IBM microdrive: Good or bad for the IPAQ 3135?

[imported_Gizmo]

In case anybody's wondering: I've adjusted to life with microdrive and doing very well. I "top off" the battery every day or so.

When I use Media Player I "screen toggle" and shut it off the screen because Media Player sucks batteries more than any other app, including Audible Player.
Otherwise I leave the screen on, even during longer Audible Player sessions.

Now that I've moved my most popular application, ListPro to internal memory, the microdrive only comes on when running Media Player, Audible Player, or adding Notes.

When I add a Note the microdrive spins on, then shuts off after 10 seconds.

When I turn the ipaq on, it spins on for ten seconds, then shuts off (as long as Media Player isn't running).

Media Player will spin the microdrive, even if a song isn't playing at the time.

[Take1]

Gizmo,

Using this method what kind of batt life do you get? Doest the MD seem to draw power significantly (less than when it spins up of course..) simply by being attached to the iPAQ, or does it not seem to impact that much while on idle?

[imported_Gizmo]

I top off every day, and I have no problems with battery life for my usage. I don't have a solid statistic for you, other than that I don't run out of battery power for my use, and for topping off daily.

Yes when the MD's idle I don't notice much battery drawing at all.

For this experimental usage of Microdrive, I check battery a lot. So that's why I say I don't notice much battery drawing, when I'm just checking Contacts & Calendar & ListPro.

I just see the battery drawing from using MD when I'm listening to Audible, or music, or using a program that's on the MD.

If I was using Audible or music for long time, then I'm guessing 3-5 hours, based on my experience of 60% battery loss over 3 hours of usage of Audible/music, spread throughout the day (drive to work, lunchtime, drive home from work).

I'll be going on a trip this weekend in the car, so I'll measure it then too.

[imported_Gizmo]

update on roadtrip: the microdrive did great.
a) using Audible player, without blanking the screen using the Media Player trick "toggle screen" I lost 30% for 1 hour 25 minutes of Audible
b) using Audible player, while using the Media Player trick to blank the screen, I lost 50% for around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Why?
Because the Media Player will spin the MD constantly, even if it's Audible player that's actively playing.
Surprisingly, Audible player doesn't spin the MD all the time, and even will shut the MD off every five minutes or so...I suppose that Audible player is smart enough to cache the audio in chunks, respining the MD when it needs more audio and shutting the MD off when it doesn't...Cool.

The MD with PocketTV works great.