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- Springboard Modules (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=10)
-- Omniremote module on palmgear (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=5426)

Pacific Neo-Tek's response to my e-mail inquiry said that registered OmniRemote users would get a discout when they purchase the Springboard.

Sorry for being ignorant, but what is X10? Are there any pages where I can find some more info?

Der Senfmeister
X10 allows you to control electrical devices via remote control. Check www.x10.com for details.

I just received shipping confirmation from PalmGear for an OmniRemote ordered 5/24.

Supposedly it shipped 5/26, so it should appear probably next Tue or Wed.

[This message has been edited by TallPaul (edited 05-26-2000).]

PaulD-

Is that a discount if they buy from Pacific Neo-Tek once they start selling, or is that a discount from PalmGear?

No X-10 in this module. Reference to Omniremote Plus when try to create an X-10 button. Have not started programming new module yet. IR led is sticking way out there on the module, may have to be very careful. I was hoping to use this for my X-10 control and home stereo control. I will probably be ready for the X-10 capable one when it comes out.
Tom

Ash,

Pacific Neo-Tek told me in an e-mail a couple of months ago about the discount, so I'm not sure if they'll give a credit/rebate to those who bought it from PalmGear or not. I thought they were going to be selling it through their website (and I would assume offering the discount that way).

If you've already got the software, you might want to drop them an e-mail & see, it might be just a matter of waiting a couple of weeks & getting it from them with the discount. They responded quickly to my inquiry.

I get the option to create an x-10 control button. But when I try to use the option I get the error that this function requires a Handspring visor using a special radio transciever module. And the error message has a heading that says " Omniremote plus module required." What the heck is up with that?

I email Pacific Neo-Tek and they say the OmniRemote supports x10 IR......they are currently working on a OmniRemote Plus that also offers x10 RF support. Kinda pissed me off.....from the beta tester posted, I thought it would include x10 support. And as far as I can fine, there are no IR x10 devices....wouldn't make sense, as the device would have to be in line-of-sight. Not really sure if it was worth the $65! And I am sure an OmniRemote Plus will cost more.

Also, I was wondering, why does the Palm OmniRemote module (with software bundle) only cost $40, and the Springboard module cost $20 more. And as far as I can tell, the Springboard version doesn't support IRDA. Less for more?

What I really think Pacific Neo-Tek needs to do it design a IR transmitter that doesn't need such a direct line-of-site. The IR in my cable box's remote wraps around the back of the remote, as well as the top. Ths allows me to hold the remote up, looking at it, and still be able to change channels, etc. I can also pretty much point it in any direction, even away from the TV, and it still works. With the OmniRemote module, I have to look, aim, press. Maybe I am being picky...but the idea of selling this as an improvement to the built in IR makes me think it should be better than it is.

Also, I don't know if any of the other modules users have noticed, but you can't set your hardware buttons as remote buttons. It seems to be a bug in the software.....which is odd, because when I used the software only (no module) it worked fine. Kinda surprised the module got past beta testers with such an obvious problem.

All in all.....I think I might just sent this back and wait to see what the OmniRemote Plus is like. I really wanted the x10, and I think the transmitter should be improved upon.....pity....I was finally getting excited about some cool Springboard modules......but Pacific Neo-Tek needs to spend some more time at the design board.

Ryan Clayton

Does anyone have any info on software developement for the omniremote module. Maybe I am blind but I cannot find any information on the pacific neotech website.
I am interested on what info that they have available for directing an irda signal out of the ir emiter imbedded in the module. I have played with it a little and it is fairly powerful. Something worth checking into.

I purchased the OmniRemote. I have already sent it back. I was able to program buttons for my Magnavox TV. The Springboard IR never did work. I would set the preferences to Springboard IR yet only the Visor IR would function. I would check the preferences again and the setting had defaulted to the Visor. Well I would use the software with the Visor IR but the programming of the buttons would "come and go" with no apparent logic; sometimes some buttons would work and sometimes all and then none! I also noted that the module itself was poorly constructed as the as the seams were not aligned and the were gaps in the two sides. This product is not ready for the consumer and should be considered betaware!-----John G

John G, I recently purchased the Omni Remote as well, and was also thouroughly unimpressed. If you do have the time to actually sit down and go through all the training rituals, it still lacks functionality, and seems to only work "some of the time." For those of us with lives, it is a just waste of time. Also, there is no DVD button template, which makes the process that much longer since you have to "create" the buttons for it. This proved for me to me to be a monumental waste of time, especailly for the price. I have seen here that people are impressed with the range. I am not one of those people. Even after training, and re-training, I still had to aim the Visor at certain angle, and had to dim my lights, and yes, I tried both IR options. Also, if you happen to have a full slate of AV equipment, you will be disappointed with the time it will take you to get the thing to work just right. For the price, to me, it is definitely not worth it. For $30, you can buy a nice universal remote that takes five muinutes to train instaed of five hours, with much better range, and DVD funtionality built in. I applaud Pacific Neo-Tek for the effort, as I love to see modules popping up, but I think they need to spend more time at the drawing board with this module. Aside from the intermittent functionality, the inconvienience of turning on the Visor, and pulling out the stylus is a hassle when laying on the couch or in bed. I've had to get up and dig out my stylus from under my bed, just to change a channel, NOT WORTH IT! All these factors make the Omni Remote more of a novelty than a functional or useable Springboard module. I agree, this prodcut should be still be beta ware.

I'm wondering if the software in the omniremote is upgradeable; so, that PacificNeotek can address some of these issues.

That, of course, would not take care of the fact that the IR emitter sounds to be highly directional.

I too have found the Omniremote to be more of a novelty with bugs than a replacement for my Marantz RC-2000. I was hoping for RF and X-10.
Bugs I found.
1. leave 'find' blank in the Tutorial and it locks up the visor. Reset required.
2. Won't stay set on Springboard IR goes back to Visor.
3. Sometimes macros shut Visor off and when you turn it back on macro resumes. DSS 206 macro for ESPN
4. Battery level seems to drop to low level then back up to near top.?????
5. Range is limited for multiple components.
6. Other problem is not Omniremote but Visor weak or non existent backlighting. During a movie with the lights out the Marantz RC-2000 lights up like a christmas tree when you need it.


Phillips Pronto and Marantz 5000 may be the way to go for now, except for cost.

Tom

I received module two days ago and can`t even get it to work,I even had a friend try it on his visor with same results.I agree they have to go back to drawing board on this one..needless to say I`m sending back!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tomvisor:
[B]I too have found the Omniremote to be more of a novelty with bugs than a replacement for my Marantz RC-2000. I was hoping for RF and X-10.

I also found many of the same bugs. I emailed Pacific Neo-Tek, and got a response quickly, but from the tone of the response, they seemed to think it was all my fault. "Try retraining the buttons, try calling your manufacturer for the IR signal." etc. It kind of upset me, as most people who would buy something like this are astute enough to read the instructions, and try every means necessary to make it work. Also, who the heck wants to call manufacturers anyhow? I've got a TV, VCR, DVD, and Stereo, all made by different companies. It would take a day of calling and triaining in order to get this thing to work right...who needs it??? A tip...the Jensen SC-590 is also a rather nice Univeral Backlit Unit, and it is half the price of the Omni Remote.

I emailed Pacific-Neotek to inquire whether the software in the omniremote springboard is upgradeable. The answer is that it is not directly upgradeable, but that any software on the visor overrides the software in the springboard itself. I wonder if any of you who have had troubles had OmniRemote software installed on your Visor prior to installing the springboard. If so, it may be that that may be the source of at least some of the problems.