Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 231

quote:

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To determine if you are running an optimized VDX, tap on the applications button, then hit the drop down menu and choose INFO. That will give you a listing of all programs on the Visor and there is an option there as well for the version of the OS. Optimized units are running OS 3.1H3.

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 34

Nope, I'm not sure about that. I was going on some other information, but since then I've learned that even just updating the OS with the patch available would give the same results, but wouldn't be an optimized model.

However, if you order a replacement Visor from Handspring, you'll get an optimized model since that is all they have.

Makes me wonder what they do with all the returned units? I'd love to see an optimized unit and standard unit side by side disassembled so you could physically tell the difference. There was a site out there that had photos of the Deluxes disassembled when they first came out last year, but I haven't found it since then.

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Green Vdx
The Mountain Dew of PDA's.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 85

quote:

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Originally posted by Vegaman Dan
To determine if you are running an optimized VDX, tap on the applications button, then hit the drop down menu and choose INFO. That will give you a listing of all programs on the Visor and there is an option there as well for the version of the OS. Optimized units are running OS 3.1H3.

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Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 231

Well I just happen to have an original DX and an optimized DX. Believe me there are differences: The screens have different model numbers, the board is rearranged, and the button board is longer. I thought they sent me a 2meg because when I took it out the box it was noticeably lighter and I didn't see the black memory board from the back . But sure enough when I turned it on there were 8 megs.

Before I peeked inside, I tested it out with the YadaYada service. Where I couldn't get a signal in my house before, I can now keep a stable signal. There was a huge difference between the old and the new!

If I can I'll post photos.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 15

Here are two other things i've noticed about the two Visors (i just got my optimized one yesterday). The optimized Visor beeps noticeably louder and the graphite color is a tad lighter in shade. not like you can notice right away. well actually i think i did...

and goddamn the metal stylus is soooooo much handier over my cheapie plastic one. i know this is old news but i couldn't justify plunking down the 20 bucks for the 5-pack.

otherwise i couldn't tell any other difference without maybe unscrewing them (with my handy stylus screwy tool!) and checking out the guts.

nothing on the box or any papers inside referenced the new visor as optimized.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 231

sammich:

Look on the RMA on the box. You'll notice that in the numbers there is an "RF" which I think identifies it as a optimized unit. As far as the beep goes, mine is noticeably quieter. When it sounded like it was on "LOW" it was actually on "HIGH." It's very quiet but my YadaYada Minstrel S reception is sooooo much better. It really makes all the difference to have an optimized unit. GET YOURS TODAY!!

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 137

Picture of Visor Deluxes and Minstrel S

I posted pictures of my 2 Visor Deluxes and the Minstrel S.

It has side and back views with the modem in the Visor.

One Visor is the optimized one, and the other is the regular one. I'll be returning the regular one to Handspring tomorrow.

I also put the two Visors side-by-side showing the back so you can see the hardware arrangement difference between the optimized vs regular Visor.

http://www.millionbill.com/visor

Hope you like the pictures!

Mike

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Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NJ
Posts: 517

Promo still offered?

Is the promotion still available? I tried to go through the process and although I can get to the free modem page, when ordering only the 6 month/ $150 option appears. I tried to enter the code and it said it was invalid.

I'm not going to be surprised if they stopped offering it, but I would like to know if I missed something.

Also, is the $30 shipping cost the only option? I wasn't able to change that either. Seems kind of ridiculous to charge that much money.

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 34

Comparing photos, it would appear that my warranty replacement that arrived last week is an older model and not an optimized one. Time to call Handspring back up. At least they have fast turnaround times.

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Green Vdx
The Mountain Dew of PDA's.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 34

Talking to Handspring now on the phone. They want a receipt and upgrade coupon that is supposed to accompany the modem when you get it. That is true for the Omnisky, but I don't know of any upgrade coupon included with the YadaYada version. They will take the receipt or anything that indicates the actual purchase of a Minstrel S modem that requires the optimized VDX. That's there so that people aren't just replacing their units near the end of their warranty in order to get a new optimized unit even if they aren't using a new modem. I can understand that. I'm sure I can come up with some sort of documentation to indicate that the new modem was indeed purchased for the VDX unit.

What hoops did you folks go through to get an optimized unit?

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Green Vdx
The Mountain Dew of PDA's.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NJ
Posts: 517

Can you also get that $100 rebate on a Prism instead of getting an optimized VDx with the Yada Yada service?

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 78

I just tried to order the Free YadaYada/Minstrel with promotion code R8U74. It said that code is invalid. Uh, oh. Did they pull the offer?

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 38

Ok, now I'm annoyed!

In my last post I stated that I had to re-order my YY modem due to them losing my pre-Christmas order. Ok, slightly peeved and hoping to get my new toy soon. They said I'd get it this Thursday. I called to get a tracking number for the supposed 2nd day air package.

"Um, sir, I'll have to call you back. Apparently you aren't on any of our lists." I get a call back an hour later stating they are going to ship it out Monday. HUH?!?

We'll just see about that.

So far I'm getting a bad feeling about thier organizational skills.

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PropellerHead

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 36

I'm goin' on a week here myself. Placed the order last week, spoke to them every day, blah blah see my earlier post in this thread. They tell me every day they can't believe it hasn't shipped yet. Today they told me it would ship tomorrow for delivery on the 10th. If it's not here Wednesday I'm telling them to go screw and ordering OmniSky instead.

MC

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 125

Hello everyone!

Here is some information some might be interested in. Seems YY may have pulled their free modem offer?? Dunno but if they have, fear not, Omnisky has one that is just as good (but only for prism/plat owners, technically). Sign up for a year for $400 (~$33/month), get the modem for $100 (instant savings, no rebates/credits to wait for), free shipping (5 - 7 business days), as well as a $50 mail in rebate ($100 if you own a visor or visor deluxe already), and a leather case that will hold your visor and minstrel comfortably. OS is Mac compatible right out of the box too. Up front costs therefore come out to $500 w/ OS comapared to $480 for the year with YY (not counting mail in rebates b/c not sure what YY was offering). All in all, not a bad offer from OS, IMO. Hope that helps you guys out some.

Marty

P.S. I am very pleased with my Minstrel S and OS service running on my prism.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 36

Ok, it came. It works. I had to call tech support, as Novatel put the wrong IP in the modem. Service is fine in my apartment, and comes and goes in my office or while on the move, which surprises me as I'm in New York City. The e-mail app and browser that came with YadaYada suck (and are in black & white). Blazer is def. the way to go for a color browser, with Avantgo a close 2nd. For e-mail I like Eudora (but not the browser it comes with, that too is black and white).

Can you guess I have a prism...

I'll try one of those antenna booster stickers and let you guys know how it works out.

MC

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 49

quote:

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Originally posted by MicroChip
The e-mail app and browser that came with YadaYada suck (and are in black & white). Blazer is def. the way to go for a color browser, with Avantgo a close 2nd. For e-mail I like Eudora (but not the browser it comes with, that too is black and white).

MC

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 36

even after changing the script that was supposed to fix the crashing (which I thought was limited to the modem on/off app), whenever I tried to modify account settings it would crash my visor and need to be soft reset.