Need power on-the-go!

darrenold · 01-07-2007, 06:49 AM

I brought my Zune with me on a coast-to-coast trip to keep me entertained. The flight was 5 hours long, and I had loaded my Zune with tons of video (movies, TV, etc.). I only made it through one 2.5 hour movie and I received the low battery alert. I switched to music and was able to keep it running until it was time to shut off portable electronic devices, but I really would have preferred another 2 hours of video.

Most of the time I use the Zune at the gym to watch TV or parts of movies while I do my cardio warm-up and then it plays music while I lift, so the battery is fine for this as long as I charge it every other day or so. But on a long trip with no power source, the battery isn't enough for extended video use.

I noticed on Engadget today that Duracel has an extended battery pack for the ipod video (http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogs...t/~3/71969433/). Anything available for the Zune?

lpxxfaintxx · 01-07-2007, 06:56 AM

Actually, yes there is. Check the Belkin Tunepower here: http://www.zune.net/en-us/accessorie.../tunepower.htm

It can extend your battery life from 6-12 hours!

P.S.. you wouldn't happen to be going to the CES, are you?

darrenold · 01-08-2007, 01:04 PM

No, sadly not going to CES.

On my way through the Philidelphia airport I stopped in a store and bought the Belkin Tunepower at one of those mobile electronics stores. After un

it and trying it out for 10 minutes I promptly returned it. At the store it was $75, which I'm sure is more than what I could have found it on the net for, but I wanted it right away. Turns out I don't want it at any price (well maybe $20).

Here's why:

1. The power adapter for this unit sucked. It was a large wall wart of the worst kind and didn't fit into my Zune travel case. Because they chose to use a relatively unique adapter connector (it was one of those old-style round connectors rather than a male mini USB (used by many devices) or the female full-sized USB used by the Zune wall adapter, there was no easy way to replace it with a more compact travel charger. This is just egregious in my opinion because this is a travel product.

2. The charge status indicator is a single LED rather than an indication of how full it is. I have cheaper electric toothbrushes and razors that do better and knowing the charge level is pretty important when you are traveling.

3. Overall design was pretty weak. The battery itself wasn't very big but the cheap plastic housing was large and a little awkward. Rather than being slim and slick, it was bulbous. You snap the Zune into this oversized shell and then plug a connector that runs from the battery pack through a hole in the plastic shell into the Zune's plug. The plastic desktop stand must be opened to plug in the charger.

In general I felt that this product was extremely substandard.

What I would LIKE to see:

1. Size/shape: I would expect it to be no wider than the Zune. It could be either a block that sits on the bottom of the zune (same width/depth and adds maybe 1" to the height) or should be like a thin backpack adding no more than a couple of centimeters to the back and bottom of the device.

2. Power: It should accept the Zune's sync cable connector type as the power supply. Further, since it will be plugged into the device's connector, I should be able to plug the sync cable into my PC and it should "pass through" the data link to the device as well as charge both the battery pack and the device.

lpxxfaintxx · 01-08-2007, 01:07 PM

Hrm, some nice points there. Mind if I make a copy of that post in the "Testimonials" section?

JakeCourtney · 01-09-2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpxxfaintxx

Actually, yes there is. Check the Belkin Tunepower here: http://www.zune.net/en-us/accessorie.../tunepower.htm

It can extend your battery life from 6-12 hours!

P.S.. you wouldn't happen to be going to the CES, are you?

Anyone tired that?

darrenold · 01-11-2007, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpxxfaintxx

Hrm, some nice points there. Mind if I make a copy of that post in the "Testimonials" section?

Sure... as a non-testimonial

Corrupt · 01-11-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren

On my way through the Philidelphia airport I stopped in a store and bought the Belkin Tunepower at one of those mobile electronics stores. After un

it and trying it out for 10 minutes I promptly returned it. At the store it was $75, which I'm sure is more than what I could have found it on the net for, but I wanted it right away. Turns out I don't want it at any price (well maybe $20).

Here's why:

1. The power adapter for this unit sucked. It was a large wall wart of the worst kind and didn't fit into my Zune travel case. Because they chose to use a relatively unique adapter connector (it was one of those old-style round connectors rather than a male mini USB (used by many devices) or the female full-sized USB used by the Zune wall adapter, there was no easy way to replace it with a more compact travel charger. This is just egregious in my opinion because this is a travel product.

2. The charge status indicator is a single LED rather than an indication of how full it is. I have cheaper electric toothbrushes and razors that do better and knowing the charge level is pretty important when you are traveling.

3. Overall design was pretty weak. The battery itself wasn't very big but the cheap plastic housing was large and a little awkward. Rather than being slim and slick, it was bulbous. You snap the Zune into this oversized shell and then plug a connector that runs from the battery pack through a hole in the plastic shell into the Zune's plug. The plastic desktop stand must be opened to plug in the charger.

In general I felt that this product was extremely substandard.

What I would LIKE to see:

1. Size/shape: I would expect it to be no wider than the Zune. It could be either a block that sits on the bottom of the zune (same width/depth and adds maybe 1" to the height) or should be like a thin backpack adding no more than a couple of centimeters to the back and bottom of the device.

2. Power: It should accept the Zune's sync cable connector type as the power supply. Further, since it will be plugged into the device's connector, I should be able to plug the sync cable into my PC and it should "pass through" the data link to the device as well as charge both the battery pack and the device.

He tried it read this.

b-dizzle · 04-06-2007, 07:40 AM

If you're good at building things, give one of these a try:
http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/acc...tery-pack.html
http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/acc...evices-go.html
If not, there are a few other devices that might be of use to you:
http://www.ezgear4u.com/ZUNE/Zune_PowerStick.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16855998033
^Even though it says iPod, I've read about other Zune users having success with it. It works with anything USB, you just gotta carry the sync cable with ya. Charges via mini USB. I'm gonna pick one of those up when I get my zune.

glenside · 04-09-2007, 08:49 PM

I picked up a car charger with USB power output. I plan to plug it in under the seat on my next airplane trip. Cost was under $10 on ebay including shipping. I fly this friday so will let you know next week how it worked.

MajerPayne · 04-09-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenside

I picked up a car charger with USB power output. I plan to plug it in under the seat on my next airplane trip. Cost was under $10 on ebay including shipping. I fly this friday so will let you know next week how it worked.

We'll i hope you make it back to be able to tell us how it worked

01-07-2007, 06:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
darrenold Zewbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 8 Reputation: 10	Need power on-the-go! I brought my Zune with me on a coast-to-coast trip to keep me entertained. The flight was 5 hours long, and I had loaded my Zune with tons of video (movies, TV, etc.). I only made it through one 2.5 hour movie and I received the low battery alert. I switched to music and was able to keep it running until it was time to shut off portable electronic devices, but I really would have preferred another 2 hours of video. Most of the time I use the Zune at the gym to watch TV or parts of movies while I do my cardio warm-up and then it plays music while I lift, so the battery is fine for this as long as I charge it every other day or so. But on a long trip with no power source, the battery isn't enough for extended video use. I noticed on Engadget today that Duracel has an extended battery pack for the ipod video (http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogs...t/~3/71969433/). Anything available for the Zune?

01-07-2007, 06:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
lpxxfaintxx Administrator Ultimate Zuner Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 5,837 Reputation: 259	Re: Need power on-the-go! Actually, yes there is. Check the Belkin Tunepower here: http://www.zune.net/en-us/accessorie.../tunepower.htm It can extend your battery life from 6-12 hours! P.S.. you wouldn't happen to be going to the CES, are you? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-08-2007, 01:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
darrenold Zewbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 8 Reputation: 10	Re: Need power on-the-go! No, sadly not going to CES. On my way through the Philidelphia airport I stopped in a store and bought the Belkin Tunepower at one of those mobile electronics stores. After un it and trying it out for 10 minutes I promptly returned it. At the store it was $75, which I'm sure is more than what I could have found it on the net for, but I wanted it right away. Turns out I don't want it at any price (well maybe $20). Here's why: 1. The power adapter for this unit sucked. It was a large wall wart of the worst kind and didn't fit into my Zune travel case. Because they chose to use a relatively unique adapter connector (it was one of those old-style round connectors rather than a male mini USB (used by many devices) or the female full-sized USB used by the Zune wall adapter, there was no easy way to replace it with a more compact travel charger. This is just egregious in my opinion because this is a travel product. 2. The charge status indicator is a single LED rather than an indication of how full it is. I have cheaper electric toothbrushes and razors that do better and knowing the charge level is pretty important when you are traveling. 3. Overall design was pretty weak. The battery itself wasn't very big but the cheap plastic housing was large and a little awkward. Rather than being slim and slick, it was bulbous. You snap the Zune into this oversized shell and then plug a connector that runs from the battery pack through a hole in the plastic shell into the Zune's plug. The plastic desktop stand must be opened to plug in the charger. In general I felt that this product was extremely substandard. What I would LIKE to see: 1. Size/shape: I would expect it to be no wider than the Zune. It could be either a block that sits on the bottom of the zune (same width/depth and adds maybe 1" to the height) or should be like a thin backpack adding no more than a couple of centimeters to the back and bottom of the device. 2. Power: It should accept the Zune's sync cable connector type as the power supply. Further, since it will be plugged into the device's connector, I should be able to plug the sync cable into my PC and it should "pass through" the data link to the device as well as charge both the battery pack and the device.

01-08-2007, 01:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
lpxxfaintxx Administrator Ultimate Zuner Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 5,837 Reputation: 259	Re: Need power on-the-go! Hrm, some nice points there. Mind if I make a copy of that post in the "Testimonials" section? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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04-06-2007, 07:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
b-dizzle Zuner Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 52 Reputation: 12	If you're good at building things, give one of these a try: http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/acc...tery-pack.html http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/acc...evices-go.html If not, there are a few other devices that might be of use to you: http://www.ezgear4u.com/ZUNE/Zune_PowerStick.html http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16855998033 ^Even though it says iPod, I've read about other Zune users having success with it. It works with anything USB, you just gotta carry the sync cable with ya. Charges via mini USB. I'm gonna pick one of those up when I get my zune.

04-09-2007, 08:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
glenside Zewbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3 Reputation: 10	I picked up a car charger with USB power output. I plan to plug it in under the seat on my next airplane trip. Cost was under $10 on ebay including shipping. I fly this friday so will let you know next week how it worked.

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