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Edge....are they really that bad...should I buy one or not?


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enfieldspares
Member

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1

Edge....are they really that bad...should I buy one or not?

Well, I currently have a Palm IIIxe, but despite the price - here in UK � 160-180, like the small size of the Edge. The OS is not an issue, Palm is on 3.5.1 and all I seem to miss is "NotePad" and Alarm Clock. But QUALITY AND RELIABILITY is my main concern.
Reading these threads it seems that the Edge is a plagued with faults. Also how bad do the buttons tarnish? To black? Or a nasty dull grey?
So...do I keep my Palm IIIxe, and wait for a "thin" Palm, or get the Edge. Keeping TWO is a "cop-out". Is the Edge really that bad? Is it the product line as a whole or just the problem of "miniaturising" into the slim form factor that is the difficulty.
Lastly...batteries? Can I get replacements and are these too (like I read on the Palm Forum re L-Ion) a potential big disappointment?
Candid opinions requested...

01-11-2002 01:59 PM

septimus
VisorCentral Staff

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

Re: Edge....are they really that bad...should I buy one or not?

quote:
Originally posted by enfieldspares
But QUALITY AND RELIABILITY is my main concern.
Reading these threads it seems that the Edge is a plagued with faults. Also how bad do the buttons tarnish? To black? Or a nasty dull grey?

I won't have much to say that isn't already in the threads you searched. Some people have had great luck with the edge, others have had really really bad luck. The button tarnish seems to vary, though ultimately the buttons can turn black. It is literally tarnish, and can be removed, however. Don't base your decision on button tarnish. QC is the main issue.

quote:
So...do I keep my Palm IIIxe, and wait for a "thin" Palm, or get the Edge.

I would wait for the Palm m500 to arrive in your area, if it hasn't already. For a cheaper option, take a gander at the Clie S320, if that's in your area.

quote:
Is the Edge really that bad? Is it the product line as a whole or just the problem of "miniaturising" into the slim form factor that is the difficulty.

Is it that bad? Depends on who you ask. With me, the QC issues combined with a frustration with having to use a sled... I ditched it. But not a Edge thread goes by where I don't feel a twinge of sadness at its loss. It was (seemingly) durable, thin, fast, and the best looking PalmOS device.

Although other Handspring products have had QC issues, none have been as bad as the Edge. Perhaps its miniaturization, but I think it may also just be bad industrial design...they didn't handle the switch to mass production well.

quote:
Lastly...batteries? Can I get replacements and are these too (like I read on the Palm Forum re L-Ion) a potential big disappointment?

Replacing the battery would be a HUGE Pain In The Keister. But you'll never need to. Battery life on the Edge is excellent and the Lion battery will last as long as you'd want it to over the long haul.

quote:
Candid opinions requested...

If you get the edge, get a warranty and don't be surprised if there are issues. Who knows, you may get lucky.

but if I were in your position, looking for a thin mono device, I'd go for the m500.

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01-11-2002 02:08 PM

Vizorbek
Member

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Fitchburg, WI
Posts: 7

So many choices......

I've owned a Visor (basic) for over 2 years for personal use, and I also use a Palm IIIxe at work. I am also thinking of upgrading, and I plan on sticking with Handspring, despite all the hoopla about QC for the Edge. I really like the included Handspring software compared to the Palm software that came with the IIIxe, and the speed, size, and handling of the Edge.

The Edge QC problems worried me at first, but I've been searching reviews for a while and I think there are always going to be some lemons around, but Handspring management is not going to ignore a lot of negative talk. I've always had good service, and I know a lot of Visor users who say the same thing. I've convinced some of my family and friends to buy Visors within the last 6 months, and none of them are sorry.

Look closely at the Edge, and the reviews. The m500 is just not up to the Edge speed.

01-11-2002 07:18 PM

septimus
VisorCentral Staff

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

Re: So many choices......

quote:
Originally posted by Vizorbek
Look closely at the Edge, and the reviews. The m500 is just not up to the Edge speed.

I can't speak to speed specifically, but the m500 is more reliable (although you might get the USB issue...) than the Edge. The Edge's only advantages are looks, HS software, and the Springboard. The sled, however, kinda negates that when you consider that the m500 can be expanded w/out hurting form factor. Andt he m500 comes with some bonus software too...

I guess it's 6 of one, half dozen of the other. Me, I wish my edge wasn't so dang fritzy with the digitizer. I'd have it still and be bragging about it.

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01-11-2002 09:02 PM

Toby
Member

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

Re: So many choices......

quote:
Originally posted by Vizorbek
I've owned a Visor (basic) for over 2 years for personal use, and I also use a Palm IIIxe at work. I am also thinking of upgrading, and I plan on sticking with Handspring, despite all the hoopla about QC for the Edge. I really like the included Handspring software compared to the Palm software that came with the IIIxe, and the speed, size, and handling of the Edge.

If you have any springboards, I think you'll probably change your mind in short order. BTW, hoopla is not exactly a fair description of the QC issues with the Edge. We're not talking about people trying to hype another product or trying to damage Handspring. We're talking about people who got a bum PDA and little help in finding out what the problem was.

quote:
The Edge QC problems worried me at first, but I've been searching reviews for a while and I think there are always going to be some lemons around, but Handspring management is not going to ignore a lot of negative talk.

What makes you think that? I've got emails which support the opposite position.

quote:
I've always had good service, and I know a lot of Visor users who say the same thing.

Me too. I know quite a few that would say otherwise, though. Quite honestly, until my Edge experience, I would have not had anything negative to say about Handspring's CS at all. However, there has been a marked change over the period of time which I've had experiences with them, though.

quote:
I've convinced some of my family and friends to buy Visors within the last 6 months, and none of them are sorry.

Good for them.

quote:
Look closely at the Edge, and the reviews. The m500 is just not up to the Edge speed.

I agree. Look closely at the Edge reviews. If you'll notice, many of them only tout the physical design and size. Some others also point out the impressive benchmark speeds. However, very few of them actually involve someone using the thing for months at a time. For that you'd actually have to ask someone who did.

So...to answer the original poster's questions, if you're looking for quality and reliability as a primary concern, I'd stay away from the Edge _unless_ you're willing to risk a lemon or two (or three...?) to get a good one. I'm of the opinion at this point that static might be the Edge's undoing all this time. If size is your concern, and you rarely use springboards (but do use them), then the Edge would probably be worth your time to try out. WRT tarnish, I'm of the opinion that this is partially due to body chemistry of the user and enviornment. I've not experienced any tarnish issues.

01-11-2002 09:06 PM

miradu
TreoCentral Staff

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

While I can't be really detailed, my dad's edge has held up perfectly... Granted he's not realy la harsh user, but it's fit his needs well. (He's a doctor)

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-miradu

01-12-2002 12:28 AM

dick-richardson
Member

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

Re: So many choices......

quote:
Originally posted by Vizorbek
Look closely at the Edge, and the reviews. The m500 is just not up to the Edge speed.

How do you figure?

quote:
A previous comment of mine from this thread
An m500 is better than an edge in almost all respects, including (but not limited to) corporate support, system wide silent alarm, vibrating alarm, size & form factor (IMO), included software, quality, flash RAM, etc.

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Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

01-12-2002 05:35 AM

AzNCoMpUtAnErD
Member

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: sOuThErN kaLi
Posts: 462

I've just gotten my edge last week, and I came from using a Sony Clie 710+. I must say I miss the color, but the size is great! The feel of it in my pocket is nice. I dunno about those issues yet, I've only had it for a week, but I'll say I love it. The stylus takes getting used to, but the size and everything doesn't. However, I love the aesthetics of it, it's the best looking PDA there is! Even my clie couldn't beat that, especially in its ugly leather case. But it was very usable and a great PDA as well. Maybe you could find a 710 somewhere for $300???

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01-15-2002 07:37 PM

septimus
VisorCentral Staff

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

man, you're making me jealous for my days of Edge. and I went from a Plat to an Edge, you went from a Clie 710 to one! If, after a hi-res, color, mp3-enable device, you can be happy with the edge, well... it's too bad that Handspring didn't get a SD slot in there somehow. Or some kind of thin sled with a CF or Sd (hell, both, as long as I'm dreaming) on it. The Edge may have not worked out, but it wasn't a total loss--it's too bad that it's as good as written off by handspring.

...Now I want a small form factor... I can't wait for the treo...

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01-15-2002 08:17 PM

AzNCoMpUtAnErD
Member

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: sOuThErN kaLi
Posts: 462

quote:
Originally posted by dietrichbohn
man, you're making me jealous for my days of Edge. and I went from a Plat to an Edge, you went from a Clie 710 to one! If, after a hi-res, color, mp3-enable device, you can be happy with the edge, well... it's too bad that Handspring didn't get a SD slot in there somehow. Or some kind of thin sled with a CF or Sd (hell, both, as long as I'm dreaming) on it. The Edge may have not worked out, but it wasn't a total loss--it's too bad that it's as good as written off by handspring.

...Now I want a small form factor... I can't wait for the treo...

Hehehe...Maybe you can use your Edge again, if you still have it. Hope this doesn't make it worse, but when I talk about looks, I mean physical and the OS itself. I love being able to use BackDrop and FontHack. I love my backdrops and the fonts makes it look sooo perty

. The Clie couldn't use either one...

Get the T615

Everything is the same as the edge, size, weight, etc, but its got high-res color, MS slot, and 16 MB RAM. You can't lose with it. IT IS the long awaited "color visor edge."

Of course, coming from a 710, minus the MP3 player.

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good artists copy, great artists steal. . .

01-16-2002 07:16 PM

EJSHUMAK
Member

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 227

Two Edge(s), (Wife's and Mine) Superb performance and reliabiltiy for nearly a year -- (One had no backlight when new -- returned no questions and replacement overnight)

It is a fantastic unit for speed, reliability and screen clarity and it has been perfect as to relibility in my experiance --

Everything you do is a roll of the dice -- my experiance is pro Edge--

01-21-2002 08:15 AM

Jeff_duncan
Member

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Argyle, NY
Posts: 1

Mine works great

I have had my Visor Edge for several months now. I carry it in my shirt pocket, and I have bent over and dropped it several feet onto a hard floor... no scratches or dents, and no froggy operation. The PDA seems to be quite reliable.

I purchased a Garmin eTrex Summit at about the same time, as I wanted a PDA AND a moving-map GPS navigating system that I could use while hiking. That's why I chose the Edge... it is very thin and light. I had to make up a special cable, but all the needed information was on the net. I now have it working fine.

Perhaps several months of daily use is not long enough, but there is not a trace of "tarnish" on the buttons.

I cast a strong vote for the Edge!

Last edited by Jeff_duncan on 02-03-2002 at 10:16 PM

02-02-2002 01:56 PM

dabirk
Member

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Plainview, NY
Posts: 116

My Edge

Living in the suburbs and working in NYC.
I was thrilled to obtain my Edge on EBay's Auction For America.
All of my purchase price went to The Red Cross 911 Fund
I know several peoplewho were lost
I gave my Visor to my wife and I am thrilled with my Edge. After several month of use I have never had to do a reset.
I have loaded it up and i could not ask for more
dabirk

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02-03-2002 08:42 PM

dick-richardson
Member

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

Figures. I probably sold mine the week before they decided to fix them.

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Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

02-04-2002 04:13 AM

Schrader
Member

Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Midland, MI
Posts: 92

edge dealy

I ahve to admit that I was a little disappointed after reading some of these. But I still like my edge. It's nice in my pocket because it's small. I think it was a good switch from my old visor deluxe. I'm still using my first one, so I guess I lucked out with these "lemons". Oh well... I guess some people get the bad end of things sometimes.

I've dropped both of my visors (deluxe & edge), but only the deluxe had any damage to it, and then the handspring people sent a free replacement for it, just as long as I sent my broken one back within 90 days. I think I'll stick with my edge, unless something really good comes about.

02-06-2002 04:03 AM

AzNCoMpUtAnErD
Member

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: sOuThErN kaLi
Posts: 462

Re: edge dealy

quote:
Originally posted by Schrader
I've dropped both of my visors (deluxe & edge), but only the deluxe had any damage to it, and then the handspring people sent a free replacement for it, just as long as I sent my broken one back within 90 days. I think I'll stick with my edge, unless something really good comes about.

Hehe, my friend dropped his visor deluxe ONCE, and it cracked the screen, it's unusable now...

He bought it refurbished, so he can't do much about it. I've never dropped my Edge, but its gotten beat around and stuff, and faired pretty well...though I lost a screw...errr. It's help up pretty well so far. I'll HAVE to stick with it for a while, so it better last!

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good artists copy, great artists steal. . .

02-06-2002 04:26 AM

Take1
Member

Registered: Feb 2002
Location:
Posts: 3

Edge is a great Palm device. Haven't had any hardware problems or issues with hacks etc., since buying one this past week (I used up 5MB of memory already!).

Love the size and it's really the only Palm I ever was interested in.

Go get one now that they are cheap. I only hope accessories will still be made for them, considering Handspring's recent announcements.