Buying an Extra Docking Station

[Terryb]

Purchased an extra docking station after receiving my Axim X5. Use the original at home and wanted the spare for work. The discreption on Dells website describes the dock as a means to update/sync data and recharge battery (including an extra battery charging slot). The piture shows the dock and nothing else. However, from the description it implies that it comes with a power supply (needed to recharge the batteries as described in description). When I received my dock I was alittle suprised to find that it didn't come with a power supply. When I contact Dell their response was that it didn't come with a power supply. I challenged this and pointed out that the description on the website stated that the dock was for syncing and recharging and made no mention that an additional power supply was necessary. The response...to bad! If you want to recharge you must buy an extra powersupply also.

While I'm happy with my Axim, I'm not real happy with Michael's approach to nickel and dime approach to making up the difference between the Axims price and that of the competition. My solution has been to purchase an off the shelf power adapter for half the price. Only difference is deciding to use 6V or 4.5V. The Axim powersupply uses 5.4 (just had to be different). Seems that both settings work, while 4.5V seems like it would be safer to the system. <_<

[tidal]

the cradle should tell you what voltage and watts it needs. let us know if it does and what the requirements are.

[Terryb]

The Dock doesn't have a rating (other than to recommend the Dell power supply). The power supply on the original dock shows 5.4V and 2410ma. The battery shows a rating of 3.7V and 1440ma. The off the shelf power supply that I'm using is rated at 4.5V and 1000ma. When plugged in the Axim shows charging. Due to the reduced Voltage and amp it takes alittle longer to charge, but, the Axim runs fine while sitting in cradle and the battery does charge. Can't see why they don't include a changer with the optional dock/cradle on the web, but, there are alternatives.

I don't know if I could skimp on $20 with my $350 Axim. I'd just assume eat the $20 and sleep better. But then thats just me. Keep an eye on this and update how it goes. Does the battery charge completely? Does the runtime decrease?

[tidal]

me neither but who knows.

I'd just hope that the reduced volts and amps don't hurt the battery which is way costly than the adaptor. But then again, I know nothing about electricity. :P