Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 35

Well, I have come to a major decision point:

Visor or not to Visor?
I have narrowed my selection down to two choices - the Visor Deluxe or the Palm IIIx.

Personally, I would take the Visor, however, since every single one of them develops a #?@#%$ crack, that is a disadvantage. Prices for the Visor seem higher than the Palm IIIx (found it for $219.00). For about the price of a Visor, I could get a IIIx, Writerights, some color flip lids (to satisfy my need for color, and a belt slipcase.

From what I've heard, Handspring products have had physical problems (cracks, tilted screens, styli that scratch) and their shipping is bad (very bad).

What do you think?

Thanks.

------------------
Signing off,

C. Russell
[email protected]



[This message has been edited by C.Russell (edited 12-08-1999).]

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: DFW Metroplex, TX USA
Posts: 58

C,

I have a Palm IIIx and a Visor. Why?

In a word, Springboard.

While my Palm IIIx is "expandable" (however, you must open the case, voiding the warranty if currently in effect), I only know of one "accessory" for the Palm IIIx and those are a couple variations of memory upgrades from TRG (www.trgnet.com).

It is said that the Palm IIIx is more sturdy, better built than the Visor? I don't think I can support that. My Palm has never be able to lay flat on a flat surface, it rocks from top left to bottom right.

When you pick up my Palm, hold it in your hand and use the device, it creaks. And pops. I handed it to a friend once and he started to make a memopad entry. The case made so much noise, the thought the back had come off in his hand.

The battery case cover does not fit snugly, it'd rattle if I hadn't glued a small piece of foam to the inside of the cover.

My Visor has none of these problems. To be sure, they are small annoyances. The Palm device works just fine. But the fit and finish of my Visor is superior.

The expansion capabilities that the Springboard promises is what sold me on the Visor. (Okay, okay - the colors helped! <g> )

-- Michael


[This message has been edited by mcgaw (edited 12-08-1999).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Columbia, MO, USA
Posts: 68

I saw a IIIx for the first time last night and have owned my Visors for around a month or so now...

I personally feel that the IIIx is the one that looks cheap. The screen seemed darker, definitely required more pressure to register contact, and the buttons seemed toyish.

On the other hand, both of my Visors (blue & orange) are stylish, solid, and responsive.

If I had bought a IIIx and then seen a Visor then maybe my views would be different, but I honestly believe I would be disappointed with the IIIx still.

LarryD

PS> I absolutely love being able to sync with USB... it's so much faster. Made the IIIx seem like ancient technology...

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 35

Yeah, but what about the shipping/customer service problem? What about the cracks in the case (see another post) and other hardware problems like tilted screens and bad styli?

------------------
Signing off,

C. Russell
[email protected]

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: TX
Posts: 29

I have been faced with the same decision, and have decided to go with the Visor. My brother has one and I was able to "test drive" it today. It is fantastic! We
inspected his for the defects talked about on here, but we couldn't find a crack at all. His is a BVD that he has had for over a month. His screen is not showing any signs of scratching, and he has only used the styli that was provided. He had a very good point about the comments on here. The people that have their Visors and are happy with them don't come on here much. They are busy using them. The people that come here are either trying to get information, or they are unhappy about something. I think the majority of people are happy with their Visors, they just don't come on here to tell everyone.

I will be ordering my Visor today. Yes, the shipping problems are a bit of an inconvenience. But it is something I am willing to live with, because I was so impressed with the product.

Good luck with your decision-making!

Sari

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 231

I LOVE my BVD! It took a painful month to get it, but that's ok, I forgive them. The stylus has scratched my screen, but only because I allowed other people who've never used a PDA to "test drive" it. Got some small ones in there myself. For the record, my Casio Zoomer had a very tough screen and was difficult to scratch. The sides of my BVD are not solid and if you squeeze them you'll hear a creaking noise. But despite these flaws it is a fine product. I've dropped it unprotected from about four feet up and it still works fine. $249 is definitely a steal for 8megs and infinite expandability. So what it doesn't have flash rom--big deal! It was worth every penny!

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: "Children are a gift from God, they are a reward"
Posts: 1049

I've had my Green VDx for almost a month and a half. I use writerights on the screen and have had NO problems with the fit, finish, or durability of the unit. I even let my six year old play Galax and Sub Hunt on it several times a day.
I think what was said before about complainers complaining and happy users using is pretty true to form with almost everything. As to the defect units- I've seen a Mercedes that was a lemon too, (and a Land Rover that wasn't!) and it didn't change the fact that MB are known for fit and finish. EVERYBODY has at least one bad day a month. I feel bad for those folks that got those crappy Visors, they're missing out on what I've found to be a great experience (first time that I've not gotten 'buyers remorse' on a purchase over 100 bucks!)

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 15

I love this site because as an extremely satisfied Palm III owner, I can sit back and admire my decision to upgrade to a IIIx rather than deal with getting a visor.

First, I had my IIIx w/in 24 hours of ordering. Second, the build quality on the Palm is above reproach. As far as having 4 megs as opposed to 8 megs, I never used the full 2 megs on my III.

With regard to the Springboard slot. Great idea, but bound to fail. We all know that the Springboard modules will be so expensive that you will end up having a $700 cell phone or a $600 32 meg MP3 player. Instead, I have my IIIx, my Startac, and a Rio that I got for $49 from Beyond.com.

As for me, I'll keep watching this board and getting my laughs. Have a good holiday everyone.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 434

Hey PalmMan,

I'm glad you like your order... I considered the III's and V's myself, but then concluded just the opposite. The V's are sleek and well-designed, but in the end are just a rip off for what you get. The III's are more reasonable but still more expensive, without USB. The VII is gimmick. As for the springboard slot, I'm still wondering how true the promises will be but as it stands right now, I still consider the slot a vast improvement over the Palm. Just the one-step backup cartridge was enough to have made me go Visor. I don't travel that often, but to lose what I would have on a PDA would be extremely inconvenient while I was on a trip. (I don't own a laptop.)

But you're right, this wait for the thing is getting tiresome. Since this is a startup, I expected to wait up to 10 weeks or so. I'm over 6 now, and if end waiting another month with nothing in hand, I'll probably go Palm.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 434

P.S. I agree however, the idea of a Visor cell phone is ludicrous. Consequently, it doesn't seem that anyone is actually considering that idea. I've got a separate dual mode phone.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Columbia, MO, USA
Posts: 68

I pre-ordered my blue Visor and got clobbered by all of the shipping problems.

I ordered my orange Visor on Oct 29 and had it within 6 weeks as promised. I *think* the worst of the shipping problems are over.

As for quality, both of my Visors are high quality. They haven't cracked yet, but I can see where that aspect of the design could be weak. However, I don't see where it would affect functionality any.

I now know of a couple people with palms that have the flip cover that many people say they wish the Visor had... However, these people consistantly take the flip cover off and then have no place to put it. I don't see the advantage.

I put a few little scratches in the grafitti area of the blue Visor, but I think I was just writing too darn hard. I hadn't used a stylus/grafitti before I got the blue Visor.

LarryD

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

Palm Man said

quote:

---

As far as having 4 megs as opposed to 8 megs, I never used the full 2 megs on my III.

---

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 15

Eug,

For the money, you are right, a Visor is a better deal. When you consider that I bought my IIIx on buy.com 2 weeks ago when it was at $207 less a $20 coupon and no shipping charges, $187 isn't bad and I had it w/in 24 hours.

If I could actually get a $249 VD with a cradle w/in a reasonable period, I may have thought differently.

In addition, I am not saying a Palm is perfect. In fact, my 1st III died for unknown reasons. However, a quick call to 3com had a new one in my hands the next morning and it has been smooth sailing since.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 434

"When you consider that I bought my IIIx on buy.com 2 weeks ago when it was at $207 less a $20 coupon and no shipping charges, $187 isn't bad and I had it w/in 24 hours."

Very good deal. Actually, that's why I've been more open to the idea of a PalmPilot recently. Proves the benefit of competition. Before the Visor (and TRGPro) came on the scene, the prices were quite a bit higher. A IIIe (which I'm not considering) is now only about 154 US bucks up here in Canada. Deals like yours for the IIIx don't exist however, unfortunately.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Midland, Texas
Posts: 231

If I may add my two cents:

I orignated the post of the Visor 'crack', and will offer that if I had to choose again between Visor and IIIx I would go Visor in a flash. (no pun intended)

I had a IIIx before my Visor, and I like my Visor much more for the following reasons:

1) 8MB (Bible, Docs, avantgo...)
2) springboard (OK, largely vaporware at this point, but I don't expect that to last, and it sure is fun to anticipate!)
3) quality of construction (eh?! That's right, though the 'crack' is a *design* flaw, the overall construction of the Visor is BETTER. See above post for details about which I can second. Even to the extent that I had a friend lose his battery door because it kept falling off.)
4) IR port (it's really cool to beam from across the room!)
5) USB sync
6) better buttons (OK, not a big deal, but they feel great!)
7) did I say 8MB and springboard?


Advantages of IIIx?:

1) delivery (Now, obviously a non-issue for me
2) flash ROM (basically a non-issue with 8MB and available back-up or flash springboards. One OS update to date has been less than compelling.)
3) flip-cover (Better than the Visor's for convenience, but I'm already used to the Visor's and don't think about it.)
4) default stylus (Gotta buy a new one for Visor...$10)

For my needs, and from my experiences, I recommend Visor all the way.

tyler

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Richmond, VA, USA
Posts: 64

I upgraded to the Visor when my original PalmPilot Professional basically died. Got the BVD the day after thanksgiving (4 weeks exactly), and LOVE IT!

The USB sync is so much faster than serial sync, and with 8 mb of RAM, that really means a lot, because I didn't have a lot of apps in the 1 MB Palm Pro (2 MB on IIIx). I've already got 2.5 MB IN my Visor, and it still syncs in almost no time at all!

As for the stylus, there were a lot of complaints about it, but realistically, I haven't had a problem with it. I mean, yes it is technically a cheap black plastic stick, but what do you want a stylus to be? Gold-plated? If you're going to lose it anyway, then all you need is something cheap. I do have a very nice pen that I use for writing, and I have noticed that if I use the blunt end (non-ballpoint), it substitutes as a good stylus, and I use that in a hurry.

I haven't had a problem with any manufacturing defects (i.e. crooked screen, or scratches on screen, or anything like that). Although I will note that in only about two weeks, my batteries are about half full already. I think that is mostly attributable to the fact that EVERYONE in Richmond wants to see this thing, so I am naturally showing it off to a lot of people!

;-)

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 42

I am facing the same issues...239 for a IIIx and 4 meg...could have it early next week...upgradable OS....proven track record.

I if I want something for the next 12-18 months...

Geez, why does this have to be so difficult.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 35

KD - you can find the Palm IIIx for $219 including shipping at www.neutron.com, which is why I'm looking at the Palm IIIx at a major price advantage (ok, not major, but I can get a nice stylus or case for $30.00)

Thanks

------------------
Signing off,

C. Russell
[email protected]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 42

neutron.com gives me an error...

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 35

Odd, it worked before - anyway, www.ecost.com has it for $216.99, shipping next day - but I'm not sure about shipping costs. Sorry, but I hope this helps.

------------------
Signing off,

C. Russell
[email protected]