Axim Cradle - worth the extra money???

cameron_wong26@ · 04-21-03, 02:57 PM

Hi all - I'm inches from getting an Axim and I have just a few quick questions:
1) Is it worth spending the $ for the cradle? I was thinking of getting the Axim Advanced but saving some money and just using the cable instead. Suggestions?

2) I'm looking to use my Axim as an MP3 player, organizer, portable map, etc. Does the Axim battery allow for at least 2 hours of playback time?

3) Also is it worth it to buy refurbished or should I just cough up all the cash to buy a new one?

Thanks for putting up w/ my newbie questions!

jcy · 04-21-03, 03:39 PM

I did not order it, instead I go for a thumb keyboard and the traveling sync cable. I think the cradle is only good if you have a second battery and you want to charge it seperately(of course ther ere other benefits which is not essential for me), I can carry the cable with me when I go to work and a keyboard help me do a lot of typing.

04-21-03, 03:56 PM

I bought a refurbished 400mhz that came with the travel sync cable, cradle, leather case, and dell OEM case all for under $300. It came to me looking brand new and I haven't had any issues with it over the last month I've had it.

As for the cradle, unless you sync it to a desktop computer, I wouldn't bother with it. I use a laptop majority of the time and fine that the travel sync cable is more functional.

Batterywise, it generally last 3-4 hours.

04-21-03, 06:48 PM

Obviously you folks have NO IDEA how absolutely COOL the Dell cradle is sitting on your desk w/ it's glowing blue insignia light. Makes a great nitelite!!!

Seriously, I use mine all the time for charging overnight and everytime I connect it looks for changes I may have forgotten and syncs them up for me. I just think it's handier (for me w/ desktop pc).

Just my humble opinion...........

Saaby · 04-21-03, 07:22 PM

If you've got a wireless network at home spend that $$$ on a wireless CF card. You can synch with that and it's faster...much faster than USB.

peterbright · 04-21-03, 07:29 PM

Have cradles at home & at work & love them. Cradles are also useful to charge spare batteries.

Osiris · 04-22-03, 07:27 PM

Aside from being absurdly cool looking on your desk, the cradle charges your Axim and keeps your constantly synched up. It holds my Axim on my desk at a nice angle so I can always see it. I say go for it!

ikehiker · 04-22-03, 08:11 PM

I agree the cradle is cool looking but, just to offer a different opinion, I never use mine since I got the WiFi and Innopocket case. WiFi syncs much more reliably (for me) than USB and I like the protection the case provides so I very rarely take the Ax out of it (which IS necessary in order to use the cradle). Thus, I just have the power adapter placed where I can plug it directly into the Axim.

BTW, if you peruse the site a bit, you'll find a post by someone that knocked their Axim in one of the metal cases off the roof of their car 4 feet onto concrete with no ill effects.

Tony · 04-22-03, 09:55 PM

I agree the cradle is cool looking, and I like the little blue light..I have both the cradle and cable. I use the cradle about 95% of the time.

Tony

wes61471 · 04-23-03, 12:17 AM

Cameron,

I don't have the cradle b/c I have the 300Mhz, but the cradle sure does look cool. As for your question #2: I work a 10 hour shift on the phone selling for a large computer company, and use my Axim as an MP3 player pretty much all day. I would say that the longest I have ever used it on a shift would be about 7 hours or so, and using it as only an MP3 player with the backlight off, it still had 35% battery left at the end of the day. As for refurbished or new, go new. With the current promo of 15% off and free shipping you won't have to spend much more on an item that is brand spankin new. Send me an email if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help you out.

Wes

04-23-03, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sandi
Obviously you folks have NO IDEA how absolutely COOL the Dell cradle is sitting on your desk w/ it's glowing blue insignia light. Makes a great nitelite!!!

Seriously, I use mine all the time for charging overnight and everytime I connect it looks for changes I may have forgotten and syncs them up for me. I just think it's handier (for me w/ desktop pc).

Just my humble opinion...........

i completly agree,a great night light.

the uses are endless