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

Would you recommend the VisorPhone?

I am thinking about getting the VP with new activation. Am I crazy?
(Don't answer that!) Should I, or should I go with a phone that is
only a phone?

TIA,
Rick

__________________
Rick

www.visorsolutions.com

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Nashville, TN USA
Posts: 125

Rick,
I guess it really depends on what you want to do with it. I've got the Visorphone & it's okay. It looses the signal much more than a regular cell phone would. I don't know why - apparently from all the posts - neither does handspring.

It's neat to have the phone integrated with everything else. But if you use other modules then you end up having to swap - I'm starting to get the nickname Batman - I've got 3 different cases on my belt:
1st. For the Visor Prism
2nd. For the phone module when I take it out
3rd. For my Memplug & Matchbook

Now I'm getting the CSM 150 barcode scanner at work-hmmm may need another case! I'm glad my wife already knew I was a geek before we got married!

Oh, on the positive note with the visorphone. If your going to get a new service plan anyway I'd go ahead and get the visorphone. If you decide you don't like it - Just take the sim chip out and put it into a Nokia or other GSM phone and your back in business. I'm actually considering this option since my wife got ticked off at voicestream and cancelled her account with them. Now we've got a GSM phone we aren't using.

Just my 39 cents worth.

__________________
"If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing." Benjamin Franklin

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

I agree with travis, I keep the phone in most of the time but have other modules to use too. (when is Kensington comming out with the phone pad?) The Cingular cost is high too, $30 month + minutes but I may be spoiled by my GFs $15 month phone.

__________________
My Treo has more memory than I do.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Here
Posts: 213

The SMS and a bit slow web browsing are really nice. The integration of your address book is REALLY nice. The quality of the sound, size of the module and overall form factor is not that great. I think the Treo will be a better solution, plus, (hopefully) will support GPRS "always on" so no need to dial an ISP and also faster.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 37

If you ask me, the VisorPhone is the coolest thing Handspring has come up with yet. What's killing it, though, are the darn phone companies and their ridiculous price plans.

Take Cingular as the prime example. If you want to use your VisorPhone as just a phone, no problem. Same cost as using a regular wireless phone. And GSM allows you to have two phones and one card, which is great for those days when you don't feel like lugging the Visor around.

But if you want to experience the full potential of the VP, you've got to use the wireless modem capabilities. And that'll cost you 4.95 extra a month, plus 15 cents a minute. Yikes.

And that's in addition to whatever you pay your ISP.

The 4.95 is understandable. But the minutes thing is intolerable. Constantly having to worry about how long I've been on the internet reminds me of the old AOL per-minute charge days. Talk about a concept that's gone the way of the do-do.

Even if they at least let me use my regular free allotted minutes, that would be almost acceptable. But unfortunately, that's not possible. It's 15 cents a minute for every data call, even if I've got 300 unused voice minutes.

This system of raping customers is exactly what killed the VisorPhone for Handspring. The cost far outweighs the benefits, even though the benefits are great.

Again, I have have no problem with the module itself. It would be nice if it were smaller, of course, but considering what this thing is accomplishing, the size is understandable. And the integration of features with the Visor address book is amazingly simple and effective.

Others have complained about poor sound or connection problems. I haven't experienced any of that personally.

So a lot depends on your service provider. Do your research, because you don't want to get caught in a year-long contract that you aren't happy with.

__________________
mrjoec
www.mrjoec.com

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

I call 611 and complain about dropped data calls and demand my money back for dropped data calls. A supervisor is suppose to call back.

$.15 is bull****. I think voice and data cost same damn amonunt of money for them i think.

They should have a Fix plan like $10 unlimited Data calls. or Buy data miniutes etc.

This is my first month I been off and on web trying things out but I havn't receive my bill yet.

$18 Dollar for 2hr of data calls Plug Off peak start at 9pm when everyones going to sleep. They do said they plan to move the off peak to 8 sometime next year.

They could easily create a SIM card editor but visor phone's built in SIM card dir editor is crap! can't add new phone number right then and there or Xfer phone number on SIM card to your Phone directory.

One thing really cool with Visor Neo and Visor phone is it gives the phone good UI.

Example.

You goto phone direcotory. Press UP/Down button together and FASTLook up will appear. Choose the per you want. It will take you to person's phone list. Then choose the number you want to call. Depress and hold on to PhoneDirecotry button for 3 sec and it will dial the number.

(I was saying HS should do this while i was writeing this message but they were a step a head of me.. )

Yes.. I recommand Visor Phone. With old Visor it sound like crap but when I upgrade to NEO it sound good. I love SIM card technology as you can switch it to a better phone that look like phone in snap.. We browser work really well and pretty fast for wireless. It alerdy help me find Direction to ppl houses and 411's


I need to find my way around paying 15 cent a min to PacHell or SINgular.

Last edited by Zaw on 10-04-2001 at 09:45 AM

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Davis, CA, USA
Posts: 72

The $0.15/minute that Cingular charges for wireless data is simply outrageous. If they charge the same rate for GPRS, few will subscribe.

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 4

It is worth it...but barely.

I was really frustated with my VisorPhone, especially the data connect aspect. Cingular, as a provider, is simply terrible. Their coverage, phone wise, is OK (not quite as good as AT&T, but their data service is not generally available during business hours! It fluctuates dramatically depending on roaming: this last weekend, data service was completely unavailable in Boston.

I can't get around the fact that the form factor is ideal, and the functionality, as a phone, is unmatched. I was so frustrated, however, I considered chucking the phone and going back to AT&T service. However, my wife has AT&T, and in their latest mailing, they indicated that their data service, PocketNet, will now be charged at 5 cents a kilobyte!!! Suddenly, 15 cents a minute is not a bad deal.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

I used to have ATT and now they just send me list of Changes on their service and I was happy I moved Cingular. cingular is very good California Coverage. better then ATT or Sprint. Because It was PacBell system before.

When you go right out side of Reno you have no service until you get to Salt Lake City.

but I only move around in Cali so I can careless.

$.05 1K.. that a lot!

I can download more then 3K in less then a min.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 40

Re: Would you recommend the VisorPhone?

quote:

---

Originally posted by gadgetguru
I am thinking about getting the VP with new activation. Am I crazy?
(Don't answer that!) Should I, or should I go with a phone that is
only a phone?

---

__________________
***********************************
You can have my PDA when you pry it from my cold dead hand! <g>

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 158

My VP draws a lot of attention and I am constantly asked if I would recommend it. I typically say that if the PDA is more important to you than the phone, then it's worth considering. Otherwise forget it.

I love the integration, and the ability to do wireless email and web, but it is more inconvenient than a regular phone: bulky, awkward (still haven't gotten used to talking into my PDA!), spotty service (unless you are already used to GSM), and (somewhat) depending on which Visor you have, having to worry about the voltage level of two sets of batteries.

You know the line: to like this module you have to be committed ....

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

I like my VP a lot too. It's always in my VDX unless I'm using my backup module.

I especially like the One-Touch email program. I set it to only download headers, then download the messages I want. It's great for making sure there are no urgent work emails when I'm out of the office. I also like the "Delete from HandHeld and Server" button. With a click on my VDX I can delete junk mail so it's gone when I get to the office.

For the "default module" VP owners, how do you carry your Visor? I carry it in by E/B VisorPhone flip case, but I don't like it that much and it makes me less likely to use my backup module

__________________
Jeff

Registered: Oct 2001
Location:
Posts: 1

I have the visorphone with the Pro and I love it. Yes it is a bulkier than a regular cell phone, but if you are like me and take your PDA everywhere it is nice to get everything down to one device. Like SassKwatch, I have been very pleased with Voicestream so far. I was on Sprint before and so far have found my drops and coverage have been better with VS than Sprint. VS is running a plan right now of 3000 anytime minutes in your region for $49.95 (data or voice). For $7.00 you can make your long distance nationwide.

I was paying $80.00 a month to get 1000 minutes with Sprint. Also I have found that the average hold time on customer support with Voicestream to be much less than Sprint. The customer service with Sprint is horrible. I am glad I made the switch.

So I guess alot depends on how you use your Visor and which company you get on with.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Detroit-ish
Posts: 18

For $50, I'd do it - if you're happy with your local GSM service options.

I bought the VP as soon as Handspring hooked up with VoiceStream - paid the full price for the phone, but VoiceStream gave me a $200 credit (to make up for the discount I would have received if I hadn't already been a customer). At that price, I couldn't recommend the phone in good conscience; but at $50, it's a steal.

Cons - signal strength, sound quality.
Pros - address book integration, portability (vs. juggling two devices), user interface (much better than the small screen and many layers of menus on a conventional phone), built-in vibrating ringer w/mechanical switch activation (no need to turn on the phone and navigate through a bunch of menus, just flip the switch).


BTW - for the guy who asked, the Kensington phone pad is now slated to be available at the end of 2001; pricing seems to be $99.99 (according to the Kensington site)

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 100

Do it.

If you already carry your visor around all the time, it's pretty convenient. I was going to give Voicestream as the one major drawback for me (I don't know who your provider would be), but it looks like they have one of the best deals going. I'm still not sure why nobody in their customer service dept has ever heard of VisorPhone OR EVEN HANDSPRING but I'm glad that I don't pay $.15/min for data. Geez! That's Insane!

I think I use it for data more than voice. I have always used the plastic belt clip holster, so no problem there either. I say go for it.

Registered: Sep 2001
Location:
Posts: 35

Man alive. Thanks guys. I was about to buy a used Visorphone but decided to check here first. I have a Cingular account already and thought it was just a $6/month fee or something. I work and am up at night usually and they have free nights/weekends so it would have been great.

Cingular is a fantastic voice cell carrier but $0.15/minute..

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 40

quote:

---

Originally posted by PDAENVY
For the "default module" VP owners, how do you carry your Visor? I carry it in by E/B VisorPhone flip case, but I don't like it that much and it makes me less likely to use my backup module

---

__________________
***********************************
You can have my PDA when you pry it from my cold dead hand! <g>

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

Thanks for all the replies. I would be using VoiceStream as the service provider.

Bad news is, I couldn't get out of my contract with Verizon. Even
tho they don't cover the areas (dead spots within home area) that we
need a phone, they still want to charge $150 per phone to cancel. I'm
not going to let them screw up my credit. So, it looks like I'll be
waiting until next Oct. or Nov. to get a new phone. Hopefully
Handspring will address the sound quality issue by then.

Again, thanks for all the advice. I don't have a problem getting a VP
now.

__________________
Rick

www.visorsolutions.com

Registered: May 2001
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 9

I use the Prism a lot more than I use the phone so the limitations of coverage and sound quality don't bother me. I like the integration, most of the software, and carrying one device. You'd think they'ed write the software to do something simple like track your total minutes (in and out) but they didn't. You have to add it all up yourself.

I use Cingular here in North Carolina. I went through hoops trying to get data started. The big problem was that they've got different names and options for "DATA" and the customer reps don't really know squat about them. I finally got it working and on my bill its called "WIRELESS INTERNET-IM EXCLUDED" (IM is Interactive Messaging - SMS). The flat rate for Wireless Internet is $4.00 per month and I have NOT been charged $0.15 per minute use. Use comes out of my regular minutes. I am charged $0.10 per SMS but rarely use it. The Wireless Internet option still requires your own ISP. I have no problem connecting to Earthlink.

I'm paying too much overall for my plan, but that was the cost to get the VP. My wife and I use the Family Talk which lets you put two phones on one plan (minutes between the phones are free). We "roll over" unused minutes to the next month and when we have a lot built up we use them for the free long distance. Next summer we'll be free and can explore cheaper options.

All in all, I'm glad I got the VP. It doesn't sound as good as my wife's Eric T28 but the T28 isn't a handheld computer either.

Last edited by Barry on 10-07-2001 at 03:22 AM

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

For the record, I love my Visor Phone, have no complaints about Voicestream sound quality, and loved how easily it worked in Europe. It's not expensive either. I get 2600 minutes a month for $40. I took a cheap mom-and-pop ISP to allow me to surf. On the whole it works very, very well and I love the integration.

__________________
Visit the E-Zine on WINE AND ITS Bulletin Board at http://marksquires.com
Available on <a href="http://avantgo.com/channels/_add_channel.pl?cha_id=2733" target="_blank">AvantGo</a>