Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 79

Ok, I finally have to complain about my visor. I love everything except the STUPID BACKLIGHT or lack of. I used a Palm Pilot Pro for two years and used my battery gusling backlight dozens of times a day. Sometimes it is just dark enough that you can't see the text that well and the new backlight is worthless unless is is totally dark.

Man I used to use my Palm as a flash light and one times It helped me get "found" when I was lost int he woods.

Why have the new Palms and Visors gone to this pitifly reverse backlighing? I know there is some hacks that try to turn it back the way it was, but it doesn't work that good.

Hey Handspring......give us back the old backlight! Please!!!!

Heyday

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Posts: 64

Actually, I use GreenLightHack...
http://www.palmgear.com/software/sh...amp;prodID=2758

...and it works great. I agree, the old backlighting style was superior and I have no idea why they switched, but GreenLight Hack is the next best thing to designing your own PDA with the backlighting the way you want it.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Deltona, FL USA
Posts: 16

"Sometimes it is just dark enough that you can't see the text that well and the new
backlight is worthless unless is is totally dark."

I totally agree with you heyday.... I work from home so I don't have the same overhead lighting that you would find in an office environment and I tell ya 90 percent of the time the lighting is just not good enough to see the screen clearly. I find my self tilting the visor to find just the right light angle. (pain in the neck, literally) Add to this I have write rights on my screen and ..... well you get my drift.
This is my first palm device yet I know what kind of back lighting you are talking about and that would in my opinion have been a much better choice than this reverse back lighting.

Well, thanks for letting me vent,


Rob

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

I agree completely with everyone regarding the quality of the Visor backlighting: it just sucks. I'm a PDA newbie and haven't used a PDA with the old backlighting. However, I have seen a friend's Palm III and the backlit screen is much sharper and clearer.

The problem seems to me to be due to the lack of screen contrast and not necessarily the method of backlighting. In addition, I'm not sure I want the old backlighting (unless that's the only way to improve it) because I think the white letters on black / dark background is easier on the eyes.

However, the Visor backlighting seriously needs some improvement. In fact, (dare I say this?) if it weren't for the memory and springboard potential of the Visor, I may have already sent it back and gotten a IIIx.

Visor Pros: Springboard, extra mem, price
Visor Cons: backlighting! backlighting! backlighting!

[This message has been edited by Jmiester (edited 01-21-2000).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

That would be a con for every PalmOS device (IIIx/V/Vx/TRGPro/Visor) since the Palm III.

Maybe the color devices will have better backlighting

------------------
James Hromadka
VisorCentral.com
Personal Website: http://www.Hromadka.com

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

I didn't realize that all of PalmOS PDAs had the same backlighting. It's hard to test drive that feature in the retail shops what with all the overhead lighting.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 110

Don't forget the Palm IIIe, it also has the new lousy backlight.

When I got my BVD, I gave my Palm III to my wife and the only thing I really miss is the old backlight. It really is easier to read!

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Joe V. - Simi Valley, CA

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: East Lansing, MI, USA
Posts: 126

Personally I like the backlight.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 88

Weeks ago I lamented about the poor backlight function of the Visor. As an early user of the "Pilot" and the Apple Newton (MessagePad 2000), I have experience with backlighting. As someone said, the Visor "sucks" in this arena. I have tried Light Hack and Invert Hack and neither has proved satisfactory. I will keep trying to find the right solution, nevertheless. Aside from the backlight issue, the Visor is a winner.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 4

I also agree with this. But it appears like even the Palm V has the same problem. An article that I was reading somewhere says that for Visor and Palm V, they have increased the refresh rate of the screen for better sharpness and this is the main reason why the backlight doesn't penetrate well enough through the screen.

Hari

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

I'm using GreenLightHack on my IDx and prefer it to the "standard" backlight. Of course, this is my first PDA so there's no prior experience here...

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MarkEagle - Ice is nice!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 45

Hmmm... Guess this is one of those situations where you can't please all of the people all of the time. I personally find the backlight _too_ bright.

I only use it for reading at night (typically in bed ) and any brighter would be blinding (like looking into a flashlight -- no thanks! ).

That said, it does eat batteries... I'm working on a Springboard module that will let me get have more power (4 more AAA) and I use rechargeables so it is not too much of an issue. But, 1 to 2 months of run time is a rather wild claim. Even without the backlight on I only get a week on high quality Alkaline batteries with it set to auto-off after 1 minute of dissuse, no sounds except alarms, beaming off, and no afterburner.

The best solution would be if we could vary the brightness level just like we can control the contrast and sound volumes. Ah, I dream...

------------------
Walter


BlackLightning's cool laser printer iron-on Transfer Toners
& Flash Magazine [email protected] or 1-800-252-2599

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 7

Perhaps I am a idiot as has been suggested in certain past situations, but my display is dark, devoid of any light. Is there a place to turn on the backlight or do I see what you see? TIA

V

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 54

Its like the [relatively] new lighting you see on car stereo's these days... the "reverse lighting." Ive recommended sony in dash CD players to friend's (just on name, i own a kenwood, go figure) and the displays look cool at night, but in the daytime and esp. in the direct sunlight you cant make out the display at all!

Maybe Handspring is just fashion conscious. Next the leather cases will be made out of polar fleeces and there will be zippers every which way...

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 74

Hmmm, I've seen several posts that state the backlighting on the Visor is the same as on the Palm IIIx. I just compared my IIIx side by side with a Visor in low light and have to say that the IIIx is superior. So maybe it's true that while they both use the same new technique, the refresh rate does have an adverse affect on the Visor and Palm V's backlight?

Maybe the older Pilots were superior in this department (I've never used one) and everyone who's used one in the past has been 'spoiled' ? I find I can use my Palm in all lighting without any eye strain which is the bottom line for me.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 7

In answer to the above question: Push and hold the On button to turn on the backlight.