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Which battery you choose depends on how much you think you'll use your Palm device. The owners of the newer Palm devices, like the Palm IIIc or the M500 series have built-in rechargeable batteries which are not removable. All older Palms up to the Palm IIIe, IIIxe, Palm VII, and Palm VIIx, along with Handspring's Visor, run on two AAA batteries, which usually keep your Palm running for two weeks to four months without a battery change, depending on how much you use your Palm. Even the inexpensive M10x series model uses AAA batteries. There is an alternative for these older Palm devices today - Pellico Systems' Charge-N-Run(tm).

If you've had your Palm for more than a year or so, you know the routine: change the battery every two weeks or so. When I had my Palm III and Palm IIIx, I did not like this routine one bit. I got my replacements batteries from my company's battery stock; therefore, I was spared the expense that this routine costs the average Palm user. Most owners of the older Palm devices have to fork up $3.59 for a four pack of Alkaline AAA or 5.99 for an eight pack (averages).

What about standard rechargeable batteries?

Although nickel-cadmium (Nicad) rechargeable batteries may work just fine with your remote-controlled toy car, don't try them in your Palm. These handhelds monitor the battery voltage level and warn you to HotSync and change the batteries if the measurement falls below a certain mark. However, nickel-cadmium batteries lose power differently than alkaline cells, which could cause your Palm to lose your valuable data without warning.

Here is what Palm Inc. has to say: "For Palm™ connected organizers that require them, we recommend using only quality alkaline batteries. Nickel-cadmium batteries are not recommended, as they do not supply sufficient voltage and will not trigger low battery warnings properly. Users have reported fair success using rechargeable alkaline batteries."

Nicads were once predominant as rechargeable batteries in consumer gear, but they tended to be ruined by complete discharge, and the heavy-metal cadmium anode made them an environmental nuisance. They are still in widespread use, particularly for portable power tools where their ability to provide large amounts of power on demand makes them particularly useful, but in most applications are now increasingly being replaced by improved rechargeable battery types.

One such improved rechargeable battery is the nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) cell, The anode is a metal that stores hydrogen, the metal hydride, while the cathode is nickel oxide. The electrolyte is a solution of potassium hydroxide, stored in a polymer separator sheet. NiMH batteries are widely used in portable consumer equipment. They are relatively environmentally benign. This is the technology that the Charge-N-Run uses.

Real Alternative to the norm

Doug LaRue, of Pellico Systems in San Diego CA makes this kit called Charge-N-Run that turns the Palm Hot Sync cradle into a battery charger. Some Palm users have forked over hundreds of dollars to upgrade their older Palm to the newer model use to have the new rechargeable battery option. This is not the recommended method by any stretch of the imagination.

I have the Palm IIIc and I like the rechargeable battery feature. When I have the Palm IIIx, I tried the using rechargeable battery deal that was available then. I had the little box that plugged into the wall. I would maintain four rechargeable batteries at one time: two in the Palm and two in the little box. I would misplace the charger unit every now and then, it was crazy. With my Palm IIIc, I just pop my device in the cradle every night and a have fully charged unit in the morning.

The Charge-N-Run offers this same type of convenience. The Charge-N-Run unit attaches to your Palm's HotSync cradle and is always available when needed. The only routine needed is to rest your Palm in its cradle occasionally versus leaving it in your purse or on the table at night.

Can you top that? Well yes.

The downside of having the Palm IIIc, or other Palm devices with the built-in rechargeable battery, is that when you are away from the cradle for too long you can't charge the battery (unless you have a +$40 travel charger). With the Charge-N-Run, you can simply remove the rechargeable battery pack and add two standard AAA batteries when you are on the run. This is a device that allows options for flexible Palm users.

The $39.95 kit comes with an AC-powered attachment for the cradle, a rechargeable nickel metal hydride battery pack and a replacement battery door. A complete instruction manual shows how to put the whole thing together.

When you attach your Palm III or VII, the battery contacts match up with the charger contacts and the batteries charge.

Charge-N-Run also offers a free, downloadable battery check program so the indicator on the PDA gives a true battery charge reading.

Charge-N-Run also plans kits for Handspring Visors and the Palm m10x models. They are expected to be released in Q4 2001 and Q1 2002 respectively.

Benefits

• No popping batteries in and out
• No plugging & unplugging from a charger
• Microprocessor controlled charging circuit
• Usually less than 4 hours to fully charge (unless completed drained, which required 8 hours)
• Recharge instead of throwing batteries away
• NiMH battery does not contain Cadmium
• No battery discharge limitations ("memory effect")

Compatibility

Palm™ VII & Palm III series device include the following: Palm VII, VIIx, IIIxe, IIIx, IIIe, III, Symbol SPT500, and IBM WorkPad c5

Charge-N-Run for Palm™ VII & Palm III series is available online for $39.95.

Replaceable battery packs for the Palm™ VII & Palm III series (Capacity: 700mAH - Duration: Typically 4 weeks) can be purchased online for $10.00.

The Charge-N-Run can be purchased online at http://www.chargenrun.com/chargenrun/store.html

More information can be found at http://www.chargenrun.com/

iRiver iHP-140 40 GB MP3 Jukebox - Now you can listen to over 1,200 hours of recorded music, or tune in to the built-in FM radio. With a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 16 hours, ultrafast USB 2.0 file transfers, and simple navigation, the iHP-140 is the music player of choice.

New! - Need some Palm OS software? We have partnered with Palmgear to offer you the largest selection of Palm OS software. We have games, utilities and much more software.

The New Palm PDAs Are Here: The Palm® Z22 was designed specifically for people who want to replace their planner. The Tungsten E2 brings more memory and Bluetooth technology. The Palm TX Handheld provides 128MB RAM and gives you Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless. Need to kick your storage up a notch? The Palm LifeDrive provides 4GB of internal storage and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless - Store what you want and connect to what you want.

The New Palm Smartphones: Whether the Palm OS (Verizon Wireless 700p or Sprint 700p ) or the Windows Mobile (Verizon Wireless 700w) is your mobile cup of tea, Palm delivers the palm Treo 700. More memory, better camera and faster Internet speeds than what the fantastic Treo 650 (Unlocked,Cingular,Sprint) provides.

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