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Introduction

JAVOSync for LOOX 720

In its retracted state, the cable is just over 10cm in length, and is thus very compact. When fully extended, the cable reaches just under a metre, by my reckoning. This is more than ample for most people's requirements, bearing in mind that a retractable cable is really geared towards a traveller. You do not have to use the cable at its full length, though- there are six locking points in all, ranging from about 20cm onwards. Thus, if you are connecting to your laptop, you do not have to use the full 88cm, but are not restricted to the completely retracted length either. The version I tried for the LOOX seems to have a more positive and strong retraction than the T3 cable, although, testing them side by side may no longer be an effective test due to heavy use. If my recollection is true, however, the retraction does seem stronger.

The cable itself is very thin, but, according to JavoEdge, it is reinforced, so you should not experience any problems, although, exactly what you would be doing with a cable to test this sort of thing is beyond me. The retraction systems works very well, and has a satisfyingly fast and smooth action- there is a definite whizz to it, which is great fun, and makes it feel very much like a fun gadget as well as a useful one. Coupled with an AC adapter, and a car charger, this cable is a very practical accessory. Charging via the cable is slower than by the cradle, even though the cable was plugged into the mains by an AC adapter. The adapters have a snug fit, clipping securely into the PDA, and fitting neatly into the USB ports.

Using the mains adapter, I was able to top-up the device, but was unable to rescue it from a 30% battery level. As such, it appears that using it for recharging the LOOX after a light day's work will not be a problem. It is worth noting, however, that this was with the screen switched off. When I tried to recharge from a mains adapter whilst keeping the screen switched on, charging was intermittent- it seemed to be affected by the brightness level on the screen. At lower brightness settings, charging was possible. However, when the screen was set to the highest setting, with BetaPlayer playing a film clip, the charging light did not flash at all.

I also tried whilst using a USB-extension cable between the JAVOSync and the mains adapter, and was unable to charge at all with the screen on. When the screen was switched off, the charging light flashed intermittently, and I can only assume that the machine was charging intermittently as a result. As expected, when I turned on the machine to have a look at the Power settings screen, the battery light stopped flashing altogether.

Using the USB-port on the laptop, I was not able to charge the device, although the light was flashing regularly. However, with the screen switched on, it was noticeable that the battery level dropped more slowly when connected via the JAVOSync than when not connected. I am not at all technically / electrically-minded, but, I would guess that there is sufficient power reaching the device to help it on its way, but not enough to charge it. This may make no sense at all to an electronic engineer (please do let me know if this is the case), but, from the symptoms, this would be my impression. With the screen switched off, however, the charge light did not flash at all.

Charging from the cigarette adapter was more productive, albeit slow- with the screen switched on at a low level, or switched off, the charging light flashed regularly. With the screen switched on, I was able to see in Power settings that the machine felt it was charging. When the screen was set to a high brightness level, the charging light flashed intermittently. With the screen switched off, it took about 20 minutes to raise the level from 95% to 100%.

To sum up, it appears that the JAVOSync certainly is capable of charging the LOOX 720, but can be a bit picky about the circumstances in which it chooses to do so. For best effects, connect the LOOX directly to the mains adapter via the JAVOSync- using a cable in between, or connecting to a USB port on a PC produces less satisfactory results. I think that “intermittent” would be the best way of summing up- I am unwilling to say that the cable does not permit charging at all, as this would be wrong, but, in the light of these further tests, neither am I willing to say that it supports charging in all circumstances.

At the end of the day, a sync-charge cable is something that you are either going to buy and never use, or you are going to use on a daily basis, and be very grateful for it. Whilst I used my T3's cable on a daily basis, I have not needed to do so with my LOOX, as the battery life is many times better. However, when I travel, I like to have some method of charging my PDA with me, just in case I should require it for whatever reason. When coupled with the JAVOMobile Power Kit, the JAVOSync lets me charge the LOOX in a car, through a wall-plug, although, charging through a USB-port alone is problematic. However, it lets me synchronise easily when I cannot afford the power drain of a Bluetooth sync.

The material used in the construction of the retractor-housing has changed since my T3's cable was made. Rather than being a shiny plastic, the case feels almost rubbery to the though- I guess that this is a coating used designed to make the device more rugged. If it manages to do this, I will be impressed- after a year of throwing the T3's cable in to a rucksack pocket in between uses, it shows only a few signs of wear and tear, so to improve on this will be remarkable.

The LOOX cable
JAVOSync plugged into LOOX 720

JavoEdge are not listing this cable as expressly compatible with the LOOX 720- the sticker on the packaging showed "LOOX 600", I believe. However, after some not very technical testing (I plugged in straight into my device, and hoped!), it seems to have caused my machine no harm whatsoever. The only point to note here is that you will have to plug the cable in upside-down, as the LOOX 720's connector is the same as the 600's, but is upside down

Conclusion
My conclusion remains identical to that of the T3 cable's review- the JAVOSync charge is well made (if anything, improved by the rubbery texture), and is a versatile and useful accessory. JavoEdge are currently offering the cable for half price, making it $7.47- in my opinion, it is easily worth the money, if only for the convenience and portability- no need to scrabble about under your desk unplugging the cable and power supply from your cradle. Whilst it is disappointing that the JAVOSync struggles to charge the LOOX via a USB port alone, this is not the fault of JavoEdge- the LOOX requires more power to charge properly than a USB port can supply. Although not a criticism of JavoEdge, this is worth bearing in mind if you were planning on charging your LOOX through your laptop.