Registered: Dec 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 118

I'm in the market for a modem for my VPL. Here in the UK, we don't appear to have anywhere near the choice available stateside...

quote:

---

taken from Alan Grahams article 'Happy Birthday to You - My Visor Turns One'
http://www.visorcentral.com/page/0-4-68-2-4.htm

There are at least seven different types of modems

---

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

Because the wireless modems for the Visor's use a CDPD network, I don't belive that it is possible to use one of them in europe (because europe uses GSM). If you have a cell phone, then it is probably possible to hook it up to the Visor to surf the web that way, but it is usually very expensive.

BEN

Registered: May 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 87

Go to an auction

Even though the Thincom is not officially available in the UK, I managed to pick one up from the US ebay.

I confirmed that the seller was willing to ship internationally, paid for by me, before I placed my bid.

I won the auction (basically 'cause my final bid was for the same amount as you can by them new in the US)

Obviously there are downsides to this:
* The inherent risk of buying anything from auction (I confirmed the provenance, via e-mail, and paid using PayPal)
* The items are second-hand (I was lucky, mine was 'as new, un-opened')
* No warranty/guarantee.

I heartily recommend the Thincom, and it works a dream on the UK phone network. It drains the VDX's battery, but this is a small price to pay for the form factor.

For wireless internet access, the best option (IMHO) is get yourself a Nokia 6210 (which supports HSCSD) and an Orange pay monthly account, and you can surf, wirelessly at up to 28.8kb. Better than any other wireless option (UK or Stateside).

To answer your final question; no, you don't need a specific ISP to surf wirelessly via the GSM network, but the phone service provider may effect if you can, and how much you are charged.

If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

HTH

__________________
Regards,
Jim Nurcombe
[email protected]

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 118

thanks nurcombe, looks like i'll be picking one up on my next visit to the states...

Anybody have any ideas on the other modems? The article mentions seven? I've managed to find:

1. Handspring
2. Xircom
3. Thincom
4. Minstrel

what are the others?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

Psion IR Travel Modem (Not a springboard, connects via IR)

__________________
Jeff

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: mountain view, ca
Posts: 36

>>Because the wireless modems for the Visor's use a CDPD network, I don't belive that it is possible to use one of them in europe (because europe uses GSM).<<

The xircom modem is GSM.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Indiana
Posts: 84

Can't speak for the UK, but I used a Xircom SpringPort modem in Paris with no problems once I got the proper dialing patterns. I don't have any information on any of the other brands.

Good luck!

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Bielefeld, Germany
Posts: 8

Thinmodem

Please see my post for Javatar2K1 - I am using that great Thincom-piece of engineering all over Europe; I've bought it in the States and I am located in Germany.

Love it

Dirk Jonas

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 118

DirkJonas, that sounds exactly what I needed to hear, can you point me in the direction of the post, I did a quick search for "Javatar2K1" which came up with nothing

Morris, can you elaborate on the dialling pattern problem?

thanks

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Bielefeld, Germany
Posts: 8

Thinmodem

Hi Ian from UK,

I 've bought the thinmodem directly at THINCOM/USA - a couple of days before xmas. Five days later the german custom (Bielefeld) gave me a ring; I payed the german VAT and it was mine.
Before I was looking for the 56K Xircom which is available in Germany for something like 180 Euro - the Thincom costs me including freight and VAT 130 Euro.
The main thing is, that I really hated the ugly hump on the back of the Xircom - now I love to have the Thincom all the time inserted while leaving the VDX in his case - power consumption is comparatively low: I am changing my rechargeables now each week instead of one and a half weeks, which is really neglectable.

The only disadvantage is, that you shouldn't have a look on your battery level while you are online - that will really frighten you. If you close your session, level goes up again; therefore you should make sure, that your battery is not low (60% is enough).

The Thinmodem came with a RJ11 cable; in addition to that I bought a RJ11 connector (costs you appr. 1 Euro). Nearly every hotel in Europe has these RJ11 plugs at modern room phone (at the telephone, not at the socket). Take it out and connect it via connector with your Thincom cable - that's it. I did that in Poland, Czech, Russia, Austria and Italy.

You will love it, Ian - even in UK

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

quote:

---

Originally posted by laird
>>Because the wireless modems for the Visor's use a CDPD network, I don't belive that it is possible to use one of them in europe (because europe uses GSM).<<

The xircom modem is GSM.

---

Ummmm... ok. I'm going to assume that you don't know what GSM actually is. The xircom modem is a landline modem which uses a phone cord to connect to the internet, not a wireless network. The only wireless modem avaible now is the minstrel S which uses CDPD to connect to the wireless network. However, CDPD is only offered in the US (maybe other countries, but not the UK) which means that you can't connect wirelessly in the UK.
GSM is another wireless network, expecially popular in every country that has a clue as to set up a proper wireless network . Think of GSM as like another technology to make you're cell phone work.

BEN

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 118

Re: Thinmodem

quote:

---

Originally posted by DirkJonas
I 've bought the thinmodem directly at THINCOM/USA - a couple of days before xmas. Five days later the german custom (Bielefeld) gave me a ring; I payed the german VAT and it was mine.
Before I was looking for the 56K Xircom which is available in Germany for something like 180 Euro - the Thincom costs me including freight and VAT 130 Euro.
The main thing is, that I really hated the ugly hump on the back of the Xircom - now I love to have the Thincom all the time inserted while leaving the VDX in his case - power consumption is comparatively low: I am changing my rechargeables now each week instead of one and a half weeks, which is really neglectable.

---

Registered: May 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 87

quote:

---

Originally posted by BEN
... which means that you can't connect wirelessly in the UK.

---

All together 'Oh, yes you can'. OK it's not an integrated solution like VisorPhone or YadaYada, but using a GSM phone with an in built modem (plus infra-red, until somebody makes a Nokia to Visor data cable), it's very possible to connect wirelessly, over the GSM network.

quote:

---

Originally posted by IanP
do you have a contact at Card Access? Their order form does accept non US/Canada addresses. I've sent them an email to the address on their site but haven't had a response yet?

---

I contacted Thincom before I bought mine through auction and they states categorically they would not be willing to ship to the UK. The situation may have changed since then though. They did say they would be willing to ship additional cables

The address I have been able to get a response from is [email protected].

__________________
Regards,
Jim Nurcombe
[email protected]

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Indiana
Posts: 84

quote:

---

Originally posted by IanP
Morris, can you elaborate on the dialling pattern problem?

---

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 118

quote:

---

Originally posted by Morris
Yes, I own a Visor, but I still have a LOT to learn.

The SpringPort is a great modem. Highly recommended, no reservations.

---

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 118

Re: Thinmodem

quote:

---

Originally posted by DirkJonas
I 've bought the thinmodem directly at THINCOM/USA - a couple of days before xmas. Five days later the german custom (Bielefeld) gave me a ring; I payed the german VAT and it was mine.

---

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 1

Thinmodem in europe?

Have you been in contact with palmGear about shipping the thinmodem to UK? Cause I just got an E-mail from them stating that they could ship the modem to Sweden for $12. Hmmm... i�ll send them a new e-mail to see if they really understood my question.

/Jonas

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 118

Alas yes, this was their response:

quote:

---

The product manufacturer indicates if functions fully in US/Canada, but does not indicate it being compatable with UK systems. The Springport Modem 56 Global Access Will work in the UK and runs $148.99. Regular mail to the UK is US$12 but is not trackable. The time frame depends on the mail system and
customs in your country. DHL Door to Door is US$55.00, but is trackable and usually goes through customs quicker. I hope this helps some and If we can help you further, let us know.

Regards,


Leslie Teel
PalmGear.com
http//www.palmgear.com
"The one stop source for your palm connected organizer"

---

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: mountain view, ca
Posts: 36

quote:

---

Originally posted by BEN


Ummmm... ok. I'm going to assume that you don't know what GSM actually is. The xircom modem is a landline modem which uses a phone cord to connect to the internet, not a wireless network.

---

Actually, the Xircom SM56GA modem has a cell cable feature connector and you can buy the cables here: http://www.xircom.com/cda/shop/1,18...1_152-1,00.html

The problem I have is in trying to find the cable that would go from this modem to a Nokia TDMA phone and work in analog mode. They sell GSM cables and Motorola analog cables but not Nokia.


Alan