Registered: May 2000
Location: Ft. Walton Beach, FL
Posts: 37

I am about to buy my first pda and have alot of products to choose from. I have narrowed it down to the Visor Deluxe and the TRGpro. I really like the VDx but am a little worried about some of the comments I've read, 1)screen is easily scratched 2)reports of cases breaking/cracking 3)hotsync woes. The TRGpro uses a CF card to allow for OS upgrades, storage of data, and different user profiles to be established. Also, CF cards with a larger memory capacity can be purchased for a cheaper price than the spring board modules and the CF cards are a "industry stanard". Looking for help on the final decision.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 434

Some of these issues come up so often that they really should be in this site's FAQ . . .

1) Screen scratch - - this is not just a Visor thing. For evidence, just lurk on alt.comp.sys.palmtops.pilot, comp.sys.palmtops.pilot or comp.sys.palmtops; or checkout Ron Nicholson's Short and Unofficial FAQ on PalmOS Handhelds ( http://www.nicholson.com/rhn/palmfaq.txt ).

2) Cases breaking/cracking - - this is harder to dismiss. While most folks are satisfied with their cases (or with the replacements that Handspring seems ready to ship), there have been a few users that have given up entirely on the Visor due to this issue. Some of us think that the cracking aroung the lip of the Springboard slot is due to using the cover in the reversed position, but there is as of yet no proof that this is so.

3) HotSync woes - - The serial cradle appears to be the bigger problem, but understand that even Palm has to deal with the occasional defective cradle. That said, Handspring's cradles do appear to generate more compliants. A mitigating factor is that Handspring appears to have no problem with shipping replacement cradles.

Re: CF cards as cheap memory. Unless you have some really unreal storage needs, this is a non-issue. Additional storage is only needed by a minority of users, and the 8MB Flash Module is more than enough for most of these users. So the cost of storage isn't really that big a deal.

Finally, consider what you are giving up with the TRGpro: no Backup Module, no MP3, etc. Basically, you are limited to storage, modems and a bar code reader. Yes. There is supposed to be ethernet and Bluetooth, but those are a ways out (just as they are on the Visor). You are going to get alot more consumer oriented peripherals on the Visor than you ever will with the TRGpro (which is still intended more for the corporate world). You'll also save some $$ by going with the Visor.

Factors in favor of the TRGpro: serial port, Palm OS v3.3, flashable OS and enhanced sound. BTW, for a listing of compliant CF cards goto http://www.trgpro.com/support/cf_compatible.html

[This message has been edited by yucca (edited 05-19-2000).]

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Monroe, Michigan, USA
Posts: 244

Try running an app or accessing a map or document straight from the CF card on a TRGPro. You can't yet (TRG is working on a program to allow it, but for now you would have to manually copy to RAM), but you can from the 8MB Springboard.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Redwood City CA
Posts: 472

It's true that Compact Flash is cheaper in long run that buying several Springboard 8 meg modules, but consider: the AportisDoc version of "War and Peace" is 1.5 megabytes, compressed. How many copies of "War and Peace" do you need to access on a daily basis?

Personally, I have Noah six meg running on my 8 meg flash, and I'm wondering what to store in the Innopak 2V.

Registered: May 2000
Location:
Posts: 1

Here's something to think about when your ready to buy a PDA or anything for that matter. If you take care of it, it will last a long time. (wow thats a new idea)
Here's what Mom taught me:
1. Don't drop or throw it
2. Don't press hard when you write (it's not a four page carbon)
3. Don't sit on it or leave it where it can be
4. Keep it off the dash of you car (it's like the moons surface, extreme hot then extreme cold)
5.Don't let others play with it (they didn't pay for it, therefore they don't really care like you do)
Before you take ones opinion about how crappy something is, ask them
1.Does your car have door dings and scratches?
2.Is your furniture stained and scratched?
3.How many pairs of sunglasses do you go through a month?

When you buy something....Take care of it! (unless it's crappy. haha)

Registered: May 2000
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 49

I've seen too many posts to believe that MOST people are satisfied with the replacements.

The process needed to make a clear case also makes a fragile case. The graphite is stronger.

I am very happy with the functionality of my Visor. I wouldn't gripe if I didn't think it was a good product. I'd simply return it and buy a sleek Palm Vx.

The Visor is a good product. Just take a look hard look at what arrives, and if it's flawed, call Handspring to make it right.