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-- @ctiveLink vs Minstrel S and providers (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=12321)

I'm currently evaluating PDA and wireless options for my employer. I've already sold them on the Visor , but I need to get some feedback on the wireless end of things. Ideally, we would like to use the wireless service to replace our pagers, check e-mail, and possibly update an app through the web. The web option, while nice to have, isn't a deal breaker for us.(We are integrating our Call ticket software with the PDAs so the IS support staff can update the tickets as they go, and just sync when they get to the desk) One piece that is crucial to us is coverage in our area (Laurel/Columbia, MD) and being able to get a signal inside our buildings. We have tested Palm VIIs, and found the coverage to be spotty in our buildings. (We do have a couple area where pager coverage disappears, but the Palm VIIs were worse) @ctiveLink looked like a possibility since it runs on the SkyTel network but I wanted to make sure I covered all options. (Besides, I'm a techie at heart, and I would love to have a Minstrel S and web every where ) Basically, I'm looking for the best bang for our buck, that meets our needs. Feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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Sven

If at first you do succeed, try not to look astonished.

I would say the only way to know for sure would be to get one of the devices themselves and try them out (I know, easier said than done). In general, I believe the palm.net service has much more coverage than the cdpd network the minstrel S uses. I currently use a prism/minstrel S in the Baltimore/DC area. When you look at the coverage map, the area looks to be solidly covered by the cdpd netwrok. Unfortunately, as I have found out, the signal is incredibly finnicky and there are numerous dead spots all over the place. But when it works, I couldn't be happier. So to sum it up, try and get ahold of the device, its the only way to be 100% certain.

Thanks for the feedback

I am hoping to get both to try out in our facility as you are correct, it is the best way to answer the question of coverage. I was hoping to get some feed back from people that use both devices (Especially @activeLink, since I have seen little feedback on it thus far) to help better bolster my case for the devices with the higher ups. Please keep the feed back coming! Thanks.

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Sven

If at first you do succeed, try not to look astonished.

I have a Minstrel out in California, and I get spotty reception as well. I hear that the Skytel network would get better reception.But I would think the real clincher would be the paging capabilitiy with the @ctivelink . If I really needed to be accessable and stay connected, I'd go with the Activelink because you can get "pages" while outside the device, it is always on as opposed to needing to be connected when needed. I use my Minstrel for work a little, but if I needed it alot I would go with @ctivelink instead.

For personal use however, the Minstrel is very cool!

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