Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 6

if this is happening with the platinum i might wait to get mine, i am worried about spending 300 bucks and having the thing look like a monster. can all the paint be removed to make it look good or can i have the thing put in a custom case or custom air-brushed, last i heard there were no aluminum cases or anything along those lines

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 27

Ya know everyone, there could be a few possible solutions:

1. Put some car wax on the case. Might work.
2. Ask HS to put a another case on your unit-because of the defect-for free/or for a price. Prism people are out of luck because HS has only one case. Platinum people could get any other Visor case they want.
3. If the case gets real bad, and they won't put a case on for you, buy a $149 visor, and swap cases. This would be the last resort though--but you would have a spare (or parts).
4. HS comes up with a solution that works for everybody.

My PL shows no wear yet. If it wasn't for the fact I read this thread I wouldn't have known there was a problem with the Platinum paint job either. Blue Coral here I come. Before I bought my unit, I thought painted- HUH??? OK. They must know what they are doing. I guess not. Bummer.

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handspringer

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Here
Posts: 213

I have some wear on the Prism in 5 places. 2 on the back with the two corners touch the table. Two on the top I expect from the eyemodule I leave in most all the time, and one on the front just above the USB connections. Can't figure out the source of the last one but I use the handspring sport belt case which may be related. My serial number is AEBEB0413xxxx. I am very confident that Handspring will do the right thing if it becomes a major problem. At this point I don't mind but would be a bummer if one decided to sell their device on ebay in the future to upgrade not being able to sell in as new condition. Probably for the future, a material like lexan that had the color impregnated all the way through the plastic would be better. These things (PDA's) got a lot of use, not an easy problem to solve.

[Edited by george_vc on 12-14-2000 at 03:01 PM]

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 29

metoo

Oh well,

I thought I wouldn't get this problem, but alas, I see some paint issues in the bottom ridge and near the middle in back.

I do love my prism though... and want to keep it, but I want one with a real paintjob... therefore, I think I'll wait until an official announcement comes that they have changed the way the paint the cases...

Ba

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Dr.Art

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 29

BTW, don't post full serial numbers here... HS uses them to allow you to d/l the software... which means if this gets archived, anyone will find that serial number and maybe blacklisted by HS

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Dr.Art

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 6

I noticed the paint wearing off within the first couple of weeks, and its been progressively worse. I love the Prism, but having spent a lot on it, I am a bit dissapointed that it is looking this worn after just a month or so. My VDx looked great for the entire year I had it.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Maryland
Posts: 29

I've had two Prisms and hey both have exhibited the wearing of paint off the back. At least it's not rubbing off the front! That would REALLY p--- me off. I sure hope HS can get their act together, offer a decent fix, and not sully their excellent customer service reputation. Hmmm.....

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 27

count me in.

Only on the back below the palm symbol so far. (I've had it less than 2 weeks.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 73

Got mine replaced

They sent me a new one and a paid return box, so at least I can try again.

Jim

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TreoCentral.com
Product Page Editor

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

The top part on the front with Flip & the Visor name is all "smudged", as well as the ridge on the back. I've also noticed using the plastic cover is pressing against the grooved front and making their paint wear off.

I called Handspring about a replacement today, should have it in 3 days.

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Matt Nichols
[email protected]

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Midwest
Posts: 232

Handspring... are you listening?

I have a silver Visor Platinum. I've had it only two days, and don't see any paint rubbing off... yet.

My advice to Handspring...

Stop trying to one-up Palm. Just because they have a silver model doesn't mean you had to rush one to the market with a poor paint process used to make it silver.

Consider Vacuum Plating the plastic. I'd actually prefer a Chrome Platinum. There are other processes too. Have you tried using actual titanium for cases, instead of plastic? Make mine with a textured fingerprint-proof finish.

Consider a clear-coat of an epoxy based sealer.

Look harder and find a molding plastic that will look good without paint.

When any potential customer asks me "what are the problems with Prism and Platinum Visors, if any?", I have to say "the paint". I'd rather be able to say "No problems. Great machine!".

Dave

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There is nothing yet made by man that cannot be improved upon.

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

I've had mine for like 3 weeks, and I've started to notice the corners of the battery bulge are getting shiny. If it worsens I'm going to ask for a new one. It's not a big deal, but for the dough I laid out for this thing it should be perfect.

Other than this problem, I love the thing.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: at work...
Posts: 736

The paint started to come off my prism after a few weeks, mostly on the back and side edges (possibly from putting it in and taking it out of the cradle). I also would have preferred that HS just changed the color of their plastics instead of painting the unit -- it looks really cheap and shoddy when paint starts coming off it.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: New York
Posts: 16

Add me to the list of Prism owners with the paint problem around the fin/spoiler. I've had my Prism for a little over a month now. I keep my Prism in a slim leather case or on the cradle when I'm at work. I don't switch back and forth constantly or even occasionally. It's either in the cradle all day at work or in the case the rest of the time.
It's been a month since the first posting with Handspring's reply, I think it's time for an update. There's nothing on their site.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 76

Among those of you who've replaced your pealing Prisms, has the new unit really been any better? Just wondering if they really did solve the problem. I've gotten multiple replacements, all of which had a flicker/shimmer problem (outlined in another thread), so I haven't used any replacement unit long enough to know if the paint problem at least was corrected. So, are the new Prisms better?

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 63

..And to the Users who replaced their Faulty-Painted Prisms, how did you do it? Did handspring RMA the faulty painted unit just because it was fault-ily painted, or for another reason?

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 27

datebook button

My paint hasn't gotten any better. Also, the icon on the datebook button seems to be showing wear. I am a little disapointed. My screen is beautiful though.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 594

quote:

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Originally posted by Konige
<snip>
It's been a month since the first posting with Handspring's reply, I think it's time for an update. There's nothing on their site.

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: LA, Boston, MO. its different every 6 months
Posts: 56

Manufacturing techniques

im sitting here comparing my brand new prism (purchased this past weekend 01/20) and my visor deluxe (ordered 09/15/99 - yeah baby).

the casing on the ice is obviously not painted, but does have that 'frost' look to it. thats an easy effect to do. after you cut the mold, you blast the smooth machined surface with little tiny beads to get the uneven look to it. you get that nice texture to the plastic without painting it. kudos on getting it right with the first product.

after 2 days i noticed the paint wearing off on my prism. just 2 days! as i am sure handspring tested these units out prior to shipping them all over the US for their initial release, they must have found this defect as well. what should have been the course of action when this was discovered?

clearly they should have sent the product out initially with this minor defect, as they did. i think there are enough of you guys out there that care more about the hardware than how it looks. that just seems to make sense. this issue does not effect the functionality of the unit. plus, they need to crank the product out. they are around to make money. period. we just get cool toys and useful services out of their profit.

however, the issue still exists. it needs to be fixed. the product needs to mature and get beyond this small cosmetic imperfection. the paint idea sucks. use the same manufacturing technique used on the graphite and deluxe models. or slap an extra $50 onto the price and make the casing out of titanium. that would be my ideal.

but please, handspring, i am begging you: get rid of the silly paint.



on a similar note, do owners of the special edition palm Vx's (you know, the claudia schiffer and cannes film festival ones) have this problem too? does their paint wear off after just a couple days of usage?

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Pleasanton, CA
Posts: 253

Huh?

quote:

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Originally posted by bkbk
[QUOTE]It's irrelevant that I don't own one presently.

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