I’m sure this is old hat for you long-time notebook users but I found it of interest and would be interested in hearing any other solutions.

I’ve a great interest in traveling light. When my Belkin Bluetooth GPS showed up I was impressed with the power arrangements. It came with a USB power cable, a USB AC adapter and a USB Car adapter. It got me thinking how nice life would be if I only had to pack one adapter. I looked at the igo juice. It’s not particularly compact with the plethora of cables and their adapters are overpriced.

Went looking a found a couple of options for my cell phone:

http://www.expansys-usa.com/product.asp?code=EXP_MOBUSB2

http://www.cablesunlimited.com/products/Prod_Individual3.aspx?groupcode=I2996

Best price I could find on the ziplinq was: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000UI2KU/ref=pd_sxp_f/002-8360930-5798430?v=glance&s=electronics

Finally SMC has discontinued cables for Ericsson, Nokia and other phones but this place has them in stock:

http://www.hypermicro.com/product.asp?pf_id=CASS030

I;m still sorting this one out and would like to hear what you folks are using. Now if I can just find a solution for my T1 camera…

[/anchor]

i use a ziplinq for my treo600..that way all i have to do is bring my tr charger and the ziplinq.. haven’t found a cable for the t1 though they do have a compact size battery charger (no cords/wires)available for the t1..

[quote author=“linc”]i use a ziplinq for my treo600..that way all i have to do is bring my tr charger and the ziplinq.. haven’t found a cable for the t1 though they do have a compact size battery charger (no cords/wires)available for the t1..

Thanks, linc, that’s exactly what I went with. My Belkiin GPS has what appears to be a power jack identical to Nokia’s. I’ll check voltage and polarity, but have high hopes. :?

That just leaves the T1. I hate paying sony’s prices for their accessories…

n/p.. i have seen aot of external dc—> usb powered mods… perhaps we can do the same for the t1 cradle..any brave souls..? this first one is not in english so just look at the pics..
it would be so cool if we could mod our bt mouse to recharge batteries via usb port..
 

this seems cool..not exactly sure how it works but..

[quote author=“linc”]n/p.. i have seen aot of external dc—> usb powered mods… perhaps we can do the same for the t1 cradle..any brave souls..? this first one is not in english so just look at the pics..
it would be so cool if we could mod our bt mouse to recharge batteries via usb port..
 

this seems cool..not exactly sure how it works but..

Just took out my trusty screwdriver and opened the USB cradle. Didn’t spend a lot of time perusing it, but there are two circuit boards that essentially just hold the connectors. There are a handful of surface mount diodes and capacitors that appear to provide current/voltage limiting and signal conditioning.

Given that the power adapter will directly connect to and charge the T1 it’s reasonable to assume that the cradle simply provides pass-through for power. Given the following, I don’t really think the cradle does much of anything except break out to connectors functions built in the camera.

Sony offers two accessory cables for the T1, direct video connect and direct USB. I ordered the pair since they’re not available anywhere else and it was the only good use for my 20%-off coupon. The USB cable is backordered and the video hasn’t shown up yet…

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=iJCFaJG1yHiFHdCWV6aPY965H090JbeCPT0=?CategoryName=dcc_DIAccessories_i.LINKCables&ProductSKU=VMC15MU

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=iJCFaJG1yHiFHdCWV6aPY965H090JbeCPT0=?CategoryName=dcc_DIAccessories_i.LINKCables&ProductSKU=VMC15MR

My only concern about USB charging for the T1 is that USB is limited to 0.5 amps @ 5 volts. The portable charger is rated for 4.2v @ 0.7a. There just might not be enuf juice to do the job.

There is, however, a power out jack on the TR that delivers a nominal 10v and can power an external drive. The problem with any of these daydreams is getting the connectors. :cry:

[quote author=“linc”]i use a ziplinq for my treo600..that way all i have to do is bring my tr charger and the ziplinq.. haven’t found a cable for the t1 though they do have a compact size battery charger (no cords/wires)available for the t1..

Found the charger for a much better price, shipped.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90130689&loc=111

They also have Sony and generic batteries for decent prices. I’m looking at this one. It has about 10% more juice than the Sony(based on specs.)

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90135843&loc=273

thanks for the link..i’ll be ordering one of those usb cables as well(cant believe its six feet long! :shock:) ..like you said hopefully there’s enough juice to power the t1..

Given Sony’s penchant for providing details I have some hope that the USB cable will steal power from the USB port. If not, it becomes one more thing to pack around and not much more convenient than just plugging the MSduo into the TR.

On a sligtly different note, my new travel charger for the TR showed up today:

Small, light, short cords.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10341382&loc=101&hdwt=30201&sp=1

I looked at the igo Juice and a few other combo AC/DC units but they were all pretty sizeable with a pile of cables and accessories. Since I have a small gadget bag that travels with the TR, I wanted to stay small and light. I figure if I’m traveling the AC power pack will live better in a suitcase.

So far I’m impressed. Set the unit up for the TR and put away the other tips/voltage adapters. The input cable-end is the airplane adapter, which plugs securely into the cigarette lighter adapter.

If the batteries are easily removed, these might work.

USB battery chargers for standard AA AAA cells:

http://www.expansys-usa.com/product.asp?code=106251

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=00-701-001&depa=10

[update] From A4Tech a couple of new ones I didn’t spot earlier:

http://www.a4tech.com/en/product1.asp?CID=41&SCID=42

The new models don’t seem to be available in the US yet.

I found this for Jiggy. Takes up less space than tissue and works best on tropical isles:

http://www.notestation.com/solarcharger.htm

I got the T1 USB cable today. TR identifies the camera without any of the camera software installed and allows access to the files. It doesn’t appear to provide any power to the camera.

that sucks.. the description of the cable on sonystyle.com is very deceiving… i ended up getting the BC-TR1 battery charger instead..

I’m afraid that’s what I’m down to. I didn’t have much time to play with it. Just noticed that nothing lit up on the camera when I plugged it in. May take the battery out to see if it will power the camera.

Sony’s site isn’t deceiving as much as sorely lacking in basic technical informaton. No rated current draw for the TR or the T1 for example. They give the power supply rating, but those are always overrated.

Have you used the software shipped with the T1?  Is it worth loading?

With my camcorder, linked with firewire, I could control the camera from the computer.

no i haven’t..yet.

I have been using the ZipLinq cables for quite a while now.  You can’t beat the size/weight for traveling.  I think I must have almost every cable they make and I use them for: phone connection, cat 5 connection, Clie power/sync, cell phone power, Jabra headset power, USB power…
The one big disappointment so far is that they don’t have any USB2 cords.  I would like to power my external hard drive with a common connection but need a USB2 cord with a 5 pin connector.  Hopefully they will produce one soon.

I’m afraid that’s what I’m down to. I didn’t have much time to play with it. Just noticed that nothing lit up on the camera when I plugged it in. May take the battery out to see if it will power the camera.

just found another sony charging solution for the t1 and other cybershot cameras