Differences in Battery Software

There are many different utilities and programs that monitor/assist in charging batteries on the HP Palmtops. Here is a short list (far from exhaustive) of some of the most popular battery monitoring programs now being used by Palmtop users.

ABC/LX -- This commercial program from DNA/Shier Systems, controls and monitors battery charging. After you set up the charging process, ABC/LX monitors the charging and turns it off based on: a length of time you specify; a maximum voltage you specify; or a stop in voltage rise after a time you specify. Though automatic, you can choose to see a graphed profile of the charging progress if you desire.

BATT100 <ON DISK ICON> -- is a simple DOS program that reads the battery voltage. Must be invoked by the user when they want to check the batteries. Does not consume any memory when not in use. Batt100 is a passive program it provides information for you to make decisions on, but does not control your machine for you. BATT100 is freeware.

BUDDY <ON DISK ICON> -- is a program that provides lots of short cut ways to use your Palmtop. One of its many functions is to provide a continuous readout (in Filer) of the battery voltage and time since its last full charge. Buddy is also a passive program with regard to battery usage. Buddy is a TSR that consumes a substantial amount of memory (about 54K), and is therefore the battery management program of choice only if you want to use its many other great features. Buddy is shareware.

BATTMAN -- is a program that monitors battery usage and includes sophisticated algorithms for each type of battery. BATTman not only tells you the battery voltage, but will shut down your Palmtop if it determines that the battery voltage is too low to safely perform functions such as writing to Flash cards. It is this last active feature that earns BATTman the loyalty of its users. BATTman is a small TSR and is commercial software.

BCC <ON DISK ICON> -- This PAL application gives you full control when charging batteries in your Palmtop. BCC lets you specify how long a time your batteries charge, at what voltage the charging should stop, and much more. Using BCC together with the Palmtop's Appointment Book application, you can automatically charge your batteries when necessary without ever having to think about.

VOLT/LX -- is a commercial program from DNA/Shier Systems that monitors the status of non-rechargeable batteries. (See New Products, page 6 for more information.)

Victor Roberts CompuServe ID: [70413,1423]