Digital Cameras Mall

This is the second Kodak docking station I've purchased. The first one, for my previous camera, always worked like a charm. I initially had problems with this second one, because it wouldn't recharge the two Kodak rechargeable batteries I had in the camera. I found the problem--the charger will only work with the rechargeable battery pack that comes with the docking station. Once I pulled out the separate batteries and installed the battery pack, it worked fine. I suspect that Kodak installed some sort of mechanical sensor in the docking station that feels for the battery pack before enabling the recharger. Seems silly, particularly since this is not mentioned in the brief instruction manual. Still, now that I have the "official" battery pack installed, the docking station is fine. I also connected the data cable to my PC, and that works fine too when transferring photos.

Got this dock for a friend and discovered that it will recharge the battery pack that came with it, but not standard rechargeable AA NiMH camera batteries - this should certainly be mentioned in the product description. And the online manuals at Kodak do not cover this model. There is no mention of two different Series 3 Camera Dock models, but there's another one with 3 charging lights (yes, that's the more expensive one at this site - but, again, the description doesn't tell you what the difference is!). I feel sucked in by a product description that doesn't address the actual operation and features (or lack of features). >>Sept 7, 2007 update >> I've exchanged numerous frustrating emails with Kodak support.
On Aug 28 they told me "The green flashing light indicates that your camera and the Kodak EasyShare camera dock series 3 is ready for transfering pictures to your computer or is set on transfer mode." Actually it turned out that a quickly flashing green light meant the battery was very low and a slowly flashing green light meant the battery was partially charged.
On Aug 30 they told me "It is not true that the Kodak EasyShare camera dock series 3 will not charge a standard Ni-MH rechargeable battery." Then, on Sept 5, they said, "Regular AA Ni-Mh batteries will not charge using a camera dock." I believe that last statement is true.
Four times I have asked if they have an on-line manual for this 1 light model and they have referred me to on line manuals for the 3 light camera dock. If you buy this one do NOT expect any support from Kodak -- their support section apparently does not know, or refuses to acknowledge that they even make a Series 3 camera dock with one light.
>>As far as the difference between this and the 3 light model: Neither of them will charge standard AA rechargeable batteries, but apparently the 3 light version has a built in battery discharge and restore feature for the Kodak battery pack that this one does not have. Since my friend misplaced the manual and I can't get any info on this 1 light model from Kodak, I do not know what other differences there might be.
[update 09/10/2007] Found the printed manual (no help from Kodak support). This model says it will also discharge and restore the Kodak battery pack and indicates it when the light changes to a flashing yellow. >>>12/10/2007 Final update: My friend has the dock set up too far away for the cable to reach her pc so she doesn't use the picture xfer feature; but she REALLY LIKES THE ABILITY TO RECHARGE (the Kodak battery pack) BY SIMPLY SETTING THE CAMERA IN THE DOCK. -- I still would give it 1 star or less because of the lack of Kodak support and their design that purposely cripples the charger so it will not work with standard rechargeable batteries that the camera can use. Kodak support apparently does not know their own products and doesn't appear to read or understand your problem either - in response to my last request for a manual for this dock, their final email told me to phone customer support and be sure I had the camera's serial number ready so I could return the camera! ??

this is a great addition for my new kodak 800 series camera. the rechargeable batteries by themselves is well worth it! regular alkaline batteries do not last long at all. one important thing...in order to use this you must have held onto the plastic docking station that is included with the camera.

The dock kit seemed like a good deal because it was an easy way to get everything we'd need, at a good price. But the camera case doesn't have a shoulder strap (or any other way to carry it hands-free)! That made the case almost useless to me.

the Kodak EasyShare dock is good in theory, but comes up short in the real world. The dock claims to be designed for the Kodak Z series camera. It wasn't until I spent the money had the dock at home that I realized that the dock "fits" my camera, but the rechargeable battery it comes with is not for my model Camera. Not only does the battery that came with it not compatible, but the battery I need is an additional $24.00 on top of the $44.00 I already laid out for the dock. If I new the dock didn't come with the right battery up front, I would have looked at other options.

I also doesn't help that the battery I need is on backorder everywhere and I have to use AA batteries in the meantime. Another extra waste of money.

The Dock DOES fit my camera, and the adapter plate from the Camera does go on the dock. Let's hope the dock actually charges the battery when I finally get it.

--- Unrelated to the dock itself, if my camera required a special rechargeable battery, it should have come with it. Buying all the accessories later only works if they are all truly universal.

DRW

It works as advertised.
It will (for me anyway) only charge the Kodak battery pack !
I shoved some nice high end LithIons and it would not charge them.
Oddly the camera dock for my old DX4900 will charge almost anything.

This dock worked great from the start. I got my battery charged in the stated time-frame and downloaded with no problems from my P712. I'm glad I bought it.

The docking kit makes transfers to the computer virtually automatic and saves a lot of time. You can still download all or individual frames using the EasyShare software. The recharging of the battery (rechargeable) is very convenient.

There is an insert that sits between the camera and the dock. The insert does not exist for our camera- per kodak- but we only found this out AFTER we purchased this dock kit.
FYI, if you own a Kodak Z710, do not buy this dock. We were lead to believe otherwise.

This is a great system for a very reasonable price. Amazon helped me locate the lowest cost kit and the shipping time was very fast. The kit, which includes the camera dock, power cord, required NiMH battery pack, nice camera bag and cleaning supplies, was available for less than the cost of the Kodak Camera Dock itself. Figure that! The first kit was so nice, I bought another for my daughter-in law to use with her Kodak camera. The system is simple to understand, hook-up and use. Make sure you keep the USB cable and plastic shoe that came with your camera and you will have everything you need to keep the camera batteries charged while in the camera, and download or view your digital pictures while connected to your computer or TV.
One appropriate limitation is that separate AA rechargable batteries cannot be charged with this dock while the batteries are in the camera due to a protective interlock that prevents inadvertantly charging non-rechargables. So, you do need the provided battery pack that comes with this kit. Additional NiMH rechargable battery packs are available from many sources.
This system is a great compliment to a Kodak camera.