Comments on: Review: HotLink USB Cable

People who travel extensively with their handhelds know that being able to charge and HotSync the handheld while on the road is frequently a necessity. LandWare has released the HotLink USB Cable, which lets the m500 series and the m125 do both of these important tasks. Davy Fields brings us this review.

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Charges the same rate as the hotsync cradle ????

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/31/2001 11:10:48 AM #

Are you sure about this ???? Lets see how many milli-amps the cradle delivers vs the USB port. That is the very negative side of cable like this in my opinion is their inability to deliver enough current and provide a reasonable charging rate.

RE: Charges the same rate as the hotsync cradle ????

dstrauss @ 12/31/2001 11:28:00 AM #

I've been using the cable a few weeks, and subjectively it seems to take a little longer than the hotsync cradle, but not a burden (using with a Toshiba 3480 ultralite). Anyway, I'd give it "two thumbs up" for convenience and usefulness.

RE: Charges the same rate as the hotsync cradle ????

Davy @ 12/31/2001 12:41:05 PM #

I've only had this cable a few days, but it only took me an hour with my cradle to charge it from 0% tp 100%, and with the cable it took about an hour and 15. I kept unplugging it to check, which may have hurt the time, but it was close.

-Davy Fields

Charging w/out a computer

PFloyd @ 12/31/2001 11:11:05 AM #

BTW, I saw an ad for a power-only USB car lighter adapter. I think it was pretty cheap. That would give auto users a place to charge using this cable.

RE: Charging w/out a computer

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/1/2002 3:44:03 PM #

Where did you see this ad that allows a USB plug to end up in a car lighter? Thanks.

RE: Charging w/out a computer

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/1/2002 8:53:53 PM #

You mean here?

http://store.yahoo.com/styluscentralcom/12volcharfor2.html

RE: Charging w/out a computer

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/4/2002 10:38:17 AM #

Try www.expansys.com they do a cable + cigarette lighter + mains adapter for the cable.

I've got the similar one from Brando

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/31/2001 11:28:07 AM #

and it is not charging at all. The charge current is too low to charge the PalmPilot.

RE: I've got the similar one from Brando

PFloyd @ 12/31/2001 1:50:33 PM #

The one I use is from Brando too. It seems to charge ok. I haven't totally tested it by draining my battery and then timing the recharge but when the battery is down to 50% or so and I hotsync, and leave it attached while I do other stuff the battery indicator has moved up quite a bit (perhaps 85%) and stays there when I detach the unit. My two cents is ask 'em to replace it.

Does it solve the m505 USB Problem?

antonboq @ 12/31/2001 11:33:16 AM #

Or does it provide a workaround?

RE: Does it solve the m505 USB Problem?

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/31/2001 12:05:23 PM #

No, my USB problems continue. A serial cable solves the problem.

www.expansys.com di the cable + connectors to connect it to the mains or a car (cigarette lighter)

the m125?

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/31/2001 2:15:31 PM #

How does it charge the m125 that uses AAA batteries?

RE: the m125?

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/31/2001 2:32:19 PM #

Elfin magic?

RE: the m125?

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/31/2001 2:35:24 PM #

it doesn't.

RE: the m125?

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/2/2002 7:15:53 PM #

You, you plug it in.. Fry your M125... admit you bought a piece of garbage, throw the m125 away, and go buy yourself a PocketPC!

I AM A TRRRROOLLLLLLLL!

TROLL! TROLL!!!!!!

same thing for a Vx?

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/12/2002 10:22:26 PM #

I'm looking for this exact product, but for the Vx, not the m505. Does anyone know of one of these -- a USB charger/hotsync cable for the Vx?

Thanks,
dan

RE: same thing for a Vx?

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/4/2002 12:32:45 AM #

upgrade to a m500

RE: same thing for a Vx?

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/13/2002 3:04:29 AM #

This is what i asked myself too. As i visited New York recently i found a cable that fits into the Vx and has a USB end, but when i came home i could not syncronise with my Imac. I don't know what's wrong, for the cable fits correctly, but the Imac systemprofile does not mention the palmtop as one of the connected items (such as the printer or keyboard).
Because i live on the other end of the atlantic i cannot retrun easily to the shop where i bougt it, but if you can, go to Barnett Computer Wharehouse 417 5th Av New York NY 10016. The cable costed me $54.11
Does anyone has a tip how to work with this cable?

RE: same thing for a Vx?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/1/2002 2:51:43 PM #

There are cables out there. Also for less than $55.
Your mac issue may well be driver based. The cable needs them to be recognized and you didn't mention installing them.
Here is one... (and if you download the OS9 Driver, yours might work)
http://www.gethightech.com/item.jhtml?UCIDs=467354%7C1177715&PRID=986395
This store has loads of goodies for the Vx
My only issue is that no-one claims to make it work in OS X
Oh well, I will live in hope
The Cap'n

M505 and this cable

vincenzosi @ 1/18/2002 8:21:04 AM #

Every time I charge my M505 with this cable, I get a shock while touching it. Just be careful with it, because I think its a possibility that it can trigger the NO USB hotsync bug in the m series. So much do I think its a possibility that I went out and bought another cradle for work and stopped using this one altogether.