OESF Portables Forum
Everything Else => General Support and Discussion => Zaurus General Forums => Archived Forums => Accessories => Topic started by: loom001 on June 05, 2003, 12:53:50 am
-
Has anyone tried the Serialo.com USB cable? Was wondering if it is worth the 39.95 price tag? Seems like it has a nice feature. Really cool that you can charge the Zaurus without power attached.
http://www.serialio.com/products/adaptors/...hinCableUSB.htm (http://www.serialio.com/products/adaptors/ZThinCableUSB.htm)
-
This is the first I\'ve seen this! I have serialo\'s \"zthincable\", and I really like it. With Crows 2.38 rom, it was the most stable way for me to sync with my win2k laptop and outlook.
Since upgrading to the Sharp 3.10 and now the cacko 3.10 rom, I\'m having hugh troubles syncing, and I haven\'t figured out the serial sync yet... (actually haven\'t spent any time on the since this site went up!).
I\'m now thinking of getting this usb cable... it would be nice to only carry that around in my backpack, as I travel between multiple offices daily, and am getting tired of carrying the spare cradle and power cord. (Yes, I actually have a spare cradle and powercable)
-
I bought one of these a few months ago and it has been great for syncing with my laptop at work. I don\'t need to carry a charger since it takes power off the USB port. All in all, it works just like a bright red cradle. Ok, maybe the color is a bit much, but it makes my desk look \'dangerous\'.
The only downside is that the connector is a bit stiff and it still feels like I\'m forcing it every time.
-
Just ordered it here for $36 plus $5 UPS
https://www.expansys.us/product.asp?code=USB-A-6 (https://www.expansys.us/product.asp?code=USB-A-6)
I don\'t like dragging the power cable back and forth from work/home so being able to charge via USB will be handy.
-
Thanks guest-
Just ordered one for myself.
tapjap
-
Thanks for the feedback guys just order one for myself also!
------------
loom001
-
would someone who has one of these usb cables (or soon to get one) kindly post a review, possibly with pictures in our reviews section?
That way people down the road don\'t have to search the forums for this info!
Thanks
-
No problem, hopefully it comes quick!
-
Well I got my cable and I am not impressed! Keeps dropping connection between the Z and my PC. Ckeck out my review for more details. The part that really sucks is per their web site to use it with a 5600 you have to knock 2 locking ears off (of course I have a 5600) so I am really doubting they will take it back. If anyone has any suggestions on getting this to work please let me know. I have exhausted all ideas I can think of. By the way I am connecting the Z to a laptop running Win XP.
-
Well I got my cable and I am not impressed! Keeps dropping connection between the Z and my PC. Ckeck out my review for more details. The part that really sucks is per their web site to use it with a 5600 you have to knock 2 locking ears off (of course I have a 5600) so I am really doubting they will take it back. If anyone has any suggestions on getting this to work please let me know. I have exhausted all ideas I can think of. By the way I am connecting the Z to a laptop running Win XP.
Someone wonderful posted on the devnet forums how to setup wireless syncing, and I did exactly what the instructions said... and it works perfectly! It\'s the only syncing method that has worked flawless for me. I\'ve used the cradle and a serial cable, both were a little flaky, mostly on the PC side (probably). I really like the ability to sync wirelessly!
I should go back to the forum and copy/paste it into our FAQ section.. maybe I\'ll do that tomorrow.
-
Well it looks like the problem with the USB cable is that the Z draws to much power from the USB port causing it to drop out. Going to test it more on other laptops and desktops and see if the results change any.
-
Well test the cable some more. Works great in my desktop, and with my laptop off the docking stations USB ports. After looking at Dell\'s spec\'s the laptop port is only rated 5vcd @ 1a, so it looks like this is the problem. Oh well can\'t use it like I wanted but still fits part of my needs namely not dragging the dock/power cable to work but will still have to when I travel.
-
I can\'t remember the details of the cable, but I found at compusa (I believe) a usb power cable that was manufactured for the Ipaq. I remembered seeing on the old ZaurusZone boards that it was compatible with the Z, so I bought it. It\'s worked great as a portable power source. It seems to work with IBM thinkpad laptops (tested to work on 600x, t20, t21, and t23 models).
Now that I sync via wifi, I just carry this powercord and my wifi card... I love it.
-
I spotted an iPaq usb charging cable (Charge via USB port on pc OR Charge via Car Cigarette Lighter adapter) on Ebuyer\'s website.
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/in...oduct_uid=45496 (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=45496)
It is intended for charging the iPaq H3800 or H3900 in a car or at a pc. I bought one for just over £10, and I then chopped the iPaq proprietary connector off the end. With a removable dc plug from a multi-purpose mains-to-dc adapter, which was the same size
as the Zaurus charger plug, and a soldering iron... I was able to create my own Zaurus in-car charger/usb charger.
The Zaurus charges at approximately the same current and voltage as the iPaqs, so I wasn\'t scared that I\'d break mine.
This has been working great for me, ever since I built it. It is smaller and lighter than carrying around the Zaurus charger.
If anyone else copies this idea... it worked for me, but I take no responsibility if you wreck your Zaurus. I used a multimeter to
make sure I connected the + and - cables the right way round to the dc plug. I used heat-shrink and electrician\'s tape to cover
up the soldered cabling. I checked my work, with the multimeter before I connected it to the Zaurus. It worked a treat!
Now I\'m never sitting with a useless uncharged Zaurus in my pocket.
-
offroadgeek:
If you want to get serial sync working I posted 3 HowTo\'s that should get you going.
Serial sync with Qtopia Desktop
Air Cable Serial Setup
Connecting to Win2K from the Z
-
thanks corky! but I now only sync with my 760, and for some reason (maybe the new usb drivers) the usb syncing is flawless with my win2k work laptop. I plug in the cable, sync up, then unplug several times a day without a single issue. I have to admit that I\'m surprised it works so well. because of that, I haven\'t had the need for serial or wireless syncing anymore...
great how-tos though!
-
Hey
I just found a USB A to mini A 4 pin that fits the cradle of the Zaurus SL-6000 for next to nothing. It's like $5.99 and two bucks shipping. You can add devices with it I hear.
-
Forgot to give you the URL. http://www.dcables.com/catalog/1_8_meter_u...in__3239068.htm (http://www.dcables.com/catalog/1_8_meter_usb_2_0__plug_type_a_to_mini_usb_a_plug__4pin__3239068.htm)
This is for the Zaurus SL-6000 USB A to mini A 4 pin.
-
well - the part you quote is for the 4-pin mini-A cable - the cradle needs a 5-pin mini-A (http://www.dcables.com/catalog/1_8_meter_usb_2_0__plug_type_a_to_mini_usb_b_plug__5pin__3238931.htm)
Neither fit the USB-OTG connector on the bottom of the SL-6000
-
Sorry about that. Some one told me they used the mini A 4 pin to connect devices. I have never seen a mini A 5 pin. I have seen the mini B 5 pin but that does not work. Good luck in finding one.
-
Yeah - I've seen a bunch of garbage about this connector - Even Phillips page at http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/mark...s/otg/overview/ (http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/markets/connectivity/wired/usb//products/otg/overview/) leaves a little to be desired. The following are what I can see as facts.
Both USB connectors (the one on the cradle and the one on the 6K's butt) are 5-pin connectors.
The one on the craddle is the fairly common USB Mini-B connector found also on camera, disks, etc.
The one on the 6K itself is a USB Mini-A (5-pin) connector.
I have not been able to find out if the receptacle is the A/B that Phillips speaks to or not. My current thinking is that it is NOT an A/B receptacle but a Mini-A only receptacle.
Would have been useful if Sharp documented the dang thing in the first place.
BTW - Unlike some of the folks that claim to have used the 4 pin cable I actually have used a Mini-A 5 pin to Mini-B 5-pin cable to connect a USB drive to the 6K. Works just fine (Had to use external power for the disk - the zaurus couldn't supply sufficient juice). The cable I used was a QuickConnect USB from Gold-X products. (http://www.goldxproducts.com/cable/qus.htm) I found in Staples. This comes with 5 different connectors an a single cable. Let's you make whatever you need (sorta). Unfortunately the 6K can't go back in it's cradle because the connector stack-up is too long.
Have fun.
-
I picked up an "iPDA" cable (http://www.shirtpocket.co.uk/cat/product_info.php?cPath=22_25_176&products_id=96&osCsid=b7e2d6d1c1bac3b43abf416f826d2775) from ShirtPocket. Looks more convenient than the zThinCable, and cheaper too.
I've been really happy with it. Not only a great product, but a great company that's been supporting the Z. My only issue is that it seems like I need to turn the backlight off if I want to charge it. . . otherwise the power LED starts blinking in a way that makes me a little nervous for my battery. But it's not like I'm using the thing while sync'ing anyway.
-
Has anybody tried the USB sync/charge cable offered by a guy from ebay?
http://stores.ebay.com/RW-Sherwood-Imports...genameZl2QQtZkm (http://stores.ebay.com/RW-Sherwood-Imports_W0QQsspagenameZl2QQtZkm)
I ordered one for $12 inclusive shipping and await it eagerly to try. Seems a good deal to me.
Ulf
-
I picked up an "iPDA" cable from ShirtPocket. Looks more convenient than the zThinCable, and cheaper too.
they show 0 stock so I emailed to enquire and have not heard anything back. When did you get yours (i.e. are they bought to order - hence no stock at the mo?).
My only issue is that it seems like I need to turn the backlight off if I want to charge it. . . otherwise the power LED starts blinking in a way that makes me a little nervous for my battery.
Probably because the USB port can't supply enough power to charge and power the back-light at the same time.
Si
-
These USB charging cables all look like the one that I bought from Brando a while back: <http://shop.brando.com.hk/ipdaretractablecable.php (http://shop.brando.com.hk/ipdaretractablecable.php)>. This one is retractable which I find to be a very nice feature (no more excess cable on the desktop). It's also cheap at $15. And Brando, even though they're in Hong Kong, has proven to be very reliable: they take credit cards in US funds and standard shipping is *very* fast.
The only potential snag is that I can't say for sure that it will allow access to the keyboard on 5x00 and 6000 Z's (but I suspect it will). I can check it with a 5500 when my wife brings hers home tonight.
I've been using the USB charging cable almost exclusively for almost a year with no problems (C860). The key to making them work is to plug it in to a powered hub. Most PC USB ports don't provide enough juice but powered hubs do.
~ray
-
If you are in the UK and interested in getting one of these extendable USB cables, with a multiplicity of charging options, try the "Sharp Zaurus Mini Travel Kit Plus" from PDA Addons. They sell on E-bay or you can buy direct from their site. Here is one of their E-bay auctions:
Zaurus Mini Travel Kit Plus (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58543&item=5134454527&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW)
I just got one of these kits and I am delighted with it. It includes:
- extendable USB sync/charge cable
- wall charger 110/240V with plugs for UK/USA/EU/AUS
- car charger
- battery extender
Basically you plug the USB sync/charge cable into your Z and the other end goes to a USB port or to one of the included chargers.
It works great for charging, but I haven't used it for syncing beyond a brief test.
Their "Buy It Now" price for this kit is £21.99 + £2.00 shipping (£3.00 worldwide). If you don't want the battery extender there is a cheaper kit for £17.99.
I'm not affiliated with this company, just happy with the product they sold me! Now I can play MP3s and OGGs in the car to my heart's content ...