New TJ37 Owner--need MemStick, charger help!

[lord_mike]

Hi all! This really is a great forum!!! I just bought one of these on clearance at CompUsa... I'm new to this memory stick thing, and it really confuses me... I've checked out the compatibility chart at Sony, and there's all sorts of footnotes for anything better than the original MS. On these forums, I hear from some people that the black pro sticks don't work, etc.

I don't need anything fancy, just need really some extra storage for some applications that read data only from a memory card. I won't be buying a 1Gig card or anything like that.

Is there that much of a difference between the old fashioned original MS card and the MS pro in terms of Clie performance? I know that the old fashioned one will most definately work. What about the Black pros (from sony) or the Blue pros from Sandisk? Is it ok to use the duo with the adaptor (the chart says I need a software update to do that? It also says I need software update to use the pro!! I'm so confused!! :eek: )

I'm reading that the memory sticks have their own battery??? :eek: Are these safe to buy off ebay (where I can get them cheap)? I don't want to spend a lot of money for sony's licensing revenue.... :p

As for the charger... I want to buy another one, preferrably one that actually charges from the USB port (without an AC adaptor). I've seen lots listed on eBay, but with confusing descriptions. Do these actually exist? Are the Belkin or Fellows ones worth anything? Can I use any clie charger (are all the models compatible with each other)

Lastly, a non-sequiter... I've read aobut this application called gimme (or is it gimmie) five which converts the jog-dial to a 5-way navigator. I can't seem to find it anywhere on PalmGear of Freeware palm. If anyone can point me to that application, I'd really appreciate it!!!

Thanks for all your time,

Mike

[Wild Jimbo]

GimmeFive is here: http://www.freewarepalm.com/utilities/gimmefive.shtml

No idea on the Memory sticks really... I've used several different ones successfully, three that come to mind: Lexar 64MB, Sony 128 and a SanDisk 512 Pro(One of the Blue ones)... While the 512 is nice, I've actually considered going back to the 128 for the speed - bigger equals slower, at least for me.

I don't know of a charger that charges from USB.

Not much help probably, but it may at least get you started.

[TheBigBradWolf]

I have a Belkin charger that came with a thing that plugs into the car adapter and makes it a USB port and then charges from that. I don't know model numbers or anything.

[Valwit]

1. if you take a MS smaller then 1GB then almost for sure every one will work with the TJ37.
2. MemorySticks don't have a battery inside
3. You can charge a Clie on USB (or anything else with 5V) all you need is a plain cable. You can get some of them for less then 5$ on ebay. The original charger has 5.2V so if you charge with 5V it takes a bit longer and you won't see a charging symbol on the palm screen, But the LED will indicate charging (turns orange). Not all Clies have the same connector, IIRC there are 3 types. Just look for a connector fot TX/TJ/UX series. More are compatible, but you should see at least 1 of these 3 mentioned. If it fits to the socket it will work.

[teleforo]

For my TJ37 I use a 2GB SanDisk Memory Stick PRO Magic Gate. It works great.

[TJ37]

Memory Stick compatability chart:
http://www.sonyclie.org/forums/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=658
I'd go with SanDisk or Lexar branded Memory Sticks. They're cheaper but make sure you buy them new because they sometimes don't work properly -- you'll need a valid warranty just in case.

If you don't want to DIY and don't mind spending the money, there are several USB port chargers by Brando (their located in Hong Kong but are trusted so don't worry ;)):
http://shop.brando.com.hk/clietj.php

Global Source also has one, but it's currently out of stock:
http://www.glblsrc.com/shop/home.php?cat=261

[Wytnucls]

Have a look here, lots of solutions: Chargers (http://www.gomadic.com/brand-sony-accessories-sony-clie-tj37-accessories.html)