Registered: Nov 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 13

I would like to purchase several Palms/Visors and connect them with Omnisky for my company - and I would like to get the new Visor Prism/Minstrel S combo. After reading several posts in this forum - I am interested:

Is anyone having a good experience with their Visor Prism and Minstrel S?

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 80

I've only had the OmniSky/Minstrel (O/M) for four days, and been on vacation, so my experience is limited.

The VPR is great but you have to consider how the employees will be using it. This is a US$450 unit and it is not ruggedized so one drop to the ground and that could be the end.

Will the device be used in bright light, particularly out of doors in sunlight? When I take my VPR outside, the Arizona sun makes the display disappear, and you cannot even tell if it is turned on or off! How much is color really needed? Can grayscale serve your purposes? The VPL is essentially the same as the VPR except it is grayscale and uses two AAA batteries. The display is usable in bright light and the unit is less expensive.

If you like the rechargable aspect of the VPR, I seem to recall that a company produces a rechargable battery pack for the Visors. I don't recall the company's name.

As for the O/M, you really have to test it to see if the service is available/acceptable in your area. Just because your cell phones work okay it doesn't mean the O/M will work. It's similiar to a voice landline. While it is great for voice calls, you may only be able to connect to an online service at 21600 (even with a 56k modem). Also the signal in large buildings is much less than it is outside.

I would suggest you buy two O/M modules and a VPL and VPR. This would give you a chance to test which Visor works well and to test the O/M service in your area.

=Dave=

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I do NOT look wierd! I just look ... "different".

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Modesto, CA USA
Posts: 599

Which Way To Go

bmarre,

dpdamour has got some good suggestions but here are some other things to consider and having been a Minstrel V with a Vx (still have it) beta testor and a current Prim Minstrel S here are my comments:

1. Service/connectivity level is virtually the same with both. (some posts have stated certain problems such as force hard resets and other issues - I believe that many of these posts are valid and are caused by specific software issues that will be patched by Omnisky soon)
2. Readability is a big thumbs up to the Prism.
3. Battery life appears to be better with the V although I've worked my Prism harder because of the readability issue.
4. Accessories such as cases and car chargers/adapters are more readily available for the V but that will change rapidly.

It's difficult to say that Omnisky has progressed rather rapidly with their software and I believe that both platforms will be well supported in the future. You might have to look at which company is going to support your enterprise solution for your company better, as well. This might be a determining factor. Omnisky is looking for beta-testors that have a corporate network email system so you might contact them and see which way they might lean you.

To address the forced hard reset that I noted above- the work around is to be certain not to have the Minstrel power switch program either on or off during removal of the modem. Omnisky is aware of this and as I noted they are working on a software patch. Remember, these modems have only been in production since the first of November (got mine on November 8th) and they really did get to do a broad beta test on a new platform.

I'll say this much - if you go with the Palm V/Minstrel V combination - be prepared to inform your staff that it was because of some other major reason than the readability.

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Moose Man
I may be from the LEFT coast but that's not the correct political view in my mind!

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 13

RSGMOOSE,

Yeah, I passed around my Prism and my PalmV and guess which one they all wanted? I'm leaning towards the Prism/Minstrel S myself - but I just want to make sure that the equipment is not going to flake out all of the time.