Registered: Nov 1999
Location: bright side of the moon.
Posts: 996

i just finished reading the GlennAyre preview here on Visorcentral and realized that this module will stick up higher than the current modem module. Have these developers used up all their imagination in coming up with the concept only to forget about style?

Why does a module have to shoot straight up out the top of the visor? Innogear's MiniJam appears to do a good job of improving the form factor by adding to the back of the module instead of having a towering piece of plastic coming off the top. Even extending back (slightly) and down would be better. The visor can, within reason, afford to be alittle thicker. But building these 'towers' just doesn't seem right (and damn flimsy too!...look at cue's radio antenna...i can see that snapping off in the first month!)

Imagine a module that goes back and down and has the same form factor as the Omnisky modem!! It would add a few millimeters to the thickness of the visor and it would be a solid combo. It would seem as though the module was part of the visor AND the screen cover would still fit!!

Instead we're getting modules with plastic towers that only make the visor awkward and annoying.

If i wanted a plastic baton, i would have bought one...but making these modules taller and taller is not the answer! I really think the GlenAyre unit would be easier on the eyes, hands, and pocket if it followed the form factor of the onmisky modem and maintained the visor's general form factor.


my 1.3 cents USD(converted from CDN)

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Lawrence, NY, USA
Posts: 148

Hear! Hear!

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Raphael

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 43

I agree...why is it necessary to add more height to the visor? I was definitely looking forward to this module but now I just don't know. One reason why I find the visor so great is the ability to combine two devices into one. However, there is no way I'm gonna walk around with that plugged into my visor all the time. Good thing it has an always on capability so you can detach it without loosing pages/email. BUT...it defeats the purpose of combining the two devices in the first place. Omnisky got it right...form/design really does matter.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Have you guys ever thought that *maybe* it is not technologically/financially feasible at the moment for Glenayre to develop a module (with all these functions) any smaller?

I would like to believe that if Glenayre could develop a smaller module, with the same features and at a reasonable price, they would.

Agree or Disagree?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: bright side of the moon.
Posts: 996

quote:

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Originally posted by yardie:
Have you guys ever thought that *maybe* it is not technologically/financially feasible at the moment for Glenayre to develop a module (with all these functions) any smaller?

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 89

I'm *really* looking forward to the GlenAyre pager module. I use a Heritage Leather case similar to the one Coach makes. It is about 2" larger than the Visor so I think I have plenty of room for the module.

I've always been a function over form type of person, but I can definitely see your point Hoser. If I was carrying just my Visor I would want the module to follow the form a little better, but since I use a case most of the time I'm happy that it doesn't add any thickness.

The biggest obstacle to reducing the size on this particular module seems to be the height(2 cm) that two AAA batteries adds. Maybe they could consider using an internal rechargable and draw on the Visor's power supply when the module is plugged in. I am very happy the module will receive even when not connected to the unit.

Man, can I ramble!!!

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 43

It's not an issue of size for me either...(although someone once said size does matter...at least in certain instances)...form and design can really make a huge difference. Take the Palm V...on a macro level it pretty much does the same thing as a Palm III. However, what made this PDA so successful was great form and great design.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 31

i think that the issue here is usablility out of the visor. The 2-way pager has its own battery source and can be visor independant (can be used as a normal pager out of visor and inserted to read text). this may be why the form factor is so large.

Although on second thought - there are other two way pagers not much bigger than the visor form factor.

If it wasnt independant, people would ***** that you cant use it out of the visor.

Personally I will not purchase a unit that sticks out like that, independant usage or not. I would rather have an add-on module for a battery if need be or just have it dead / queing messages if out of the visor.

I WILL purchase the first two-way pager, wireless, or bluetooth device with the same form factor as my Visor -AND- fits in my standard case (no it doesnt have to come in graphite and ice, but that would be nice).

One of the reasons we like these things is that they look really cool as well as keep our info. I dont want bits and pieces sticking up looking silly and risking breakage.