Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 18

Not trying to be sarcastic or anything, but there are a lot of complaints on this board, and I'm wondering if anyone who has received their Visor is actually having a pleasant, trouble-free experience with it.

I haven't yet received mine (ordered on October 9; The "slim leather case", shipped separately, arrived in Houston last Monday), and with all the negativity I'm seriously considering canceling my order. I'm well aware of the messed up customer service situation, but have at least been hoping that the actual product would be worth the trouble. Now, it seems like maybe it's not!

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Marcus: Please try to avoid the "seven dirty words"

[This message has been edited by marcus (edited 11-02-1999).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Bath, Avon, UK
Posts: 56

Jack,
Mine's great, I've had no problems with it. Even my girlfriend likes it and she usually won't touch computers at all but she was playing Giraffe untill 1am last night.
I didn't have any bad experience with Handspring, but I feel they could have communicated a little more when this board started whipping itself up into a hysterical state, I think that that would have really helped people who were waiting patiently not to get worried.
Just my opinion,
agoldfish

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

I just opened my box and started getting the unit it up to speed. I like it. It's very solid, the buttons are secure, it's WAY faster than my PalmPilot with 2mb upgrade, and the screen is great. I'm just a little anxious that my Visor will run into the fatal error that a handful of people have gotten. I'm testing it the hacks that I've been using in my PP, and so far, I've needed to do two soft resets, but I've experienced the same kind of trouble with my PP, so I'm not complaining.

I initially thought of returning mine also, but only because it doesn't fit my Ti Rhinoskin case. [darn!!] That's alright though...I guess my girlfriend will need it more than I will.

Jack, do you currently own a Palm unit? If so, what are you upgrading from?

Chris

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Green Brook, NJ
Posts: 7

My first impressions about this PDA are very good. Ordered it on 9-28-99 and received it on 10-28-99. Setup was easy, no problems with the software during setup, however ran into some minor problems after syncing, all fixed now. Just my own mistakes. Loading in the older Palm OS, it may have affected the machine, it crashed later while I was erasing some DB I didn't need on board.
USB syncing is great, very fast.

Compared to the Palm V which I had used, the screen is slightly less sharp, but not bad, I just adjusted the contrast and it was fine, my eyes aren't what they used to be. The back lighting is fine, it will do it job when needed.

I filled in the 8mb of memory about 40%, fits alot of programs. Wow! I immediately orderd the 8mb memory Springboard.

Good solid machine, well constructed, feels good in hand, buttons have a good feedback click to them, but not a major issue for me.

The cover is OK, does its job. I like the way it can be stored on the back of the Visor, out of the way. Gives good protection for the screen.

Oh, about the screen, it has a funny crunchy feel to it in the notepad area and also the graffitti area. Seems to be underneath the glass, don't know what to make of it.

Overall rating from 1 to 10 is a 9-1/2.

Can't wait to see the Springboards when they are available. They are the main reason I upgraded, this and the 8mb of memory.

To make matters really weird, I received two Visors from UPS, the one I ordered and an extra one. At first I thought what luck!!!, however, Handspring was on top of this, I received a letter yesterday, stating the shipping error, and asking me to kindly return the extra Visor (which I will, since they will probably invoice my credit card if I don't). They apologized for the error and sent me a package of new styli to make up for it, a nice surprise, the new styli, in the five colors are very nice, metal shaft, mini philips screw driver on the top and a reset pin on the bottom.

That's all for now.




[This message has been edited by caballo (edited 11-02-1999).]

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

Jack
As one of the "problemed" children...the Visor is a good unit. I too had a Palm V and felt that the Visor had just as many if not more features to offer. I'd still recommend a unit even though I am having problems but I would go to great lengths to explain all of the issues that Handspring is having with their customers who do have "bad" units.

Tech Services was no help with my problem.
Customer Service was no help in replacment without an extra $30 bucks.
C.S. has not given me a shipping date for a case that was originally ordered on 10/6 and was supposed to ship by 10/31 and now I am being told 4 to 6 weeks.

Visor is a good unit. This is a start up company that, in my opinion, didn't work through some of the logistics before hand and it's causing some problems with die hard Palm fans like myself.

If someone is prepared to be patient then by all means go with Handspring. However, someone like myself that has been patient and is not getting "help" with a problem will "look" at other options because I'm too dependent upon my PDA. I have had good luck with my Palm units over the years and as a beta tester for Palm...never had this much problem. However, I'm probably overdue.

If I get my replacement Visor today, I'll be a happy camper. If not, then I will feel that I have been more than patient and will choose another path. One that has a more stable history. Will it sour me on Handspring, no. It will sour me on using a startup company until it's proven itself at the expense of other consumers.

It's always a risk going with a startup. However, my experience has taught me that typcially a startup company is more pliable with their customers then what I've seen so far.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Dayton, TN, USA
Posts: 66

I must say that I am extremely happy with my Visor. This being my first PDA experience, I don't have anything to compare to, but this thing is great! As far as screen clarity, I've been reading a novel in the evenings for the past week or so, and I don't notice any more eye-strain than reading a book. And I always was skeptical of electronic books... not now. And the syncing is great... no matter where I go, I've got addresses, todos, email, reading material, everything right in my pocket. I'm charmed.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 18

ragamuffin, I don't have a PDA at all right now; I've tried out some acquaintances' PPs a couple of times, and was about to buy a IIIx in September when I heard about Handspring, so I've been waiting since then.

From what I've see people posting, it looks like a lot of the software problems with the "fatal error" arise when people upgrade from an earlier palm and/or install some hacks. I guess that to be on the safe side, whenever I *do* get my visor, I'll probably avoid installing any HackMaster stuff for a while until the hack authors can test their stuff on the visor.

Glad to hear that some of you are enjoying your visors anyway!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Northport, AL, USA
Posts: 6

I have been using a Franklin Organizer, before I got my Visor last Thurs. Actually I would have gotten it Tues., but United Parcel Storage lived up to my expectations.
I really liked my Franklin, but I love my Visor. I thought I used my paper organizer for everything, but I really use my Visor for everything. I am still adding software, but I find more uses for it daily. I will probably go through withdrawl next week when I can't take it with me to my wedding.

I hope you and everyone else enjoy their visors as much as I do.

Mike

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 9

"I guess that to be on the safe side, whenever I *do* get my visor, I'll probably avoid installing any HackMaster stuff for a while until the hack authors can test their stuff on the visor."

Jack, that sounds positively *sensible*! How revolutionary of you.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Orlando, FL USA
Posts: 11

I've had my blue VDx for about a week now (since 10/26) and I'm WAAAAY happy with it.

I'd been getting along without a PDA before, but the extra organizing needed for planning a wedding, combined with the 8mb and the expandability, decided me on the Visor as soon as I saw it. I jumped in on 9/14.

It's REALLY cool. The USB sync is fast and the screen's a lot more readable than I thought. I'm catching up on my reading over lunch.

The 8Mb is great. Along with my schedule and to-dos, I've loaded up:

* The Bible (via Scripture software)
* 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
* Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations
* A couple of programming references
* Several Doc readers
* AvantGo (WAY cool!)
* About 1/2-dozen games, including Kyle's Quest

...and my RAM is half-full.

I've had some trouble with the e-mail sync, but I think that's because I don't know how to use Lotus' EasySync software (or it stinks). Before I started messing with it it worked fine.

Now that I know the deluxe styli have a screwdriver and a reset pin, I'll probably drop some more cash...

FYI, if you haven't picked up some NiMH batteries and a charger, do so... works great!



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"A man is not the sum of his past, but the sum of his potential."

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Posts: 129

I've had my visor for a few weeks and I have really enjoyed it. With the exception of a sync lock-up or two, it's worked flawlessly.

Given some of the messages here, I've installed very few hacks. I installed LauncherIII and Hackmaster, but that's about it.

I'm running Tealdoc, far too many games, and the ROM apps, but that's about it.

I have, BTW, dropped it twice. Once from about three feet and the second time from about five feet, both onto industrial carpetted cement floors. With the exception of my heart stopping both times, the Visor has survived.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Potomac, MD, USA
Posts: 90

I love my visor and have had no problems with HandSpring. I was one of the original owners of the USR Palm 1000, upgraded to PalmPro, and then upgraded to PalmV. I returned my PalmV when I found out that the Visor was being released. I must say that the Visor is superior in many regards, and I am quite happy with it. Also, my dealings with Handspring have been perfect. They said 4-6 weeks when I ordered, and 4 weeks later, my Visor came on.

Remember, they have had over 50,000 orders from what I've heard. It only seems that everybody who got one is upset because the people who are upset are the only ones posting!

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sacramento, CA, USA
Posts: 24

I am very happy with my I.D.! The USB & the 8 Megs are awesome.

Caballo, I would be interested in purchasing one of those styli from you (black, blue or Ice). Please mail me back.

Thanks,
Russ

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 23

Recieved my visor last week. So far had two hard boots. But I can't blame the visor. The problem for me seems to be Hackmaster. Used to work then installed bugme, everything crashed. Now Hackmaster installs but hack apps like da launcher don't work. This is my first PDA and so far I am extremely happy. As far as crashes I am sure the authors will fix the problem. It is not the machine. Concerning synchs So far I have been doing it at least twice a day, to install what I want and not one miss.
Good luck hope you stick with Visor

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Lynchburg, VA, USA
Posts: 7

Wonderful. No complaints except it eats batteries with the backlight on.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Flint, MI, USA
Posts: 8

I absolutely love *EVERYTHING about my Graphite, the only thing lacking with it is the time to enjoy it more. I was like the rest of you, surfing the web stores looking for next day delivery of a IIIx, but hang in there, don't do it...the Visor is worth the wait. VERY well built little unit!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posts: 195

I've had mine for all of a day now, and I'm new to the whole PDA thing, so I don't really know how to push it to its limits, but I've had no problems at all. I even have very few qualms with Handspring. They do seem to be trying to make amends for the problems they've caused, and I think that after a while, they'll get all of the wrinkles ironed out.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Midland, Texas
Posts: 231

I love mine.

I have experienced some of the reset problems as discussed in other areas on this board, but I am not convinced they are not software issues. My IIIx used to have the same error, the only difference being the looping resets with the Visor. In my case hard resets and not reinstalling certain software has resolved the issues. (It has happened twice.) These errors have been no surprise to me in light of the fact the the Visor's OS is an update over the Palm's, and with every update come the typical software conflicts.

tyler

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: NY, NY, USA
Posts: 155

Jack:

The product itself is great. For $250, you can't beat the mix of new features, good design, and a solid PDA.

However, if anything goes wrong, or if you don't like dealing with an inept company, then it's not for you. Simple as that.

No real tech support, no organization, and very little problem solving within Handspring itself. Luckily, there are lots of us who are familiar with the Palm OS and now, for better or worse, the Visor. I'm returning mine, so if you want an Ice Deluxe, there will be one pipelining its way back to Kentucky, then to Freemont, then to god knows where ;-)

It seems to me that the Visor line is an excellent stop-gap for a color Palm unit. I dunno if Handspring will be around in a year, but I assume they will be, and at that point, spending $400 or more on one of their products might prove to be less risky then getting something from them now seems to be.

One final point...there are three steps I kept in mind when I decided to buy the Visor Deluxe: sales/ordering, tech support, and customer service. Handspring has failed the first one considerably, failed the second (their responses have been "let me check the manual" or "let me check with my colleague" or "send it back"), and third, well, that is a work in progress. Good intentions should count for something, I spose, but I'd recommend not expecting much from them anytime soon.

My advice: if you are planning on relying on the product and the company behind the product, there's a good chance you'll be let down on more than one occasion. If you're not expecting much from the company or the product, then go for it. The product will be a pleasant surprise, and the company, well, let's just say the product will be a pleasant surprise...

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Pittsford,NY,USA
Posts: 223

I love mine ... no problems at all except for having to soft reset once while I was trying to get USB synching working.

Very happy with the Visor.

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-Eric
VisorCentral Staff