Don't buy the retractable sync & charge cable from MobileStore1 on eBay (
http://cgi.ebay.com/RETRACTABLE-Sync...QQcmdZViewItem)
Before finding this article, I purchased this cable, thinking it would work as good as the one for my iPAQ 2215 did. After experiencing the power fluctuation problems, failure to sync, and USB port power warnings, I emailed the vendor. They said they cable might be bad, and shipping me another one. After having problems with the replacement cable, I emailed them again. They assured me that they sell "hundreds" of these cables, and have never had any issues reported.
After finding this article, I emailed them back citing the facts from the article, and pointing out that this is a product design flaw, and misrepresentation wince the cable won't really sync *and* charge, and won't sync at all if the battery is below 80%. It's been 4 days now, and they have not replied.
BTW, the AC adapter outputs 5V at 1A ... it charged the PDA fine when it was off, didn't try turning it on. The DC car adapter has no writing on it ... so I don't know the power output. But I tried it in my car this morning with my battery at 50%, and it would not charge with the unit turned on, instead giving the samem power fluctuation issues of bright/dim screen and charging status going back and forth.