Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 18

I am now on my FOURTH exchanged Prism. The first two I got from Amazon had digitizer and color shimmer problems (When the unit is moved while looking at the display, there are horizontal shimmer lines in the colors moving in a downward direction - as opposed to a flicker which involves the unit display having problems in maintaining a constant display). I arranged for an exhange for a new third one from Handspring directly under the warranty, and it too had the same shimmer problems. today, I just received the fourth one from HS again, and it also has the same shimmers! HS Tech support claim that I am the FIRST person to complain of such digitizer and display problems. If they weren't so helpful in arranging fast and free exchanges, I probably would not easily overlook their dishonesty about these defect issues.

My friend at work has the Palm IIIc, and doing a side by side comparison, the colors on that display are stable, and have no shimmer whatsoever! I now seriously question why I spent $450 on the Prism when the color display is BETTER on the Palm IIIc, which I can get for $290 at buy.com. By better, I mean that although the Palm IIIc does not have the 65,000+ colors, at least the 256 it does have are stable and very easy to look at.

IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEA ON HOW TO GET A PRISM THAT HAS NO DISPLAY DEFECTS, please let me know. I have a feeling that HS is screwing with us by using us as their test market first generation guinea pigs!

Tom

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NYC
Posts: 287

quote:

---

Originally posted by tj829
I am now on my FOURTH exchanged Prism. The first two I got from Amazon had digitizer and color shimmer problems (When the unit is moved while looking at the display, there are horizontal shimmer lines in the colors moving in a downward direction - as opposed to a flicker which involves the unit display having problems in maintaining a constant display). I arranged for an exhange for a new third one from Handspring directly under the warranty, and it too had the same shimmer problems. today, I just received the fourth one from HS again, and it also has the same shimmers! HS Tech support claim that I am the FIRST person to complain of such digitizer and display problems. If they weren't so helpful in arranging fast and free exchanges, I probably would not easily overlook their dishonesty about these defect issues.

My friend at work has the Palm IIIc, and doing a side by side comparison, the colors on that display are stable, and have no shimmer whatsoever! I now seriously question why I spent $450 on the Prism when the color display is BETTER on the Palm IIIc, which I can get for $290 at buy.com. By better, I mean that although the Palm IIIc does not have the 65,000+ colors, at least the 256 it does have are stable and very easy to look at.

IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEA ON HOW TO GET A PRISM THAT HAS NO DISPLAY DEFECTS, please let me know. I have a feeling that HS is screwing with us by using us as their test market first generation guinea pigs!

Tom

---

__________________
It all started way back in February 2000 with a Blue VDX.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 76

See this thread for further discussion, and my lament, on this issue.

http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...?threadid=10516

So we have at least 3 people who have reported this problem multiple times (and I think I've seen others in other threads), and Handspring still claims they've never seen it? Well, although they've been good about sending out multiple replacements, I'm giving up for the time being. Do you think it would help to e-mail them and direct them to these threads?

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 77

Same exact story here. I have a Prism with a fine screen, except that it has a stuck red pixel. I also managed to break the stylus slot with a PDA Panache stylus (pity... I love that stylus... but I won't use it if it's going to break the case.)

Anyway, my new Prism arrived this morning. No stuck red pixel, but a tiny almost not perceptible shimmer/wavy problem exactly as described. The problem is almost too slight to complain about, but I've compared them side by side and the original Prism doesn't have this problem.

One other thing I've noticed comparing them side by side. The newer Prism has an almost imperceptible "buzz" coming from the screen, not unlike the buzzing of a Visor Deluxe with the backlight on. My old one was completely silent... but as with the wavy/shimmer, I think this problem is almost too slight to worry about. I'll try it somewhere really quiet, I suppose, and see if it is annoying.

Other than that, I love the color ;-).

Brian

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

I've been following this thread and I too just recently got my Prism replaced (I had a defective recharge LED - stopped working). I also noticed the shimmer you described on my replaced unit. However I think it's an optical illusion. I noticed that if you have the prism in the cradle and a quickly move your head around, You can recreate this "shimmer" without moving the unit at all.. It may have something to do with the display settings/device and/or the lighting. I also noticed the colors don't seem to be as saturated as my old unit and this may contribute to the "shimmer" effect. Seems to be more noticeable on blue tones.

For the record the "shimmer" doesn't bother me, so I plan on keeping my unit. In a weird kind of way I like this display better as there seems to be a better (more natural) range of contrast in the colors.. (just my opinion)

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 77

It is interesting to note, however, that my two Prisms are different. I held them together and moved them back and forth and only got the shimmer on the new one.

However, it isn't bad at all. It's noticeable, but not much more than that. I figure I can live with it; if I can't, I suppose I can always exchange it at a later date.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 37

hmmm

It's scary how similar my story is. I sent back a bad paint prism and got one with a shimmer and a buzz. I'm sure my old unit did not shimmer like this.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

Handspring may have changed who the part supplier was for the LCD screens.. or could have changed the way/specs for how they are manufactured. I can tell you this, my old Prism had a stuck pixel (which never really bothered me as my old laptop does too.. I learned to live with it). This could explain the differences.

I don't seem to have any buzzing. One other thing I noticed was the V1.2 software patch that fixes the digitizer seems to be in ROM (I could be mistaken). Even after a hard reset I got a warning message about the "database" being used when I was restoring from my backup module.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 76

I feel like I'm turning into an incredible whiner, but I have a life, really...

I've thus far received three Prisms with the simmer/waver (which were noticable enough to be distracting, at least to my eyes). I still have my original unit, which has peeling paint but is otherwise fine. I had finally decided to live with peeling paint and keep it for the time being. Better a unit with cosmetic problems than a functional one, I thought. Then last night, the LED on that unit went out. It doesn't light up or blink when you put it in the cradle! Aaahhrrggghhh!!! At first I thought the cradle was busted ,but it turned out it was still charging, but there was no indicator light. If it's not one thing it's another.

Sigh. Just needed to vent. I feel better now.


[Edited by valodya on 01-12-2001 at 12:58 PM]

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 8

Wow my experience is so thoroughly mirrored in the forgoing. I too, had (and still have pending receipt of a fully functional unit) a pretty darn good Prism. Good Screen anyway. Like many others, I also experienced the peeling paint problem. I called for an RMA�no problem. Received the new Prism in two days and noticed immediately the shimmer phenomenon described (horizontal lines along icons appearing with any physical movement of the Prism unit). I hypothesize this is due to a slow refresh rate. Also, the icons appear more crude or pixilated. The shimmer replacement also seems to have a brighter screen. I called for a replacement unit today. I was first redirected from customer service to repair where I was offered the most useless advice from a technician ostensibly to ascertain the nature of the problem, �have you tried a hard reset? Have you adjusted the brightness? Duh. I hope I do not have do to this as many times as some of you already have. What a drag, the lack of acknowledgment thing by Visor. I will keep my peely paint unit if a decent screen is not forthcoming. What, are new buyers receiving these shimmer duds?

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 18

SHIMMER PROBLEM SOLVED!

I found the answer to my problem right here in the message boards! Someone wrote that they had the same problem and installed the Afterburner hack and it went away! I tried the same, and got the same results! I now have a unit that has a gorgeous non-shimmery display!

Now, there is no need to do a switch-a-roo with CompUSA (those rebate bastards!) Maybe I will do it later on so I can sell the new one on eBay when the Palm Vc comes out

Tom

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 77

On the Afterburner Hack fix. I installed afterburner (unregistered) and it seems as though the speed you set it at makes the difference. The max the unregistered goes to is 37 mhz, and that makes the shimmer really bad.

I take it you are using the registered version? What speed and/or options are you using to get the best screen performance?

Thanks in Advance!!!

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Oxford, OH
Posts: 60

Afterburner

Actually, I was the one who suggested it, and I am not using the regestered version. I just set which apps have the wavy line, with the higher speed, and it fixed it. I can still see the screen refreshing, but I expect that has to do with something other than processor speed.

If it is not working for you, then you might want to try registering it, and set it faster and fast, till it goes away. Ofcourse, I would worry about stability... but you might want to experiment.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 18

Again with the shimmies!

The damn shimmers are back, and Afterburner Hack 3.0t is not fixing it. this is the 5th Prism I have had in one month that has the SAME problem. I know there are many of you out there that have the same problem! What are you all doing about it? Are you just living with it? If so, wow! You must think $450 is not that much money to demand a unit works the way it is supposed to. Anyway, I will do a swith-a-roo with CompUSA. If I can't get a good unit from them, then off to eBay I go!

I give the Prism 1 out of 5 stars!

Tom

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

Mine must not be as bad as yours.. It doesn't really bother me... I've become so used to it, I don't really even notice it any more...

-Eric

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 18

Thanks....

That makes me feel better.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 2

I have the same problem

I have the same problem.

I got one from Amazon and it had red pixel that was always on so I got a replacement from Handspring and it had the same problem only in a different place. So I called Handspring back and told them to make sure they don't send me another one with a stuck pixel. I told her to put a note on my order so they will double check the problem before they send it to me. I told her that when the pixel sticks it's usually in color programs only so if they go into the calculator they will see it. Then I got the 3rd one and noticed the same screen shimmer thing you guys are talking about. I put both prism's side by side and the one with the red pixel didn't have the shimmer like the new one I got. Well I shipped off the one with the bad pixel and have just kept my shimmer one since it's not really that bad. I guess what I'm going to do is wait until the PalmVc comes out and get one of those. Maybe -- Or I might just sell the Prism and get a Platinum since the Color really isn't that big of deal to me.
I'll see -- Not sure what I want to do. One problem I don't like with the Prism is it's much bigger then my Palm III was. I had a leather case with my Palm III and it was not too big and then I got the Prism and got the special Handspring Prism Leather case and it's huge now. Not good. I don't like the case at all.

Brad

__________________
Brad Roekle
http://www.everythingdsl.com
Get DSL Now!!!!

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

I had a wonderful Prism without any problems, no peeling paint, ect. No flicker or shimmer. Then I dropped it, broke it bad! I called Handspring and they said they would ship me a replacement EVEN THOUGH I broke the unit. All my fault! Yeah! I was so happy!

So I got the replacement and noticed immediately the shimmer effect. Not a flicker, definitely a shimmer. But I was happy to have a working unit, and decided immediately that I could live with the shimmer. Well, about a week later, I turned on the unit, installed my Minstrel modem, the modem initialized, I changed to the launcher screen, and the screen went totally white. The buttons didn't function, and the power could not be cut off. As there are no removable batteries, I just had to let the device drain. Hard resetting only cut the power as long as the pin was inserted, then immediately the screen was white again.

I called Handspring and they promptly sent another device. This one has a pixel that is white when viewed from the side, but normal when viewed as designed. But there is still the flicker. And my concern now is that the flicker is a symptom of a greater problem, which may have caused my first replacement to white out.

Still, I am happy with Handspring's descision to replace my unit, and will stand by the Prism even though alot of units appear to have significant problems. My first unit worked GREAT, and it may be more a problem with the RMA procedures and replacement units than the shipping, boxed units. Neither of my replacements were shipped as retail units, and this may be the problem. Maybe the replacements aren't up to par with the QA procedures of the boxed units, and there naturally would be a certain percentage of boxed units shipped with this flaw. I don't know. I just hope the situation is resolved, and eveyone is happy in the end.

__________________
Once in a while you get shown
the light....

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 18

Do what I do!

Staples is one of the few stores that sells the Prisms and does not have a stupid 15% restocking fee for returns of technology items. CompUSA and Bestbuy both have those fees. Whenever there is a problem afoot with my Prism, I simply go to a Staples and buy a new one, take the new unit out of the box, remove the Serial Number sticker from the bubble package envelope and from the outside of the box, put the old one back into the box and return it for a refund.

I know this sounds totally evil, BUT it does not harm Staples in anyway...they simply return it to Handspring for a full credit. THis was confirmed by a store manager. Plus, this is the only way you can get a problem-free NEW unit. DID you know the reason why you are getting units from Handspring that have screen problems is because they are sending you REFURBS -- broken units that they receive from other customers like yourself. There is NO quality control with refurbs. Call Handspring yourself and confirm this!

Viva Staples!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

Color difference when viewed right to left.

Since we are here talking about the screens. Do you guys also notice a color difference when looking at the Prism from an angle?
Tilting the Prism to the right all the colors get lighter. Tilting to the left all the colors get darker.

This can be seen with just the apps menu icons and can really be seen looking at a picture or even City Time. It affects all the colors together. It does not take much of a tilt to see it.

Is this just me? If it is not then I am taking this back myself.

__________________
I don't NEED color, I crave it!
<BR>Just a fan! <A HREF=" http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/ "><IMG SRC=" http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/nav/foot-station.gif "></A><BR>