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-- Advise to a new PDA user (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=10053)

Hello, I'm looking to get a PDA for my husband for christmas (and hoping to get one myself shortly!)

Although I know this is a Visor forum, I hope I can get some unbiased advice, as this is by far the most active msg base I've run into yet.

I want to get him a good machine that he won't be wanting or needing to replace in 3 months... but at the same time, I want to keep within a budget if possible *grin*

For a "newbie" to PDAs, would a Visor Deluxe be sufficient? I was looking at some of the FranklinCovey versions of Palms also, as I know he would really like the Franklin software package... How important is color, for those of you who have used the monochrome, then switched to color? Would it really be worth the extra cost to get him a Prism or a IIIc?

His primary usage would be standard PIM tasks, but I like the expandability of the visors... wireless internet is not a major concern at this point... but I want to get him something that has as much varied usefulness to it as possible...

Any input would be greatly appreciated - I want to get him something he'll be really happy with and the more I hunt around, the more panicky I'm getting about possibly making the wrong choice -- but then I'm just starting to stress out over the holidays anyway! *g* Thank you for any help you can give me!

This is just my personal opinion, of course.

My first Visor was a Deluxe, and frankly it changed my life! It rapidly became the third lobe of my brain. I really do no function well without it.

My second Visor is a Prism. A lot of people will dump on me, but it is my considered opinion that the color screen, while nice, is not +$200 worth of "nice". I do not think that it is "really worth the extra cost to get a Prism or IIIc".

In other words: I love the color, but the money I spent on it still bothers me.

The Springboard expansion slot, for me at least, makes the Visor far superiour to the Palm.

The application that changed my life the most is QuikBudget. Suddenly I know exactly where my finances stand at any given moment.

I hope this helps.

__________________
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Hey Ravyn (as in Baltimore? GO RAVENS!)

I think you'd be ok getting him the Visor deluxe if his primary use will be a PIM. You may want to look at the IIIxe as well. The springboard slot is nice to have, however, not vital. While there are modems, memory, MP3 players for the springboard slot, there are also add-ons for Palms aswell (modems, memory, MP3 players). So you really have to think about how much your husband might want to truely 'expand' the functionality of his PIM. Many might argue that regardless of this decision, the Visor Deluxe is the way to go, however, with current christmas incentive programs, etc. you may stumble across a IIIxe that is considerably cheaper and your final decision should rest on his final use (if he soley feels a handheld is strictly for PIManagement, then the savings in a Palm would be warrented). Keep in mind, there are modems, wireless internet, memory, and keyboard options for both products (Visor and Palm) so picking one over the other is not necessarily a done deal (it's the switching from one to the other that creates a problem )

As for colour, I have yet to be lucky enough and use a PIM with colour so I can't comment. Sure, i think it would be nicer (adds a new dimension to datebooks, to do lists, etc.) however, if a budget is broken because of it, I may tend to lean toward it not being a necessity. (because a budget is a budget and these are 'disposable' gadgets that will be replaced by the owner one day).

If there is one thing i can say, go for more internal memory. The Deluxe vs. the Solo visor, the IIIxe over the IIIe (M100). I've yet to hear a Deluxe or xe user complain about spending more for the extra memory, yet i've heard many Solo, e and M100 owners wish they had more memory.

To summarize this post and leave you with an answer which hopefully (although it might) leave you less confused; think about what your husband will use the device for and remember your budget (to some extent...). If he's a 'gadget' guy then he may enjoy the springboard slot of a visor, however, i know somebody who is an executive and uses his Palm as a PIM and loves it, while not being too intrested in the Springboard slot of my visor (he feels it's something he never needs!)

You'll get people arguing over which is better "till the cows come home" but it all boils down to personal preference. "Gather the facts and ignore the passions." I was taught that once when making a decision....it goes a long way! (except when choosing a mate! )

__________________
Ever feel like the train left while you were busy reading the paper?

Stealth-Mod.

Warning re: Franklin-Covey software

I've used Franklin-Covey's software for a year now, and it is finally mostly stable (on the Visor); but the desktop software for Microsoft Outlook is hopelessly broken. Key features like repeating and recurring tasks not only don't work, but they clone themselves and all the tasks for a given day. Your desktop task list is all too soon awash in hundreds of redundant tasks. Not only is F-C no longer promising to fix this problem, F-C recommends not using those features at all. The problem with this advice is that these two types of tasks are critically important to most users, and they are the type of task that most benefits from being computerized! If that wasn't bad enough, a task that is forwarded is listed on the desktop as completed!!

Things seem better if you go with the non-Outlook version of the desktop software (don't use, so judgment is based on F-C's forum), but then your husband may have to deal with no less than three desktop PIMs (Outlook, Palm Desktop and Franklin Planner Software v7.x).

For a F-C friendly alternative, that uses the Visor's built-in ToDo list, see - http://www.jeffkirvin.com/writingon...lm/planning.htm (this is an Internet Explorer safe site only - don't try the URL with Netscape's browsers).

If your husband is really tied to the F-C system, this might be an instance where a gift certificate and some uninterrupted web time will give you the best results.

If it's going to be used primarily for PIM, I would recommend the Visor Deluxe hands down. Visor has Datebook+. I have been using my visor since July of this year for work and personal organization and I don't know how I got along without it. I started out with a deluxe and then upgraded to a Platinum. The upgrade was really not worth it for what I do with it, but it got me the newest and fastest for the moment. I know someone could say you could buy a Palm and then download Datebook 4 and that's a matter of personal opinion. Visor also has a better calculator and Citytime without having to install anything.

Well, you are making a few contradictions in your request...but those are the same that I think all first-time PDA user do (ie, Just using it as a PIM, but want the most flexibility and best price).

My opinions:

The visor is a great PIM. The Visor Solo is fine, but if $100 isn't going to bust the budget, go with the extra 6mb of Ram in the Deluxe.

I don't think the Springboard is too much of an issue. If he is mainly going to use it as a PIM, but the time he get's around to updating it with a Springboard, the visor will be old enough that it'd be time to replace it anyways...so unless there is a certain Springboard you know he'll run out an buy the first 6-months he has it, I wouldn't hinge your decision on that.

Color? It is certainly nice, and does enhance a lot of apps (both visually, and usability-wise). But I don't think the extra $200 justifies it. When he gets around to upgrading to a different model in a year or-two, color will be defacto and much more affordable.

Oh...and get him a good case!

__________________
We're all naked if you turn us inside out.
-David Byrne

Unbiased?

It's tuff to get an unbiased opinion but here goes:
I've been a Palm user when Donna Dubinsky just formed the original Palm company and now I'm a Prism user. The last Palm unit I had (have) is a Palm Vx.

Color is important but also limited in sun shine. Don't get a Palm IIIc because of it's lack of readability in sun light. Memory is important so get a least 8mb. Just like a PC you can get tons of software for any Palm OS device and thus the ability to try and expand usage of software will probably be important. Springboard technology is one reason I moved from Palm to Prism. USB was also important so be certain that your capable of using it, assuming your going to sync to a PC. If not then definitely get a Visor Deluxe (minimum) with a backup module.

You didn't mention any Windows CE machines and that's good. I've had two different one (none of the latest version) and hated them even though at the time they had a better resolution then the current Palm and Handspring units. Stick with a Palm OS.

If the end result is strictly going to be a PIM then color is not necessary. If he is a current user of a Franklin Paper system then will probably like the migration to that type of device and you get the software bundled with the hardware and hence save a few bucks. If the end result is to upgrade to a device that will eventually allow for expandability then go for a Deluxe, Platinum or Prism.

If he is not a present user of the Franklin Covey paperbased system then I'd recommend going with a Handspring product because of the software bundled with their units is better than the Palm units and then he can be directed to this web site/discussion board and get additional software and hardware ideas.

Tough question - long answer - hope all of the responses will help you in your decision. Hey hears a thought, you might casually ask if he has a preference before you buy it under the disguise of seeing a comparison somewhere and asking his opinion. He might have already formulated which one he wants.

__________________
Moose Man
I may be from the LEFT coast but that's not the correct political view in my mind!

Thanks!

Thank you everyone, for your insights, tips & advice!!!

Well, I took the plunge & ordered the Visor Deluxe through Amazon - I *think* that ought to give him what he needs & hopefully he won't "outgrow" it too soon! Ordered a leather case, extra stylus & a book to go along w/ it... along w/ the serial cradle that he'll need for his desktop.

Of course, I'm still a little jittery, but I feel mostly certain that I've made a good choice, esp. after what I've read here. *Thank you* for your help, all of you!!!

Now my only problem is how to drop a subtle hint to him that *I'd* love to have one of these too, without him catching on to the fact that I bought one for him! LOL!

Thank you again for your time & assistance!!!

Re: Thanks!

quote:

---

Originally posted by ravyn
Now my only problem is how to drop a subtle hint to him that *I'd* love to have one of these too, without him catching on to the fact that I bought one for him! LOL!

---

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-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

First, I love my Visor Prism and the Visor Deluxe before, but if I were to rate the palm devices it would be as follows:

1. Palm Vx http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...7756653-4657360 for $400, it is a lot for a monochrome device, but it is just too sexy. :-)

2. Visor Prism http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...7756653-4657360 for $450, it is also expensive, but I haven't regretted it one bit. Sure you can buy the Palm IIIc for $100 less (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004RC2E/107-7756653-4657360), but Why? Just kidding if you can do a side by side comparison, you should. Like I said above, I owned a Visor Deluxe, its hard to go back after experiencing COLOR.

3. Visor Platinum http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...756653-4657360. For $300 you get an uptodate OS and the fastest processor on a palm device.

4. and 5. m100 or Visor Solo. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...7756653-4657360 and http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...756653-4657360. both cost $150. If you are sure your husband is only going to use is the PIM, the 2mb is all he may need, but 2mb is so limiting. The m100 is cuter than the Solo.


One thing about the Visor is that they can't have their OS upgrade without sacrificing some of your mem.

MHO

__________________
Felipe Garcia
Happy Treo 600 user, so far. Thanx Cingular for having an unlocked phone.

My Treo 600 is my phone, my PDA, my watch, and my MP3 player. Oh yeah, I take a picture once in a while with it. Convergence is such a great thing.

I had a visor delux for one year... loved it!
Got a visor prism... love it!!

Color is easier to read in most all situations except bright light. Color is much, much, MUCH easier to read indoors (like while watching TV in a normal or dim room) or office conditions but is almost un-usable outdoors unless in a vehicle or some shade.

Will he take care of it? If not go for the solo or something cheaper than the $450 for the prism.

If you get him a prism then later you can expect the same.

Just my two cents (since the interested party already went with a VDX)...


If you're using it indoors a lot, color is a must. Office workers and those doing most of their PDA-ing inside or at night are the best candidates for a IIIc or Prism. On the other hand, if you work outdoors or find yourself doing whatever it will be with your PDA in sunlight even half the time, you need a mono device as you can't use any PalmOS PDA with color outside at all.

In the IIIc vs. Prism contest, it's actually a lot more drastic price difference than some here think: You can get a IIIc off Pricegrabber.com for around $280, which is sickeningly close to $200 less than a Prism with tax. As a two-time IIIc owner and now Prism owner, I have to say that the Prism IS NOT worth that price difference. Yes, it's nice to have a 65k color palette (not that much of anything currently uses it) and the faster CPU is a plus... The 8MB Springboard Flash module is another benefit (sorry, no other Springboards catch my interest... and/or offer a unique advantage over the Palm brand serial equivalent).

Also, IIIc's have FlashRAM, which (arguably to some) enhances its OS upgradeability and also allows a little extra storage (about half a meg). The IIIc is thinner and doesn't absolutely have to have a slipcover with its flip-up front, so it cuts a MUCH slimmer profile than the Prism.

Yesterday, a friend of mine purchased a brand new open-box demo IIIc at a local electronics chain for a whopping $175! Obviously, deals can be had on these. Personally, I think they're the current hot pick of all PDA's currently available. After you play Zap!2000 or one of the many classic arcade games, view some color pics or start adding multicolor icons to your upgraded datebook app of choice, you'll *never* go back to mono. Trust me.

If Handspring knocks the Prism price down $50 SOON, I'd be a bit more apt to recommend one, but for now the IIIc just seems the lesser of two evils (when considering the limitations of both models). Me, I didn't care. I had to have the shiniest toy on the market, and that was the Prism, so...

b

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bill s.
lead artist, the 3do company
visor prism / casio e-100
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

thanks again

Thanks again for all the help. The visibility was the only real reason I was considering a color - I hope the mono doesn't turn out to be a real problem for him! I'm guessing he'll be using it about equally in the house/office and while in the car or outside...maybe a bit more inside, but outside visibility is still a factor.

I got him into a conversation related to this last night, asking for ideas for Christmas gifts, and he just reminded me, "Well, I wouldn't mind having one of those little electronic rolodexes to just carry w/ me - it would be really handy to keep names/numbers/notes/etc like that just tucked in my pocket rather that trying to keep my Dayrunner around..." I'm *hoping* that once he 'plays' with it a bit, he'll make use of all the other functions of the visor & that I didn't get him more than he really needs.

He's the type of sweetie that will spend a bloody fortune on me, but never asks for any "expensive" item for himself & this was the only specific idea I've managed to get out of him these past few months.... just the standard reply, "you don't need to get me anything...." you men can be so difficult sometimes! *grin* I just wanted so badly to get him something nice that he'll enjoy & be able to use - I hope going for the visor over a cheapie 'electronic rolodex' was a good idea! *g* He is a bit of a gadget freak, so I think once he gets using it, he'll really like it.

Thanks again for all the tips & for listening to my rambling!

- Ravyn

I felt your pain

Ravyn, I guarantee that as soon as your hubby gets his Visor and starts using it - you will not be able to get your hands on one fast enough. I purchased a Visor Deluxe for my husband as an anniversary gift. I was so jealous! I couldn't wait around to see if he would reciprocate, so I bought one for myself a week later. I use mine much more than he does (I also have QuikBudget and a lot of other great software programs) and can't imagine what I would do without it.

My advice: order one for yourself now while Amazon still has free shipping. I guarantee that you will end up getting one for yourself - you might as well do it while you can get it shipped free.

These little gadgets aren't the cheapest toys, but with the time and money you save after you get it, you won't be sorry.

Go for it!

visor deluxe or Palm IIIc. But if you want wireless go with a platinum. My opinion is the Prism is too expensive for what you get.

Don't forget http://www.handspring.com has free shipping for everything over $100 to.

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