PRS-600 Any Reason to have an AC charger? - Page 2

Kellyann · 12-01-2009, 08:38 PM

Is this charger okay ?

http://www.amazon.com/WALL-HOME-POWE...9717723&sr=8-2

NoName · 12-01-2009, 08:58 PM

Seems like it should work - for that price it doesn't seem like you could go wrong even if you get a dud. Most of the reviews on amazon were good - only a couple duds.

Kellyann · 12-01-2009, 09:11 PM

good point....I ordered one. Thanks!

quillaja · 12-03-2009, 01:25 AM

i don't think an AC adapter is worthwhile unless you don't have a computer for some reason. you should know when the battery is low, and just plug it in overnight to recharge it. you don't have to drain the battery completely each time.

gwynevans · 12-03-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quillaja

i don't think an AC adapter is worthwhile unless you don't have a computer for some reason. you should know when the battery is low, and just plug it in overnight to recharge it. you don't have to drain the battery completely each time.

That wouldn't work for those of us who then want to read in bed, though!

Solitaire1 · 12-03-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quillaja

i don't think an AC adapter is worthwhile unless you don't have a computer for some reason. you should know when the battery is low, and just plug it in overnight to recharge it. you don't have to drain the battery completely each time.

For me, an AC adapter is worthwhile just so you have another option when you need to charge your reader. For me, I'd rather not have to boot up my computer just so I can charge my ebook reader. Also, an AC adapter is especially useful when travelling because it can be impractical to always take your computer with you.

I got my AC adapter for my current reader (a PRS-505) the most expensive way: I got it when I purchased my PRS-500. Fortunately, it is compatible with my current reader.

jedavis1 · 12-04-2009, 08:41 AM

Something that no one has mentioned here, and I think this is true with almost all USB powered/charged devices, is that if it is completely and utterly dead, then sometimes it won't charge off of a USB port because the PC doesn't see it as a device, so it does not send any power out through the port... or something like that.

NoName · 12-04-2009, 09:10 AM

Another reason - and for me it's a huge reason - is whenever the mini USB is plugged in, whether to transfer, charge, or just by mistake, it has to load everything and sits there with that not quite spinning thing until it's done and you can't use it until it's done. How long that takes depends on how much you have in the book. I put my whole cookbook of 1400 recipes in addition to whatever books and it takes more than 15 minutes to load.

With the AC charger, you charge it and you're done. Right back to using the book.

I NEVER used the mini USB unless I need to add or change the books around. Just don't have the patience. And I'm not willing to remove any of my recipes either. Best cookbook to use because it's readable and portable doesn't shut off on me.

Faenad · 12-05-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quillaja

i don't think an AC adapter is worthwhile unless you don't have a computer for some reason. you should know when the battery is low, and just plug it in overnight to recharge it. you don't have to drain the battery completely each time.

Unless you have to leave your computer powered on overnight anyway, a 5$ generic PSP charger from ebay would make sense just for saving on energy costs.

A charger also delivers a higher intensity than an USB port (1A instead of 0.5A) so charges will be faster and you can charge your device even if the battery is totally dead.

Patricia · 12-05-2009, 08:58 AM

Indeed. And if the battery is completely dead then usb charging can be tricky. It can be hours before the little charging light goes red. And then the computer can hibernate before much charging has been done.

HarryT · 12-05-2009, 09:04 AM

Agreed. Having a PSP charger is useful for all sorts of reasons. Not least of which is the fact that it charges the Reader much faster than does USB. The PSP charger will fully charge the Reader in under 2h in my experience, whereas USB can take all day!

DrMoze · 12-06-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quillaja

i don't think an AC adapter is worthwhile unless you don't have a computer for some reason. you should know when the battery is low, and just plug it in overnight to recharge it. you don't have to drain the battery completely each time.

I STRONGLY disagree, and you may have a different view if you've been around here for a while or had some experience with te Readers and usb. The Reader will ONLY charge via usb if the computer it's hooked up to is running AND has the Library software running on it. It WON'T charge from just any pc with a usb port. In fact, connecting to the wrong pc port can DRAIN the Reader's battery. (It has happened to me and many others here.)

OTOH, an ac charger (ANY Sony PSP charger or charger cable with the yellow round plug will work) will charge the Reader FASTER than via usb, and will charge even if the battery is totally dead. And you can find PSP chargers and cable CHEAP, often less than $5.

Bilbo1967 · 12-06-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrMoze

The Reader will ONLY charge via usb if the computer it's hooked up to is running AND has the Library software running on it.

Not sure about that - I have never installed the Library software and my reader charges just fine from the USB port on my laptop

Having said that, I have recently purchased an AC charger and it undoubtedly charges quicker, is more convenient and allows you to read whilst the 505 is charging.

JSWolf · 12-06-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kellyann

Is this charger okay ?

http://www.amazon.com/WALL-HOME-POWE...9717723&sr=8-2

I would stay away from any charger that's not known to be certified (i.e., UL Listed for example). And with that one, you cannot tell and it doesn't say. So stay away. The cheap non-certified power adapters, cords, power strips etc, can catch fire.

Haesslich · 12-06-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Not sure about that - I have never installed the Library software and my reader charges just fine from the USB port on my laptop

Having said that, I have recently purchased an AC charger and it undoubtedly charges quicker, is more convenient and allows you to read whilst the 505 is charging.

Given that these charge only in USB HOST mode, this means that the USB port not only has to have power, but the USB port has to be actively in use by the host computer for it to charge - in other words, the OS has to see the device, not just have the device plugged into a free USB port (which is what most USB chargers basically offer - a connection to the power leads only). So most USB chargers will not work right with the Sony as a result... and if the USB port goes idle for any reason (like the drives in the OS the reader represents becoming unmounted), it stops the charging process... but leaves the USB port on the reader powered on, which could result in a drain.

I suspect the arguments for the PSP charger being good for 'being able to read while charging' are more of a consideration for many, though... since plugging into USB means you lose all control over the device.

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12-01-2009, 08:38 PM	#16
Kellyann Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS-600	Is this charger okay ? http://www.amazon.com/WALL-HOME-POWE...9717723&sr=8-2

12-01-2009, 08:58 PM	#17
NoName Zealot Posts: 141 Karma: 659536 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Hawaii Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, HTC Evo LTE	Seems like it should work - for that price it doesn't seem like you could go wrong even if you get a dud. Most of the reviews on amazon were good - only a couple duds.

12-01-2009, 09:11 PM	#18
Kellyann Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS-600	good point....I ordered one. Thanks!

12-03-2009, 01:25 AM	#19
quillaja Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 42 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: sony reader touch (prs-600)	i don't think an AC adapter is worthwhile unless you don't have a computer for some reason. you should know when the battery is low, and just plug it in overnight to recharge it. you don't have to drain the battery completely each time.

12-04-2009, 08:41 AM	#22
jedavis1 Zealot Posts: 103 Karma: 148 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Huntington, IN US Device: Sony PRS-505	Something that no one has mentioned here, and I think this is true with almost all USB powered/charged devices, is that if it is completely and utterly dead, then sometimes it won't charge off of a USB port because the PC doesn't see it as a device, so it does not send any power out through the port... or something like that.

12-04-2009, 09:10 AM	#23
NoName Zealot Posts: 141 Karma: 659536 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Hawaii Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, HTC Evo LTE	Another reason - and for me it's a huge reason - is whenever the mini USB is plugged in, whether to transfer, charge, or just by mistake, it has to load everything and sits there with that not quite spinning thing until it's done and you can't use it until it's done. How long that takes depends on how much you have in the book. I put my whole cookbook of 1400 recipes in addition to whatever books and it takes more than 15 minutes to load. With the AC charger, you charge it and you're done. Right back to using the book. I NEVER used the mini USB unless I need to add or change the books around. Just don't have the patience. And I'm not willing to remove any of my recipes either. Best cookbook to use because it's readable and portable doesn't shut off on me.

12-05-2009, 08:58 AM	#25
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	Indeed. And if the battery is completely dead then usb charging can be tricky. It can be hours before the little charging light goes red. And then the computer can hibernate before much charging has been done.

12-05-2009, 09:04 AM	#26
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Agreed. Having a PSP charger is useful for all sorts of reasons. Not least of which is the fact that it charges the Reader much faster than does USB. The PSP charger will fully charge the Reader in under 2h in my experience, whereas USB can take all day!

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