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Impressions of SmartPad 2?

I'm trying to decide what Visor-related gadget I should con my wife into buying for me for Christmas, and this is on the "possible" list (along with the Targus HandCam). I'm familiar with the concept (I have an old CrossPad, which used similar technology sans the Visor), but haven't had a chance to play with the SmartPad.

Anyone out there in VisorCentral land using this thing? What do you think? How useful is it?

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Haven't heard of it. Link?

The Seiko SmartPad2 seems cool but I'm not sure it's worth the $199.99 price tag!

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God bless America, my home sweet home...

quote:

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Originally posted by MarkEagle
The Seiko SmartPad2 seems cool but I'm not sure it's worth the $199.99 price tag!

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I have one...and I love it!

I've had mine for almost two months now and it has proved indispensible. I take almost all of my notes on my Visor and in my electrical engineering classes, I draw the diagrams and circuits straight into the Visor with the SmartPad2.

There is nothing special about the notepad, so when the included pad runs out, I can replace it cheaply. The sensor is in the included pen.

There is a keyboard under the notepad, switching from drawing (cursive) to typing is easy, switch between the 'ink' and the text on the eNotes program.

The price tag is steep, I'll admit. I went after it solely because it fit a specific need I had.

My one gripe (okay, other than the price) is the use of Velcro to hold the PDA in place. The SmartPad2 came with two 3/4" wide strips of Velcro loops to stick to the back of the Visor. Problem is, to have the PDA really secure, the springboard slot cover must be stuck. Since I have a MatchBookDrive, I wound up using only one strip. I'm careful holding the pad when not sitting at a desk.

There is also a shareware program included to send the drawings directly to email, but I haven't loaded it.

Bottom line:
If you need a way to get ACCURATE and DETAILED drawings into your Visor, and you can justify to whoever holds the checkbook the price is worth it...get it.

If you are WILLING TO WAIT until you get home and you have a scanner connected to your computer, scanning the images, saving them as JPEGs, and using a (much cheaper) program like HandStory to load them will save you a lot of money. (But will take longer)

In one class, I'll take notes with the SmartPad because I might need it right away. In a different class, I'll go home and scan the circuit diagrams and prepare more detailed notes.

Oh...the link...here: Seiko SmartPad2

Later,

NightVisor

Oh yeah...you'll be the envy of your friends (or classmates!)

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You know when you have been around computers for too long...you dream in digital.

Thanks for the detailed review, NightVisor. My Dad has been looking into getting one of these. I have to admit, I think it looks neat too but I just can't justify to myself spending $200 for this. For $100 dollars, sure because it puts it on par with the Stowaway. but thanks for the information on how it works, I have been wondering about that.

Jason

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NightVisor:

Great feedback, thanks. I hope you don't mind if I ask a couple of follow-up questions.

1. How much memory do the notes take up, on average? For example, if you have an entire page of handwriting, how much space does it consume on your Visor?

2. I assume there is an application that sits on your visor to pick up the image transmission from the pad. How big is it?

3. How well does it work with your memory expansion? Can you run the app off the card?

Obviously, if anyone else is using this thing I'd love to hear more about it from you too. Thanks in advance.

And about that keyboard behind the pad - Do you need to use the magic pen to 'type' or can you actually touch type on it?

Added later:
Nevermind. I just saw what I needed to know on their website.

quote:

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Originally posted by VTL
NightVisor:

Great feedback, thanks. I hope you don't mind if I ask a couple of follow-up questions.

1. How much memory do the notes take up, on average? For example, if you have an entire page of handwriting, how much space does it consume on your Visor?

2. I assume there is an application that sits on your visor to pick up the image transmission from the pad. How big is it?

3. How well does it work with your memory expansion? Can you run the app off the card?

Obviously, if anyone else is using this thing I'd love to hear more about it from you too. Thanks in advance.

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"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

I have a little more time to ad a few comments:

The SmartPad2 is pretty darn cool, but it's not the ultimate solution as a text/graphics input tool.

The binder/portfolio is very sturdy...it is a tight squeeze as I am using the Visor's snap-cover for the velcro instead of sicking it directly on the VDX itself. I firgured that if a Prizm can fit, then a VDX + cover would work too. The front cover has a bit of flex to it & it zips up easily with the snap-cover included. I did go buy a few 50 cent 5x8 paper pads & tore out about 1/3 of the sheets to give myself another 0.1".

More later...

...now it's later:

I'd like to see some sort of paint program in the Near future. For now there are no options to a drawing, just black & white representations. A program that allows you to select brush shade (or color) & size wouldn't be too difficult to manage, would it?

Maybe next year we can see some sort of simple text-recognition program like you can get with scanners these days.

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"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

quote:

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Originally posted by OrangeDeluxe


I just got my SmartPad2 yesterday....
1. It takes about 1/3 of a meg of the Visors memory...
2. There are 4 apps: eAddress, eToDo, eMemo & eDateBook+...these are the apps that can recieve data from the pad
3. I have a FlashPlus but haven't tried moving the apps to the card yet...

All for the moment...

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"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

quote:

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Originally posted by 4Wheeler
And about that keyboard behind the pad - Do you need to use the magic pen to 'type' or can you actually touch type on it?

Added later:
Nevermind. I just saw what I needed to know on their website.

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"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

So far the SmartPad2 has worked without the slightest problem for me. The only unpleasant suprise is that the zipper isn't metal, but a VERY heat-susceptable plastic. Unfortunately I am still a cig smoker (not for long mind you) & a hot ash (not even a "cherry") fell on a portion of the zipper, instantly melting a few of the teeth! After 20 minutes of filing down the damaged teeth I managed to get the zipper to work good as new again. So one lousey cig ash almost ruined my new SmartPad! My own fault I know, but for $200 you would think they could spring for a metal zipper!

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"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

I always have my Prism on my belt, but I have 3 1/2 years of school ahead of me, and this looks interesting. I was thinking, if I'm willing to pay that much for the thing, I might go ahead and pick up a VDX for $99 at Walmart that stays in the binder. I also use a matchbook drive, but really, I could leave all sorts of notes and stuff on teh VDX, and just beam the stuff to my Prism that I need when I need it. The VDX becomes a "file cabinet" of notes and drawings, if-you-will.
What do you all think?

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IYYAYAS

AMMO - Providing the enemy the opportunity to die for his country.

That's not a half-bad idea.

I have still have my old VDX - I kept it to use with my GPS companion. I'm reluctant to take my Prism into the woods, and the screen wouldn't be that useful outside anyway. It also solves my reluctance to mar my beloved Prism with velcro.

I doubt the 0.1 inch will make a drastic difference with the SP2... But I also wonder if the tight fit I gave my VDX will cause enough stress to throw off the digitizer (I haven't had any drift yet, so far so good.) But as I said before: the VDX with snap-cover is tight, but not enough to make zipping up the portfolio any more difficult. Now all I need is a little bag or compartment to velcro in for a couple of modules!

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"This world is totally Fugazi." -Fish (Marillion)

BTW, $171.95 is the cheapest I have seen it. Anyone see anything lower?

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IYYAYAS

AMMO - Providing the enemy the opportunity to die for his country.

Re: I have one...and I love it!

quote:

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Originally posted by NightVisor
I take almost all of my notes on my Visor and in my electrical engineering classes

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quote:

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Originally posted by NightVisor
I have a MatchBookDrive

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quote:

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Originally posted by NightVisor
a way to get ACCURATE and DETAILED drawings into your Visor

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quote:

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Originally posted by OrangeDeluxe
it's not the ultimate solution as a text/graphics input tool

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IYYAYAS

AMMO - Providing the enemy the opportunity to die for his country.

A tip I saw somewhere said to use a Writeright on the back before you put on the velcro so you can take it off later. I slapped my forehead and went ahead and used one of my old monochrome writerights and put it on the back to avoid those little scuffs you get. I wish I had done it sooner.

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Scott Olendorf
Sony Clie N610C,
Blue Visor Deluxe, Magellan GPS Companion

smartpad2 for less

I have a brand new SmartPad2 (2 weeks ago) which I have decided I am just not going to use enough to justify keeping it. It works perfectly and is compatible with Windows XP. So, I am will ing to sell and ship for $150 (I paid $199 + tax). Or make me an offer and I'll consider it.