The Accessory Game

[Jon Westfall]

With the upcoming release of Windows Mobile 2005, many of us who haven't upgraded from a primary PPC in awhile (i.e. over 6 months... ;) ) may be looking to grab some new WM 2005 hardware (Or at least hardware that will get a 2005 upgrade). Personally, I've recently acquired a Dell Axim x50v, and now am faced with playing an old favorite:<br /><br />The Accessory Game!<br /><br />Yes Boys &amp; Girls, its now time to go out and acquire all those wonderful accessories that are device specific: Replacement Stylus, sync cables, spare cradles, chargers, batteries, etc..<br /><br />While some technologies (i.e. Bluetooth, Common expansion slots) allow us to keep some accessories from one PPC to another, there are always some things that must be re-purchased. So what is your strategy for playing the game? Vote in the poll, and if you have time, let us know what you generally buy for your new device, including how much extra you drop on accessories.

[zetsurin]

I voted 'not buying new PPC'. My last Pocket PC (just 6 months old but probably not getting WM2k5) is going to last me until it falls apart. I can't see the justification in the buying almost identical hardware again just because I start lusting over a software release :roll:

Anyway, I'll just duck down into the corner over here so that my cinicism doesn't spoil the fun of those who will be buying up (and I love to buy gadgets just as much as the next guy, but not this time)...

[mr_Ray]

I just make a point of never buying device specific accessories - that's why I never went for any of the old iPAQs and their "sleeves for everything" thing they had going on.

Just about anything you need apart from those sync/charge cables (and even those I just get adapters and use a common USB base) is available in USB/CF/SD/Bluetooth/wifi interfaces so they real question is why the heck would you want to get something device specific unless you are 100% certain you'll never buy another PocketPC as long as you live?

Two thumbs up for common device interfaces.

[Jereboam]

I make it my personal policy to NEVER (well, OK, more than once) buy from manufaturers/brands that change connectivity options between generations of devices. It is a shallow and throroughly scandalous ploy to generate extra income.

So far HP has been good to me (5400 to 4700) and so has Sony Ericcson (from the T68i all the way to the K700i plus all my BT headsets). All my sync cables/chargers have seemed common to all devices. Nokia lost my loyalty when they retained the same connector but reversed the actual pin-outs to prevent using the same data cable with a new phone. I never bought another device from them.

I wish more manufaturers would adopt USB charging, then I could charge everything from my laptop.

J'bm

[maximus]

When I purchased my Axim X5, I also purchased the 3400 mAH battery, 3 extra stylus, business leather pouch, and pack-o-12 screen protectors at the same order. Now that the X5 is officially retired, it is accompanied by 4 stylus, business leather pouch, 6 screen protector, and 3400 mAH battery.

The same also happened when we purchased XDA 2mini for the wife. we ordered with 2 spare stylus, screen protectors, extra battery, black and red covers, etc. etc.

Last month I was assigned an XDA IIs from my company, and I immediately purchased a whole lot of accessories for it. The same also happened for each of my motorola handphones. 2 or 3 spare batteries for each of them, 2 or 3 different covers or pouches ...

It is a jungle of accessories down here =)

Now, what I need is windows mobile 2005 upgrade for XDA IIs, and i will be a happy camper.

[KH]

One of the best things HP has done has been to maintain a common power supply across all of the IPAQs. I have them spread around the house, and in my travel bag. At first I didn't like the removeable connector, but now I do - it is a lot cheaper to replace that if it breaks than to replace the whole charger.

External battery packs solve the extended power problem across all models. I do wish for a bit of stylus standardization though.

[msprague]

I jumped right in and bought a Sena case for my X50v. That is the only device specific accessory I have.

Everything else is standard stuff, CF, SD, Bluetooth or a charger with the original iPaq round plug that works with the X50v thanks to the included charging adapter.

[ucfgrad93]

I generally don't buy too many accessories. Usually just a case and extra styluses. Rarely, an extra power cord.

[Sven Johannsen]

One of the best things HP has done has been to maintain a common power supply across all of the IPAQs. I have them spread around the house, and in my travel bag. At first I didn't like the removeable connector, but now I do - it is a lot cheaper to replace that if it breaks than to replace the whole charger.

Interesting to note that Dell uses the same concept, and the power supplies are essentially interchangeable. Additionally you can get USB and car charger units and cables that interface to those power adapters, making those items relatively universal.

My approach is to A) Buy the PPC I want, B) buy accessories that are fairly universal in hopes that I can can continue to use them after instances of 'A', C) suck it up and buy the new stuff specifically for the new PPC that I need. Lately, with all the built in stuff, cases are about all that fits in that last catagory.

[Jon Westfall]

Looks like everyone is basically trying (and succeeding) at buying as much "Universal" as possible. I think one of the really nice things to come out in the past 2 years are bluetooth peripherals. Since BT is relatively common on PPCs now, being able to use the same keyboard &amp; wireless headsets really cut down on the most expensive peripherals we were accustomed to buying. Keyboards are the real saving grace: My ThinkOutside BT keyboard has been with me for 3 PPCs now, working nicely with each. I shutter to think about shelling out $70 - $90 each time I bought a new PPC on one peripheral!

Now we just need 1 universal charging / syncing standard (maybe mini-usb?) and 1 standard stylus shape &amp; size. The stylus one may be a bit much to ask for, but the charging / syncing standard may have some promise.

[Jason Lee]

Looks like everyone is basically trying (and succeeding) at buying as much "Universal" as possible. I think one of the really nice things to come out in the past 2 years are bluetooth peripherals. Since BT is relatively common on PPCs now, being able to use the same keyboard &amp; wireless headsets really cut down on the most expensive peripherals we were accustomed to buying. Keyboards are the real saving grace: My ThinkOutside BT keyboard has been with me for 3 PPCs now, working nicely with each. I shutter to think about shelling out $70 - $90 each time I bought a new PPC on one peripheral!

Now we just need 1 universal charging / syncing standard (maybe mini-usb?) and 1 standard stylus shape &amp; size. The stylus one may be a bit much to ask for, but the charging / syncing standard may have some promise.

Yeah.. I bought the targus IR keyboard for my hp 2215 in hopes that i would never have to buy another keyboard. Well guess what? It does not, and will not ever work with my siemens sx66. The driver locks the device up hard core and targus is not going to update it....

So I now have the thinkoutside bluetooth keyboard and mouse. What are the odds they will work with my next ppc? For the price they better. :)

[TMann]

There are a couple of things I ALWAYS end up getting immediately after I buy a new PDA:

1. A protective case, (usually a Sena.)
2. A good sized memory card, (unless I have an extra available.)
3. A supply of screen protectors, (unless, I have a larger one that can be trimmed down.)

Those are the essentials, and usually that's enough to last me a couple of months. But then...I start realizing how much I "need" a separate USB sync cord, so that I can sync with my laptop...and I "need" an extended battery for those long wireless sessions...and I "need" a different keyboard, since the one I have isn't compatible...

Technology addiction is a terrible thing... :D

TMann

[Jon Westfall]

Looks like everyone is basically trying (and succeeding) at buying as much "Universal" as possible. I think one of the really nice things to come out in the past 2 years are bluetooth peripherals. Since BT is relatively common on PPCs now, being able to use the same keyboard &amp; wireless headsets really cut down on the most expensive peripherals we were accustomed to buying. Keyboards are the real saving grace: My ThinkOutside BT keyboard has been with me for 3 PPCs now, working nicely with each. I shutter to think about shelling out $70 - $90 each time I bought a new PPC on one peripheral!

Now we just need 1 universal charging / syncing standard (maybe mini-usb?) and 1 standard stylus shape &amp; size. The stylus one may be a bit much to ask for, but the charging / syncing standard may have some promise.

Yeah.. I bought the targus IR keyboard for my hp 2215 in hopes that i would never have to buy another keyboard. Well guess what? It does not, and will not ever work with my siemens sx66. The driver locks the device up hard core and targus is not going to update it....

So I now have the thinkoutside bluetooth keyboard and mouse. What are the odds they will work with my next ppc? For the price they better. :)

I just gave my targus away for the same reason. And I'm also a proud owner of the thinkoutside BT Keyboard &amp; Mouse (Can't beat either of those - they work on all my PPCs and my Tablet).

My friend with the Targus is happy too, it works nicely on his machines.

[jimski]

Always have to jump right in with; a couple screen protectors, 1 or 2 spare batteries, an extra docking cradle for the office, a pack of spare styli and of course a keyboard (maybe not anymore with my BT Keyboard).

It's important to treat your new baby well!

[mcsouth]

My approach is to A) Buy the PPC I want, B) buy accessories that are fairly universal in hopes that I can can continue to use them after instances of 'A', C) suck it up and buy the new stuff specifically for the new PPC that I need. Lately, with all the built in stuff, cases are about all that fits in that last catagory.

I'm in the same camp - I'm going to buy the PPC unit that best fits my needs, and then buy the accessories to trim it out. BUT, I will try to go with "universal" accessories (at least the ones that don't suck...), such as the Dell BT keyboard that I got for my X50v - nice and universal, since it also works just fine with my iPaq 1945. Should be just as good with my new WM5 device, whatever that ends up being... :D

[Jon Westfall]

Always have to jump right in with; a couple screen protectors, 1 or 2 spare batteries, an extra docking cradle for the office, a pack of spare styli and of course a keyboard (maybe not anymore with my BT Keyboard).

It's important to treat your new baby well!

Yes, its important to treat your new baby well, but I just can't see buying an additional dock. They usually run $50+! The docks for my PPCs stay at work!

Treating your baby well is fine, but when it starts being treated better than its owner... then we have a problem ;)

[ctmagnus]

Treating your baby well is fine, but when it starts being treated better than its owner... then we have a problem ;)

:lol: I have more cases for my iPaq than I have jackets for myself.

[Jon Westfall]

Treating your baby well is fine, but when it starts being treated better than its owner... then we have a problem ;)

:lol: I have more cases for my iPaq than I have jackets for myself.

Yea... same here. I don't know if I should be proud of that or not. Given that the average case costs less than a jacket, I suppose its economical. Of course the same argument applies to multiple cases as does multiple jackets: you can only wear one at a time.

[hoodmeister]

The only accessories I buy aren't device specific.

Memory. Headphones. Ipaq 2210 styli... And that's it.

Because of the way I use my PPC, the slip case that comes with most devices is infact the most suitable case there is... And as for the Ipaq styli... Basically they're there as back ups - i've never lost a stylus, so don't really need device specific styli replacements at hand.

[yawanag]

My two MUST HAVES are a damn good leather case and a car charger.

With each new PDA, I've drooled over the VAJA case, but never wanted to fork over that much money, especially after coughing up so much for the PDA.

My last case for the Imate is a Krusell and I don't think I'll ever buy any other.

[Faenad]

I will always purchase a good device specific leather case, and a screen protector.

They will pay for themselves by keeping the PPC in mint condition, a great advantage as I often resell my used devices.

Piel Frama, Covertec, Sena are all great brands... like everyone here I believe I checked the Vaja but the price was not right.

For other accessories I prefer universal one.
I will not stick to a PPC brand, I rather pick up each time the best device of its generation, accordingly to my need :)