Looking for a gadget

hacker · 04-01-2006, 08:41 AM

I've got an enormous collection of gadgets. Too many. With this, comes lots of wires, cables, adapters, plugs, and other pieces to confuse with the hundreds of others.

"Was this cable for the external enclosure? Or my multi-port adapter? Arg!"

"Does this power plug go with this device, or this one over here? If I choose the wrong one, I could blow it up with too much current!"

So I'm looking for another gadget... well, maybe two gadgets.

I need to find a power adapter that can accept multiple tips and polarities. I have an ageing one from Radio Shack that I bought about 9 years ago, which still works, but has its problems with the tips now. It has a voltage switch that allows me to change it from 1.5v to 12v, and comes with 6 tips.
A multi-device charging station/battery, so I can continue or extend the power on the devices by either charging them again while away from AC outlets, or by powering them without charging them by using this extendable battery. APCC makes one but its only 80mW, which might not last too long on the road, or with the devices I bring with me when I travel. I found another one on eBay that claims 142mW, but I'm skeptical.

Has anyone come across something that works well in these two situations?

Basically I'm trying to eliminate the number of wires and power adapters I have to label and carry with me when I travel. Just getting through the security checkpoints at airports takes forever, as they unpack about 20 wires, cables, adapters and other devices from my bag to figure out if it could all be put together to build something other than computing peripherals.

I have a few small requirements for each of these:

The "Universal AC Adapter" should have a decently small wall plug, so it doesn't block up the second plug on any outlet.

Bonus points if it includes passthrough AC ports of its own (if it must block the second port on an outlet, then it should at least provide a passthrough).

Bonus points if the adapter prongs go the other direction, so it stands away from the wall adapter (90-degrees) instead of covering the second outlet. I have a few devices which were well-thought-out like this, and because their adapter is "sideways", it doesn't cover any other outlets in a power strip or wall outlet.

The "Universal Battery" should be able to at least charge AND power a laptop for a few extra hours, as well as power/charge other devices at the same time (like an iPod, my Treo, other devices).

Bonus points if it includes switchable voltage selectors, over-current protection and other safety measures.

hacker · 04-01-2006, 10:03 PM

45 reads and 0 replies? DOH!

Bob Russell · 04-01-2006, 10:19 PM

More than that... most of the readers are probably RSS feed readers that don't count!

Here's one product I saw recently for power adapters...
http://www.skymall.com/webapp/skysto...96&partner=M53
Was on Woot cheaper a few days ago
http://www.woot.com/Forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=488059

I've seen some power extenders that are basically big external batteries, but I don't think they would do much for laptops. I was interested more for pdas.

So basically, not much help, but at least I get points for a response, huh?!

TadW · 04-02-2006, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hacker

Basically I'm trying to eliminate the number of wires and power adapters I have to label and carry with me when I travel. Just getting through the security checkpoints at airports takes forever, as they unpack about 20 wires, cables, adapters and other devices from my bag to figure out if it could all be put together to build something other than computing peripherals.

LOL! Just imagine in addition to that they knew your online nickname. You'd be so scr3w3d

I have the same problem with charging stations and all kinds cables at my work place. Every two days or so I need to untangle the mess of wires or I go insane. So count me to the desperates who are looking for a solution to this problem.

ElaHuguet · 04-02-2006, 07:53 AM

Hi,

I recently bought for my boss an APC notebook case (named TravelPower), which comes with a universal adapter that might work for you, you can buy the adapter separately, although the case is very nice, and not much more expensive to buy as a pack. I know you can change the voltage and amperage according to the notebook you have, and it charges PDA's and mobiles too. Check it out at www.apc.com.

Regards, Ela.

hacker · 04-02-2006, 08:06 AM

Ok, my searching has found these items so far, that might match the items I'm looking for:

iGo Everywhere 130

Targus Mobile 70 Universale AC/DC

Valence N-Charge System
Cons: Doesn't appear to charge/power more than one device at a time

Electrovaya PowerPad 160
Cons: 6 month warrantee

Need to start calling these vendors and asking them about their products in detail. The reviews from general users aren't really good enough to make the sale.

Bob Russell · 04-17-2006, 01:33 AM

Just ran across this also. Didn't read about it so not sure how well it fits your needs...
http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkonther...y_extende.html

hacker · 04-17-2006, 08:40 AM

Great find, BobR! I've contacted them and am awaiting their reply to my needs.

04-01-2006, 08:41 AM	#1
hacker Technology Mercenary Posts: 617 Karma: 2561 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Lyme, CT Device: Direct Neural Implant	Looking for a gadget I've got an enormous collection of gadgets. Too many. With this, comes lots of wires, cables, adapters, plugs, and other pieces to confuse with the hundreds of others. "Was this cable for the external enclosure? Or my multi-port adapter? Arg!" "Does this power plug go with this device, or this one over here? If I choose the wrong one, I could blow it up with too much current!" So I'm looking for another gadget... well, maybe two gadgets. I need to find a power adapter that can accept multiple tips and polarities. I have an ageing one from Radio Shack that I bought about 9 years ago, which still works, but has its problems with the tips now. It has a voltage switch that allows me to change it from 1.5v to 12v, and comes with 6 tips. A multi-device charging station/battery, so I can continue or extend the power on the devices by either charging them again while away from AC outlets, or by powering them without charging them by using this extendable battery. APCC makes one but its only 80mW, which might not last too long on the road, or with the devices I bring with me when I travel. I found another one on eBay that claims 142mW, but I'm skeptical. Has anyone come across something that works well in these two situations? Basically I'm trying to eliminate the number of wires and power adapters I have to label and carry with me when I travel. Just getting through the security checkpoints at airports takes forever, as they unpack about 20 wires, cables, adapters and other devices from my bag to figure out if it could all be put together to build something other than computing peripherals. I have a few small requirements for each of these: The "Universal AC Adapter" should have a decently small wall plug, so it doesn't block up the second plug on any outlet. Bonus points if it includes passthrough AC ports of its own (if it must block the second port on an outlet, then it should at least provide a passthrough). Bonus points if the adapter prongs go the other direction, so it stands away from the wall adapter (90-degrees) instead of covering the second outlet. I have a few devices which were well-thought-out like this, and because their adapter is "sideways", it doesn't cover any other outlets in a power strip or wall outlet. The "Universal Battery" should be able to at least charge AND power a laptop for a few extra hours, as well as power/charge other devices at the same time (like an iPod, my Treo, other devices). Bonus points if it includes switchable voltage selectors, over-current protection and other safety measures.

04-02-2006, 07:53 AM	#5
ElaHuguet iLiad freak Posts: 339 Karma: 243 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Mallorca, Spain Device: iRex iLiad	APC products Hi, I recently bought for my boss an APC notebook case (named TravelPower), which comes with a universal adapter that might work for you, you can buy the adapter separately, although the case is very nice, and not much more expensive to buy as a pack. I know you can change the voltage and amperage according to the notebook you have, and it charges PDA's and mobiles too. Check it out at www.apc.com. Regards, Ela.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
You Know Your Gadget Is Mainstream When...	Cinnabar	News	11	01-01-2010 04:34 PM
Talking Gadget Theater	daffy4u	Amazon Kindle	2	04-29-2009 11:11 PM
My first day with my new gadget!	doc_oli	Sony Reader	5	03-01-2009 01:30 AM
Help a Gadget Addict	Adam B.	Alternative Devices	58	04-21-2008 11:18 AM
Gadget Gals	Alexander Turcic	Lounge	3	06-28-2004 02:46 PM

04-01-2006, 10:03 PM	#2
hacker Technology Mercenary Posts: 617 Karma: 2561 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Lyme, CT Device: Direct Neural Implant	45 reads and 0 replies? DOH!

04-01-2006, 10:19 PM	#3
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	More than that... most of the readers are probably RSS feed readers that don't count! Here's one product I saw recently for power adapters... http://www.skymall.com/webapp/skysto...96&partner=M53 Was on Woot cheaper a few days ago http://www.woot.com/Forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=488059 I've seen some power extenders that are basically big external batteries, but I don't think they would do much for laptops. I was interested more for pdas. So basically, not much help, but at least I get points for a response, huh?!

04-02-2006, 08:06 AM	#6
hacker Technology Mercenary Posts: 617 Karma: 2561 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Lyme, CT Device: Direct Neural Implant	Ok, my searching has found these items so far, that might match the items I'm looking for: iGo Everywhere 130 Targus Mobile 70 Universale AC/DC Valence N-Charge System Cons: Doesn't appear to charge/power more than one device at a time Electrovaya PowerPad 160 Cons: 6 month warrantee Need to start calling these vendors and asking them about their products in detail. The reviews from general users aren't really good enough to make the sale.

04-17-2006, 01:33 AM	#7
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Just ran across this also. Didn't read about it so not sure how well it fits your needs... http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkonther...y_extende.html

04-17-2006, 08:40 AM	#8
hacker Technology Mercenary Posts: 617 Karma: 2561 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Lyme, CT Device: Direct Neural Implant	Great find, BobR! I've contacted them and am awaiting their reply to my needs.

Advert

Advert