Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Providence, RI
Posts: 78

Why you shoudn't buy a VisorPhone or Sprint DigitalLink

I have 6 months left on my Voicestream contract anf I am itching to get rid of my VP. This thing is just a chore to lug around. I purchased the sports case from HS which I can clip to my belt, but the unit feels bulky on my hip, especially if you have a light jacket on. However, I must use it because my Deluxe does not feel "safe" without at least some protection from an accidental drop or jar.

When using my Deluxe with the VP in, the Deluxe feels like a brick and browsing Avantgo can get tiring. I find myself yanking the VP out a lot because it is such a hinderance on the Deluxe. I really do miss using my clear hard cover and my leather case, both of which are collecting dust because HS made the Visorphone so bulky that my Deluxe cannot be used with them anymore. However, I also miss a ton of calls like this because the VP is useless once out of the Visor. I also tend to neglect my Voicemail because rather than have a "message waiting" icon on the VP screen, Voicestream sends an SMS message telling me I have a message. The problem is that you may not notice the SMS message and the voicemail will remain unchecked until you go into your SMS screen and see that you had received a message.

And is anything in the U.S. more usless than SMS? Hardly anyone I know uses SMS or subscribe to the service from their provider because it can run from $3.00 to $10 per month or even $0.10 per message sent or received. Most people find it silly and say "Why don't you just call me at my cell" or "just leave me a voicemail". Most don't even know what SMS is. I enjoy the SMS function, but I hardly use it because no one I know uses it. Mostly, I have a ton of voicemail notification SMS messages in my SMS bin, which are a chore to delete.

Did I mention crappy handheld battery life? With the VP inserted, my Deluxe goes through batteries like crazy. I have to put fresh batteries in my Deluxe every 2-4 weeks, and that's with moderate usage...not severe. I sometimes even go a day or two without turning on my Deluxe. HS claims in the VP manual that a "small" amount of power will be utilized from the Deluxe battery to maintain the VP conduit with the Visor address book. Well, that small amount must be huge because my batteries are being chewed up and spit out... even with IR off and most sounds off.

How about the cumbersomeness of making a call or worse...gulp...receiving a call? I miss a lot of calls with the VP because it turns itself off frequently if it cannot find a signal for a few minutes. Also, answering a call in a car while driving can be downright dangerous. First, I must snatch the phone from its secure location on my belt. This is no easy task if you live in New England and have a big coat on in the cold winter and are sitting in a driver's seat. Once you manage to yank the VP out from out of its case and from under your thick coat, you must hold down the power button on the Visor to turn on the backlighting if it is dark. After that, you must either hit an onscreen button or push one of the VP's hardware buttons to answer the call. This must be done while trying to keep your eyes on the road (worse at night). If you pull over quickly, you could cause an accident or you'll probably miss the call by the time you find a place to stop.
I purchased a PDA mount from Arkon Inc. hoping this would help. But the VP does not fit snug in it and has even fallen out twice (ouch!).

Oh... and the headset has already broken once... and the second one has been lost. Anyphone with a hands-free headset has this problem... but especially the VP because it is best used with a headset because you need one to use the Visor while talking on the VP at the same time. You also look way to bizarre talking into your PDA (just my opinion). Therefore, the headset wire must be put somewhere while your not using the VP. So if you shove it in your pocket, chances are it will break someway or somehow. The headset also adds another step to answering a call (see above) and can be dangerous while driving.

So basically, I cannot wait to chuck my VP (can't even sell it because HS gives 'em away free now and thank goodness I only paid $49 for it). I only pay $20 a month to VS for service (thank goodness that I only choose the basic plan as a tryout first.). I'm actually planning on getting an tiny Motorola i90 flip phone with Nextel http://www.nextel.com . The phone has Nextel's DirectConnect feature which I feel is more practical than SMS, but the phone has SMS capability as well!

I'll use the VP only to browse the Web with my ISP for 6 months until I can end my service with VS and chuck the VP. Problem is that the VP is horrendously slow browsing the web. Actual HTML pages like cnnsi.com load painfully slow even at the fastest settings in Blazer. The WAP sites are inconsistent (except Yahoo) and HS has done a crappy job providing any good links from its Blazer start page. Besides, if I wanted to be confined to just WAP sites, I can do that on a regular cell phone's small screen. Yahoo's WAP site works great on a cell phone's small screen. Plus most cell phmes today can work as modems (i.e. the Motorola i90).

Well... the VP is a good idea in theory but nor very practical in everyday life. I can't wait to be able to slip my tiny sleek Motorola i90 into my inner dress jacket pocket along with my Deluxe with its great looking clear hard cover on... together weighing less than my heavy VP amd Deluxe combo currently weighs. Actually the Sony Clie PEG-N-760C handheld ( http://www.sonystyle.com/micros/clie/models/760.html ) looks too good to be true...so I may ditch Handspring alltogether for one of those...

My opinion: Wait for the Treo if you want an all in one device...or get the Samsung Palm-OS based phone/PDA. Forget the VP or the DigitalLinlk... they are not worth the money.. . even if one of them is free.

Last edited by RedSoxPDAer on 01-10-2002 at 01:55 PM

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

I agree

I agree with your. The Visor/VisorPhone combination is a kludge. Carry them around is very inconvenient. Will get my hands on a Treo.

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

RedSox:

Since you have to ride out your Voicestream plan for the next six months, why not transplant your SIM card to some other GSM phone (preferably something small like the Nokia 8200 series) and just use a cable or IR connection when you need to hit the web on the Visor? You can probably recoup your VP costs if you eBay the module for $50 without service plan. I think they still retail for $100 w/o service plan.

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Eye of Gameboy

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

Go out and buy a GSM phone and transfer the SIM card in there.

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Providence, RI
Posts: 78

Yeah I've been thinking of that as an option as well. I just don't want to pay too much for an old GSM phone. I've been asking friendsto see if they have one lying around (not too common in the USA yet). EBAY doesn't really thrill me because of the rampant fraud that occurs on that site. But... I gave it a look and found some decent deals there. I will investigate further.

As far as the Treo, I like the device but I am not thrilled by it. First of all...it's expensive...for current HS owners. If you don't have a PDA, then it is sort of a bargain. You get an good cell phone with a great PalmOS based pda built in for under $400.

But if you own a PDA already such as me...then you have to ditch your own PDA...which I paid $199 for in May 2001. I could sell my Deluxe, i guess. But HS sells them NEW for $100 now so I won't get much for it. My wife already has an m100, so outta luck there too. Will HS offer a trade in discount? I hope so.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Them Twin Cities
Posts: 1758

RE: SMS...
VoiceStream using SMS for voicemail notification isn't that big a deal... the problem is that the phone doesn't have tight-enough integration... there really ought to be a phone "bar" on all the time (a la sumsung? or is it a la kyocera.. or both?) which displays battery life, signal strength, time, and messages.

SMS, as I've argued elsewhere but am too lazy to link, is an extremely useful technology so long as everybody has the same SMS network. Since the US is to fractured, it doesn't work here. Around the world, however, GSM reigns supreme, and SMS is heavily used and appreciated. The only pity of it is the limited character length.

RE: VPhone
yeah, I bet it's a kludge. I am also afraid for the Treo and it's backlight... How will this thing be activated? (hell, where's the power button for this thing? Is there one?) Can we set the "ringing" screen to always be on with a backlight? i.e. when it is ringing, the screen is backlit, but when you answer, it turns off to conserve battery life.

Re:Nextel
If you're really serious about getting a small phone, Nextel is not the way to go. Their phones are big, period. Maybe the direct connect requires a whole different radio system, I don't know... The tiniest phones seem to be on GSM and CDMA--specifically VoiceStream and Verizon (in my area, anyway). If you go Voicestream, you can buy one w/out a service contract and just switch your card, as has been suggested.

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Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Providence, RI
Posts: 78

quote:

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Originally posted by dietrichbohn
If you're really serious about getting a small phone, Nextel is not the way to go. Their phones are big, period. Maybe the direct connect requires a whole different radio system, I don't know... The tiniest phones seem to be on GSM and CDMA--specifically VoiceStream and Verizon (in my area, anyway). If you go Voicestream, you can buy one w/out a service contract and just switch your card, as has been suggested.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Them Twin Cities
Posts: 1758

quote:

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Originally posted by RedSoxPDAer
Actually, the newer Nextel phones are getting smaller. [snip]

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 64

dietrichbohn, congrats on scoring the Treo 180!!

Actually I'd get one of the Treos if they worked with Sprint PCS - hopefully it won't be too long before they do�

Registered: Dec 2001
Location:
Posts: 16

Good Night!

I take issue to everything you have said. I cannot believe someone could have so many problems and complaints about a product such as this. Did you RESEARCH the VP before you bought it? Did you consider what VoiceStream service must be like where you are? Because after what you've said, I assume VoiceStream must operate a bit differently in different regions, i.e. I don't get an SMS message saying I have voicemail; my phone simply alerts me once I turn it on.

I sell cell phones and have been privy to selling some of the smallest and also some of the biggest phones. The VP is a bit big but as you yourself have said Nextel's phones are just as big and I know some people who li8ke substantial phones anyway. Older people especially like big phones and everyoe else just has preferences. I myself don't care. I'm not in this for a fashion show; I want to be able to check my email, talk to my friends, and go on about my business. You sound more like you want to be popular and seem trendy. All my friends think the VP is cool and love my phones versatility.

Nextel, as person in the heavily into wireless industry, makes a fine two-radio. Brilliant even with their DirectConnect. BUt that's it. They make, excuse my language, sh*tty cell phones; and EVERYONE knows it. And you can't be very inconspicuous or have a private conversation with a friggin' two-way radio; anyyone can hear you. But all in all, they are great for outdoors type businesses and rednecks (I'm from Alabama; we got alot of those around).

And as for dangerous night driving and trying to control the phone, that doesn't make much sense. After six months you should alread know where all the buttons are on the screen without lighting it up. I have had my VP for less time than you and I know EXACTLY where all the buttons are located, without backlighting.

And as for battery life, I get fine battery life and I use my phone alot more than you. I have the 29.99 plan so that speaks volumes right there, no pun intended. LOL My battery life has seemed to have changed dramatically. Actually, I think I used batteries the same amount.

What did you expect when you bought the phone? You sound less like a disgruntled consumer and more like uninformed consumer who didn't properly evaluate his purchase before making it.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

quote:

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Originally posted by dietrichbohn


RE: VPhone
yeah, I bet it's a kludge. I am also afraid for the Treo and it's backlight... How will this thing be activated? (hell, where's the power button for this thing? Is there one?) Can we set the "ringing" screen to always be on with a backlight? i.e. when it is ringing, the screen is backlit, but when you answer, it turns off to conserve battery life.

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Them Twin Cities
Posts: 1758

quote:

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Originally posted by yardie
Hey Dietrichbohn you need to see the demo on Handspring's web site. The power button for the Treo is located at the top. See the thread about questions for Handspring for the ringing screen thing/backlight thing.

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Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

quote:

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Originally posted by dietrichbohn
Got it.. thanks... I'm betting that I won't be happy with the backlight management at any rate....

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I am betting that you will! If you dont you could always sell the unit to me since it didn't cost ya a thing

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Them Twin Cities
Posts: 1758

quote:

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Originally posted by yardie
I am betting that you will! If you dont you could always sell the unit to me since it didn't cost ya a thing

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Don't look a gift horse in the backlight?

After reading your post in the other thread, I've changed my mind: I think that the backlight will be just fine...

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Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Providence, RI
Posts: 78

Re: Good Night!

quote:

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Originally posted by bscblue
I take issue to everything you have said. I cannot believe someone could have so many problems and complaints about a product such as this. Did you RESEARCH the VP before you bought it? Did you consider what VoiceStream service must be like where you are?

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Last edited by RedSoxPDAer on 01-10-2002 at 10:58 PM

Registered: Dec 2001
Location:
Posts: 16

Let me first say that my reply to your post was in no way meant to be inflammatory or a personal "attack." As scathing as it seemed, I meant it in a very matter-of-fact way. I hardly meant to imply you were an ignorant person; I just meant that maybe you hadn't made a complete and thorough decision before taking the plunge. You're not the only one. I know what you posted was YOUR opinion and that's okay. What I posted in reply was also MY opinion.

I know very well how fractured the state of wireless is in America. Alot of things are fractured here, why should this be any different? LOL Besides all that, GMS is the standard everywhere else in the world but here; if you travel anywhere abroad, your VP doesn't have trouble finding service. Not to mention things would be easier here if we had one standard. GSM has some footings here and backing by the parent companies of some wireless providers here, parent companies that are in Europe. I sell SprintPCS and before that Cingular (BellSouth). I know how fast things are once they've gone 3G. I don't really care because for what I do, Idon't need all that.

I could Digital Link which is 3G for next to nothing but I really don't see the point. But if you're the type of person that needs that, get it. Whatever you want, get it. Whatever floats your boat, do it. But don't be surprised if you put whatever is you've done out there to get a response.

And don't automatically assume everyone's attacking you. If someone is, you'll know.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

alt.cellular.gsm ask for a phone forsale there. There might a local who have a extra phone laying around.. That's how i got my extra phone I just posted a message saying ..

"WTB : GSM phone for Pacbell/Cingular"

And someone 10 mile away offer me a 6190 for free!

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Providence, RI
Posts: 78

Agreed. Let me also say that I don't want to sound like a spokesperson for Nextel. All wireless providers have their own problems in various areas. I actually love the signal strength of Voicestream and the VP. I am just not a big fan of their phones or the VP any longer, though I am not sure if they have the blue tooth Ericksson, which is cool.

Anyhow, I used to sell SprintPCS as well, but I am not in the industry any longer but I keep up with stuff. Like you mentioned, everone has their preferences, which is great. No flaming intended, but thanks for the debate.

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Chelmsford, MA USA
Posts: 20

I *like* my visorphone

OK, I'll jump in here ...

I've been using my visorphone w/voicestream for 3 months now. a couple of comments ...

1) i do NOT yap on a cell phone alot; i am NOT a major volume cell minute churner. if you are, you should probably get a 'real' dedicated cell phone. This qualifier aside ...

2) i thoroughly enjoy having *one* 'thing' to grab when i run out the door rather than having two 'things'. if i had two things (cell & visor), i'd probably carry only one most of the time and invariably carry the wrong one. Now if I grab my Visor, people can get a hold of me & vice-versa. I can also grab email wirelessly if I really have to.

3) the visorphone works well as long as you have voicestream coverage - which is surprisingly alot of the time (though obviously not as much as analog). i've used it in MA, CA, and FL just fine.

4) yeah, it can feel a little kludgy sometimes, and once and a while i find myself having to unplug then re-plug in the visorphone module in order to be able to turn it on, but i think the integration of an address book and the phone alone re-pays for these minor issues.

My only gripes are: a) you need to grab a stylus to make any call and b) I wish the visorphone was supported as a VoiceStream iStream 'always on' data device (rather than haveing to use the visorphone modem), but this is a true wish-list item.

bottom line: for what i use my visor & visorphone for, i like it - alot - and would not trade it for seperates.

AndyHN

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: CA
Posts: 47

Re: I *like* my visorphone

quote:

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Originally posted by AndyHN
...bottom line: for what i use my visor & visorphone for, i like it - alot - and would not trade it for seperates.

AndyHN

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I'll be the first after AndyHN to second that...

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