Charge your Windows Mobile device anywhere...without using the standard power adapter.
The AC power adapters that ship with Windows Mobile devices are usually bulky, ugly, and expensive to replace. Fortunately, there are a number of third-party power solutions that are more portable, more stylish, less expensive, and offer far more functionality. Because there are dozens of products in this category, you should be able to find a solution that will let you "pull the plug" on your antiquated adapter and upgrade to a more "powerful" charging solution.
Three-in-one charging systems
Perhaps the most versatile option for the mobile user is a three-in-one charging system. This type of system, available from a number of manufacturers, lets you charge your device from an AC outlet, a DC outlet (like a car's cigarette lighter or the power port available on many airlines) and a PC's USB port. Some products even include foreign adapter plugs and support the higher voltages used in some countries. Three-in-one solutions cover almost every type of power source and let you recharge your device just about anywhere.
VersaCharger Pro from the Boxwave Corporation is one of my favorite three-in-one solutions. It connects to an AC outlet or plugs into a vehicle's cigarette lighter adapter and provides power to your device through a USB port. An optional "airplane adapter" lets you connect VersaCharger Pro to the proprietary power outlets available on some airlines. (According to SeatGuru.com, 125,000 seats on 40 different airlines have these power outlets.) Boxwave has found that many of the sync cables that ship with the newer devices (like the Moto Q, AT&T Tilt, and T-Mobile Dash) are not capable of working as a charging adapter, so you might need their miniSync or DirectSync cable to connect your device to VersaCharger Pro.
Figs. 1 & 2: The VersaCharger Pro (left) combined with the miniSync cable (far left) allows you to charge your Windows Mobile device using AC, DC, or USB power.
The VersaCharger Pro (Fig. 1) has been designed so that it doesn't block the second port on a wall outlet, like the previous version did (and some other brands do). It can handle 110 or 240 volts, so you can use it just about anywhere in the world. (You will need a plug adapter to use it with European or Australia/New Zealand outlets.) The unit comes with a cap to protect the cigarette lighter plug, and the wall plug prongs fold into the housing to protect them during travel and to keep them from damaging other items packed with the charger. The system incorporates an "Intelligent Chip" that prevents overcharging of your device, and this latest version of the product provides more power (up to 5.5 volts DC) for the more power hungry devices.
The VersaCharger PRO can be purchased directly from the Boxwave Web site (boxwave.com). The charger by itself is priced at $25.95. You can purchase it with a miniSync cable for $35.95 and with a miniSync cable and the airplane adapter for $47.47.
Other three-in-one charging solutions
Other three-in-one solutions are also available, including the JAVOMetaCharger ($16.99; javoedge.com) and the Lil' Sync Penguin Charger ($24.95; PocketPCTechs.com).
Comprehensive charging systems
The next step up from a three-in-one solution is a comprehensive charging system. These units are generally larger and more cumbersome, but you only need one system for an entire bag of gadgets. Your Windows Mobile device, MP3 player, Bluetooth headset, portable GPS receiver, digital camera, and laptop PC can all be recharged from a single system.
