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-- Design flaw?! -- anyone else? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=962)

Mitchell:

Now THAT is strange...it cracked, even without the cover being in use? I'm staring at mine right now, trying to figure out how it could happen. But I don't have a theory about that one...

-Doug

Whoops - I see that the page that had posted my picture no longer exists. If someone has a site that I could post it on, let me know and I'll send it to you - the picture showed where the crack occurs, for those of you who don't have a Visor yet, or who's Visors aren't cracking.

Well, I'm sorry to say that my BVD is also showing these cracks in the retaining slot. I've had my Visor for 3 weeks and was aware of this problem even before I received it so I have been *EXTREMELY* cautious whenever removing the Visor from it's case. I'm using one of the Handspring deluxe cases which uses the sewn in cover to hold the Visor in place. Ironically, it may be the snug fit that aggravates these "stress fractures".

This is very dissapointing to me since I am very satisfied with this product in every other way. What's most troubling to me is that (IMHO) this is not a product defect but a design flaw and even a replacement visor will eventually show the same type of cracking. If and when the slots breaks off it will be interesting to see if the case will still hold the Visor *securely*. I have my doubts....

[This message has been edited by Manoo (edited 01-06-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Manoo (edited 01-06-2000).]

Manoo:

Don't be too upset with this very minor design flaw; almost all consumer devices such as this that I've worked with have had some shortsight that was eventually fixed and coverable under warranty.

Off the top of my head...

1) My original Timex Datalink watch had a very, very cheap plastic face that scratched easily. As well, the gold paint had as much longevity as wax crayon and began to fleck off after only weeks.

2) My first Pilot 1000 developed a stress fracture in the thinner part of the stylus holder. This was potentially more of an issue than the cover holder, as everything I've heard so far suggests that even with the cover holder broken, the Visor is still secure--try to pry the Springboard cover off without sliding it out, and you'll find it's very secure.

3) My Psion S5 has a bad case of leperosy - the matte finish is peeling in the worst way. My first one was covered under warranty after a year; this time around I've decided to just let it happen since if anything, it's prevented peope from wanting to steal it.

Anyway, my buddy still uses the watch I sold him and it's working fine, sans paint. A guy at work bought my Pilot 1000, scratched up grafitti area and superficial stress crack included, but neither fault has ever amounted to an issue for him. I still use my S5 for everything the Visor isn't good at and the peeling skin hasn't hindered its usage.


-Doug

A couple of friends with (graphite) Visors have had this same problem. I haven't yet, but time will tell.

One of them called Handspring, explained the chips at the top corners of the springboard slots. The upshot?

Handspring gave him an RMA for the chipped Visor and is sending him a new Visor. "Just ship us back the old one in the shipping box" he was told.

He spent less than five minutes on the phone getting this resolved. His hold time was a different matter.

-- Michael

My IVD is having the same fracture problems near the springboard, not to mention a badly streaking screen, and I plan on calling HS tomorrow and requesting a replacement. I'm sure they will replace it, but my two questions about the replacement are:

1) will it be a refurbished unit, and;
2) can i request a different color (ice isn't all i thought it would be)

Thanks alot,

evan

Doug,

Thanks for your comments and I agree that these first article problems are usually resolved. (I own an original Playstation and I've had to turn it upside down to get it to work for several years!) It's the price we pay for being on the *bleeding* edge!

I plan to play the waiting game with my Visor. Once the edge completely breaks off I'll find out how securely the Visor stays in the case. If there's little or no difference then I could care less. But I'm concerned that this additional gap (between the front of the retaining slot and the springboard cover) may be enough to cause the Visor to slip out of the case. Of course, I could always switch to a different case which uses velcro or some other method, but I *love* my premium case! Oh well, we'll just have to wait and see...

My Graphite Visor deluxe did the same thing, after about six weeks. I found it before the chip of plastic fell off. I removed it the rest of the way and glued it back on with superglue. HMMM, seems like some kind of common defect to me.

Say Hey: a little late coming up on this site; could've saved a lot of anguish over discovering the module slot cracks in my less than 3 weeks old VD. Careful handling, always stored in case, used backup module twice for backup, once for restore.
Really disappointed, since I was testing the unit for office deployment and thought we were gonna score big time on per unit cost and memory advantages versus Palm 5 (the other test unit). Disappointed again when attempting to do phone with Handspring; queue waiting time too far outside my tolerance range. Finally zipped a mailer to the marketing and advertising folks.

Recently posted the same problem to VisorCentral, noted you live in Aloha Land. Here's my email, appreciate it if you tell me if/how you resolved cracking problem:
[email protected]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mitchel:
Doug & Tyler,

I posted earlier that my Visor has already started cracking and it is always in the case when it is not on the cradle. I have never used the plastic cover that comes with the visor, therfore your theory on the cracking when the plastic cover is on the front may be true but it is not the only culprit.

---

Here's a thought for those who may have experienced some cracks, and for those who want to avoid them: When placing the plastic cover on the back of the Visor, or when placing the Visor in one of the cases that is made by Handspring put the slot end in first, then push gently so the two "pegs" at the bottom engage. This way you won't damage the apparently somewhat fragile portions. And when removing, simply pry gently at the top (that's the reason for the rounded portion of the cover and the case holder) and the Visor should come out without putting any stress on the plastic parts that seem to want to crack. Hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by domide (edited 01-14-2000).]

Talked with Handspring folks who identify different issues with different models: Ice and Graphite.
Based on discussion, fixes in place for newer production devices. No word on what to do about pre "new production" devices except follow Handspring warranty procedures (first 30 days?).

The warrantee is for 1 year. Thirty days is the money-back guarantee.

tyler

In new developments, I'm getting a new crack! :-(

One user recommended a method for avoiding cracks, that basically involved prying up a little harder on the plastic cover when removing it and putting it on, so that the tongue did not snap into the ridge and crack it more. Well, now, the tongue - the piece that hooks over the top of the visor, and snaps into the groove on the top - is starting to crack. Right at the point where the tongue reaches out from the main flat part of the cover, a crack is starting across. I figure in another few months, that tongue will snap off entirely, and then I will be without a cover.

Is anyone else seeing this?

Not here...yet.


tyler

Do I have a new flaw? I have a graphite visor deluxe. I have a crack on the back of the unit, on the left side (visor facing away), between the stylus hole and the Springboard slot cover. Anyone else?

I think I may have found a new crack also...

Mine's about one-fourth of an inch long, starting under the power button and running toward the microphone. It doesn't look like it will affect the performance of my GVD, but I was wondering if anybody else had noticed similar cracks.

It seems as if the plastic is just a tad too brittle for the amount of use these things get!

I have been quietly enjoying my IVD for about a month now without any problems, however after seeing this topic and reading the various problems I can identify with two of them.

First of all, I have the stress fractures on both sides of the cover retention slot on top. Nothing has broken off yet, but I feel sure it will happen sooner or later.

Second, I noticed today a new crack that runs about a quarter of an inch from the corner where the top hook for the cover meets that flat face diagonal towards the center of the cover. It is very conspicuous on the Ice cover.

Oh well, neither of these problems interfere with the operation of the device, and as long as it breaks in the first year (if at all) I will just have it replaced with a later model under warranty.

I have waited on buying the Visor, and glad that I have. I wanted one so bad, a friend of mine bought the standard Graphite Visor, and to my knowledge hasn't had the infamous cracking/chipping problems yet. I informed him of this bbs so that he can read the posts for himself. I hate to ask it here, but what are the main differences between the Palm IIIx and the standard Visor? Would it be bad idea for me to get a Visor with the cracking problems, or should I just get a Palm Pilot IIIx? Please help me make a clear decision, I thank you all for your posts, and for this BBS.

-Seth

Seth,

I would still go with my Visor over the Palm IIIx I upgraded from. The cracking is certainly an issue, but from my perspective a rather minor one. And as wgharper notes, if the cracking is too bad, we've got a year to be under warantee.

As for the general reliability of Palms as apposed to Visors. I have had a Palm III and a IIIx. I had to get the III replaced twice and the IIIx once under warantee. So no company is a sure thing in the defect reguard.

tyler