging cable and, if not in the US, an appropriate plug adaptor. Pros:<ul><li>Very compact; <li>Provides plenty of connection options; <li>Just plug and charge!</ul>Cons:<ul><li>USB cable not included; <li>You need a plug adaptor if not in the US.</ul>Summary: No matter how much the power potential of the batteries charging our gadgets has improved over the years it seems to always be matched by the increasing power demands of those same gadgets. As a result, you can never have too many options for providing power to your PDA of choice. By combining an AC adapter and a DC adaptor in the one handy unit, the Boxwave Versa Charger is one very compact way of increasing those options. Read on for the full review!<!> <PAGEBREAK> About VersaCharger The VersaCharger allows you to charge your Pocket PC (or other mobile device, such as a Windows Mobile Smartphone for example) with the appropriate USB charge cable from a range of power sources. <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/SB_versacharger_wall.jpg" /> Figures 1: The VersaCharger combines a wall charger, car charger... The design of the VersaCharger is innovative with the two prongs for the AC charger flipping out of the body of the charger when needed. The VersaCharger also has an indicator light which glows red while your device is charging and changes to green when fully charged. Although the VersaCharger does not come standard with a USB cable, Boxwave also sells these for a wide range of devices with prices around the $15.00 range. <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/SB_ versacharger_airplane_converter (2).jpg" /> Figures 2: ... and airplane charger (optional) into one small form-factor. As you can see from the following list, the VersaCharger is pretty feature packed despite its small size. Some of the highlights include:<ul><li>Charging LED that indicates when it's charging (red), and when it has finished charging (green); <li>Adaptive circuitry works with North American power standards and international power standards (both frequencies and voltages) ; <li>Protective cap included; <li>Can be used with any USB charge cable; and <li>A cool translucent design!</ul> <PAGEBREAK> Use and Performance I have been using the VersaCharger in a variety of situations for a number of months now. Having a power source that I can just plug into any handy power socket or use in the car has greatly increased the usefulness of my Pocket PC. In fact, I have also been using the VersaCharger to charge up the Battery Extender that goes pretty much everywhere I take my gadget bag, giving me even more power options. In all the time I have been using the VersaCharger, it has always performed as expected and shows no sign of wear or tear - which is pretty impressive as it tends to just get thrown into the bottom of my bag with goodness knows what else! The only option I really wish it came with would be a version to fit my local power plug, but carrying around a plug adaptor to fit the local power sockets is not really a big deal. Besides, it would be neither practical nor economical for there to be a VersaCharger model to fit every type of power socket the world over. In fact, the design just would not work with some socket types I suspect. So, has my VersaCharger experience given rise to any "grizzles or grumps"? One issue I did have was not with the VersaCharger itself, but with the Mini-sync cable that was provided with it, which fell apart after about a month of regular use. I have another identical (although differently branded) cable that I purchased off ebay which has held up to the same type of treatment for a good six months or so now. I do know that our esteemed Review Coordinator Doug has two of the BoxWave units which he reports to have been trouble free - so I guess I was just unlucky enough to get a "dud". The only other possible negative I would add (and this is second hand) is that I have read that some people have had problems charging an iPaq 4700 while also using WiFi. With my Toshiba e755 there were no problems charging while using WiFi either plugged into a power socket or in the car. However, I did ask BoxWave about this issue and was told that they are aware of the problem and are: "...working to remedy this issue and currently looking into making a new VersaCharger that will support such power hungry devices". On that note, and for the more technically minded, the power specifications of the VersaCharger are:<ul><li>AC Voltage Input: 100V to 240VAC (variable); <li>DC Voltage Input: 12V to 24V (variable); <li>Voltage Output: 5.0V ± 0.25V; <li>Size: Approx. 3.0" H x 1.2" W x 1.4" D; <li>Weight: 1.8 oz .</ul>Conclusions Well, what can I say? In all of the configurations I have been able to try the VersaCharger does just what it should - charges my Pocket PC without any fuss or drama. This is one accessory that has found a permanent home in my gearbag! Stephen Beesley is a legal and public policy researcher. An Australian currently living and working in Dublin, Ireland, he has been using PDAs for work and fun since the days of the Apple Newton!