h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I bought one of these for Gruesome #1 - and it's fabulous. The only problem is that it has a USB charger only, and can't be charged via the mains. Which is ok when she has access to a PC.

She's going on a trip shortly, and won't have a computer. So does anyone know of any brand of USB mains charger that can handle a Creative Mosaic?

I've tried several and up to now not found anything.

I have a USB charge for my ipod that is a plug which you can attach to 1 of 4 plugs pins types (UK, EU, US and Oz) and then the USB side of the charging cable that came with the player goes in the plug and the other end in the player...

Might not be the best doscription...

It's by a company called iWantit

I got it at PC world

http://www.amazon.co.uk/iWant-iW200-Power-Adapter-ipod/dp/B0012LP00Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238348124&sr=1-2

It says iPod but I bet it would work for any USB player

And I'm sure I didn't pay £30, about £24 from PC world

I've got one that loads my iPod and other things (like my LG phone) but it won't work for the Creative. Nor will the Hama "charges every mp3 player"

To be honest it's getting on my nerves now. I prefer Creative over iPod every time, but in this one thing the iPod has the others beaten.

Do Zens have something like iStations? Like a docking station.
Maybe a small version of those, like one that folds up pretty small or flat...
I had an iStation that folded to about 4cm thick and fitted in my bag easily, then just stick the cables in the bottom of the bag.

When I bought my zen vision W, the creative labs site said this was compatilble with all ipod accessories. No idea if that applies to the newer mosaic, though.

I don't see why it shouldn't work. The plug gets power, sends it up the USB cable, charges the whatever...surely it shouldn't matter what the cable is connected to?

I haven't tried mine with anything other than my iPod though because my phone and camera don't charge with USB, they have special power cables with plugs.

Right after I bought it I read that it could only be charged via USB/PC and that it doesn't work with anything else



But I'd expected Creative to have brought something out by now. I'll keep looking.

Any of these look promising?

http://www.shopwiki.co.uk/search/Creative+Charger+for+Zen+V+Plus

I would have thought Creative would have brought out some kind of docking station so you could play your Zen like a stereo or a car charger.. There must be hundreds of similar products for iPod.

(Word of warning for iPod users, most docking stations and car chargers use firewire pins not USB so if you have iPods with only USB pins like the 4th gen nano I have they won't charge it, be sure to check before you buy.)

Thanks, Taliesin

They all look... like they won't work.

I've emailed Creative. I've been praising their products to high heaven for years, I much prefer them over the iPod (not least because they don't have to use the dratted iTunes) but I'm going off them rapidly.

Might one of these work? I bought one for my Zen, because it also charges via USB and I wanted the option to charge through the wall should there be PC problems.

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=15050

For computers with a small number of USB ports, you can buy USB hubs. Many USB hubs also have a power input, which isn't usually actually needed, but which might be a good idea if you're using many resource-intensive products on the hub.

So, a USB hub with a power supply plugged in can be used to charge an MP3-player. My brother did that once with his girlfriend's player, so I know it's possible.

TRiG.

PC - you get the prize! I mailed Creative and the next day they sent me that product information. I've just ordered one from Amazon.

Trig - I've charged the mp3 player via the USB hub - I haven't tried it when the PC isn't on but it might work. However, Gruesome #1 isn't taking that on her jollies with her!

I ordered mine from Amazon, too. Next thing I think I'd like is one of those clear covers to protect against scuffs.

We got her the carrying thing with a carabina clip on it - but I think she likes the silicone cover better. But for me, the Mosaic looks so cute wtihout a cover I just like looking at it.

I'll bear in mind that the silicone cover might be better. Those Mosaic models are cute!