Stupid Like A Fox

[Brad Adrian]

You may find this hard to believe, but sometimes I'm not the "sharpest tool in the shed." No, really, I know that stretches your imagination, but at times my stupidity and forgetfulness are beyond compare. Case in point...<br /><br />Last weekend, my family and I prepared to spend a nice long weekend at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I was sure I had packed all of the necessities for the trip (Pocket PC, modem, <a href="http://www.tt-tec.com/html/Products/T302.htm">SnapNType keyboard</a>, etc.) before we headed out. Of course, it wasn't until we got to the hotel that I realized I hadn't brought the power cord for my iPAQ. Duh.<br /><br />Thank heaven, then, that several months ago I had tossed a couple of accessories into my suitcase that had never gotten unpacked: an <a href="http://www.instant-power.com/charger/pda/techcharger_pda.cfm">InstantPower Power Cartridge</a> and a <a href="http://www.seidioonline.com/store/viewitem.asp?idproduct=233&idcategory=127">Seidio Emergency Power Kit</a>.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/poweroptions.jpg" /><br /><br />Going into the weekend, though, I wasn't entirely sure just what kind of performance I'd get from these tools. Here's what I found:<br /><br />• The Seidio Automobile Charger was able to recharge my iPAQ 3870/PCMCIA sleeve combo from 20% to full power in about 90 minutes<br />• The Seidio Emergency Charger (with 9-volt battery) charged my "naked" iPAQ 3870 from 20% to full power in a little over two hours.<br />• A single 9-volt battery had enough power to recharge my "naked" iPAQ from 20% to full power about 1½ times.<br />• I used my iPAQ/PCMCIA sleeve with a Toshiba 2GB hard drive to watch some movies, and I know what a power hog this kind of drive is. However, a single InstantPower Power Cartridge was sufficient to allow me to watch two entire, full-length movies. [In fact, the movies -- <br /><i>Silverado</i> and <i>ConAir</i> -- actually had a combined playing time of nearly five hours.]<br /><br />I sincerely hope that the next time I go on any kind of a trip I'll be able to scrape together enough brain cells to remember to take my iPAQ charging cord. However, it sure is nice to know that these backup tools will be able to pull me through in the (unlikely) event that I can't.

[Arne Hess]

Last weekend, my family and I prepared to spend a nice long weekend at Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. [...]
• I used my iPAQ/PCMCIA sleeve with a Toshiba 2GB hard drive to watch some movies, and I know what a power hog this kind of drive is. However, a single InstantPower Power Cartridge was sufficient to allow me to watch two entire, full-length movies. [...] -- actually had a combined playing time of nearly five hours.
You spent the weekend with your family and watched 5 hours DVD!? 8O
Ts ts ts... What does your family think about it!?
"Don't disturb Dad, he is watching DVDs in his vacation through his iPAQ"... :wink:

[fulltilt]

Good info Brad.
Question, to save me looking it up again for the nth time, where is the best source of info for ripping movies so you can watch them on your ipaq :?:

Thanks in advance.

[tccox]

[quote="Brad Adrian"]You may find this hard to believe, but sometimes I'm not the "sharpest tool in the shed." No, really, I know that stretches your imagination, but at times my stupidity and forgetfulness are beyond compare. Case in point...

Last weekend, my family and I prepared to spend a nice long weekend at Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. I was sure I had packed all of the . Duh.

quote]


Gee Brad, did'nt help yourself any by moving Myrtle Beach to North Carolina....Try South Carolina........ :D

[Bob S]

8O So why wasn't "Bring the Charger" in the Tasks list on your IPAQ? :?:

[Ed Hansberry]

I sincerely hope that the next time I go on any kind of a trip I'll be able to scrape together enough brain cells to remember to take my iPAQ charging cord.
This is what your Pocket PC is for. :wink: Install ListPro and add a "Travel Checklist" to it. Simply check it before each trip. I haven't forgotten anything on any trip in nearly 3 years. :)

[Brad Adrian]

You spent the weekend with your family and watched 5 hours DVD!?
I had to do SOMETHING during the 4-hour drive, didn't I? :)

No, actually, I seldom get to sleep before 1am, so the movies gave me something to do after everybody else was in dreamland.

[Brad Adrian]

Gee Brad, did'nt help yourself any by moving Myrtle Beach to North Carolina....Try South Carolina........ :D
You know, I ALWAYS do that. Is it because I'm a true Yankee at heart?

[Paragon]

Brad, I'm curious as to what type of 9 volt batteries you use? I have the "Emergency power adapter" and so far it has been a dud for me. I can't find any 9 volt batteries with a decent life span. It seems like a neat litte adapter I would hate to not use it because of poor battery choice on my part.

Actually we may be able to let you off the hook on the north and south mistake. As I remember there is one hole on a Mertle Beach golf course where you can tee off in South Carolina and as long as you don't duff it your ball will land in North Carolina. :)

Dave

[Brad Adrian]

Brad, I'm curious as to what type of 9 volt batteries you use?
I used a brand-new Duracell. Remember, I only used it to re-juice my iPAQ without any sleeves.

[Paragon]

Thanks Brad. I used Ultra Duracells. I must have had a couple of duds becuase they only charged my XDA about 10% before dying. Rechargeable 9 volt batteries don't seem to be an option. I haven't found any that are higher than 150mAh.

Dave

[Jimmy Dodd]

we may be able to let you off the hook on the north and south mistake. As I remember there is one hole on a Mertle Beach golf course where you can tee off in South Carolina and as long as you don't duff it your ball will land in North Carolina.

Myrtle Beach, SC is approx. 20 miles south of the North Carolina border. Maybe you guys in Canada play a different style of golf, but that would be one helluva tee shot in my book. :lol:

[Paragon]

I guess we do! That's a three wood for most Canadians!

Dave

[Ed Hansberry]

Thanks Brad. I used Ultra Duracells. I must have had a couple of duds becuase they only charged my XDA about 10% before dying. Rechargeable 9 volt batteries don't seem to be an option. I haven't found any that are higher than 150mAh.
I have a friend that used to work for Duracell. He said for the most part the "ultra" part is a waste of money. There are some specific purposes in some electronic devices where it makes sense, but otherwise, it can be worse than a normal duracell. Sort of like putting super premium gas in a 1975 VW bug.

[Paragon]

Ed, I think you just called my XDA a 75 bug! I guess it could have been worse, you could have called it the Energizer Bunny! :) Thanks for the info though. Can't say as I'm surprized.

Dave

[avoglio]

8O So why wasn't "Bring the Charger" in the Tasks list on your IPAQ? :?:

Because it said "Bring the Vids" and "Bring the family" :lol:
After all the memory was full :lol: 8)