Belkin Palm III / VII Series Home and Car Recharging Kit

Rating:
Summary: Belkin contradictory on whether it works with the Palm VIIx
Review: I've spoken to Belkin's tech support several times in addition to speaking with a product manager and a very evasive, somewhat ticked off service rep, and everyone has a different take of whether or not this charger works with the Palm VIIx (it claims to work with the Palm VII series.)

The problem is in the polarity of the rechargeable NiMH battery. If the batteries in your Palm go in the same direction, it's fine, but if you have a Palm VIIx, your batteries have to be installed facing different directions or you'll short out the Palm. Palm says it in their manual and Belkin, on the box for this product, says to be careful that you match the battery polarity correctly when installing their battery into your PDA.

The above is contradictory and I can't get a straight answer from them. In the meantime, I won't install the battery for fear that it will harm the PDA. One of the people I spoke with said that if it did, I could make a claim to Belkin to reimburse me for the cost of the Palm VIIx. Not exactly reassuring, especially if you're addicted to your Palm organizer. Besides, if I did so, it would mean that I knowingly did the opposite of the cautions from both PALM and Belkin on battery installation, which means I was negligent - not them.

I have no idea whether this item works well in a Palm VIIx or not - I've had it for almost two weeks and still can't get a straight answer.

Suffice it to say that if you have a Palm PDA with batteries that should be installed in the same direction, it's probably fine. If you don't, use your discretion. And if the tech support guy at Belkin tells you to open up the battery pack and flip the polarities of the batteries - don't! First, the case isn't made to be opened, so you'll have to break it. And if you break it, it can't work no matter what Palm model you have.

Rating:
Summary: Belkin contradictory on whether it works with the Palm VIIx
Review: The problem is in the polarity of the rechargeable NiMH battery. If the batteries in your Palm go in the same direction, it's fine, but if you have a Palm VIIx, your batteries have to be installed facing different directions or you'll short out the Palm. Palm says it in their manual and Belkin, on the box for this product, says to be careful that you match the battery polarity correctly when installing their battery into your PDA.

The above is contradictory and I can't get a straight answer from them. In the meantime, I won't install the battery for fear that it will harm the PDA. One of the people I spoke with said that if it did, I could make a claim to Belkin to reimburse me for the cost of the Palm VIIx. Not exactly reassuring, especially if you're addicted to your Palm organizer. Besides, if I did so, it would mean that I knowingly did the opposite of the cautions from both PALM and Belkin on battery installation, which means I was negligent - not them.

I have no idea whether this item works well in a Palm VIIx or not - I've had it for almost two weeks and still can't get a straight answer.

Suffice it to say that if you have a Palm PDA with batteries that should be installed in the same direction, it's probably fine. If you don't, use your discretion. And if the tech support guy at Belkin tells you to open up the battery pack and flip the polarities of the batteries - don't! First, the case isn't made to be opened, so you'll have to break it. And if you break it, it can't work no matter what Palm model you have.