Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 2

I'm planning to get a PDA these days...
And my question is ... why buy visor instead of Palm? Other than the price is cheaper than Palm, what are the better aspect of Visor?

Can anybody tell me?

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< e >

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Greenwood, IN
Posts: 125

elena,

I recently changed from a Palm IIIx to a Visor Deluxe. First of all, I should say that there was nothing inherently wrong with my Palm IIIx. It is a very nice little machine, a real workhorse and extremely useful. There were two major reasons I switched to a VDx.

1. 8 MB of memory. I am a college prof, and at first I bought the Palm to replace my aging Franklin Planner -- ie. I basically intended to use the device only for a to-do list, address book, and calendar. The Palm IIIx worked well as far as that stuff goes. But what I found was that every day there were new applications I hadn't thought of that were really useful to me -- having a Bible on it, using it to send and receive email, keeping my gradebooks on Quicksheet, etc. So that 4 MB of memory got used up quickly. The Visor had a great price for 8 megs.

2. Springboard expansion. Well, you might be saying, the Palm IIIxe also has a good price for 8 MB. What really tipped the scales in favor of the VDx was the springboard slot. I discovered (on a long trip lugging around a laptop that wouldn't work!) that I really would like to use my handheld to connect to the internet remotely, either wireless or wired. The Visor has the greatest number of options for such things with the springboard slot, plus tons of other possibilities besides. I have always been a great admirer of versatility, and the springboard slot allows the Visor to change function to nearly any kind of small electronics device you can imagine. The Palm really just couldn't compete with that kind of versatility.

I also have to admit that I liked the looks of the VDx better than the Palm -- I don't know how great a role that played in my decision. :-)

The one thing I think that Palm devices have over the Visor is the flash upgradeability of the OS. I wish the Visor would do this, and I don't look forward to someday having to replace my machine just because the OS is outdated. But that negative was more than balanced out, in my view, by the VDx' expandability and value.

Hope that helps.

-bertbert

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

Another Reason

elena,

another reason to buy Handspring is the USB connection. It makes synching data between your handheld and your PC faster than you can do it with a Palm branded handheld. True, there are USB solutions for Palms, but they can't take advantage of the USB speed.

I don't know if this matters to you, but Visor is apparantly easier to get set up with Macintosh computers than Palm is.

Without "overclocking" software, Visor runs faster than Palm. I'm not sure most users could notice, though.

Finally, if you're the type of user that doesn't add lots of software to your handheld, the calculator and DateBook+ that come standard on it are upgraded from the ones that Palm includes. And Visor includes the WorldClock program.

I'm not sure price is really a factor anymore. According to the Handspring website at:

http://www.handspring.com/products/vcomparison.asp

the price of a Palm IIIxe that has 8M of memory is the same as a Visor Deluxe. Of course, for the price of the Visor, you get USB and the SpringBoard expansion, so I'd say Visor is a better value.

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Jeff

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: cambridge, MA USA
Posts: 27

quote:

---

Originally posted by BertBert


The one thing I think that Palm devices have over the Visor is the flash upgradeability of the OS. I wish the Visor would do this, and I don't look forward to someday having to replace my machine just because the OS is outdated. But that negative was more than balanced out, in my view, by the VDx' expandability and value.

-bertbert

---

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 107

That is a good point virgilio. The bulk of new OS's and their 'expanded capability' could be a drawback as we have seen in the PC world. Especially with the limited capacity on PDAs today. By the time PalmOS 3.1 is outdated it will likely be time to upgrade the machine to say a colour Visor for example. In the foreseeable future though with the number of Visors entering the market (aren't Palm IIIe's or something not upgradable as well? I could be way off here) software developers would not be wise to make software uncompatible with 3.1.

Ark.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 289

The springboard slot is probably the biggest reason to get a Visor.. If you need additional space, you can get the 8MB module (16MB Total!), or if you need complete backup on the go, you can get the backup module .. you also have the ability to pop in modems, vibrating mechanisms, GPS modules, etc..etc..etc.. (check out the various modules/reviews on this site for a fairly comprehensive listing..) its a great idea.. This really shines when you would like to use a modem and lets say a keyboard (stowaway for example..) as far as I know, this is not possible with a Palm unit .. so tasks such as live internet chat is hampered on the Palm units..

I have had my Visor for 8 months now and have been very satisfied with the unit. It works great and I haven't had any serious problems or issues with it ...

Joe

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 2

Thank you all!

Thank you all...
All your comments are really helpful to me.

I think I'll get a Visor then.. This will be my first time to have a PDA of my own. :-) And I think I'll be using it to check my emails, memo, address book, playing games....etc. I am a web designer.... I wouldn't be able to use it for graphic uses...but still I need it though.

well I'm thinking of getting a GPS module later.

Again thanks to everyone...

Happy Elena.

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< e >

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Mississauga (Toronto), Ontario Canada
Posts: 10

Many good points.
The only one I have is spend the extra money on the VDX. I own a Palm IIIe and have very quickly filled up the 2 Megs of memory. I originally purchased my PDA to act as an address book & day-timer. However, I soon began to find useful software, Datebook 3, Qvadis Reader, Text Plus, Avantgo, games etc. I wish now that I spent a little more money to buy as PDA with more memory.

On boxing day (December 26th)I plan to purchase a new PDA. I hope by then Handspring has introduced a colour PDA with Palm OS 3.5.

Here's a question.
When using some of the Springboards do you need to remove the Visor from the case (due to the Springboards form factor. i.e. VDX & the slipper when using the Handspring Modem) ?

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 289

Certain designs (such as the modems) do extend beyond the physical dimensions of the Visor and do need to be removed from some cases .. I am unaware of any modems at this time that do not extend the dimensions of the Visor.

Joe

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 308

the thincom is standered size

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Sam Kleinman

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: cambridge, MA USA
Posts: 27

Visor vs. Ipac

Well, it looks like elena made up her mind, but I was looking at the Ipac and comparing it to the Visor. Granted, the Ipaq is $500 vs $250 for a Visor. However, if you also consider getting the Minijam (whenever that comes around), that adds another $250 to the cost of the Visor, making it about the same as the Ipac. Now, the Ipac does run on bloated Windows CE OS (definite minus), but it already can play MP3s (has a built in speaker, in fact), comes in color, and already has pocket Word & Excel. On the other hand, the Visor runs on an efficient OS, and with the 64 MB Minijam, you could fit a ton of maps, books, MP3s, etc and devote the entire 8 MB to applications and games.

My question is: who wins out here?

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 308

I say if you can afford a winCE handheld go for it. the only reason I didn't get one is the price (I have a visor solo and I use a borrowed cradle + my stoaway, I plan to get a mimijam but my stack of cash for that = about $1.85, so by the time I have enought money it should be in stock at CopmUSA)while there are some disadvantages to Pocket PC the main one is price, if you wan't to spend your money on the iPaq then go for it. (Targus has announced stowaway keyborads for pocket pcs while there isn't one out for the ipaq yet there is one for the HP jordana ( still get the iPaq the handwriting reconigtion is wonderful or so I hear) and the one for the iPaq is commings soon)

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Sam Kleinman

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"Everybody don't like something and we all don't like you." -- Richard Thompson, Hard Luck Stories

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 118

Virgilio,
The iPaq is supposed to be quite nice. There is much discussion about it at http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/

You should think about what you want to do with a PDA. If mp3, word, and excel are all you need, then iPaq is probably best. If you want a wider assortment of software, shareware, and freeware, you should think about PalmOS. I have very useful freeware apps, like BigClock and fun freeware games. I also have AvantGo (probably available for iPaq, too). I don't have much budget for a PDA or software, but I get much use out of my VDx.

My VDx is very reliable. I take it on trips with all the info and appointments I need. Never crapped out. I don't carry a laptop (company is too stingy).

JK

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Inglewood, CA, USA
Posts: 390

Why did I buy a Visor? Well... I use MS Office programs ALL DAY at work, but found I hardly ever used them at home. (I don't believe in taking work out of the office. ) When I decided to buy a PDA, I took that into consideration, and knew I probably wouldn�t use the compact versions of those programs enough to justify the cost of a WindowsCE machine. (PocketPC�s weren�t out yet � but it�s the same for them.) I really liked the look of some of the Windows machines, and I loved the color and screens, but too much of what they offered would be wasted on me.

I knew I would be buying a PalmOS machine. I didn�t consider the other operating systems, mostly because I didn�t know anyone personally that used them. I chose the Visor over Palm because a couple of my friends already had Visors, and I played with them whenever I could � I already knew I liked the machine. I use all the programs that came with it, and have added whatever else I needed from the vast source of 3rd party applications. I loved the idea of the Springboard slot. Another factor was the cost. At the time, Palms cost more money � they didn�t lower their prices until Handspring came out. To tell the truth, I had not heard of the TRG Pro before I bought my Visor; if I had, it might have had a chance� Well... maybe.

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 63

Let me throw in my 2 cents on the Windows CE thing.

I have an old Win CE machine. A Phillips Velo. And as of today its still more advanced than my visor ever hopes to be. And it also sits in a box in the closet. I've played with the Palm PC's and they still just don't cut it for me. Now I know everyone out there has an opinion on this subject so let me preface this by saying, these are MY reasons for CE not working for ME. WinCE works great for some people, but here's the reasons it didn't work for me.

Ok, first, and foremost, battery life. My Velo was running out of juice at lunchtime. I'm sure the Palm PC's are much better now, but color screen, really fast CPU, sound. Its a pretty big battery drain. I found that I really had to limit my time on it to the point where it lost its value as a organizer. But as I said, I'm sure they've gotten better. However, they won't be reaching Palm levels ever.

Secondly, they're rechargable, which is great if you just come home and throw it on the charger, but if you travel you've got that wallwart to bring along. That really kills it for me. On a short trip, a Palm V could leave home without the charger, but a Palm PC needs to be recharged pretty much everynight. Now you can buy alkalines for it, at least I could for the Velo, but that gets pricey, especially on the Velo. For me, this not acceptable. I hate lugging extra crap around when I travel. I travel streamlined.

Now I have to go into the "coolness" aspect of the Velo, cause this is why I bought it. Voice recorder, Excel, Word, web browser, built in modem, check your email, browse the web, do a spreadsheet. Its pretty amazing all the stuff you can do. In the store I sat there amazed. I'm a huge gadget freak and this thing was the swiss army knife of PDA's. I thought to myself "Wow, I could sell the laptop. This is about as streamlined as you can get". Then about 2 weeks later reality hit me. Have you ever done a spreadsheet on a WinCE machine, its not really that easy. In fact, its really a pain in the ass. So's email, and the modem's a software modem, which means when your online, everything sllooowwsss dooowwwwnnnnn. It almost made it unusable to web browse. But now this is a problem with Velo, I think the modem issue is much better now. Having said that, the point is, even with all these great features, I'd much rather haul the laptop around to these tasks and just use the Velo for and organizer. Well now I hauled the laptop, laptop crap, the Velo, and velo crap(ac adapter and sync cable). Thats when you realize that your using a 500 buck pda for a organizer, and nothing else. I should have bought the palm III. Well basically thats what I did. I bought a palm III. Its perfect. And now I have the Visor, and its even better. Its not as cool as the Velo, but its easier to haul around, it does what I want, and sometimes it even amazes me with the extra stuff it can do. Its not Palm PC, but its perfect for me.

Ok, to make this really long post end I'll again state. This isn't a WinCE flame. Palm PC's are great, there not for me, and those were my reasons. However for some of you these machines are perfect. I'm just trying to explain my reasons, and I'm sure there are a few of you out there that use your PDA's like I do and I just want make sure you know the real deal before you get invovled with CE.

Oops, thats a big message, maybe its more like a $1.25.

-Visorholic

Oh by the way, real quick. Someone mentioned MP3 on the Palm PC's. I gotta say. I seriously looked at the Mini-jam for the Visor, and then I got the Rio 500, for a deal. A seperate mp3 player has alot of benefits. One thing is my Rio goes 12 hours on a single AA. The Mini-jam doesn't do that, and I know the Palm PC doesn't do that. I'm awaiting the day when my organizer can be my MP3 player but it looks like I've got a while to wait until they are comparable to the standalone units. It adds one more thing to carry, but the pros, in my opinion, far outway the cons.

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 3

For what is is worth I have a Visor Deluxe. I bought it about three weeks ago returned it for the ipaq. I used the ipaq for about a week and took it back for another visor. I like the size of the visor the fact that is syncs every time and its easy to use. The Ipaq is cool but I was not happy with of for the price diff.

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Michael


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