Registered: Jun 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 52

I'm torn.
I live in midtown Manhattan and I can't make a decision between Omnisky and YadaYada. Are there any other New Yorkers out there who can tell me how well either service works in this region?

I've read the other threads, I've calculated all the rebates, and now my decision will be based upon the quality of the wireless service. If you've experienced it, please let me know what you think!
Thanks!

--dianeholly

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 29

I like OmniSky

Hi,

I live in Manhattan and work freelance all over. I got Omnisky because they have been doing this for some time now and there was something about Yadayada that bothered me. I have has a few problems. Nothing big. Remember this is all new stuff out on the market. But when I called Omnisky I got someone fast and they were helpfull.

That's me story...

__________________
No matter where you go. There you are.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 560

I'm in NYC and use Omnisky.

No major issues.

__________________
Felipe Garcia
Happy Treo 600 user, so far. Thanx Cingular for having an unlocked phone.

My Treo 600 is my phone, my PDA, my watch, and my MP3 player. Oh yeah, I take a picture once in a while with it. Convergence is such a great thing.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 95

I live in Brooklyn and use Yada. And I�m receiving great signal/coverage in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. I Bought the modem direct from Yada Yada for $149 and received it in 3 days.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 11

Omnisky in NYC

I'm in Manhattan -- I live on the Upper West Side and work all over town as a consultant. I highly recommend Omnisky with this proviso: CDPD service is simply not as wide as cell phone service and there are, even in Manhattan, areas where I just can't get a signal. If it doesn't bother you that you may sometimes have to step outside of a building to get your e-mail (though, admittedly, you often won't), then by all means take the plunge.

As with a cell phone, if you're deep inside a big office building, you can almost never get a signal; often if you move to a window you can connect, though (of course, if you're in a meeting and want to check your e-mail but aren't near a window...). In restaurants and storefronts you can usually get a signal if you're near the street; rarely if you're in the back.

If you want me to be absolutely honest, despite the superior speed and brilliant color of the Omnisky/Prism combination, I've largely gone back to carrying my Palm VIIx with which I have a MUCH better experience in picking up signals (unlike OS, the VIIx uses the same network as many beepers do) and which doesn't crash or freeze nearly as much.

For what it's worth...

Dan

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

This is timely. I just got my Omnisky Minstrel modem yesterday. Reception at the office on 34th and Madison is lovely, even under ground. However, in my neighborhood, and in in my apartment on the Lower East Side (Stanton and Clinton to be exact) it's terrible. In my apartment I got it to connect a few times by holding it over my head near a window; rather silly in the long run . If it doesn't improve, I'll have to return it.

Is YadaYada coverage likely to be any better, or will I have the same reception problems (I understand they use Verison rather that ATT)? Since it's an Omisky Minstel with built in Omnisky software, will have any trouble switching over the YadaYada?

Finally, in my one day of use, the Omnisky software on my Prism crashes about every 10 seconds. Have others had this experience, or is it just me? Thus far, I haven't figured out yet what's making it unstable.

I've never owned a wireless anything before, so I'm new to all this, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 11

Omnisky/Prism crashes

I've only gotten through one day without a crash from my new combination of Omnisky and Visor Prism. I used the Visor Deluxe for most of a year constantly without a single crash. I'm curious as to if it's the new OS in the Prism or the addition of Omnisky. I've wanted to run the Prism just as is for a couple of days, but then I always cave in and toss in the Minstrel S. I have no wireless connection while in a car (from a limited number of trials). Anyone else have this problem and anyone come up with a decent solution? Right now, I'm thinking about sending both back for a refund or just buying the back-up module (I should have it anyway, right?) and using that to get my data from a fresh reboot when it crashes. Anyone think they can post a software patch for these errors. I would think this is a common combination as it really stretches the Palm platform to it's limits.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 97

I live in Brooklyn and work in Manhattan, and use YadaYada with a VDX. I've checked out coverage from around both boroughs and on a few out-of-town trips. I agree with Prizer that CDPD coverage is a lot spottier than standard cellphone coverage.

In Manhattan, coverage is much better than Brooklyn. I get a pretty good signal outdoors in most of Manhattan. Indoors, signal quality deteriorates quickly once you move away from a window. But it's never as reliable as a regular cellphone signal, even outdoors. There are a lot of dead zones.

In Brooklyn, the best signal is in Brooklyn Heights. It deteriorates pretty quickly the further you move away. From my house about a mile away from downtown, it's pretty spotty. I can connect about 50%-75% of the time. Even when I do connect, it's usually pretty slow.

I went with YadaYada for two reasons. One is that Omnisky doesn't work with a VDX. The other is that my experience with Bell Atlantic (Verizon)'s cellphone network is that it's a lot more reliable than AT&T's, which in my opinion is awful. I don't know how much of my CDMA experience translates to CDPD coverage, but it think at least some of it does. For example, AT&T has a dead zone right outside my office on 5th Avenue, and my YadaYada CDPD signal is fine from the same location. In fact, my YadaYada service works better from my home in Brooklyn than my AT&T cellphone did. I'll never go back to AT&T.

I've had some crashes with YadaYada, but nothing like what I've been reading about with Omnisky. I cured most of my crashing problems by following the directions on VisorCentral to exit any wireless programs and start anothe program before removing the module. Now I just get an occasional crash. I've only had one hard reset since I got the Minstrel. Thank God for the backup module!

All in all, my YadaYada experience has been pretty good. When there's a good signal (my best so far has been from LaGuardia Airport), it blazes! But I spend a lot of time waiting for slow reception from a mediocre signal, or none at all. Of course, I don't use any of the YadaYada software, which isn't available for the Mac. I tested a lot of e-mail and browser software, and settled on the Eudora suite which meets my needs best.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 201

quote:

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Originally posted by rosswords
Of course, I don't use any of the YadaYada software, which isn't available for the Mac. I tested a lot of e-mail and browser software, and settled on the Eudora suite which meets my needs best.

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 97

Getting the service up and running has nothing to do with whether you have a Mac or a PC. You simply insert the module into the Springboard slot and turn it on. The only thing that's PC-dependent is the YadaYada software, which isn't needed to use the service.

The actual wireless service is provided by AT&T or Verison. As best I can tell, all that YadaYada or Omnisky do is repackage the wireless service with their own browser and e-mail software (and proxy server).

You could get the same service directly from Verizon for $29.95 a month ($10 a month less than YadaYada), but you'd have to pay the full $369 for the Minstrel S. After my 6-month commitment to YadaYada is done, I'm going to switch to the Verizon account. Better yet, I've heard that you might be able to piggyback the CDPD service on top of a Verizon cellphone account. It's worth a shot!

I tried the YadaYada e-mail software, and it was pretty good. But I preferred Version 2.0 of Eudora (not the one packaged with YadaYada). I haven't tried their web browser yet, but the PDAGeek review said it was terrific.