Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 5

I have had 3 Prisms for 2 weeks now (Wife, me and a backup unit). They are great units - much faster than the Vdx units we have.

One small problem/issue. Both of us have noticed that there appears to be "rub" marks appearing on the units we use the most, in this short time period.

Is this due to poor paint being used?

Should I return them ?

Anyone else have this problem?

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

What have u been doing?

What have you been doing with the Prism for the "paint" to rub off?

I am here scratching my prism with my finger nails and I see nothing coming off. I didn't even knew that it was coated plastic until you mention it.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 153

It's uh plastic.

I too have shiny "rub marks" from daily use actions like putting it in the case and so on. It acts just like, you know, PLASTIC!

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 5

I know it is plastic, but you know, for this to happen within 2 weeks (especially to my wifes unit, that doesnt get much use at all) and for it to show bare black plastic, not the blue paint.......


two of the 3 units VISOR name on the front came with the R rubbed off, and the backup unit has the V rubbed off and its still in the plast bubbles......


So I wonder if the first units only had this issue or if all of them do.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Maryland
Posts: 29

Jim,

The IBM Thinkpad I owned lost it's flat black coating in particular areas due to perspiration from my hands getting through and corroding the underlying metal. This happened to other owners as well. IBM fixed that problem.

So here's the question in my mind: Is this a chemical or mechanical degradation you're experiencing?

And I thought Handspring was going to solve all my "palm" problems. <wink>

Can you post a pic of what the damage looks like?

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 6

Paint rubbing off

You're not alone. I too have had mine only 2 weeks and already the paint (yes it appears to be a coating of paint of some sort) has worn off the edges of the unit and also right above the Handspring logo and below the springboard cover on the back. Underneath looks either black or very dark blue.

You can also see that if you pull off the springboard port cover, that the back of the cover is not the same cobalt blue as the outside of the unit.

Dammit, I like this device, but there appears to be more and more things surfacing about it that are kind of shady. Next thing you know, I'll go to buy a Springboard module and the darn port won't work.

__________________
CJ Miller
Handspring Visor Prism
Palm III

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 39

im having the same sort of problem with the platinum. with the plastic cover it came with, the paint at theedges of the unit have worn off, due to the plastic on plastic rubbing. its not as noticable because the plastic is silver, but it doesnt shine there. i really am disappointed, and am gonna call handspring. there really shouldnt be paint rubbing off in less than 1 week after i got it, and the reason why is because i used the accessory that they gave me.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 10

Paint coming off...

Yup, noticed the paint rubbing off the back of the Prism too. So what's your point? Its paint, on plastic, it gets used the thing works. So what? If the plastic wasn't coated like the Palm III you wouldn't notice rub marks. I bet if you looked at a Palm thats been in use a while you'd notice parts of the case looking a bit more worn. I bet the Plantium will do the same thing. Sounds like people are trying to find things wrong with these things!?

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 594

I, personally, would LIKE a black Prism (or even very dark blue) - I might even wait for one to hit the shelves before I lay down my cash.
You think if I get a cobalt blue one and dip it in benzene, I could get it all off?
:~/

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 6

Re: Paint coming off...

quote:

---

Originally posted by Apollo
Yup, noticed the paint rubbing off the back of the Prism too. So what's your point? Its paint, on plastic, it gets used the thing works. So what? If the plastic wasn't coated like the Palm III you wouldn't notice rub marks. I bet if you looked at a Palm thats been in use a while you'd notice parts of the case looking a bit more worn. I bet the Plantium will do the same thing. Sounds like people are trying to find things wrong with these things!?

---

__________________
CJ Miller
Handspring Visor Prism
Palm III

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 247

ditto on the paint. My Visor Prism's paint is also coming off at the raised edges. I've only had it for about three weeks so far. At this rate the poor thing will lose its metallic shine by Christmas!

__________________
Tan Kit Hoong,
Star Publications (M) Ltd
<img src="http://thestar.com.my/tech/images/thestar_140x45.gif">

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: brooklyn, ny, usa
Posts: 190

This the best suggestion I can make on how to prevent the color fade on the Prism case. Don't use the slipper case that comes with the Prism. There's something with that case that seems to be causing the problem. It's probably that the slipper case isn't really made for it.

Go pick up the Sport case or one of the Rhodina ones. I use the sport case and the Prism fits nicely into it. I'm constantly using my Prism and haven't notices one worn spot on it yet.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 46

Re: Paint coming off...

If my Prism starts to show paint wear in such a short time, I'll return it immeditely. Palms (not the IBM versions) mostly aren't painted so don't have this problem. My Casio E-100 had very minor scuffing around the extremities due to it being a long-term demo unit at Best Buy, but nothing really noticeable.

Sounds like Handspring needs to rethink their paint/color schemes... Not that people are 'trying to find things wrong' with the devices (why would someone who just plunked down $450 for one want to do that?).

b

quote:

---

Originally posted by Apollo
Yup, noticed the paint rubbing off the back of the Prism too. So what's your point? Its paint, on plastic, it gets used the thing works. So what? If the plastic wasn't coated like the Palm III you wouldn't notice rub marks. I bet if you looked at a Palm thats been in use a while you'd notice parts of the case looking a bit more worn. I bet the Plantium will do the same thing. Sounds like people are trying to find things wrong with these things!?

---

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bill s.
lead artist, the 3do company
visor prism / casio e-100
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 1

I agree that a $450 device should not be peeling after only two weeks in normal use. Perhaps the thing to do is to paint it with some clear coat before use. There are nail polishes that are very hard and clear. I used it on keyboards to prevent ruboff of letters. It must be maintained wiht new coats every month or two but works fine.

The factory should not be using such a bad finish. It's unprofessional, like showing up at an important meeting with raggedy shoes that need cleaning. The Prism costs more than $100 over a comparable Palm. It should not peel in two weeks.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 46

It's not peeling, it's rubbing off. As a matter of fact, I found that the paint is rubbing off MY Prism, after FOUR DAYS of owning it! How thin must that paint be?

This is extremely disappointing in a $450 PDA costing as much as far more sophisticated PocketPC's...

b

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bill s.
lead artist, the 3do company
visor prism / casio e-100
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 334

The only place the paint is wearing off of my Prism is where the cradle touches it. I use the slip case that came with it every day. I am constantly pulling it out and shoving it in. In, out, in, out. (Reminds me of something.) I don't see any wear from the case.

Rick

__________________
Rick

www.visorsolutions.com

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 46

Um, OK...

Seriously tho, I see what you mean, I think that's the only place it's rubbing off on mine too (the section where it flares back out on the back near the bottom). So I took some of my girl-type friend's nail polish (clear) and applied it. Looks a little shinier but hopefully it will prevent further 'rubbage'.

As long as that's the only place this happens, it'll not be so bad, but if it becomes an issue with the whole thing, I'm going to be really irritated. I was always a critic of Handspring's quality control and it took a leap of faith to buy a Visor in the first place... I just don't want to feel like I was had.

b

quote:

---

Originally posted by gadgetguru
The only place the paint is wearing off of my Prism is where the cradle touches it. I use the slip case that came with it every day. I am constantly pulling it out and shoving it in. In, out, in, out. (Reminds me of something.) I don't see any wear from the case.

Rick

---

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bill s.
lead artist, the 3do company
visor prism / casio e-100
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 247

This is too much! I've just come back from the jungles of Cambodia (interviewing Angelina Jolie for Tomb Raider - talk about name dropping!) and I discovered that the paint on the Visor Prism is seriously affected by the sweat on my fingers!

Yeah, it was hot and balmy in the jungle and my hands were all sweaty when using the Prism. Anyway, when I got back, I noticed that where I touched the Prism, the blue paint had come off and I was left with the silver undercoat, all with the pattern of my fingerprints!

Damn! I'm really upset now - I'm going to send a strongly worded email to Handspring today!

Sneding it back is not an option for me, as I really rely on my Prism for work and can't do without it even for one day

__________________
Tan Kit Hoong,
Star Publications (M) Ltd
<img src="http://thestar.com.my/tech/images/thestar_140x45.gif">

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 594

This is infuriating and sucks and blows.
I don't even own a Prism, but will NEVER BUY ONE, UNLESS THIS CHANGES.
IT NEEDS TO CHANGE IMMEDIATELY.
EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR PRISM EXCHANGED OVERNIGHT WITH A DEVICE W/OUT THIS DEFECT.

I AM NOT CLOWNING AROUND, HANDSPRING.
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LOYAL TO YOU AND ONE OF YOUR MOST ARDENT AND VOCAL SUPPORTERS.

WE WERE ALL AWED, I THINK, WHEN YOU SO QUICKLY AND DILIGENTLY FIXED THE PRISM'S GRAFFITI PROBLEM (THOUGH THIS, TOO, IS A PRETTY UNFORGIVABLE QA DEFECT).

YOU NEED TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AGAIN.
***IMMEDIATELY***

FEEL FREE TO SEE ME AS A "HARD CASE" OR A "WHINER," OR WHATEVER LEVEL OF DENIAL WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY.

SOME PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD THOUGHT IT "AMUSING" THAT I WAS SO FURIOUS W/INNOGEAR I WAS WILLING TO CONTEMPLATE A CLASS-ACTION SUIT AGAINST THEM.
YOU DON'T REALLY WANT TO FORCE YOUR USERS INTO THESE KINDS OF AVENUES OF THINKING, DO YOU?

BUT IF I DON'T SEE AN IMPROVEMENT ON THIS ON BEHALF OF MY VISOR BRETHEREN FAST...
...I AM THROUGH WITH HANDSPRING.

DO NOT ASK: "WHO IS IT, WHO SENT ALL OF OUR ASTOUNDINGLY LOYAL USERS OVER TO THE 'DARK SIDE' WITH CRAPPY QUALITY CONTROL ON OUR MOST COSTLY PRODUCT?"

IT'S YOU.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 247

Hey let's not be an angry mob here. We've got enough of those at the presidential vote manual counting centers.

I'm upset, but not angry.

Instead of getting upset, let's be more constructive and send emails to Handspring and complain, but please, don't shout.

Shouting only makes a valid gripe sound like a rant.

Speak softly but carry a big stick.

PS. bkbk, you are still alone in your class action suit as far as I'm concerned. Please do not post here again. You are not helping at all.

[Edited by Tan Kit Hoong on 11-25-2000 at 12:26 PM]

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Tan Kit Hoong,
Star Publications (M) Ltd
<img src="http://thestar.com.my/tech/images/thestar_140x45.gif">