[gren2]

Anyone have any input on whether its a good idea to use an aftermarket car charger to charge the bb?

thanx

[markhutchison]

It shouldn't be an issue; I have used a few different types of chargers with my 7250 and to no ill effect. The only caveat is that some aftermarket companies have less strict manufacturing standards and the unit may fail sooner than an OEM unit. Ask about the length and terms of warranty just in case.

[gren2]

forgive me for my ignorance-whats and oem charger ?

[JayEdwards]

OEM=Original Equipment Manufactured

[mgerbasio]

Not all car chargers will work, nor will all AC chargers. Do a search on this forum. I have a car and wall charger that won't work with the BB. On my 7290, it shows the charge symbol for about 10 seconds, then it goes away.

Regards-Michael G.

[PGChi]

Just a quick note here if this pertains your case. You can use a Motorola Razr car charger to charge the blackberry but not a blackberry car charger to charge the Razr. I have both devices and learnt it the hard way. If you find a cheaper Razr. charger just go for it. I saw one at Amazon for like $6

[fliedlice]

ive been using the belkin car charger from wal-mart for almost six months and no problems yet

[redthatch]

I just got the Verizon RAZR and it won't charge with anything except a Motorola AC or Auto charger or a "Motorola" USB cable (really, it gives an "Unauthorized Charger" message is you plug in a non-Motorola charger). My BB 7290 seems to charge fine from the Motorola chargers. Both chargers are 5 volt. The BB AC charger is 500 ma, the RAZR AC charger is 850 ma. Does anyone know if this higher output will damage my 7290?

[bobn]

i have used without incident

[PingGuy]

The jury is still out on this for me. I bought an aftermarket car charger before I read here that it is best to stick with OEM. I've used it infrequently but whenever I do it seems the charge from it last a very short time. Plus my battery life has been pitifull lately and it's almost a year old. I'm seriously considering buying an extended battery and picking up an OEM car charger. Even if it's all in my head I'd hate to chance ruining a perfectly good new battery that I spent money on.

[rcg]

Batteries and charging devices it's better to stay OEM. AS I have said in these forums and elsewhere many times... You have a certain expectation of device performance, the OEM accessories will provide it. It's often that a user will say oh my ______'s battery life sucks. Somethimes this can be attributed to incorrect charging by an aftermarket device. Or the supposed extended battery is really just a cheap knockoff of the standard battery but the vendor claims twice the capacity.

I have been in the wireless business 14 years and have seen many aftermarket accessories come and go. I don't take this position randomly - it's from experience over time. From a business perspective we don't make as much money as we could if we did sell you the aftermarket charger. But I think customer satisfaction is higher long term.

[markhutchison]

Originally Posted by redthatch

I just got the Verizon RAZR and it won't charge with anything except a Motorola AC or Auto charger or a "Motorola" USB cable (really, it gives an "Unauthorized Charger" message is you plug in a non-Motorola charger). My BB 7290 seems to charge fine from the Motorola chargers. Both chargers are 5 volt. The BB AC charger is 500 ma, the RAZR AC charger is 850 ma. Does anyone know if this higher output will damage my 7290?

If the BlackBerry had separate charging/data ports I would say that the higher amperage can't hurt ... if anything it may charge your battery a little faster.

However, since we're talking about a port that doubles for data traffic, and there are indications that there is something non-standard in the wiring for the RAZR charger, I would be wary.

Do I think you're likely to fry your BB? No.

Would I be willing to make that assertion with confidence? No.