Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Utah
Posts: 44

I read a post on the Ordering/Shipping page where a first-time PDA user rated his/her VDx with the Palm III (after looking at co-workers' Palm IIIs.) He/She is of the impression that the Palm III is a sturdier, more well-built unit because:
1) The case is more sturdy and seems tougher. (The plastic of the VDx case seems brittle.)
2) The buttons on the front of the VDx are just painted plastic, which will eventually rub off.
3) The buttons on the VDx do not always connect (they have to be pressed harder or a few times to display the intended app.)

What is your experience? I have been waiting long enough for my graphite VDx long enough to give me time to think, and I am starting to think for my first PDA, maybe the Palm IIIx is the way to go.

[This message has been edited by KentD (edited 12-07-1999).]

[This message has been edited by KentD (edited 12-07-1999).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA
Posts: 126

KentD,

To take your concerns in order:

1) The case of the Visor is made from a standard "tough" plastic. Unless you have some (very) unusual plans for your Visor, It won't wear out before you have replaced it.

2) The buttons do appear to be painted on to plastic. Just like the buttons on your TV and VCR remotes. There is absolutely no visible wear after 7 weeks of very heavy usage of my Visor. I can't imagine them wearing out in less than 10 years, but even if they do, how long do you expect to use your Visor? - I'll bet long before the symbols wear off you will have memorized which apps you have assigned to which buttons.

3) The buttons on my Visor have worked every time I've pressed them. I've been using it heavily since 10/20/99.

Dave

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

KentD, I agree with Dave on this one. I've been using my Visor (green) for over a month with no complaints. I'm a first time PalmOs user and have found the Visor to be a great intro. The future uses of the springboard platform are totally exciting to me because the HS people have opened it up- which means that the coolest ideas are still struggling to be born. You should wait and check out your own though before you make a pro/con decision. You may find that it suits you (or not) regardless of what some one elae thinks/says.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Rushville, Indiana, USA
Posts: 24

I have to say that I find the Visor to be sturdy and solidly built. My Palm Pro has painted characters on the keys that after a year began to rub off some.

I actually like the buttons on the visor better. I like the tactile click.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 30

Here's my 2 cents worth:

KentD, you realize that what's happening here is that you're reading the few complaints that do come up occassionally with a certain product. The rest of us that are very satisfied just don't flood the discussion boards with "oh my god this Visor kicks ass".

I'm not saying your questions are unwarranted. I'm just saying that you *might* be making them out to be bigger than they really are. My impression is that the only problem Handspring is having so far is with their order handling. Other than that, it's been smooth sailing.

-Calp

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Utah
Posts: 44

Thanks for the great feedback - I hope more people continue to respond.

I am breaking a bit with tradition quite a bit with my purchase of a VDx - a) I usually don't buy devices I haven't touched and looked at, b) I usually don't buy the first version of anything, c) I routinely refuse to do business with companies with poor customer service. As I mentioned, waiting gives one the opportunity to think about other options. I'm exploring my options while I wait.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Geneseo NY
Posts: 34

I wish to buttons were unmarked, because I have reprogrammed several.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Somewhere in the wilds of New England
Posts: 65

Love it. Feels sturdy and well made. Wish it didn't take 8 weeks and an email to Donna Dubinsky to get it, but now that I have it, it ROCKS.

------------------
Proud owner of a GVD...

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 71

I originally owned a Pilot 1000, and now own a Psion S5 h/pc and a BVD; my girlfriend an OVD.

After two years, the buttons on my 1000 rubbed off too, and the slot where the stylus fit into also cracked. The grafitti area looked like etched glass. It didn't ship with a flip-lid at the time, but a cheap leatherette case. I think these flip-lids look pretentious in meetings - almost like you're hiding what you're writing from others. I much prefer an open look.

My Series 5 has a skin peel problem after three years of abuse.

My VD's are in mint condition; they may in fact develop this case-crack symtom I hear about, but if they do, they'll just join the ranks of a product that has been put through lots of productive use. And the more it looks used, the less likely it is to be stolen.

That's of course assuming the potential thief doesn't think I've got a Game Boy, and steal it to play Pokemon Yellow. Seriously, the colours make my coworkers (geeks) jealous.

-Doug

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 24

Sorry. It was me who made the post that KentD refers. I also said in that post that I love my Visor very much. However, I am very anal about manufacturing quality (European Cars) and I was merely giving my opinion of the manufacturing quality of the Visor. I am guessing that most people are not as concerned with the little details of manufacturing quality that I am. I'm the type of person that if Handspring released a titanium bodied Visor would think, "hmmmm... hand oil and sweat actually affect the surface metallurgy of titanium, compromising its integrity and making it brittle so I probably shouldn't shoot it out of a canon." That being said... *IF* you have held and played with a palm III *AND* a Visor and you don't drive a Ford Pinto then you might agree with me that the Palm is more solidly built.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 71

My initial feelings were also that the Visor seemed more..."brittle". However, after using both, I believe that my judgement was clouded by the opaque plastic of the Visor.

I personally think that transparent case induces the psychological feeling that it's less robust, when in reality I could find no real evidence that the III would survive a fall, a bang, or a dog bite any better than the Visor.

-Doug

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 10

Agree with you Doug, the ice plastic makes the unit psychologically feel a bit more delicate to me. The only part that really is delicate is the top clip groove, and the battery cover retaining prong.

I am a very picky person, and while the construction of my unit feels sturdy, I've noticed one problem with the screen; pls see the "Screen woes" thread I started, my update message posted today, item [3] : in short, the plastic bulges up from the screen bottom edge centered around the address and up-down buttons, rest is flush against the screen.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 55

A couple more cents...

I have an upgraded Palm Personal and GVD. To me, the only thing that makes the Visor feel more delicate is the fact that its case is smoother and the unit is lighter. I can feel the casing flex on my Palm, but the Visor is tight as can be. Now, after I have had my Visor for a year and a half, I will get back to you on the flexing in its case.

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

BigCow said:

quote:

---

in short, the plastic bulges up from the screen bottom edge centered around the address and up-down buttons, rest is flush against the screen.

---

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posts: 195

I can't speak highly enough of mine. Of course, this being my first PDA, my opinion is a little uneducated. While it does creak ever so slightly when I squeeze the sides, it seems very solid. I've had no problems with it crashing, locking up, streaking, hotsyncing, etc. When I click on the buttons, they do what they're supposed to do the first time. It has come in very very handy on many occasions. My sole complaint about it is the fragility of the slot in the top of it, which you've probably read about in another thread. The only reason that I'm concerned about this is that I've just ordered a case, and the case uses that slot to hold on to the Visor. Still, even if the fragile portion were to break totally off, I think that the Springboard cover would still provide the necessary structure for the case to hold on to it. I've had no regrets about buying my Visor, and I encourage you to get one.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 10

Winchell,

Nope, it is not any sort of obstruction that is lifting up the lower plastic edge.

The screen is flat (or else it would have cracked) so the problem is something inside. My guess is that portions of the button assembly or the button IC board inside are a bit fatter then they are supposed to be, and that lifts up the center when the unit is closed. The edges are secured by screws, so the edges of the screen are fine.

I'm contemplating returning my unit because of the tiny little problems with it, each one not significant but in total adding up to an annoying whole, and for so much money I am not happy to have an imperfect unit. The only shame is that it took so much trouble to get the thing into Canada...

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

BigCow said:

quote:

---

Winchell,
Nope, it is not any sort of obstruction that is lifting up the lower plastic edge.

---

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: King William, Virginia USA
Posts: 70

Responses to the original topic starter-upper:

>1) The case is more sturdy and seems tougher. (The plastic of the
> VDx case seems brittle.)

So far my Ice unit has held up OK but is noticeably "creaky" which is very disconcerting...

> 2) The buttons on the front of the VDx are just painted plastic,
> which will eventually rub off.

Mine have all rubbed off in the center from using the stylus to push them (which I thought was the whole point of the indented buttons?)

> 3) The buttons on the VDx do not always connect (they have to
> be pressed harder or a few times to display the intended app.)

Yep, my To Do button is very unreliable...

Overall, the quality of the Visor is pretty poor (along with Handspring's service - a new oxymoron) but for me it is the only game in town since I want usable USB connectivity to my iMac and the ability to backup everything on the handheld even when on the road using the Backup Module.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Utah
Posts: 44

I just received my VDx today and so far, I really like it. Granted, I have not had that much time to play, but so far, I like the screen display better than the Palm IIIx units I've looked at.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 70

Overall rating: 4.5 of 5

The graphite (black) case is sturdy with no signs of creaking/cracking/etc. The screen is a little softer than I'd like, but I'll get used to it. Software installed without any problems and the Visor works great out-of-the-box without needing a reset or anything. Stylus has no noticable problem, but I'll be using a Cross stylus anyway.

I'm glad I ordered and I'm glad I was patient enough to wait 5 weeks.