11-21-2005, 10:00 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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Socket Communication's Mobile Power Pack $25 Rebate
http://www.socketcom.com/product/AC4009-614.asp
I just received my Socket Communication's Mobile Power Pack to keep my devices charged when traveling without having to worry about staying still long enough near a wall outlet. I can eat wherever I want in the airport and sit where it is comfortable without having to hope it happens to be near a plug. I can charge devices while on the plane, in a car, etc. Then, at some point during my trip, I just need to make sure I charge the Mobile Power Pack overnight. For smaller trips, I can probably wait until I get home to fool with that.
Note that right now Socket is running a $25 rebate that expires December 31, 2005, so if you are in the US or Canada and have had one of these on your wishlist, go ahead and pick it up. Note that you should be careful buying this on Amazon. The model number on Socket's site is AC4009-614 and that is what the rebate is for. Amazon is showing AC4009-541 at their site, which is either an older model or simply a missprinted part number.
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11-21-2005, 10:48 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 305
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Re: Socket Communication's Mobile Power Pack $25 Rebate
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Originally Posted by Ed Hansberry
Amazon is showing AC4009-541 at their site, which is either an older model or simply a missprinted part number. |
I do believe thats the older MPP listed at Amazon. If one orders from there, ( Amazon ) what you won't get ( I don't think ) is...
*1 iPod Mini Charging Cable
*1 6 Volt Booster (Charges most Nokia Phones and other 6 volt devices)
*1 Palm Charging Cable for the Treo 650, T5 and LifeDrive Mobile Manager
*1 USB Retractable Charging Cable
These extra accessories come w/ the ' upgraded ' MPP package.
Those that bought the early ( pre-June 05 ) MPP units can still get the extra accessories for almost free ( shipping/handling fee) ) by registering your product w/ Socket and sending in the Upgrade Order Form. One can find that here...
http://www.socketcom.com/product/AC4...p?View=Upgrade
PS!!
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Originally Posted by Ed Hansberry
Note that you should be careful buying this on
Amazon.
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Thanks for that cautionary note Ed! I'd be more than a little upset buying this from Amazon only to find that I had to jump more hoops ( registration/shipping handling fees/time expended )to keep my Lifedrive MoMo 0X powered-up and on the go! 8) :mrgreen:
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11-21-2005, 11:15 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 109
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$149 before rebate? :jawdrop:
In retrospect, a 5400 mAh hi-capacity battery for the Toshiba e800/830 costs about the same price, so this isn't terribly out of line with the going prices for such batteries.
This is still a lot of money to lay down for a Li-Ion battery that will be toast within 18-24 months. I use a voltage regulated USB AA charger from Semsons and I get an extra 9 hours out of 4 2600 mAh NiMH batteries -- Total cost about $25, including batteries. The adaptors for the iPod, PSP, etc. are nice but I can't think of an instance where I'd need to use my PPC for longer than a few hours, or my iPod for longer than 12 hours. A long plane trip, maybe -- but for a 17+ hour plane ride I'd rather bring a laptop or I'd get hand cramps. For me, that kind of power capacity is severe overkill but I'm sure there are some super power users who will wring every last mAh out of it.
Any HPC owners remember the custom cases you could buy for the HP Jornada 680/720 that were lined with Li-polymer batteries? Those things had a continuous run time of 14 *days* -- I'd love to see such a product for a Pocket PC: a metal or leather case lined with flexible batteries.
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11-22-2005, 01:35 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 601
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I made my own PPC charger/power supply years ago with plans probably still posted on some website for under $50. It's based on 4 AA NiMH batteries and a few supplies from any Radio Shack. It would be cheaper if you already have the batteries and charger.
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11-22-2005, 06:48 AM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,111
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Here are some cheaper alternatives:
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...p;Category=521
__________________
"A planner is a gentle man, with neither sword nor pistol.
He walks along most daintily, because his balls are crystal."
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11-22-2005, 04:38 PM
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Editorial Contributor
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,411
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by hishamh
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When you look for cheaper alternatives, you need to make sure they do what you want. Relatively few items on that page deliver the 5-5.5 volts that the PPC, or other devices that can be charged from USB ports need. The few that do seem to be multi-voltage units, which are great, but make darn sure you have the voltage set right before you plug it in and walk away. Also pay attention to the capacity. I didn't do an exhaustive check, but glancing at it the best one for PPC use has less than half the capacity of the Socket unit.
I have one of the Socket units and love it. I agree that it seems expensive, but if you actually put together an equivalent unit, compact, 7200mAH, usefull accessories, well engineered and constructed, I think it is worth what you pay for it.
__________________
Sometimes you are the anteater, sometimes you are the ant.
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11-22-2005, 05:04 PM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,111
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Actually Sven, I did check and I'm well aware of the voltage as well as amperage requirements - my Loox needs a minimum 800ma-1A current for charging, with best results around 2A, so I've had to be careful about shopping for external power sources. The best one on this site is this:
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...amp;ProdID=919
At 5V, the capacity matches the Socket's, but at a much lower price. It also gives out 2A, which fits my requirements.
Here's another alternative:
http://www.eastgear.com/shop/product...roducts_id=441
The capacity is lower than either the batteryspace.com pack or the Socket, despite the blurb - if my poor mathematics are correct, at 5V and max 1.5A, the capacity is around 4.34mAH.
The only thing that's stopping me getting one of these is that I'm not at all sure about the quality of the cells.
__________________
"A planner is a gentle man, with neither sword nor pistol.
He walks along most daintily, because his balls are crystal."
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11-22-2005, 05:22 PM
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Editorial Contributor
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,411
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by hishamh
Actually Sven, I did check and I'm well aware of the voltage as well as amperage requirements - my Loox needs a minimum 800ma-1A current for charging, with best results around 2A, so I've had to be careful about shopping for external power sources. The best one on this site is this.
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The comment wasn't specifically directed at you. I'm sure you've done your homework. Not everyone is as savvy though, so some caution is advised. There are some that would believe if the connector fits it must be OK. On the one you linked, which looks pretty good on paper, there's the possibility of setting the voltage wrong and even reversing the polarity on the tips. For some, the foolproof approach may be worth a little extra expense.
__________________
Sometimes you are the anteater, sometimes you are the ant.
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11-22-2005, 07:57 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 10
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Gotta dig a bit to find the deals...
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Originally Posted by rob_ocelot
$149 before rebate? :jawdrop:
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Rob (and all),
While that may seem like a bit of change...
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_g...rch=AC4009-614
...it is nothing like what you would really pay with a bit of digging. 8) The manufacturer MSRP is something that I try to NEVER pay for anything. As a 100K flier on United, I use mine nearly every week charging my Dell Axim and HP iPAQ Pocket PC devices and Jabra FreeSpeak Headset; not to mention it makes for better movie viewing while in flight.
They are worth the money even before considering that many mobile phone extended batteries are $79 to $99 each and the Socket Mobile Power Pack has a 1-year warranty. :mrgreen:
Cheers.
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11-23-2005, 09:24 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 47
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I've been using one of these for awhile now:
http://www.semsons.com/pocpowban.html
It holds 4 AA batteries (included) and provides a USB output as well as an integrated charger. It's a little larger than I'd like but for roughly $25 it's hard to go wrong.
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