If you can find a "Walgreens" drug store, you can get this very nice USB kit in the camera dept. for about $12.99
It's a Red bubble package that hangs on a peg behind the camera counter.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=149767\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]
Hi Jon,
sorry for long delay in replying, been very busy... I'm really here to visit family, playing with Z and doing email is a gap-filler
I will look out for a Walgreens, that sounds like a really useful usb kit to have. I think by the time my luggage turns up I will be able to set up a usb cable shop on ebay!!
went to frys yesterday (n y day) and bought
1/ a retractable regular usb cable, much better for my daugher than the non-retractable one I was going to give her (which is in my luggage) (US$15).
2/ a belkin retractable cable kit which included the item above as well as retractable modem and ether cables, much more convenient (US$29)
3/ a sony charger; wasn't much different price from the Targa and other brands but guaranteed to work etc (US$85)
4) a firewire cable (US$20 I think)
I also managed to fix my in-laws wireless broadband router, so now I can surf using the Z or my laptop.
so, I am now a happy bunny cable and power wise, although it's cost me about US$160 to get thus far, and dupe everything I already had. I need to make sure that in the probable event of my luggage not turning up in time I can leave my daughter with a working Palm which can be charged up and synchronised. I also want to be able to show her how to make a DVD from the camcorder footage I've taken, hence the firewire. Luckily the camcorder has a huge battery good for 90 mins, more than enough.
thanks to all for ideas and community support. I've never done so much shopping on holiday!!!