Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 23

I just got my Visor Platinum... can anyone tell me if these problems are normal or if I have a defective unit:

1. Contrast
The Visor loses contrast in some grayscale apps (Mulg, Argon V) so much that those programs are unusable. Some apps (Avantgo, ChessGenius) don't have a problem.

I took some photos showing the Platinum next to an M100, both running Argon V. In this shot, both were set to 100%. The M100 is too dark to use and the Visor is to washed out to use:

http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~sher...ast_100_100.jpg

In this shot the M100 is set to 50% and the Visor is still at 100%. Notice how much darker the M100 still is:

http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~sher...ast_100_050.jpg

I've read that old Visors had grayscale contrast issues due to Handspring modifications to the OS, but a patch fixed the problem. Since the Platinum runs 3.5x, why is this still happening?

2. Backlight
It's so horrible that it's useless. I've compared the Platinum to an M100, PalmIIIe, and PalmV. The M100 is much brighter than the others. Here it is next to the Platinum:

http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~sher...cklight_exp.jpg

The IIIe is *slightly* brighter than the V; both are much brighter than the Platinum:

http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~sher...e_backlight.jpg

I've read conflicting reports about Visor backlighting: some say all Visors suck and others say it varies from unit to unit.

Do I have a defective unit? I hope so... I like the speed of it and I already bought a case and 8MB module. So I'd rather exchange it for another Platinum. But if this is how it normally works, I'm returning the Visor and getting a Palm unit.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 23

Appears to be a defective unit

Just a follow-up: I went to CompUSA today and compared my Platinum to one of their Visor Deluxes on display. The backlighting and contrast of the Deluxe was better than my Platinum (though the backlighting and contrast was inferior to the PalmVx next to it).

Anyway, Handspring is sending out a replacement... am hoping it isn't defective. Will post again when I get it.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 23

Replacement Still Inferior

I just got my replacement Platinum from Handspring. It's better than the first one, but not by much. My coworker's PalmIIIe still has far better backlighting and contrast.

So, I'm calling Handspring to get another one sent. It took them 6 days to get me the first replacement, but to their credit, they paid for shipping. Still, this is a little frustrating...

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 341

FWIW, my replacement Platinum came today. MUCH better contrast settings than the original. Just whay I was hoping for. I'm quite pleased.

Mike