I've learned to stop hating on the charger

[kencrudup]

... cause it is awesome!

While it's non-standard and I thought I'd have to start carrying Yet Another Device along to the office, between the amazing battery life (to me anyway, I have an Evo ) and how fast the Xoom recharges I can leave the charger at home and not have to worry about running out of juice when I'm stuck in a 12+hr day (like now)! I used it this morning and drained it to 90% (took a couple of hours). Plugged it in, took a shower and dressed, and by that time it said "Charged."

 

[Mitchrapp]

At least they gave us a little bit of length on it. Not like my phone, which is about 2 feet.

 

[marctronixx]

i would still spring for a car charger. you can then, later if you desire, purchase a car charger adapter for a couple bux and have a backup charger for the carry bag...

 

[kencrudup]

Well, I'm going to take back the dock (it doesn't fit with the silicon gel skin) and probably get the car charger anyway, so it's an (over-)price(d) wash. But- I'm pretty sure some of those charger adapters don't put out the kind of current our device's charger needs, so I'd have to get one that puts out at least 1.5A .

 

[marctronixx]

yes it does, i have one, an older one ive had for years, and all is does is pass the AC current/converts/steps down the voltage, and the charger takes it the rest of the way. ive tested this before mentioning it and the xoom charges. these adapters are used to charging things that ask for more voltage than the xoom. again i have one and it works.

as for the gel, did you try the insert.. i guess you did huh.. no luck with the insert? i have a skin coming for the back of the xoom and with (or without) the insert i hope it will fit inside the HD dock i have....

 

[whippintegra]

Does anyone know if you should let the battery completely drain before recharging it or is it ok to plug it in whenever you want to top it off?

 

[kencrudup]

... as for the gel, did you try the insert

... insert?! What insert?!

Seriously, I had no idea there was an insert, but don't those usually constrict the dock, not expand it?

 

[marctronixx]

yes top it off as you go. lithium ion (in this case lithium polymer) does not get battery memory...

 

[marctronixx]

the insert for the standard and HD dock allow you to dock the xoom whilst its in a case/portfolio. your dock comes with an insert... well i thought i read the standard dock comes with an insert.. the HD dock i have does...

... insert?! What insert?!

Seriously, I had no idea there was an insert, but don't those usually constrict the dock, not expand it?

 

[kencrudup]

these adapters are used to charging things that ask for more voltage than the xoom.

Well, technically, it's "current" that's the issue, as the car battery voltage is nominally ~13V and fixed. Maybe it was the cheap charger I had, but IIRC I couldn't find one that put out more than 1/2 AMP (or 6W).

What brand of cigarette-lighter adapter do you have?

 

[marctronixx]

ok i think i confused you.. my bag...

this is what im speaking about:

all this does is convert the DC charger for use on AC currrent. i totally confused you and apologize...

with this adapter, you have two chargers in one.

Amazon.com: Universal AC to DC Car Cigarette Lighter Socket Adapter (US Plug): Cell Phones & Accessories

 

[kencrudup]

No, that's exactly what I'm talking about. The one I had couldn't even charge my old-school Treo via it's car-adapter; I was trying to do the same thing you're talking about- consolidating the adapters to make a more-portable solution.

But I probably just got a cheap one that didn't work properly. Then again, when I looked on the Amazon page you posted, some of the "similar items" only put out 300mA; I suspect our Xoom car charger draws more than that.

 

[Old Member]

At least they gave us a little bit of length on it. Not like my phone, which is about 2 feet.

LOL that is the funniest thing to me. I don't think I'm going to buy a car charger because the cord for this thing is so long. I think I can keep it plugged in at home and just take it with me as I drive. I'm pretty sure it will reach. It's got be be the longest cord on any device or charger I've ever had.

 

[Caveman419]

I have not picked the dock up, still thinking about it.

Does it have a clock mode similar to the Droid/Droid2/Droid X when it is placed into the dock?

How many people leave it plugged in over night (phones too)?

 

[Proph]

i leave it plugged in over night (just drop it on the standard dock i got yesterday)... yes i love the battery life, no matter how hard i push it all day long it still has juice but you can't beat the recharge time, from 25% to 100% in just a couple of hours.

those who asked, yes the standard dock comes with 2 "plates", you change the plate if your xoom has any kind of case on it so that it still fits.

i love the battery life and how fast it charges, i think the only reason people hate on the charger it is really does seem like it is going to break. great performance but i can't imagine the chargine "pin" lasting more than a few months.

 

[ckelly33]

I have the portfolio. The Xoom + Portfolio + Dock don't play well together. It's probably the most irritating thing about the Xoom to me (other than the upcoming period where I will have to ship it off).

 

[Proph]

i have the portfolio as well and i hate it, the dock i like but the profilio feels like a cheap piece of junk i was very unimpressed, the dock though is very heavy and xoom is very easy to drop on it and take off, i have the standard dock. i am hoping we see some more 3rd party cases soon. i want a proper leather portfolio since i am used to carrying one when i travel for work as it is.

 

[marctronixx]

no the dock does not currently automatically put the xoom into clock mode or any mode.

 

[tjreishus]

I hope they come out with some kind of adaptor that will allow us to charge via a USB port. I have 3000mah battery that I always carry around for extra power (I have the droid X also). It would be nice to be able to use it if I need to. Although, as mentioned before the battery on this does last a very long time. It would be very difficult for me to use up the battery in one day.

 

[Tech Addiction]

Yea, people don't realize that USB tech is far lagging behind Tech gadgets. The Xoom, and my Samsung Tab for that matter, are just too power hungry for the lowly usb port.

 

[Tech Addiction]

ok i think i confused you.. my bag...

this is what im speaking about:

all this does is convert the DC charger for use on AC currrent. i totally confused you and apologize...

with this adapter, you have two chargers in one.

Amazon.com: Universal AC to DC Car Cigarette Lighter Socket Adapter (US Plug): Cell Phones & Accessories

I've had mixed results with those. For some unknown reason some gadgets won't charge from those but plug them in a car power port and everything is fine.

 

[Proph]

no the dock does not currently automatically put the xoom into clock mode or any mode.

i haven't tried or even looked at it (setting somewhere?) but unless this is a marketing oops motorola says it does

Use the Standard Dock for MOTOROLA XOOM to power up. Set the default view to clock mode, or add some pizzazz with images from your photo gallery. Add to the experience by connecting to external speakers while you watch TV or listen to music as your tablet charges

 

[marctronixx]

im under the assumption that the OP who asked expects the xoom to automatically switch into some docked mode, kind of like how the htc evo does when its in the htc official car dock. thats the assumption i made from the question and it does not do this automatically. to be fair i have the HD dock not the standard, although im sure that may not make a difference. i have not immediately seen an option to set this up to a dock mode.. but i will look.. thank you for keeping me honest here...

 

[sookster54]

Yea, people don't realize that USB tech is far lagging behind Tech gadgets. The Xoom, and my Samsung Tab for that matter, are just too power hungry for the lowly usb port.

Yes plugging it into a PC or USB hub only gives ~500mA, wall plugs that uses the USB interface are fine, I've seen as high as 5.2V 1.2A, I don't see why Motorola didn't do this with the USB interface. To me, I'm not a fan of having a separate wall charger from the USB port these days, it's so last century now- when I travel I take my laptop, USB cable and my phone or PDA (and of course that wallplug module). No more tangled up wires and plugs for everything anymore, I had to deal with that with my Palm Pilot, Cowan A2, older Blackberries and Motorola phones, etc.

 

[Tech Addiction]

Yea, the phrase "Programmable Dock" for the Speaker dock sure seems like it can be turned into an Alarm clock for your night stand or launch programs when docked. Sounds like I made the right decision.

Here is the text from Moto on the HD Dock:

MOTOROLA XOOM is the tablet that grows with you, with an array of accessories made to expand its capabilities. There are new "smart dock" docking stations that will not only charge your MOTOROLA XOOM, but also let you watch video on your HD TV, listen to music and work — all at the same time. They are even programmable, which means the settings are remembered each time your tablet is docked. It's an intelligent ecosystem that evolves with you.