Palm Boulevard: Accessory Reviews: Charge -N- Run: Stop Changing Batteries

One of the biggest drawbacks to the Palm III and Palm VII handhelds is the need to constantly change batteries. The battery life on these Palm models can reach a couple of weeks with infrequent usage, but I'm a fairly heavy user of my PDAs so my batteries rarely last more than a single week. The need to constantly change batteries is more than just inconvenient. It can become very expensive to have to change batteries every week or so. Pellico Systems has created a unique rechargeable battery solution for the Palm III and Palm VII handhelds that will enable you to charge your PDA while it sits in the cradle.

Overview
The Charge -N- Run is a unique solution that brings one of the nicest features of Palms new, high end devices to the older Palm III and Palm VII handhelds. With the Charge -N- Run installed on your Palm III or Palm VII cradle and the Charge -N- run rechargeable battery pack installed into the battery compartment of your device you will be able to charge your Palm while it sits in your cradle.

The Charge -N- Run for the Palm III and Palm VII handhelds retails for $39.95. Out of the box the Charge -N- Run has three components. The three components are:

Charge -N- Run Charger
Charge -N- Run Rechargeable Battery Pack
charge -N- Run Battery Door

Charge -N- Run Charger
The Charge -N- Run Charger clips onto the top of your existing Palm cradle. There is an attached AC adapter that you have to plug in. The part of the charger assembly that attaches to the cradle is built out of a transparent blue plastic. The assembly is sturdy and very well made.

You will notice two contacts sticking out of the front of the charger assembly. These contacts touch the appropriate spots on the battery pack when the Palm is placed in the cradle. The contacts are sturdy enough to last, but they are soft enough not to cause damage to the battery pack or the back of your Palm.

Rechargeable Battery Pack and Battery Door
The Charge-N-Run uses a specially designed, rechargeable NiMH battery pack. The contacts on the battery pack are exposed through two small holes in the new battery door, which is made out of the same blue plastic as the charger assembly. I like the nice blue plastic that Pellico uses for the Charge -N- Run charger, but I wish that the battery door was made out of the same material as the rest of the Palm housing. Additional battery packs can be purchased for $10.00.