Astak's 5" Pocket Pro $199

[Hellmark]

In a way, I kinda wish that I had known of the pocket pro when I bought my 505 (Trust me, I dug around your website before I bought). I might have waited that extra month or so (I didn't feel like importing a V3). My biggest gripe about the V3, being the page controls are on the left, seems to be rectified via the jog switch.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Robertb

The Pocket PRO comes with a USB cable for charging and an AC Adapter. I am attaching a picture of the USB port on the Pocket PRO.

As you can see, this is a mini-USB port. Assuming it is the same as the EZ Reader, there is a provided mini-USB to USB-A cable and the USB-A end can plug into either a desktop/laptop PC or to the provided charger. I bought another mini-USB to USB-A cable to use when connecting to my PC so that the provided one can stay attached to the charger. You may very well have one of these already, I had one for my Kindle but decided I needed a dedicated cable.

[Hellmark]

The USB mini-b connector is extremely common, and I'd wager everyone here has at least a half dozen. Only thing is, some companies cut corners and have it so they only hook up the data portion, and not the power, but still a big chunk will still work for charging.

[griffonwing]

Here is a problem that I have with my Cell Phone Watch. It charges with a miniUSB.

However, every USB cord i use, either makes it shut down immediately, or gives an over charge warning, except for the cord it came with.

I have no clue why, but it's aggravating having to carry this one cord everywhere I go, instead of using the cords at work.

GRRRRRR!

If anyone can tell me the difference, or shed some light, I'd be grateful.

[Abecedary]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

Here is a problem that I have with my Cell Phone Watch. It charges with a miniUSB.

However, every USB cord i use, either makes it shut down immediately, or gives an over charge warning, except for the cord it came with.

I have no clue why, but it's aggravating having to carry this one cord everywhere I go, instead of using the cords at work.

GRRRRRR!

If anyone can tell me the difference, or shed some light, I'd be grateful.

griffonwing, I've seen mention of your cellphone watch a few times now, and I've been intrigued by the idea of it. So I finally decided to Google it to check it out. My god, do you actually wear that thing on your wrist?!? I mean, it's a cool idea, and it definitely could be useful. But it really does look like someone stuck a wriststrap onto a cellphone. And have you considered getting one of these to go with it?

[Hellmark]

I'd say there is something special in the cord to auto set the amperage pulled from the host.

USB ports can vary the amount of power pulled from the host port, with the USB spec showing anywhere from 100 to 500 milliamp (if I remember right, may even be just a step from 100 to 500, and nothing in between). However, sometimes fishy things can be done to step it up, or adjust it. They may trade off voltage for more amperage, or even just a voltage step down. USB is 5 volt, and for smaller electronics, 3.3 volts is a popular figure. If this voltage stepdown is done via a resistor in the cable (which may very well be the case, to save space in the watch), that would explain the differences.

[GA Russell]

Originally Posted by Robertb

The factory User Manual does state that you should do the deep cycle routine a few times when you first get the device.

...There was no repurcussion from my frequent "half-full" charging.

Thanks Robert! That answers my question.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

In a way, I kinda wish that I had known of the pocket pro when I bought my 505 (Trust me, I dug around your website before I bought). I might have waited that extra month or so (I didn't feel like importing a V3). My biggest gripe about the V3, being the page controls are on the left, seems to be rectified via the jog switch.

Dear Hellmark:

The EZ Reader Basic 6 inch (V3) did have page controls on both left and right. The "9" and "0" buttons serve this function perfectly on the right hand side.

It is this way still on the Pocket PRO... page controls on the left, "9" and "0" buttons on the right, scroll wheel.

[Mnementh]

Just pre-ordered mine, can't wait. Just hope it's better than the PRS505 I had that I gave away after two weeks

Robertb any ideas on when they're likely to be shipped and how long it's likely to take to get to the UK (barring bloody customs of course!)?

I'm looking forward to having a play and hope it lives up to expectations, if not I'm coming after you personally Robert J/K... Honest...

[Hellmark]

With the way I hold mine, I prefer the far edge, where the dial is. Harder to hold for when the buttons are inboard like the 6" has.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Mnementh

Just pre-ordered mine, can't wait. Just hope it's better than the PRS505 I had that I gave away after two weeks

Robertb any ideas on when they're likely to be shipped and how long it's likely to take to get to the UK (barring bloody customs of course!)?

I'm looking forward to having a play and hope it lives up to expectations, if not I'm coming after you personally Robert J/K... Honest...

Dear Mnementh:

I am not worried only because I know you will love it. It does everything really well and if you got more for your $199USD you might want to dance in the streets.

Seriously, I am positive that when these Pocket PROs finally arrive there is going to be a landslide of praise (not for me... for the Pocket PRO)! I think, for what it is worth, that there is no better value and no more handsome colors, and nothing that matches the combination of convenience and features.

Everything is still on course and we still expect to ship out August 31. NOW, realize that looks damned good and firm... but I cannot predict the future quite yet. I see no problem, yet, that will prevent this but I will not breath well until they are in the warehouse.

Shipping time across the pond (ocean) is projected to be 5-7 days, from what they have told me. Please don't beat me if the freight is faster!

I SUGGEST TO ALL that they go to: www.theEZreader.com and (under SUPPORT) click on the FAQ sheet and start reading. IF you want to learn a lot before it arrives that is a great way. The FAQ sheet up right now is for the EZ Reader Basic but operation is very similar. I am, today, doing a new FAQ for the Pocket PRO!

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Abecedary

griffonwing, I've seen mention of your cellphone watch a few times now, and I've been intrigued by the idea of it. So I finally decided to Google it to check it out. My god, do you actually wear that thing on your wrist?!? I mean, it's a cool idea, and it definitely could be useful. But it really does look like someone stuck a wriststrap onto a cellphone. And have you considered getting one of these to go with it?

I've seen that before. It was before I owned a bluetooth phone, but I would actually consider purchasing. As you can tell, I like eccentric things.
I actually purchased a Motorola M9 bluetooth earphone.

Originally Posted by Hellmark

I'd say there is something special in the cord to auto set the amperage pulled from the host.

USB ports can vary the amount of power pulled from the host port, with the USB spec showing anywhere from 100 to 500 milliamp (if I remember right, may even be just a step from 100 to 500, and nothing in between). However, sometimes fishy things can be done to step it up, or adjust it. They may trade off voltage for more amperage, or even just a voltage step down. USB is 5 volt, and for smaller electronics, 3.3 volts is a popular figure. If this voltage stepdown is done via a resistor in the cable (which may very well be the case, to save space in the watch), that would explain the differences.

I've tried cords with and without the bulky resistor, but neither helped. Only the cord it came with, which has no bulky addition.

Thanks.

[Hellmark]

Resistors don't have to be bulky. One to drop from 5v to 3.3v would be fairly tiny. They could easily work in a resistor and change nothing appearance wise.

[donslade]

The bulky cylindrical item on most USB and other data cables are not resistors. They are 'RF Chokes' to reduce or eliminate possible RF interference or noise from entering or leaving the connected devices since the data cables can act as antennae. Any interference received or transmitted can cause corrupt data, power surges, etc. which can adversely affect the devices connected or even nearby devices not physically connted.

There are also at least 2 different types of mini-USB connectors that can be called 'standard', and of course some non-standard versions that are specific to certain devices. Here is a good place to start if you're curious: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Univers...Mini_and_Micro

[SDRebel]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

As you can see, this is a mini-USB port. Assuming it is the same as the EZ Reader, there is a provided mini-USB to USB-A cable and the USB-A end can plug into either a desktop/laptop PC or to the provided charger. I bought another mini-USB to USB-A cable to use when connecting to my PC so that the provided one can stay attached to the charger. You may very well have one of these already, I had one for my Kindle but decided I needed a dedicated cable.

Thanks. I already have a couple of charges from other devices, including a car charger, so I should be set.

Robert,
I want my pocket pro NOW! .... please