Keyspan ZIP-LINQ Retractable Palm Sync and Charge Cable (K-ZIP-DATA-P04)

• Windows & Mac Compatible
• expandable up to 30 inches
• synchronize and charge
• Palm Tungsten T, Tunsgten W, Tunsgten C, i705, m125, m130, m500, m505, m515 and Zire 71 PDAs.
• Cradle not needed to charge or Sync

Although this cable lists compatibility with Tungsten W and T, and it will charge a Tungsten C model, it will not sync with C models. This information is buried on the support pages instead of the compatiblity page of the manufacturer's web site. I would have given this 4 stars if they had disclosed this.

If it had worked with my palm, I would say that it is very compact and light weight. It is similar in size to a white board marker when reeled in. The cable isn't long at 30 inches, but usually that is enough. Highly recommended as a compact alternative to a cradle.

The plug where the usb connector is attached to the cable looks like it might not last forever cause the cable is so thin and you usually accidentally push on the connection when plugging in the cable. But if you want compact for travel or as a backup to IR this is the choice.

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I bought one of these for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, the USB cradle that came with my Palm m130 has always been very finicky; unless the A/C adapter is plugged in just right, it won't recharge my m130, even though it sometimes appears like it is (the charging icon displays on the Palm, but immediately after disconnecting from the cradle the meter indicates the same charge level as before). Second, the bulky cradle and adapter are not much fun to travel with.

I almost settled on a replacement cradle, but balked at the cost versus the aftermarket alternatives. Eventually I decided to give this one a shot. I'm sure glad I did!

I've been using it daily for a handful of weeks, and it has proven to be very dependable. For whatever reason, the first few times I tried I couldn't get the m130 to sync to my computer; since then, it has worked every time. And it has been a very reliable charger all along.

I try to be very gentle with the cable. The wires are quite thin and fragile, so being careful is very important. In contrast, connecting the m130 to the connector requires a firm, but measured, approach. I have the best luck when I lay both on a flat surface and slide them together, making sure the m130 is firmly seated in the connector. (A very gentle side-to-side rocking motion will confirm whether both sides of the connector mated to the Palm correctly.) Come to think of it, the synchronizing problems I had at first might have been a connection issue; I can't be certain, though.

Overall, I am extremely pleased by my decision to purchase this cable. It fits my needs for reliability and portability. A brilliant gadget!

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It is up to the purchaser to determine whether his/her handheld device is compatible with the Zip-Linq.

Works perfectly with my Palm m130 using Windows XP Home and Windows 98 with Palm software already installed and running on both computers. Excellent for travel.

The Zip-Linq will not recharge the Palm battery as quickly as the Palm Cradle, and the computer must be turned on in order for the Zip-Linq to charge the Palm through the computer's USB port.

The Zip-Linq is somewhat fragile, so handle it carefully when inserting or removing it from the Palm. Also be gentle when extending or retracting the Zip-Linq cable.

If the purchaser buys the Zip-Linq cable to replace the original Palm cradle, there should be no glitches if he/she has already performed HotSync one or multiple times using the original Palm cradle. It SHOULD be as simple as replacing the original Palm cradle with the Zip-Linq cable.

One reviewer has indicated that his/her Palm data was lost the first time he/she attempted to use HotSync with the Zip-Linq. I'm not sure why this would happen if the Zip-Linq is compatible with the handheld in question, but one could always perform a HotSync with the original Palm cradle before using the Zip-Linq for the first time. Once the user gets comfortable with the device and its functionality, this precautionary measure should be unnecessary with future use of the Zip-Linq.

If the user inserts Zip-Linq into the USB port to run HotSync for the very first time (ie., initial install or reinstall of Palm software), Windows may not be able to read the Zip-Linq through the USB port initially. In the case of Windows XP Home, this writer believes this has nothing to do with the Zip-Linq cradle. Windows XP Home simply needs to find the correct driver from the Palm software in order to run HotSync through the USB port. When the Zip-Linq is inserted in the USB port, Windows XP Home may indicate that it has "Found New Hardware" and then prompt the user to allow the operating system to find the driver that will be used to read the USB port. XP may prompt the user to insert the Palm software CD so that it can find the right driver. This does not mean that Windows XP Home will reinstall the Palm software; it will simply look for the right file to run HotSync. It is a step-by-step procedure (ie., simple). In the case of Windows 98 and first use of HotSync, the operating system may not automatically be able to find the driver. In this case, it would be best to run HotSync on the original Palm Cradle before using the Zip-Linq.

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The low price on this was great for a traveling charger for my Palm, but it is advertised as a syncer, but it doesn't sync at all. A little disappointing, but for the low price, I couldn't complain too much.

I like the idea that it's retractable but it didn't fix my problem with the hot sync issue I thought I had. I think it's something in my palm but this item is compatable with the Zire 71 and would power it. It's a little bit of a tight squeeze to connect the cable to the palm but it works.