Oh, I can see a benefit... I'm just saying *I* would prefer USB charger cables along with the slim USB hub I'm carrying anyway.

I personally like this.

When travelling and have multiple Nokia devices to charge, it's nice just to stick it to the laptop's (if you bring one ...oh dear..long story) multiple USB slots/mains usb charger and charge them all in one go.

It was annoying at Vegas looking for free plug sockets...and it's kinda the same at home! lol. How much longer would it take though to charge via USB say the N800's 1500mAh battery compared to charging it through the mains?

The N800 and the 770 are just about the only two gadgets I have that I haven't been able to charge thru USB...this will be great, because like others have mentioned, I also use my computers as "power strips". I can plug all of my gadgets in and let them charge via USB instead of using those larger power bricks.

I did see a post from someone that showed the setup they were using to charge via USB, but it involved the large-to-small adapter from Nokia and a Nokia USB phone charger...this new solution from Nokia is just a bit sleeker. It could also be used with one of those cheap cigarette lighter adapters that has a USB port on it to charge or power while driving...

Also, for those worried about the charging amperage...as long as the device you are charging has a *higher* rated power adapter, the 500mA that USB outputs will be fine for trickle charging, it'll just take a little longer.

I'd never considered USB mains chargers, but an example such as this one combined with the Nokia USB charger cable would make an awful lot of sense to anyone that travels and doesn't carry a laptop. The Nokia USB cable alone also makes sense when visiting remote offices - you can sneak a crafty top-up for the N800 by carrying the cable with you.

Ok now, Milhouse, a setup like that with a pass-through for electrical sure makes sense...

Oh, and thanks orbitalcomp for the cigarette lighter idea... I just ordered one of those adapters. Keep that, a travel adapter and 3 of the Nokia usb charger cables in the car and I am set for trips!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't something like this work nicely with the 770 & N800?

Nokia Wireless Phone Charger Kit
ZIP-KIT-NK1 / UPC# 724580611097


For about 17 bucks (or less, I didn't shop around much), you get the ability to charge from a wall outlet, a car lighter socket or a USB port - and a retractable cable, too. And since the whole thing is based around the USB port form factor, you can also use the wall & car chargers with anything else that charges from a standard USB port, as well. Only real downside seems to be that at 400-450ma, it'll be a bit slower than the standard charger, but would be very flexible for travel, etc.

This just seems to bring together all the ideas everyone else has mentioned upthread, in one fairly inexpensive package...

--John

See the problem with that one is that the prongs are not retractable. Yes I am *that* anal about these devices . Prongs take up space.

This is what I am using now, and the AC adapter prongs fold in. It's also rated at 900mA.



All these pieces were off eBay about a year ago for around 5-10 bucks a pop.

Nice! Yeah, I'm definitely going to keep looking around, as there certainly appear to be plenty of options for Nokia-compatible USB-based chargers already. I seem to recall seeing one USB port travel charger that had both a lighter plug and retractable prongs for a wall outlet, in one unit. Hmm... [Googling]...

Ah, here it is!

VersaCharger PRO™



It would still require the Nokia (or third-party) USB charger cable, but it actually puts out a full 1 amp. Looks like we're getting somewhere here...

--John

Man, you guys are just shooting down my post about the Nokia USB charger...hehe, j/k...looks like there are *plenty* of ways to go about charging via USB. The hard part is finding the small tip for the newer Nokias, unless you have their adapter end...


jbennett -

Yeah, that kit looks like it may do the job pretty well. I know Fry's stocks a bunch of that Zip-Linq stuff, maybe they have it at the stores. Also, the Boxwave dual-charger you posted, that looks nice. Boxwave makes some good stuff, I've ordered many accessories over the years from them.

konfoo -

Is that large block on the one end of the retractable cable a step-up converter? I know some of the older Nokia phones required 6V, not 5V, so this somehow upconverts the voltage, I believe. My Socket power pack came with adapters for everything imaginable, and it has one of these also. What kind of charge time do you get with your setup, is it about the same as the stock adapter?

I've been using an off-brand USB Nokia 7700 phone charger for a while. Works fine!