• Sony

• $40

• Can recharge anywhere

• A bit pricey

Design:
Cost/benefit:
Coolness:
Overall:

I've been on several trips and lugged a cradle along to keep the handheld going. This is a hassle and I was always nervous what airport security would make of it. That's where the PEGA-BC10 comes in. It lets you use or charge your Sony NR or T series handheld with AA batteries.

The Test
For my test, I drained a NR70V until the first battery warning, then plugged in the charger. I loaded it with standard AA Duracell coppertops.

I knew the NR series drew a lot of power and therefore its battery would need a lot of capacity but even I was surprised with the results I got.

Four brand new AA batteries were able to give the handheld only a 75% charge before being exhausted. I was expecting they would be able to fully charge it at least once. Of course, this isn't a knock against the BC10; it can only provide as much power as are in the batteries.

Charging the handheld took a bit over two hours.

Sorry, I don't have a T series handheld to do a similar test on. However, the HotSync ports on the NR series and the T series are identical so both can use this battery adapter.

Hardware
The BC10 is 4.75 by 1.75 by .75 inches, which isn't much bigger than the four AA batteries. It weighs 1.75 ounces. Its cord is a bit over 5 inches long.

You don't have to use the BC10 to charge the battery. There is a small switch on the front that will tell it to just power the handheld without also sending current to its internal battery. While I'm sure someone will find this useful, I don't see much point in it. You can also use this switch to leave it connected, but transferring no power at all.

There is one change Sony could have made to the BC10 that would have significantly improved it, at least in my book. The connector that plugs into the HotSync port is permanently connected to the rest of the adapter. Sony's HotSync Cable comes with a stand alone connector that lets the cradle's AC adapter be used to charge the handheld without the whole cradle. It would have been great if the BC10 also used this, as it would give you much more flexibility in recharging your handheld.

Conclusion
I can see the advantage of the BC10. If you are going on a trip, you don't have to lug along a cradle. You can also recharge your handheld in places where there are no electrical plugs. However, I think $40 is a bit much. If Sony dropped the price a bit, or if you are able to find this somewhere else at a lower price, I'd give this an unqualified endorsement.