Little Sync Pro Sync/Charge Cable from Pocket PC Techs

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pocketpctechs.com/detail.asp?Product_ID=I38-LILSYNCP01' target='_blank'>http://www.pocketpctechs.com/detail...=I38-LILSYNCP01</a><br /><br /></div>Pocket PC Techs sent me a few of their new Lil' Sync Pro cables, and I'm duly impressed! Physically, they're a little bit larger than most other sync 'n charge cables I have, but not by much (perhaps 2mm). The cable housing has a new plastic logo on it, which looks great, and the cable itself is thicker and feels very high quality. The mechanism to retract and extend the cable gave me no trouble - the whole unit feels very sturdy.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/lilsyncpro.jpg" /><br /><br />The real question, though, is how well it performed. I don't have every iPAQ the cable supports (iPAQ 17/19/22/38/39/41/43/51/54/55/6300 Series), but I gave it a go with what I did have, and here are the results (and my tests were particularly brutal as several of the units were dead):<br /><br />• <b>iPAQ 2215</b>: charged + sync no problem, came out of a hard reset<br />• <b>iPAQ 1945</b>: charged + sync no problem, though the connector needed to be turned upside down<br />• <b>iPAQ 5500</b>: when it was first coming up out of a hard reset, the screen kept going from bright to less bright, indicating that it wasn't sure if it was on battery power or AC power. After a few minutes of being connected it stabilized and charged properly. It also synched properly.<br />• <b>iPAQ 4350</b>: would only charge when the power is off, would not sync ("USB device not recognized"). Very odd. Pocket PC Techs said it might be a ROM issue since they tested a 4350 with the latest ROM and it worked fine. I haven't upgraded the ROM yet, this is the original ROM.<br />• <b>iPAQ 4150</b>: my wife has it so I can't test it yet. :-) My assumption is that it will work fine, but I'll update this when I test it.<br /><br />All in all, I'm very pleased with the Lil' Sync Cable - very high quality, feels sturdy, great for traveling, and best of all...I only need one cable for several devices!

[pcraigmile]

It nice that the cable can be used for a such large number of units..

Slightly off topic Jason, but which IPAQ do you find yourself using the most during your day to day life?

[Jason Dunn]

Slightly off topic Jason, but which IPAQ do you find yourself using the most during your day to day life?

The 4150 is my all-time favourite iPAQ, but lately I've been using the X30. It's a great unit as well, but the design and ergonomics of the 4150 are simply untouched (IMO).

[disconnected]

I think the connector on the 5550 (mine at least) is its most problematic feature. Over my years of iPAQ usage I've collected about a dozen AC chargers, DC chargers, synch/charge cables, and extended battery chargers. Some use the hp dongle and some third party ones have that connector permanently attached. Gradually, most have stopped working with the iPAQ, even some of the hp ones. My synch/charge cable (don't remember the brand) synchs but doesn't charge. In the car it's now hard to use GPS because the DC cable connection only works intermittently, so the iPAQ gradually wears down its battery. Some of the connectors are obviously loose, but even the ones that appear to fit snugly have the problem. I wish hp had kept the separate power connection; that extra dongle is really unweildy and puts a lot of stress on the connection.
Actually, I'm hoping the problem will enable me to use my CompUSA tap to get a 4700.

[mashtim]

One cable for both my 5555 and 6315 !?!?!?! I am SO in!

I ASSume that the auto and ac adapters will work with this new iteration, correct?

[ctmagnus]

Um, they're Lil' Sync (http://www.pocketpctechs.com/detail.asp?Product_ID=I38-LILSYNCP01) cables, not Little Sync. ;)

[Mike Temporale]

It was my understanding that the 4000 series didn't play nice with sync and charge cables. :?: At least that was the story back when the 4150 was released last year.

[Sven Johannsen]

I have a question for someone who owns a Dell X3 and X30. I have a Lil' Sync cable for my X30 which has imprinted Axim 3, UP. The up needs to be turned down on my X30. Are the connectors flipped between the X3 and X30 (like the HP1940 and every other iPAQ), or is the connector labelled wrong?

I like it and it works fine. I am just curious.

P.S. I have a ZipLinq Sync&Charge that works fine on my 4155 and 2215, though I have commented before on inconsistancies between USB ports, and the fact that I don't run my PPCs down too low. This is not to detract from PPCTechs excellent product, just an indication the Sync&Charge can work on 4155s.

[Jason Dunn]

It was my understanding that the 4000 series didn't play nice with sync and charge cables. :?: At least that was the story back when the 4150 was released last year.

That's why this new one is bigger, thicker, and re-engineered to work with the more power-hungry units - it works with the 4150. :-)

[spontaneous]

I pre-ordered it as soon as I heard it will be available. As for 4100 series not playing nice with the sync-n-charge cables, that's probably why there aren't any that works other than this one.
When my 4150 is less than half or so charged and you have both bluetooth and wifi enabled, it seemed like it doesn't charge. Charge light blinks fastter than normal. Maybe it's my laptop's USB port that cannot supply enough power?
Other than that, it works great. no more carrying around the cradle...

[Mike Temporale]

S-W-E-E-E-T I'm gonna order me a couple of these! Thanks for the update.

[JLittle2]

I'd like to see these sync cables integrated into a belt attached carrying case. I've always been on the lookout for a case with a teather to the PPC that would help avoid drops or at least slow down a PPC that has been dropped. The retractable sync cable seems like an even better solution.

Slightly off topic Jason, but which IPAQ do you find yourself using the most during your day to day life?

The 4150 is my all-time favourite iPAQ, but lately I've been using the X30. It's a great unit as well, but the design and ergonomics of the 4150 are simply untouched (IMO).

I've just switched to Dell X30 from my tricked out iPaq 36xx which I've been determined to stick untill some really compelling PPCs were available. I tried the 312 MHz for a few days and decided to send it back for the 624 MHz. Manly because I want to use PocketSkype. I'd be curious to see a survey of how many people are adding/replacing their HP devices with Dell X30.

For me this deal makers were:
Great price/performance
Toggle wheel for one handed navigation
Bluetooth/WiFi

An added bonus that I just found out, the power connector for the Dell is the same for the iPaq 36x series. The Volt/Amps are within tollerance. So close, I can continue to use my old Targus Universal Power supply with my new Dell.

I thought a VGA screen would be a deal breaker, but when I thought about it I really do not enjoy the web very much on such a small screen. Besides, price premium was just too high for VGA. None the less, I'll be curious to see how much the X50 costs.

Now I'll just leave my iPaq in the car for a GPS system.

[fyiguy]

iPAQ 4350: would only charge when the power is off, would not sync ("USB device not recognized"). Very odd. Pocket PC Techs said it might be a ROM issue since they tested a 4350 with the latest ROM and it worked fine. I haven't upgraded the ROM yet, this is the original ROM.

Jason,

I got one lastnight and got it to work with sync and charge on the 4350, even enabled both radios(wifi and bluetooth) with the screen on. Tried it on several computers with USB 1 and 2 ports. Also tried it on a co-workers non-upgraded 4350 and it also performed the same. Hopefully the cable is defective and not your PPC... the problems you are describing are the problems I had with other synch/charge cables due to the current requirements of the 4XXX series, the Lil' Sync Pro is the only retractable sync/charge cable I got to work with the 4XXX series.

I am really impressed with the ruggedness of this cable a definite must have...the new C2 WriteShield is impressive as well...

[LWesson]

One cable for both my 5555 and 6315 !?!?!?! I am SO in!

I ASSume that the auto and ac adapters will work with this new iteration, correct?

Yes, that is correct. The AA battery adapter works as well.

[Dave Potter]

It was my understanding that the 4000 series didn't play nice with sync and charge cables. :?: At least that was the story back when the 4150 was released last year.

That's why this new one is bigger, thicker, and re-engineered to work with the more power-hungry units - it works with the 4150. :-)


YES!!! It does work with the 4150!!

I just received one this afternoon along with PPC Tech's new C2 screen protector. The screen protector was sent for review - so I wasn't expecting the Lil' SYnc Pro. When I opened up the box, my heart skipped a beat or two (it does this all the time - maybe I should get that checked out?? :lol: ) I was skeptical at first. But it works!!!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[LWesson]

YES!!! It does work with the 4150!!

I just received one this afternoon along with PPC Tech's new C2 screen protector. The screen protector was sent for review - so I wasn't expecting the Lil' SYnc Pro. When I opened up the box, my heart skipped a beat or two (it does this all the time - maybe I should get that checked out?? :lol: ) I was skeptical at first. But it works!!!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Oh ye of little faith!

[Sven Johannsen]

So, Leonard, since we have your attention, why does the X3 Up label on my LiL Sync have to be turned down on my X30...and...how is the RAM expansion for the X30 looking?

[LWesson]

So, Leonard, since we have your attention, why does the X3 Up label on my LiL Sync have to be turned down on my X30...and...how is the RAM expansion for the X30 looking?

Because Dell installed the socket upside down. :) It's the way the 3rd party connector is made.

We're working on the RAM upgrade. Still having difficulties getting the system to initialize it properly. Something to do with the 270 processor.

[Sven Johannsen]

So, Leonard, since we have your attention, why does the X3 Up label on my LiL Sync have to be turned down on my X30...and...how is the RAM expansion for the X30 looking?

Because Dell installed the socket upside down. :) It's the way the 3rd party connector is made.

We're working on the RAM upgrade. Still having difficulties getting the system to initialize it properly. Something to do with the 270 processor.

That's kind of what I figure'd. Keep pushing on that X30 RAM upgrade. Best 'accessory' I got for my 4155.