I have an old Blackberry AC-to-mini USB charger lying around. The DC output is described as +5.0V and 0.5A. Will this work with my (wonderful) Cybook?

I've used a 3rd-party AC-to-USB adapter along with the Cybook usb cable without a problem.

The 5v, 0.5A is a part of the USB standard. If the plug fits (some of them have a plastic surround which stops them from doing so) it should work fine.

Harry, Good call. The mini-plug itself is too wide (by a mm or so - I could have at it with an xacto if necessary), but the xformer is still useful. (And I realise I have 2...).

Must remember to mention battery level indication in the firmware thread - it would be nice to have a bit of warning about when I'm going to be stuck on a particular page (:

I have an old Blackberry AC-to-mini USB charger lying around. The DC output is described as +5.0V and 0.5A. Will this work with my (wonderful) Cybook?

Leelo,

Here's a universal USB power charger that will work. I realize this particular listing may be over before you see this reply, but these are listed on eBay all the time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-USB-AC-Power-Supply-Plug-Adapter-CHARGER_W0QQitemZ150195791989QQihZ005QQcategoryZ48 680QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Derek

You might be better off going with a USB charger - ie a charger with a USB connector on it. That way you can use the USB cable supplied with the Gen3.

Does anyone know if a mini phone charger will charge the 505 it says its 5v and fits the device?

You can get a PSP-charger for the PRS-505, it's said to work great.

You can get a PSP-charger for the PRS-505, it's said to work great.

Although that is very true, its relevence to charging a CyBook Gen3 is, er, limited :).

I know that his question was not referring to a Cybook (unless there is a Cybook 505 I don't know about) and hence in the wrong section of the forum, but since it is so easily answered ...:p

Sorry, I hadn't spotted the question which you were answering. Yes, you're right.

I accidentally left my Cybook cable at my mom's house--since I moved to England I can't pop back and get it, and I can't be without my beloved Cybook long enough to have it mailed to me. So, I picked up a USB-miniUSB cable--and it wouldn't fit. I've read that people have cut out the side of the Cybook to allow standard mini-USB cables to fit, but I don't like the idea of defacing my baby(besides I had nothing to cut with--and knowing me I'd end up slicing my hand instead of the plastic.) Instead, I gently filed the side of the mini-USB plug that bumped into the case of the Cybook with a nail file. It works perfectly. It didn't take too long either; the plastic is quite soft.
Rene

I've read that people have cut out the side of the Cybook to allow standard mini-USB cables to fit, but I don't like the idea of defacing my baby(besides I had nothing to cut with--and knowing me I'd end up slicing my hand instead of the plastic.) Instead, I gently filed the side of the mini-USB plug that bumped into the case of the Cybook with a nail file.
Filing the mini-USB cable to make it fit is actually what most people have done, or cutting the sides of the plastic around the plug. I've not read of anyone actually cutting the cybook to make a mini-USB fit, and I wouldn't recommend that course of action. I think you did the right thing. :)

It seems that there must be different standards for the lengths of the connectors on mini-USB cables. I have at least three such cables, and they all fit the CyBook fine. Others, though, have reported these issues with the plug housing preventing it from going far enough in to the CyBook.

I have about 5 mini-USB cables, 4 work fine for the Cybook and the 5th is too big. It is good to know that the vast majority seem to fit with no issues and the rest can be 'wiggled' in or filed down to fit. :)

Apparently the CyBook, being female prefers a well endowed USB connector.

BOb

Apparently the CyBook, being female prefers a well endowed USB connector.

BOb

It's the thickness that causes the problem, rather than the length :). Because the CyBook's USB socket is recessed somewhat from the edge of the casing. If you have a cable whose plug is too thick, it catches on the case edge and won't go into the socket.

I think someone missed a joke here somewhere ;):chinscratch:

Apparently the CyBook, being female prefers a well endowed USB connector.
Actually this is a case where bigger, or thicker, isn't better. If the USB connector is too thick, there is no connection. Romantic or otherwise. ;)

Hmnnn... Harry ---- Jokes

Just don't fit too well.

If you're referring to the analogy being made with the act of sexual intercourse I did of course "spot" that, but there are some things that a gentleman does not say! I was merely correcting Bob's assertion that "length matters". It's more a case of "width matters". If it's too wide, it won't go in.

... and far be it from me to be referring to anything other than USB cables!

I came back to this thread to report I went shopping on eBay and got a UK wall plug that will take a USB connection for £1.49. (I ended up with 2, one of them I'll drop off in the states).

Earlier in the week Lidl were doing car chargers for mobile phones... and the tips for the car charger were interchangable with a USB cable I bought for my phone.

So now I have a car charger, wall socket, and USB cable, and I have tips for my Cybook, Mobile Phone, X5L. And the whole lot cost about 8 quid I think :)

I will not make mention of the innuendo. However I've found with the cable I was using it's not so much that it's too big and it won't work. It's more that I had to slide it in slowly and carefully, and gently work it around until she (the Cybook of course) lit up.