INTRODUCTION
We've visited similar
Boxwave products in the past (here and here for
example). But until recently, their hasn't been
a reliable way to power the voracious appetite
of the Dell Axim X50v. Yes, there were ways of
providing juice, but often the output amperage
wasn't enough to revive the X50v if it was nearing
the end of it's battery capacity. Boxwave, maker
of all sorts of PDA accessories, has come up with
a miniSync and High Current charging solution.
How does it fare against the feeding habits of
this great beast? Read on my hungry friend, read
on.
THREE
IS THE NUMBER TO WHICH YOU MUST COUNT
While you
don't really need all three parts (Figure 1), you do need at
least the first two - the miniSync and the X50v adapter. Yes, you can
use the X50v adapter and just hang your X50v off the front of your computer's
USB port, but that wouldn't be very usable, now would it?
(all images
link to higher resolution)
Figure
1: The three parts of the miniSync and High Current
Car Charger for the X50v.
Attached together, the Frankensteinish looking cabling does the job (Figure 2), but isn't as managable as the standard miniSync product is. The High Current Car Charger is not much more than a standard car adapter other than the fact that it provides one full amp of power with 5.4 volts.
Figure
2: All the bits attached together and ready to
power the X50v.
STRETCHED
TO THE LIMITS
The miniSync extends up to 35 inches (Figure
3), and is very flexible (even with the X50v adapter attached).
This, for me, is just about enough length to plug the unit into the front
USB ports of my computer, and still be able to set the X50v on the top
of the case. Of course, my main use for the miniSync isn't for my home
or work PC, but for travelling power (both in my car and when outside
my normal living area).
Figure
3:The miniSync and X50v adapter extended .
POWER
ON!
As for power, the
miniSync and High Current Car charger work as advertised. I've used the
miniSync with my computer, laptop, Socket
Mobile Power Pack (Figure 4), Arkon
PDA mount (Figure 5), and in combination with the High Current
Car charger (if I'm in my wife's vehicle) without any trouble at all.
and in combination with the High Current Car charger (if I'm in my wife's
vehicle). The only complaint I have is the extra bulk from the adapter
that must be used (rather than an all-in-one cable solution).
Figure
4:My X50v charging through the miniSync from the
Socket Mobile Power Pack.
Figure
5: My X50v charging via the miniSync through the
Arkon PDA mount.
PURCHASING
You
can buy the Boxwave miniSync
for the Dell Axim X50v here for
$18.95. The optional High Current Car Charger is
available here for
$13.95.
PROS
- Retractable
- Small (and therefore easily portable)
- Can actually power the X50v in all situations
CONS
- Requires multiple and detachable parts
- Doesn't work properly with power sources with less than 1mA output
OVERALL
IMPRESSION
Having the
miniSync around for my X50v has been a Godsend. My main charger at work,
my DirectSync at
home, and the miniSync for travel. This way I'm always close to a powersource
(as the X50v is a hungry, hungry hippo). Unfortunately, having the extension
on the end does make this miniSync a little more difficult to manage
compared to other models. But at least I have power. And that in itself
is very comforting. Taking all this into account, I give the Boxwave
miniSync and High Current Car Charger (for the X50v) the following score:
Figure
1: The three parts of the miniSync and High Current
Car Charger for the X50v.
Attached together, the Frankensteinish looking cabling does the job (Figure 2), but isn't as managable as the standard miniSync product is. The High Current Car Charger is not much more than a standard car adapter other than the fact that it provides one full amp of power with 5.4 volts.
Figure
2: All the bits attached together and ready to
power the X50v.
STRETCHED
TO THE LIMITS
The miniSync extends up to 35 inches (Figure
3), and is very flexible (even with the X50v adapter attached).
This, for me, is just about enough length to plug the unit into the front
USB ports of my computer, and still be able to set the X50v on the top
of the case. Of course, my main use for the miniSync isn't for my home
or work PC, but for travelling power (both in my car and when outside
my normal living area).
Figure
3:The miniSync and X50v adapter extended .
POWER
ON!
As for power, the
miniSync and High Current Car charger work as advertised. I've used the
miniSync with my computer, laptop, Socket
Mobile Power Pack (Figure 4), Arkon
PDA mount (Figure 5), and in combination with the High Current
Car charger (if I'm in my wife's vehicle) without any trouble at all.
and in combination with the High Current Car charger (if I'm in my wife's
vehicle). The only complaint I have is the extra bulk from the adapter
that must be used (rather than an all-in-one cable solution).
Figure
4:My X50v charging through the miniSync from the
Socket Mobile Power Pack.
Figure
5: My X50v charging via the miniSync through the
Arkon PDA mount.
PURCHASING
You
can buy the Boxwave miniSync
for the Dell Axim X50v here for
$18.95. The optional High Current Car Charger is
available here for
$13.95.
PROS
- Retractable
- Small (and therefore easily portable)
- Can actually power the X50v in all situations
CONS
- Requires multiple and detachable parts
- Doesn't work properly with power sources with less than 1mA output
OVERALL
IMPRESSION
Having the
miniSync around for my X50v has been a Godsend. My main charger at work,
my DirectSync at
home, and the miniSync for travel. This way I'm always close to a powersource
(as the X50v is a hungry, hungry hippo). Unfortunately, having the extension
on the end does make this miniSync a little more difficult to manage
compared to other models. But at least I have power. And that in itself
is very comforting. Taking all this into account, I give the Boxwave
miniSync and High Current Car Charger (for the X50v) the following score:
