Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 109

Well it is thin... I do like the form factor, just as a spring board should be. It fits just like the back up module or flash memory module. I don't like the phone connector. You must use the supplied connector to plug into the modem. (It will get lost). So, I slid it in, dialed up my ISP.........Fatal exception. Here we go!

After trying several times, I could not make it work, even after removing my hacks. It would give me a fatal reset after the network would try to verify my username/password. Don't think it was the modems problem, I dial from the network panel but who knows? So, with backup module in hand, I cleared out the memory, plugged in the module and tried again. Success! Ok, so I have a software problem. I then tried playing with the included Browse-it. Looks like a nice program, but is it me or what? I had several fatal resets using the Visors scroll buttons. This is with a freshly hard reset Visor mind you. What's strange about Browse-it is if you tap on some of the pre-installed links, you will get an error such as Method Not Allowed. The requested method POST is not allowed for the URL /index.html I ran into that using several links.

Restored my backup from the module, and I could connect. Great, that makes trouble shooting fun. I have multimail pro, so I didn't try the included multimail demo. I d/l my email with out any further problems.
I am happy with the modem, but disappointed with the fatal reset problems. Im really thinking about getting rid of all my hacks (I always pay for them) even launcher III and using only mainstream software. Quick sheet, multimail, stuff like that. It's in the back of my mind now, im in the field, I really need to get my email and the *@*&%$! thing resets. I bought the thing so I would not have to drag my 5 pound notebook, the 1 pound power supply, the 2 pound case etc, etc to check my mail. Wish me luck.

!UPDATE! Fatal resets are only happening when I dial up my Mind Spring account. If I dial up Pac Bell Internet or Another ISP it connects fine. For some reason, the Visor dosen't like Mind Spring. I tried two different Mind Spring #'s with the same results. Ok, at least I can work around it by choosing the correct ISP.


[This message has been edited by Fleabag (edited 06-16-2000).]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: bright side of the moon.
Posts: 996

the way i see it. i have to carry around my stowaway, so carrying around the HS modem (since it's awkward to keep in the visor) is not a big deal. It has it's own batteries and works fine.

Good luck with the Thincom. I would like to recommend it to a friend (who ONLY has the visor and no keyboard to lug around) but will wait until you guys tell me it's worth it (no fatal lockups!)

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: NY, NY, USA
Posts: 39

Hi,

I think I'm going to wait for the 6pack. Seems like a little more for the $$$. But I'm also a Mindspring person. Would like to hear if you got that working any better and what you think the problem is/was...

Good luck.

Evan

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Lowell, IN, USA
Posts: 1

I bought 2 of these modems. Fatal flaws plagued both modems during use of Browse-it software on 2 different Visors. After screwing around with them for quite a while I got it Browse-it to work fairly well, with occasional freezes. Using the same modem with Eudora-Web posed no problems at all.

The phone cord is a major problem, it uses a proprietary connector, appears to be fairly fragile. Anyone who travels and wants to carry a modem will not want this one because the phone cable will be lost. I am very disappointed with these modems because of the cord. I am seriously considering going to a one-off design shop, having them break open the case and installing a regular phone jack, it will increase the depth of the modem by less than 1/4 of one inch in the corner of the modem where the jack would be installed. As a traveler who carries a Visor everywhere, a fragile looking connector on the end of a proprietary phone cord that will surely get lost is, is the kiss of death!!!

When the Six-Pack comes out these people may have trouble giving away these modems.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 79

Bummer. I was hoping that this would be a good modem.....but with a funky phone cord.....forget it....Been there....done that.....lost that......cussed that.....been without e-mail that.

Thanks but no thanks. I guess I'll wait for the 6 pak also.

Heyday

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 247

Anyone got any pictures of the ThinCom modem? For some silly reason, CardAccess' website doesn't have any other pictures of their product besides the totally unrevealing pic on the front page of their website.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 143

I was wondering how they were going to get a phone jack into that profile...too bad...

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: bright side of the moon.
Posts: 996

Interesting you mention that...i was wondering the same about the SixPac!?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 109

So they use a dongle to connect to the phone line?

Couldn't they use the XJack like 3Com uses in so many of their PCMCIA cards? They're EXTREMELY low profile and can be pushed into the box when not in use.



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Trinition ([email protected])

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 79

They would have to licence the X-Jack technology which would drive the price up.

My idea is to make the connector at the top of the springboard where you slide half of the phone module until it connects. The only problem is that it would not "lock" in becuae it is not using the locking tab but I'm sure someone could figure something out.

Or even the 6 pack people have something that looks like it pulls out to allow a standard phone jack to connect.

Heyday

[This message has been edited by heyday (edited 06-20-2000).]

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 88

Hey, I have the Thincom portable modem and have had no problems using it or the software included. Been using Multimail Pro before the purchase so that has helped. The browser worked OK but I will stay with Proxiweb.

As far as the cable is concerned. Here there is a drawback in comparison to the Handspring modem. But if you have to carry a phone cable anyway to assure that you can connect in all travel circumstances, it's no big deal. Just carry the Thincom cable and forget the "grey/black" phone cable.

Bottom line -- I like the module (and it costs less than the Handspring modem.) One last thing, delivery was the best I have had with any item I have purchased for the Visor.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 109

I received an email on this topic from Handsprings manager of accessories. He indicated that the Palm OS has a known bug with the output of some servers when your username/password is incorrect. It barfs at the response and you get the fatal reset. I don't think that was the problem in my case, my username/passwords were correct, but it may have been a Palm OS problem that caused the fatal reset with my Mindspring account anyway. I don't have another modem to test with! Once connected, the modem works as advertised. I hate the cable, but I'll live with it. Any time you have something portable, your chances of losing parts of it that are not connected in increased. (IMHO). The included Browse-it did cause my visor to fatal reset when I used the Visor's keys to scroll. Also, and this was confirmed to me by Card Access, some of the Browse-It links cause some kind of script error on the server. On a scale of 10, I give it a 6.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Orem, UT USA
Posts: 6

While I agree that the phone cord does have an element of hassle factor associated with it, calling the Thincom phone cord proprietary is incorrect.

The Thincom phone cord has an RJ-11 male connector (to connect it to the phone system) on one end, and a 4 pin JAE male connector (to connect it to the Thincom modem) on the other end. The JAE connector is a mobile connector used by PC Card manufacturers since the dawn of time. It is a standard connector, not a proprietary one. You can connect ANY 4 pin JAE connector to Thincom and have it work just fine. Interchangeable with other cables from other vendors makes it standard gear, not proprietary. A semantical argument, but a valid one.

As for the "fairly fragile" comment, there are literally millions of JAE connectors out there. Fragile they are not. It doesn't hold like an RJ-11, but packing my Visor and my Thincom in my EXISTING carrying case is really convenient for me, and in my mind a worthwhile trade...

As to the added gear arguments raised, any road warrior not carrying a standard RJ-11 to RJ-11 patch cable is begging for difficulties connecting when on the road. The cord from Card Access is the same size as a standard cord, and will take up the same space as a "normal" phone cord.

I think the Card Access guys would score big if they offered a single piece connector with the male JAE on one end, and a female RJ-11 on the other... about the size of an RJ-11 to RJ-11 coupler. That would be handy.

Kiporama (The Self-Appointed Thincom Apologist)

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Skurka:
The phone cord is a major problem, it uses a proprietary connector, appears to be fairly fragile. Anyone who travels and wants to carry a modem will not want this one because the phone cable will be lost. I am very disappointed with these modems because of the cord. I am seriously considering going to a one-off design shop, having them break open the case and installing a regular phone jack, it will increase the depth of the modem by less than 1/4 of one inch in the corner of the modem where the jack would be installed. As a traveler who carries a Visor everywhere, a fragile looking connector on the end of a proprietary phone cord that will surely get lost is, is the kiss of death!!!

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