Pronto TSU2000 questions.

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On other boards, the value of the charger has been debated at lengths, and the consensus is that it is hard to make a case for it on economic reasons (you can buy rechargeables and charger, alcalines are cheap when compared to 70$ MRSP or even 50$ that you can find in some places. But it does buy peace of mind (on the power front), it looks good and it gives the Pronto a home. I used to misplace remotes all the time, but since I got the Pronto with DS I just leave it on it (as good a place as any, so why not).

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There is no answer. On the Pronto you have three decisions, how long is the LCD active, does the backlight come on automatically and how long is the light on (if not automatic) depending on these settings the power consumption changes a lot.

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I don't have one but the answer is Yes look here http://www.remotecentral.com/files/c...-lighting1.htm


BTW I have the doc and I definitely think it is worth it

If you are getting a pronto (or anything else), check out ubid.com. I got my new pronto (w/o base) there for around the same price as gus got his. Shipping at ubid is more then most places... and they add costs based on weight. They have a great return policy... if you follow their guildlines. Be sure to understand ubid before you buy anything there. Some times purchases come pseudo-direct (i.e. ubid direct) from the manufacturer (a good thing - no worries about someone running with your money), some come from ubid prefered partners, and others are from the consumer exchange (not so good IMHO).


Many manufactures will dump stuff on ubid. Some are new, but I found most to be remanufactured. I check on it every once in a while. Most of the time I don't really find anything I want/can afford. But every once in a while you find that gem. Good luck.


btw. not related to ubid in any way, except as a customer. (one return (21" refurbed sony monitor), and then one purchase (new pronto)).


btw2. sony is one of those manufactures that seems to use ubid as a dumping ground. Also I, personally, don't trust sony refurbs, not with my experience. Especially with displays, they are probally the most finiky.

I agree with phyre3 that if you play tetris or use your pronto for a significant amount of time, get a docking station.


But a few things, conditioning (discharging completely before recharging) is definitely necessary for every charge cycle on NiCD (Nickel Cadamin). It is not needed or desired for Rechargable Alkaline. And for NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries like the Maha (a good brand) they suggest you condition your battery once every 4 charges.


Getting quality NiMH batteries is well worth the price. Is it critical? Maybe. If you find the batteries run out too quickly, try some quality NiMH batteries. I use NiMH for nearly everything (except flashlights). NiMH have a lower self discharge rate then NaCD. For things I don't use as often (or that drain batteries at a slower rate), I try to use rechargeable alkaline.


Here is an article if you want to learn more about different quality NiMH: http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/BATTS/BATTS.HTM


So what about me? Do I use a docking station? No... not yet. I figure if battery life on my Pronto becomes a problem, I can get a docking station. In the 7-8 months I've owned it, it hasn't been a big deal. (I haven't been using it intensely though).


If you are going to get a pronto or docking station, consider the implications of this thread on your purchase: http://avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthrea...hreadid=137208


Oh yeah. Running up and down the stairs to get a fresh charge of batteries for all my electronic devices is good for me.


3 wireless optical mice

3 wireless keyboards

3 FRS radios

humm... I guess good things come in threes... kinda like the three different diva speakers I have on order (6.1, C3, R3).

I don't disagree. And I might be shortening the battery's life. But I know that the life span of the average cell phone battery (the MiMH kind) is about one year with normal usage (that means almost drained before recharging- statistics from work), and my cordless phone after 2 years its battery is good for at most 1/2 hour of talking (statistic from home), so an almost 3 year old Pronto battery that spends a lot of time on the charger when not in use and probably 90% of the time not fully drained before recharging going strong is not a bad experience. And if you go to the Pronto forum at remote central and ask for others experiences, I am sure most of them will have the same as I did.


I don't know much about batteries. But from what I have heard there are different NiMHs (they use different metals) and also that the way the charging is done (and when) also plays a role. Maybe Philips did it right (I know there are different reasons to be frustrated with the charger, but that is not the discussion here) and the effect is negligible


Also I never said that it was a scientific study or in theory. I know it was a conclusion based on personal experience, and that is why I gave so much background information.


Plus the Pronto does not like it when it is under powered, so I definitely think (IMHO) that it is better to have a charged up Pronto (if you can help it) then using the Pronto and putting it on the charger when the battery is dead (plus someone would have my ass if the system was not usable because someone forgot to put it on the charger and the battery is dead.)