Charging Case

[Jonahan]

Has anyone purchased one of these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5766043376&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

It's evidently not the Brando case I've heard people mention... I'm wondering if it's any good, and/or worth the money. Can you even buy the Brando cases any more?

Thanks,

Jonathan

[.PoNeH]

Wow, that looks nice. Mine isn't the Brando case neither, and I have had no problems with it, I love it. Go for it!

[antoinepierre]

The brando case/charger is sold out.

The kit you show on e-bay looks like the kit from gadget infinity, 40 USD is the regular price for a new one.

[UX50 advocate]

Recently bought exactly the same case from gadget infinity.

I bought this so i could charge the ux50 in the car and directly from my pc (via USB)

Case is a pretty snug fit to the ux50.

quality is reasonable.

Cant coment on the case from brando, but i bought the USB charger from brando about a year ago, but it kept making a clicking noise. (most unerving!)

Had the case for about a month now and it works well keeping the ux50 protected, and charged (no irritating clicks)

only gripe is that the reset pin on the back cant be accessed with the case on.

recommended.

[antoinepierre]

...only gripe is that the reset pin on the back cant be accessed with the case on...It's the same for Brando -> go to a shoemaker and ask him to make a bigger hole ! At your own risk !

With CoolDAs, you can soft reset your UX without using your stylus. No risk !
If you want auto-self soft reset, use "crash".

[cktlcmd]

I bought this so i could charge the ux50 in the car and directly from my pc (via USB)


I did not know that we can charge the UX50 directly via USB. Is this true? Or did I misunderstood your post? :confused:

I was under the impression we can only hotsync and use Data Import using the USB connection.

[.PoNeH]

You can, that's the beauty of it. All you need is a laptop/pc, an USB cable, and the charging case and you'll have a fully charged UX 100% of the time. It's great...it is the reason why I have my EB40 stored away.

[antoinepierre]

I did not know that we can charge the UX50 directly via USB. Is this true? Or did I misunderstood your post? :confused:

I was under the impression we can only hotsync and use Data Import using the USB connection.USB is different from mini-USB.
Yes, it is possible to charge using the USB port of your computer. But you need a case/charger. :(
The mini USB port of your UX is just for hotsync. It's impossible to charge your UX using this mini USB port.

[cktlcmd]

Ohhhhh. Thanks for clarifying. I have 2 EB40, so I'm satisfied with them for now.

[asiliat]

case is very useful. I just got one. The only thing is that it makes the standard charger fairly obsolete.

The way the case is clipped onto the unit is very fragile. I mean, when it's on, it's on good, but the wear&tear of you removing case just to place back into charger will be VERY bad for the plastic legs of the case itself.

The opening of the hole wasn't an issue for me. For vinyl, it's well constructed. There are 2 little pockets for memory sticks, but I won't beusing them b/c they'll probably end up scratching the top of the ux.

All in all, I'm much happier w/ the case, as it removes my need or want from the EB40. Since I'm at work most of the time, I can now just bring a USB cable (retractable ones will be good) and not worry about running out of juice mid day. Combined w/ the ability to charge from cigarette lighter, I can finally justify a 1GB Mem stick so I can x-fer movies and watch while driving (well you know what I mean, it's for the passenger(s).

[Wireless]

Ive had this guys case since I have had my UX50, almost a year? +/-. It is my sole charger and Ive had ZERO issues. He shipped it as fast as can be done from HK, and answers all of my emails. I definitely give him a very good recommendation. I also just lay my UX50 and EB40, clicking 3 of the 4 contact points and it charges well.

[Ishii]

From a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate the leather quality and stitching of the leather case?

[GooGZ]

I have that case (bought from gadget infinity).

I rate it :) Fits the unit nicely but leaves the memory stick exposed to being accidentally 'popped' since the protection on the sides are minimal.
But its still a great accessory... worth the money, IMO.

[Ishii]

Thanks for the feedback. Does it resemble anything of PDair or Brando quality?

[JAmerican]

I have a Brando charger and its great but the Memory Stick Holder is terrible. It is too low and stretches so my MS falls out. My 1GB almost tell on the floor without me noticing. I never placed anything in it again.

JAmerican

[Ishii]

I really wanted to acquire the Brando UX50 Charging case, but it's sold out awhile back. This case looks decent, but I am not so keen with the metal tag located on the corner of the leather case.

http://i3.ebayimg.com/02/i/03/a1/f5/ab_1_b.JPG

[antoinepierre]

From a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate the leather quality and stitching of the leather case?The leather quality of the gadgetinfinity case ?
I'm not even sure it's leather !!
For the inside lining, I'm sure it's not !

[bdhu2001]

I have both gadget infinity and Brando. Both memory stick holders are terrible. But the gadget infinity one cups it better and the sticks fit sideways (less chance of slipping out). The issue that asiliat brought up about the fragileness of the plastic legs of the case is why I bought the second case. The plastic legs broke off the Brando case and it no longer fit snugly. I'm much more careful with the new case and I leave it until I need to connect the extended battery. The other thing about the gadget infinity set up, is that you get the car charger, house charger, and USB cord. I only got the case with the Brando case.

[Ishii]

Thanks for the feedback guys! After much thought, I think will transplant the charger from the Gadget Infinity charging case to PDair leather case for the UX50. I like the PDair leather case better and I assume it should fit well... just a matter of delicate transplant work.

[Harry Tuttle]

:D I have just recieved Gadget Infinity case. I must say it is a quality piece; when it is seated correctly there is no thought of it falling out. Mine has a reset hole on the underside, it kind of unnerving to press because you have to press harder than normal.
The only drawback I have with the case; and it is minor is that top portion that covers the top of the UX is not attached to the frame somehow; when opened it goes limp. Other than that this is a must have case.

[bdhu2001]

Hey, thanks for telling me that. I started with a Brando case and broke the legs, so I've always removed my PDA from the case whenever I needed to reset. Now I see that I could have left it in the case for both cases. Unfortunately, I still have to remove it from the case to use the extended battery.

[johnj2803]

thanks guys for this read... i finally ordered my gadget infinity case from ebay hope it comes in soon :)

[126andy]

I just ordered one myself. I guess that you can't use the extended battery with it but if you can charge from so may places you probably dont nee the extended battery.
Does anyone know how long it takes to get a full charge using the cigarette lighter charger?Thanks


I just got my case today and it works GREAT No carrying that big charging unit. I leave the cigarette lighter adapter in my car and the usb cable with my laptop so I can keep my ux charged all of the time. I may not even use the extended battery anymore.

[126andy]

When you are charging with the usb plugged into the gadgetinfinity case do you see the orange charging light come on on the ux or not? Thanks

[rgjp]

Yes. Orange when charged. After it is charged it will run green.

[palo1]

I'm sure everyone is aware of this but you can also connect the charging case to an iPod wall charger

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/2.RSLID?mco=63413C01&nplm=M9837LL%2FA

p

[Botrax]

I just purchased a UX50. Ship tracking says I should get it tomorrow morning. :)

I also got ordered that gadget infinity charging case. I was just wondering if the EB40 extended battery will fit inside the charging case also. I probably won't need the extended battery with the charging case, but I was just wondering.

[126andy]

The extended battery wont fit in the case.
When my ux50 is in the case and plugged into the usb port I get the orange light but it never does go to green. after I unplug it says that there is 100% charge though.

[johnj2803]

got my gadget infinity case na :) and so happy! and its so snuggly fits!!! altho i had a hard time putting it in for the first time. i tot that it would not fit but it did...

i think removing and putting it back in the case repeatedly will really break the legs of the case.

so caution to those who repeatedly remove thier UX on the case...

but over all, i'm happy with it!!!

[antoinepierre]

Why don't you simply realize the mini-USB charging mod ?

[Eddy]

It's would be nice to modify the mini-USB that's on the UX itself so that it will allow power current as well as act as a USB for hotsync. I am just not professional enough to take apart my UX though. :(
Sadly to say.

[Eddy]

Actually I wouldn't mind to pay for some shops to get this mod done for me. Will have to do some search to see if there're still any of these services available at a local PDA shop nearby.

[johnj2803]

i feel the same way as you do. i just dont feel confident enough. altho i did try opening my UX todo the wifi fix, bu then again its just putting something in between the case and the wifi chip :)

[Botrax]

I checked the USB power mod. It is really just ONE wire between those two contacts?

[rgjp]

Yes. But one of those contacts is a VERY tight solder...as in ~1/2 mm. I just did the mod and looking back I would have to say that my odds were 50/50 of total failure. I practised for a long time on some old electronics first and it was still really difficult. If you do it, plan to spend 2+ hours working on this. Also expect some dangerous moments for the inside of your clie as you unhook things and peel back old tape that has been there for a long time. You will need to apply pressure to things to get them to come out and it will scare the hell out of you. :eek:

Doubtless you will have read that others on this forum have killed their UX doing this. Also go and find the smallest soldering tip you can and invest in a magnifying class (Radio Shack sells one with a base and little alligator arms to hold your solder...very useful.) And...MAKE SURE YOU BACKUP YOUR CLIE AND REMOVE YOUR BATTERY FIRST! One more piece of advice is that I used wires out of a 2" telephone cord. There are four in there and they are the perfect width. Any questions, just send me a Private Message. Remember to take pictures as you go along and then if there is a problem someone can tell you how to proceed.

[Botrax]

I had to open my TG50 a few weeks ago to replace the battery and had to put a bunch of parts back together. I already have some of that fear conquered through my TG50, but I think I'll wait a bit to do that, I just got my UX50 and I want to enjoy it before goofing off..haah

[Aredubjay]

Has anyone "reverse engineered" the charger case? It seems that no one offers the case anymore and the wires finally let go on the mini USB connector, on mine, that allows it to charge. There's no clear indication as to where the two wires were connected. So, if anyone has taken theirs apart with the wires still connected, I'd LOVE to have a pic, so I can resolder mine.

I had figured that Jamerican had done this, but, I see that his site is undergoing a major revamp. :( His site was just so neat to visit, whether or not you were going to put any of his stuff into play -- to me, it was the Clie equivalent of walking through Home Depot for hours. There were just so many interesting things to see. :D

At any rate, any help would be appreciated.

[eva-01]

hey there, yeah i miss having the jamerican site for refference, any way, it should be really easy to reverse engineer the charger case as it uses the +5V supply from the usb and connects it to the back of your ux, don't know why no one does it?

well as for the pics, there are some really good ones one the following link
http://bbs.tompda.com/viewthread.php?tid=1551566&extra=page%3D1

its in chinese/japanese, but just scroll down and you'll see the points where you have to solder the wire

[Aredubjay]

hey there, yeah i miss having the jamerican site for refference, any way, it should be really easy to reverse engineer the charger case as it uses the +5V supply from the usb and connects it to the back of your ux, don't know why no one does it?

well as for the pics, there are some really good ones one the following link
http://bbs.tompda.com/viewthread.php?tid=1551566&extra=page%3D1

its in chinese/japanese, but just scroll down and you'll see the points where you have to solder the wire

Eva,
Thank you so much for your reply. Those are definitely some impressive photos of the "innards" of the UX50, but not quite what I'm looking for. I purchased one of these cases http://www.mobiletechreview.com/tips/Sony_Clie_UX50_cases.htm
over a year ago. A month, or so, ago, when I unplugged the power chord from the case, the mini-USB port came out with it. The set-up is actually very simple. The UX50 snaps into it much like it snaps onto the charging cradle. There are a couple of "legs" and two charging pins poking through the bottom. There's a positive wire to one pin and a negative to the other (just like the charging cradle). With the port detached from the wires (which has, like, 4 pins), I can't tell which of the pins to solder the two wires back to. Whoever created this thing in the first place must've had some teeny tiny soldering tips. :D

Innyhoo -- if anyone has taken theirs apart, and could give me directions, I'd appreciate it.

And, Eva, best of luck with your short stories. :)

[m0nkeyb0y]

I think what Eva was trying to show is that by checking the alignment of the USB port in the photos, you should be able to figure out which wire goes to which contact on your USB case...

[Aredubjay]

I think what Eva was trying to show is that by checking the alignment of the USB port in the photos, you should be able to figure out which wire goes to which contact on your USB case...


I see, but, I must be "schematicallly challenged." I still don't have a clue. :confused:

However, in checking some of the other guys' battery mods, it looks as though the wires go to the two outside pins on the mini USB connector. I reckon I'll muddle through 'til I get it figured out.

Thank y'all. :D

PS: Monkeyboy, I fell for your shameless plug. I was terribly offended because...all your best shirts are sold out. Good work! :D

[Jet Jockey]

I have a new thread entitled I can recharge my UX50 directly from the USB port. If you haven't seen it, check it out. It gives a website for great pics of how to add 1 wire internally to make this happen and a phone number (USA) for those who would rather have a professional do it. I have had this done and it works flawlessly. I can now recharge directly from the car through my USB port and don't have to worry about some case that is not even made anymore.