Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

I really wanted to wait before upgrading from Vdx, but since my Vdx was acting strangely and I wanted the VisorPhone, too,....I bit the bullet.

I'm moderately satisfied, but unenthusiastic.

PROS:
Bright screen, looks good indoors.
Nicer looking than VDX.

CONS
Color quality is so-so.
Screen is barely readable outside or in any bright light. Huge problem.
I knew I would hate the lithium battery. I do.

BUGS
--I did my first sync to my home computer to Lotus Organizer. Just as happened when I first bought a VDX, it asked me on installation if I wanted to keep my Lotus conduits. I said yes. It overwrote them all anyway, necessitating a reinstall of Easy Sync. Not such a big deal, but annoying.
--MORE dangerous: NONE of my Notepad entries sync'd and they were all wiped out. (Yes, I had them backed up. Wonder how many people won't?) Most of my calendar entries were wiped out, too. Not to mention a couple of hundred address book entries when my data was "restored" from backup folders.

Yikes.

MORE BUGS, but not nec Handspring's fault:
I love JOT, one of the most useful add-on programs. It does cause some conflicts with programs that required pen input to perform a function like BDICTY (translation) and AVANTGO (when using form submissions).

With the upgrade to Visor PRISM though, the conflicts were more frequent. City Date/Time, Albums to Go, and most anything that had graphical features caused fatal errors. I had to do two hard resets in the first 6 hours before I figured out that JOT was causing the problems. (And thank god for the backup modules....)

CONCLUSION
On the whole, my biggest complaint is the battery issue and the visibility of the screen outdoors. I think the cons outweigh the advantages here. I had to buy, and it is only a modest upgrade for a far higher price from VDX. I would have preferred to wait. If you can...see what's better next year! If you can't, it's a reasonably good product that is, however, overhyped.

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Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

I haven't had any trouble with Jot.

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Matt Nichols
[email protected]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

Matt, what are you using?

I didn't have any trouble with it either until I tried to use graphical programs, like EyeModule (which particularly dislikes it), and Albums to Go. City Date/Time would crash in a fatal error every time. Eye Module crashed it so badly that I had to do a hard reset after I tried to view a few pix I had successfully taken. The screen just kept flashing the intro when it boots and froze there.

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: The Matrix
Posts: 718

Prism is fine by me

I have a Visor Prism and a few Sprinboards and I am having no problems. I admit there is a problem with viewing it in daylight but I don't encounter that problem too much seeing how i use it indoors or on train for the most part. I have the EyeModule, Backup module, 8 Meg Flash module, and the SoundsGood AudioPlayer. All work great!!!!

May I suggest that before you buy a device, make sure you know how you will be using it. If you are going to use it outdoors a lot, then visibility in daylight is critical. A B/W LCD screen is best for your needs. If you wanted the rechargeable capabilities you can have the best of both worlds by getting one of the kits available now for the VSolo, VDX, and VPL.

I am very happy with my VPR. many others are too. ZDNET gave the Prism an 8.0 and users gave it a 9.0

http://www.zdnet.com/supercenter/st...,431361,00.html

OS is stable, device is fast, Color screen looks best in the PDA world even next to iPaq. Hopefully the next color device Handspring comes out with will have a reflective screen thus resolving the outdoor viewing issues.

Prism is not perfect but it is pretty dam good.

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It's all about how you spend the money.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Posts: 89

Jot and Palm OS 3.5

Mark,

The problem with Jot is not a problem with the Prism, but with Palm OS 3.5. Any PDA running Palm OS 3.5 and the older version of Jot (v1.0) will encounter this problem. The latest version 1.2.1 was updated for version 3.5 of the Palm OS. To fix the problem of the mode marker disappearing and the ink not showing up. The was to fix the problems with Palm OS 3.5 (not specific to the Prism).

If you contact CIC (www.cic.com) they will let you know how to upgrade from Jot 1.0 to Jot 1.2.1

Download the latest version then....

1. Disable JOT
2. Delete Jot from the Prism (1 file)
3. Soft reset Prism to clear the memory
4. Hot Sync the new File.

Hope this helps...

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

Thanks for the Jot suggestion. I'll follow up. Hard resets are pretty scary; I need stability!

>>May I suggest that before you buy a device, make sure you know how you will be using it. If you are going to use it outdoors a lot, then visibility in daylight is critical<<

I think, rather, if they are going to sell a device that can't be viewed in broad daylight, they ought to so advertise and make it clear to hapless users that they shouldn't buy it. I can see this ad now: "Folks, this looks good if you never leave the house. Fine print: can't read a damned thing outdoors. Unsuitable for 50% of users."

Of course, they probably wouldn't sell many that way.

>>I have a Visor Prism and a few Sprinboards and I am having no problems. I admit there is a problem with viewing it in daylight but I don't encounter that problem too much seeing how i use it indoors or on train for the most part. I have the EyeModule, Backup module, 8 Meg Flash module, and the SoundsGood AudioPlayer. All work great!!!!

<<

BUT you didn't say you had JOT. THat was, after all, the point of my post in this connection.

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

I'm happy with my Prism as well. Viewing the screen outdoors is problematic, but that doesn't come up too often. I both love and hate the rechargeable battery. I love it on a day-to-day basis, with regular use - it's nice not having to continually buy new AAA batteries.

The only time I don't like it is when I'm travelling. I'm a lawyer, and I recently had a business trip that involved a day-long mediation and then a flight back home. For those of you who don't know how mediation works, it typically involves long, long periods of time where you are just waiting and sitting around while the mediator talks to the other side.

I fully charged the Prism overnight the night before. During the day, I used my Prism and Stowaway to type up some notes and correspondence. I played some games. I used my Minstrel S to synch to AvantGo (a very slow process, but still pretty cool - my client was impressed), and read the results. Finally, I used the Prism and Minstrel to send an email status report to the insurance carrier involved about the mediation.

The result? The battery was pretty much drained by the time I got to the airport - which deprived me of the chance to play games or read a new e-book I'd downloaded from Fictionwise. On my old Visor Deluxe, I would have just popped in a couple of new AAA. Not an option with the Prism.

So, in conclusion it's not perfect. However, I love it nonetheless.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 17

prism travel charger

My Prism goes through battery time pretty fast, too, and I'm tired of schlepping the cradle home from work every weekend. I'll break down soon and spend the $35 for the travel charger.

Would have been nice to include that in the pricey price tag, I suppose... :-)

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 62

Well, there are easy fixes to each problem mentioned above except the outdoor visibility issue.

Doesn't TealEcho do the same as Jot? Also, there are other programs that do the same.

And Tech Center Labs has a portable recharger that uses AA batteries. For $35 you can have the same battery driven rechargability as the VDX.

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Jeff Schaffer
[email protected]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

>>And Tech Center Labs has a portable recharger that uses AA batteries. <<<

Do you have a URL or phone?

THis is not a perfect solution, of course, but would handle those times when I'm on the road. That happens a lot.

Yes, there are other workarounds.

Let's start with the $449 list price.
Add Travel Charger.
Add second serial cradle since WIN NT which I use at work doesn't support USB and the Prism won't fit in the cradle for the old VDX that I already bought a year ago.
Now, add portable recharger.

Net extra cost: add over $100, and get ready to carry a bunch of new equipment....

Not the best deal in the world. The color is nice. I'm not sure it's worth all this effort.

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Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

I have infact had some trouble with a few programs, but never thought it was Jot's fault - turn out it was! In Handspring's Picture Album editing photo names always caused a reset & so did enter my password and username in Browse-It, now they work fine. Still, this is Jot's fault and not the Prism's.

For Tech Center Labs you can go to: http://www.talestuff.com

As for "not the best deal in the world", really what did you expect? None of the charging solutions, for Palm or Visor, are relatively cheap. Its not Handspring's fault you have WinNT, perhaps you should upgrade? Serial is old tech and I'm glad we're going to see it die soon.

As for having to buy both a travel charger and portable recharger, the portable recharger from Tech Center Labs contains two pieces. It has a HotSynch port connector & the battery pack. The opening on the connector accepts the plug from the cradle's recharger (Likewise, you can plug the battery pack into the cradle) so really you don't need to buy Handspring's Travel Charger.

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Matt Nichols
[email protected]

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

Mark,

Sounds like you didn't do your homework before buying. You could have read here that the screen visibility sucks in direct sunlight. The charging cost has been addressed. I, too had to buy another cradle for the Prism to use at work, but you knew you would have to. If you don't like it, take it back and get the Platinum. It sounds like you'd be happier with it.

Rick

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Rick

www.visorsolutions.com

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Posts: 173

quote:

---

Originally posted by VTL
The result? The battery was pretty much drained by the time I got to the airport - which deprived me of the chance to play games or read a new e-book I'd downloaded from Fictionwise. On my old Visor Deluxe, I would have just popped in a couple of new AAA. Not an option with the Prism.

So, in conclusion it's not perfect. However, I love it nonetheless.

---

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Posts: 33

Love my Prism!

Looks like we have more software issues here than hardware issues. I had major problems with Jot causing crashes and the like on my Palm III and a friend's Platinum... so I just didn't install it on my Prism, and haven't had any problems.

(Until I dropped it, but that's too sad a story to tell here. Bravo to Handspring's great Customer Support... even though the guy who answered my call kept thinking he was still working at Compaq.)

The daylight issue is the only one that's bothered me, but fortunately I'm chained to my desk most of the time. That also has limited my Prism's time away from the charger base, and I've never seen my battery meter drop below three-quarters (unless I've gone mad with my eyemodule).

If you're going to do more than the "average consumer" (and I think anyone who regularly visits boards like this qualifies), you're going to need extra accessories.

I needed the extra cradle immediately, and before my next trip to Asia, I will check out that battery/charger setup for the Prism. (Thanks for the link!)

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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

>>& so did enter my password and username in Browse-It, now they work fine. Still, this is Jot's fault and not the Prism's.
<<<

Well, guess that depends on how you look at it, but I think it is Jot's fault. I had problems in the past with other programs requiring pen input too.

re: homework
In a sense, you're right.

I do recall in fact some comments about poor visibility. But it's much worse that that. I can't see ANYTHING much at all outside. That's pretty tough. You'd think there'd be some warning about that.......

It's a decent product that is rather overpriced considering its limitations.

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

I'm going to look into the emergency charger. My only concern is its size/weight. One of the reasons I use a palm-type device is to minimize the weight and number of things I need to lug around. That said, it sounds great.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

jOT

I received an email from someone with similar jot problems who said he cured it by disabling the "show mode mark."
In addition, I followed the suggestion to upgrade the version designed for the new OS. Those two things in combo worked and JOT has stopped crashing other programs except avantgo's form submissions still don't work. AvantGo says this is a recognized conflict.

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Great Falls, MT
Posts: 14

Boy, the sunlight thing was for real! I went to Best Buy with every intention of walking out of the store with a Prism. They were sold out. I went home and got on this site for more info and came across this board. I then went to Office Max to check out the Prism in the sunlight. Man, you can't see anything but black! I held up my VDX to compare and mine was easily readable. I really wanted a Prism but the sunlight thing is a big enough issue that I'll be keeping my trusty old Orange VDX. (Orange rocks!) This site was very helpful. Anyone know if it is possible to have a color screen that can be seen in the sunlight? I'm kind of a technological idiot.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

I'm still on the fence about getting the Prism, holding out for the m505's release to compare and contrast. I've only been able to see the Prism and the IIIc indoors, so I'm glad I came across the caveats here before getting too anxious to have the latest toy.

I'm rarely outdoors, and when I am, I'm usually walking to somewhere indoors. I use the Visor outdoors about 10-15% of the time. I find the poor contrast and poor backlight of the VDX indoors in dim lighting situations to be more of a liability than the washed-out screen of the Prism would be outside. Handspring probably bet that the typical Prism consumer would be an urban professional that would be indoors most of the time.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

There ARE some good points to PRISM. In fact, notwithstanding the impression given based on the rebuttals from the true believers who reacted very strongly to the slightest whiff of criticism, my review was slightly favorable. For example, while impossible to read outside, it reads much better indoors.

Still, I had to buy...my old VDX was having problems. If you don't have to buy and want color, my advice would be to wait for the next model, see if they have some improvements.

BTW, warning: if you do upgrade, make damned sure you have your data backed up before you sync the new model.

NB: In addition to wiping out various databases, I suffered other oddities on the first syncs. First, at home, none of my Notepad entries sync'd or were restored AND then they were totally wiped out. Fortunately, I not only backed up but also had a work desktop. I came into work, backed up, and sync'd. The Visor was no longer naked, having already sync'd to my home desktop. It did not wipe out the notepad entries in my desktop PIM (Lotus Organizer) but NEITHER did it sync them. I experimented a little. I made a minor modification to the title of the first entry. Say, turning "Accident" to "A-Accident." Then, sync'd again. Everything was cool, but for a few memos that STILL didn't sync. (Glad I doublechecked!) Then, I did the same thing for them. And it finally worked.

All in all, annoying but not catastrophic IF you're paying attention and IF you back up first. But failure to back up could be a disaster.

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