Official Gadgeteer Hands On Review: InnoPocket Palm V Emergency Charger
by Julie Strietelmeier
Last date revised: 02/19/2001

Product Requirements:
Device:
Palm V/Vx or IBM WorkPad c3

Picture this, you are on your way to a business trip or vacation spot when you realize that you forgot to pack your Palm V Cradle and AC adapter. Now what are you going to do if the Palm V runs out of juice? Although I've never had this happen to me, I have grabbed my Palm V to take with me to work only realize that the battery was totally dead (my Palm V isn't my primary PDA). Instead of crawling around under my desk to unravel the tangled web of cables just to take the AC adapter and cradle with me, I instead could have just popped a 9v battery and the InnoPocket Palm V Emergency Charger into my gear bag and headed out the door.

The InnoPocket Palm V Emergency Charger is a small module that plugs into the bottom of a Palm V, Vx or IBM WorkPad c3 PDA and charges the internal lithium rechargeable battery with the juice from a regular 9v alkaline battery (not included).



This charger is very similar to the Tech Center Labs Palm V Emergency Charger. The main differences are that the InnoPocket version is less expensive and is a little larger in size. The actual module part of the charger is about the size of a 9v battery. So, it is a convienent size that can fit into almost any bag, case or pocket.

Size: 1.97 x 1.30 x 0.67in (50 x 33 x 17 mm)
Weight: .35oz (10g)

The charger is easy to use. You just plug the module part into the hotsync port on the PDA, and a 9v battery attaches to the battery connector. If everything is connected properly, a green LED lights up on the module to indicate that the lithium batteries on the PDA are charging.



According to InnoPocket, the current output is limited and there is a reverse circuit protection. The module will only recharge the internal PDA battery up to 85% and will not damage the Palm by over charging.

It takes around 45 minutes to recharge 85% of the internal battery. According to the instruction sheet that came with the charger, the internal battery will be charged from 0% to 45% within few minutes... I found that it takes maybe 20mins or so before a totally dead PDA can even be turned on using this recharger. So, don't assume that if your PDA is dead as a doorknob, that you'll be able to plug this in and your Palm V will start working immediately. Also, realize that a totally dead PDA will most likely also be a totally reset PDA...meaning, all your data will be gone. It's a good idea to always keep an eye on your battery levels and to sync often so that your data will be backed up on your desktop PC.

Since the charger does not charge the internal battery to a full 100%, the LED on the module stays lighted.  The LED doesn't turn off or turn to a different color. That's my only gripe about this product, there is no indicator that charging is finished...

Overall, I think this little charger is a great little accessory for the Palm V/Vx/IBM c3 owner that is always on the move. I like the InnoPocket version better than the Tech Center Labs charger because it looks better, and is less expensive.

Price: $16.00

Pros:
 Easy to use 
Charges internal lithium battery to 85% full in 45mins 
Small size

Cons:
 No indicator to tell you that charging is finished

Let me know your comments on the InnoPocket Palm V Emergency Charger and read what others have to say.