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Mindstor Battery Survey and Sony MS

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MikeT

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Quick survey for all of you Mindstor owners out there using Sony MS. How many uploads can you get on a full charge? I realize that this may vary by memory stick size and power useage, just looking for estimates. I am looking at the 5gb Mindstor using 128ms. I will be on a week long trip with NO electricity and am wanting to guage how many batteries to buy.
Thanks for your help!
miket

--------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
 
First of all you need to make sure that the unit you received doesn't have battery problem.

My is 10GB version and my has battery problem. This is a symtoms: Battery won't fully charge, and with 128MB MS I can only get the 3 download and the battery indicator is down to single bar. I called Mindatwork. They told me it should get more download then that. They told me that I probably have a bad battery. And they are sending me new one. At least that is what they told me. I have not receive it yet. Hopefully this Friday. Good luck on your finding.
MikeT said:
Quick survey for all of you Mindstor owners out there using Sony
MS. How many uploads can you get on a full charge? I realize that
this may vary by memory stick size and power useage, just looking
for estimates. I am looking at the 5gb Mindstor using 128ms. I
will be on a week long trip with NO electricity and am wanting to
guage how many batteries to buy.
Thanks for your help!
miket

--
------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
Click to expand...
 
double07 said:
First of all you need to make sure that the unit you received
doesn't have battery problem.

My is 10GB version and my has battery problem. This is a symtoms:
Battery won't fully charge, and with 128MB MS I can only get the 3
download and the battery indicator is down to single bar. I called
Mindatwork. They told me it should get more download then that.
They told me that I probably have a bad battery. And they are
sending me new one. At least that is what they told me. I have
not receive it yet. Hopefully this Friday. Good luck on your
finding.
Click to expand...
Interesting, because my 20gb MindStor arrived with a suspect battery also. After much e-mail to MindatWork, I purchased another battery pack from their mindsgear.com site which gave me more download time. I performed a test and got 2.9 gigs of download on the first battery charge. However, I was informed by tech that they expect "about 3 gigs" per battery charge. I have questioned them on the 100 minutes average battery use per charge with a tech answer dancing around the question. I am awaiting further info from them on the subject....
paul
 
Just got my MindStor today. After fully charging the battery I tested how many full 128mb ms I could download. I downloaded 19 and each took 2 minutes 25 seconds. It quit 10 seconds into the 20th download. The only problem I have is that I can not read the LCD display even indoors.

Bob
 
Thanks for your feedback.

I went ahead and order three additional batteries from their store (I'm crossing my fingers that they arrive before I leave). That should last me for 7days of uploading and occasional browsing...although, since I cant actually view the pics, I guess I wont be doing much browsing. I guess the trick is to do all of your deleting with the camera before you upload.
thanks
miket
Bob said:
Just got my MindStor today. After fully charging the battery I
tested how many full 128mb ms I could download. I downloaded 19 and
each took 2 minutes 25 seconds. It quit 10 seconds into the 20th
download. The only problem I have is that I can not read the LCD
display even indoors.

Bob
Click to expand...
--------------------------Sony DSC-F707
 
Bob said:
Just got my MindStor today. After fully charging the battery I
tested how many full 128mb ms I could download. I downloaded 19 and
each took 2 minutes 25 seconds. It quit 10 seconds into the 20th
download. The only problem I have is that I can not read the LCD
display even indoors.

Bob
Click to expand...
WOW!! 19 downloads ??? That's great :) I definately has defective battery. I am lucky if I can get the 4th time downloaded... MindAtWork is replacing my battery and hopefully, I'll can get the same battery life.
 
Double07,

I wonder if the battery is having a memory effect? Was it completely dead before you charged it? Do these batteries need to be empty to be charged? I did power my unit on (the limited instructions tell you not to) before I charged it and I am having a similar experience with my first battery. My three others arrived today and I will have to test them.

Bob...are you draining yours before charging it?

thanks
miket
double07 said:
Bob said:
Just got my MindStor today. After fully charging the battery I
tested how many full 128mb ms I could download. I downloaded 19 and
each took 2 minutes 25 seconds. It quit 10 seconds into the 20th
download. The only problem I have is that I can not read the LCD
display even indoors.

Bob
Click to expand...
WOW!! 19 downloads ??? That's great :) I definately has defective
battery. I am lucky if I can get the 4th time downloaded...
MindAtWork is replacing my battery and hopefully, I'll can get the
same battery life.
Click to expand...
--------------------------Sony DSC-F707
 
Mike,

After reading double07 problem with the battery I wanted to check mine right away. It is brand new and I just got it yesterday. I took it out of the box and installed the battery. I then charged it until the LCD display indicated that it was fully charged. I unplugged it and inserted a full 128mb memory stick and started downloading. I paused a minute or two between downloads. When I got to 10, I figured it was about done. I couldn't believe that it lasted for 19 full downloads. I haven't tried it again. It took me about an hour. By the way, I found the contrast setting for the display.

Bob
MikeT said:
Bob...are you draining yours before charging it?

thanks
miket
double07 said:
Bob said:
Just got my MindStor today. After fully charging the battery I
tested how many full 128mb ms I could download. I downloaded 19 and
each took 2 minutes 25 seconds. It quit 10 seconds into the 20th
download. The only problem I have is that I can not read the LCD
display even indoors.

Bob
Click to expand...
WOW!! 19 downloads ??? That's great :) I definately has defective
battery. I am lucky if I can get the 4th time downloaded...
MindAtWork is replacing my battery and hopefully, I'll can get the
same battery life.
Click to expand...
--
------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
Click to expand...
 
Well, In theory NiMH battery doesn't have memory effect issue. But it doesn't need full drain every once in a while. I also notice when it is charged. The device is kindna warm. Can either of you check your MindStor? It will be great also if there is a car charging adapter!!! I will be on my two weeks vacation in few months. That is the only reason I bought this. Well, I admit that it is kindna convenience..

double07
MikeT said:
Bob...are you draining yours before charging it?

thanks
miket
double07 said:
Bob said:
Just got my MindStor today. After fully charging the battery I
tested how many full 128mb ms I could download. I downloaded 19 and
each took 2 minutes 25 seconds. It quit 10 seconds into the 20th
download. The only problem I have is that I can not read the LCD
display even indoors.

Bob
Click to expand...
WOW!! 19 downloads ??? That's great :) I definately has defective
battery. I am lucky if I can get the 4th time downloaded...
MindAtWork is replacing my battery and hopefully, I'll can get the
same battery life.
Click to expand...
--
------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
Click to expand...
 
OOPS! typo. I meant to say "It needs full drain every one in a while".

double07
double07 said:
double07
MikeT said:
Bob...are you draining yours before charging it?

thanks
miket
double07 said:
Bob said:
Just got my MindStor today. After fully charging the battery I
tested how many full 128mb ms I could download. I downloaded 19 and
each took 2 minutes 25 seconds. It quit 10 seconds into the 20th
download. The only problem I have is that I can not read the LCD
display even indoors.

Bob
Click to expand...
WOW!! 19 downloads ??? That's great :) I definately has defective
battery. I am lucky if I can get the 4th time downloaded...
MindAtWork is replacing my battery and hopefully, I'll can get the
same battery life.
Click to expand...
--
------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I leave mine plugged in over night and it gets a little warm on the back but nothing serious. I find it odd that the display stays lit the entire time it is plugged in. Most products can be turned off but still charge the batteries...or am I missing something?
miket
double07 said:
double07
double07 said:
double07
MikeT said:
Bob...are you draining yours before charging it?

thanks
miket
double07 said:
Bob said:
Just got my MindStor today. After fully charging the battery I
tested how many full 128mb ms I could download. I downloaded 19 and
each took 2 minutes 25 seconds. It quit 10 seconds into the 20th
download. The only problem I have is that I can not read the LCD
display even indoors.

Bob
Click to expand...
WOW!! 19 downloads ??? That's great :) I definately has defective
battery. I am lucky if I can get the 4th time downloaded...
MindAtWork is replacing my battery and hopefully, I'll can get the
same battery life.
Click to expand...
--
------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--------------------------Sony DSC-F707
 
I read in the literature that came with it that the display can not be turned off when it is plugged in. It says not to be concerned because it uses very little power.

Bob
MikeT said:
I leave mine plugged in over night and it gets a little warm on the
back but nothing serious. I find it odd that the display stays lit
the entire time it is plugged in. Most products can be turned off
but still charge the batteries...or am I missing something?
miket
Click to expand...
 
I received replacement battery today. It's beeing charge right now. I will run the test once it is fully charged. Hopefully, I will get 18-20 download on this battery???

double07
double07 said:
double07
MikeT said:
Bob...are you draining yours before charging it?

thanks
miket
double07 said:
Bob said:
Just got my MindStor today. After fully charging the battery I
tested how many full 128mb ms I could download. I downloaded 19 and
each took 2 minutes 25 seconds. It quit 10 seconds into the 20th
download. The only problem I have is that I can not read the LCD
display even indoors.

Bob
Click to expand...
WOW!! 19 downloads ??? That's great :) I definately has defective
battery. I am lucky if I can get the 4th time downloaded...
MindAtWork is replacing my battery and hopefully, I'll can get the
same battery life.
Click to expand...
--
------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
MikeT and Bob,

Okay, with the first full charged download test. 128MB stick contains 51 highres shots. I've got 21 downloads. The 22nd died halfway. I am happy:)

double07
double07 said:
double07
double07 said:
double07
MikeT said:
Bob...are you draining yours before charging it?

thanks
miket
double07 said:
Bob said:
Just got my MindStor today. After fully charging the battery I
tested how many full 128mb ms I could download. I downloaded 19 and
each took 2 minutes 25 seconds. It quit 10 seconds into the 20th
download. The only problem I have is that I can not read the LCD
display even indoors.

Bob
Click to expand...
WOW!! 19 downloads ??? That's great :) I definately has defective
battery. I am lucky if I can get the 4th time downloaded...
MindAtWork is replacing my battery and hopefully, I'll can get the
same battery life.
Click to expand...
--
------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Great to see your results. Gee, wonder why I only got 19???

Bob
double07 said:
MikeT and Bob,

Okay, with the first full charged download test. 128MB stick
contains 51 highres shots. I've got 21 downloads. The 22nd died
halfway. I am happy:)

double07
Click to expand...
 
Great!...that’s what I wanted to hear! I have just charged and packed all four of my batteries....heading for Big Bend tomorrow. Sounds like I can fill up my 5gb with juice to spare. Thanks for sharing your test results! I will let you know how mine worked out when I get back in a week.
thanks
miket
double07 said:
Okay, with the first full charged download test. 128MB stick
contains 51 highres shots. I've got 21 downloads. The 22nd died
halfway. I am happy:)

double07
double07 said:
double07
double07 said:
double07
MikeT said:
Bob...are you draining yours before charging it?

thanks
miket
double07 said:
Bob said:
Just got my MindStor today. After fully charging the battery I
tested how many full 128mb ms I could download. I downloaded 19 and
each took 2 minutes 25 seconds. It quit 10 seconds into the 20th
download. The only problem I have is that I can not read the LCD
display even indoors.

Bob
Click to expand...
WOW!! 19 downloads ??? That's great :) I definately has defective
battery. I am lucky if I can get the 4th time downloaded...
MindAtWork is replacing my battery and hopefully, I'll can get the
same battery life.
Click to expand...
--
------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--------------------------Sony DSC-F707
 
MikeT

Make sure that the battery is fully charged. I believe, once it is full the battery indicator stop rolling. Have fun on your trip. Share some pics if you don't mind.

double07
MikeT said:
double07 said:
Okay, with the first full charged download test. 128MB stick
contains 51 highres shots. I've got 21 downloads. The 22nd died
halfway. I am happy:)

double07
double07 said:
double07
double07 said:
double07
MikeT said:
Bob...are you draining yours before charging it?

thanks
miket
double07 said:
Bob said:
Just got my MindStor today. After fully charging the battery I
tested how many full 128mb ms I could download. I downloaded 19 and
each took 2 minutes 25 seconds. It quit 10 seconds into the 20th
download. The only problem I have is that I can not read the LCD
display even indoors.

Bob
Click to expand...
WOW!! 19 downloads ??? That's great :) I definately has defective
battery. I am lucky if I can get the 4th time downloaded...
MindAtWork is replacing my battery and hopefully, I'll can get the
same battery life.
Click to expand...
--
------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
Click to expand...
 
Well I am back.
see pics at:
http://www.pbase.com/mht2k/big_bend_texas

The Good: Mindstor was a lifesaver! I was a little nervous about carrying it on hikes with me but I did and it is still working fine.

The Bad: I took four batteries and only got about 10 uploads per battery.

The Ugly: I fully charged all four batteries before leaving. I charged for more than 3 hours and all four bars were showing. When I turned the unit on for the fist time I was shocked to see only two bars showing, but I remembered reading that they can drain if left plugged in but turned off. I was even more shocked when I plugged in the others that had not been in the unit since initial charge and they ALL showed only two or three bars. Needless to say.... on my last day in Big Bend, I found myself standing in the restroom (only plug to be found) uploading memory sticks :(

This is a great device if you have access to electricity. If you don’t...make sure to get plenty of batteries. I will have to see if they have an auto adaptor or of one can be made...that would have worked much better.

Thanks
miket
MikeT said:
--
------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
Click to expand...
--------------------------Sony DSC-F707
 
I am headed out of town and would like to buy one. In addition, did you buy the all-in-one, or a different unit and the memory stick pcmcia card seperately? Please share. Thanks.
MikeT said:
Quick survey for all of you Mindstor owners out there using Sony
MS. How many uploads can you get on a full charge? I realize that
this may vary by memory stick size and power useage, just looking
for estimates. I am looking at the 5gb Mindstor using 128ms. I
will be on a week long trip with NO electricity and am wanting to
guage how many batteries to buy.
Thanks for your help!
miket

--
------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
Click to expand...
 
I needed mine pretty quickly so I ended up buying the kit with the cf pc card and buying the ms pc card seperately. I got them from ecost.com. I did buy the extra batteries directly from minds at work http://www.mindstore.com
miket
Ejoy said:
MikeT said:
Quick survey for all of you Mindstor owners out there using Sony
MS. How many uploads can you get on a full charge? I realize that
this may vary by memory stick size and power useage, just looking
for estimates. I am looking at the 5gb Mindstor using 128ms. I
will be on a week long trip with NO electricity and am wanting to
guage how many batteries to buy.
Thanks for your help!
miket

--
------------------------
Sony DSC-F707
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--------------------------Sony DSC-F707
 
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