Registered: Nov 1999
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 195

We've crowed, we've complained, but the comparisons between the Visor and products new and old continue.

First - PCComputing Magazine continues to rate the Palm V as the "best" PDA? Do these guys even KNOW what a Visor is? Remember, we're not talking the Palm Vx, we're talking about the Palm V. It seems that they think a sexy case it the substance of the unit!

Second - the reviews are coming about the color Palm that so many folks are salivating over. Richard Kettner offers what I consider to be a scathing review (http://www.wiredguy.com/reviews/hardware/000000004.htm). The upshot - spend $50 more bucks and get a much better (in the price class) WinCE machine! One interesting point he makes is that the supposed "break through" on battery life really only amounts to SIX HOURS of use! Ironically, ZDNet offers their assessment (http://www.zdnet.com/pcweek/stories/news/0,4153,2444217,00.html) in which they tout the breakthrough battery life of the color Palm!

My point is that even with the recent introductions and price drops, there's nothing that really beats the Visor for overall value, usage, and expandability.

BTW - stoping at my local Staples I couldn't find anyone there who had even HEARD of a HandSpring Visor, let alone talk about when they might be in stock!

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

The Richard Kettner review is too partisan to take seriously. This is painfully obvious when, in the middle of his "expos�," he states, "One CE device I have can . . ." WINCE is the standard the Palm OS is measured against in the article. Those who want an erzatz PC in a PDA will gravitate towards Kettner's bias. The rest of us will appreciate that no other color PDA today runs the Palm OS, the most popular handheld OS on the market. As such, it has the longest battery life of any color Palm unit.

That said, it's true that you get more bang for the buck with the Visor. I can wait a year or two for color.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: ann arbor, mi
Posts: 23

I will say honestly that the Visor does not compare with the Palms. I had a Visor and sold it on Ebay after 2 months.. Why? Because a) it was made of a cheap plastic material b)by the time a decent springboard came out I would need a new unit anyway c)crappy screen- it was scratched up the yazoo with normal usage d)lack of good cases for it e)sizebig and heavy with springboards in f)batteries...annying to replace them...Even NIMH would only last 1-2 weeks b4 recharge needed

I bought a Vx which is far far superior. besides the fact that it looks much cooler, it is much smaller and lighter. it is also built of aluminum and is much more sturdy. The cases they offer are awesome...the hard case is sleek and stylish and so protective.. The processor is faster than the Visor. The flash memory can be upgraded and will be when OS 3.5 comes out... The Lithioum battery is amazing. Never ever wil I have to worry about voltage, buy a battery, etc.

People rave about the modem for the Vx that allegedly will coem out one day. Guess what, the Palm V has a modem too. Are you really goin to use the Visor as a MP3 player? Yeah right- you'll have to buy new batteries daily.

And may I mention that CNET has Vx as editor's choice!

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 62

Blue:

You sad sack. It is amazing that you sold your Vdx, but still come back to VisorCentral to visit about Visors. Methinks that thou protesteth too much. An obvious case of "sellers remorse."

Get real. Think Cost/Benefit. Feel free to spend hundreds more on a unit that does no more than the Visor, is smaller (granted), and uses lithium batteries, big deal.

May your precious LiIon Batteries go flat while you are on a trip. Better buy BackupBuddy.

love

Larry

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

It's Visor Deluxe vs. Palm IIIxe. I recommend five to people though.

1) Visor Deluxe - backup module makes it the clear winner.
2) IIIxe - inexpensive too, most versatile of the Palms
3) Palm Vx - for those concerned with looks
4) Visor - for those with modest needs.
5) Palm IIIe - for those with modest needs.

IIIc - whatever.
VII - ditto.

------------------
Eugene Hsieh
Editor, VisorCentral FAQ
Come visit my homepage.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 10

No one mentions the TRg-Pro. Seems to be the winner on value right now....

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

quote:

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Originally posted by bluedluxnj:
I will say honestly that the Visor does not compare with the Palms. I had a Visor and sold it on Ebay after 2 months.. Why? Because a) it was made of a cheap plastic material b)by the time a decent springboard came out I would need a new unit anyway c)crappy screen- it was scratched up the yazoo with normal usage d)lack of good cases for it e)sizebig and heavy with springboards in f)batteries...annying to replace them...Even NIMH would only last 1-2 weeks b4 recharge needed

---

I don't usually do this but I have to clear up a few FACTS!!!!!!!
This is not a flame man and you are entitled to your opinion, however there are a few things you are wrong about.

First: The Visor is made of cheap plastic? Well My GVD seems very solid. I cannot speak for the color ones. No it is not as cool looking as Vx yes but I like the features and the Vx case can be dented.

Second: If the screen is scratched don't blame handspring. The screen is the same as a Vx, No different. Palm users have the exact same problem. I do agree that the stock stylus sucked and that is why I replaced it with Handsprings. I am VERY happy now. One other thing is get WriteRights. I put one on before I even installed the batteries. I beat the hell out of my screen and my WR was getting a bit marred so I replaced it. When I took it off the screen was in PERFECT shape!!

Third: No decent cases? Well there are a lot of good ones. I personally use a EB Slipper case and have got compliments on it from other palm users. They make them for Palms so it is a good case. Sizebag? Umm you could use any bag if you wanted to carry your Springboards or �not carry any� like you have now since you cannot expand yours..

Fourth: You are right about the springboards. They are taking forever to come out but you know what, I didn�t buy one JUST for that feature. It will be nice when they come out and HEY at least I will be able to add memory (now) and other cool things later on. I do wish the memory was cheaper though and more of it.

Fifth: Batteries, this is totally personal taste man. I don�t want a rechargeable �ONLY� option. If I go on a trip or something, I like the idea of being able to get standard batteries at any store and keep it going. I use rechargeables now so have that convenience as well. The only thing is I have to remove a case and replace them and that is so hard to do I know.

quote:

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I bought a Vx which is far far superior. besides the fact that it looks much cooler, it is much smaller and lighter. it is also built of aluminum and is much more sturdy. The cases they offer are awesome...the hard case is sleek and stylish and so protective.. The processor is faster than the Visor. The flash memory can be upgraded and will be when OS 3.5 comes out... The Lithioum battery is amazing. Never ever wil I have to worry about voltage, buy a battery, etc.

People rave about the modem for the Vx that allegedly will coem out one day. Guess what, the Palm V has a modem too. Are you really goin to use the Visor as a MP3 player? Yeah right- you'll have to buy new batteries daily.

And may I mention that CNET has Vx as editor's choice! [/B]

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Man the Vx case is NOT that protective. It will dent and scratch and will NOT protect it in a fall any better than the other cases.

The processor is * N O T* faster at all! What gives you this idea? The dragonball 16Mhz processor is used in the Visor and Vx. The Visor�s version of the OS actually cleans up codea and wait states and makes the Visor run faster, check it yourself with a benchmark program.
Who cares about the OS in flash, this has been such a lame item users bring up. You will NOT have to change the entire OS man and you can just patch it very easily. This is not an issue at all. When the time comes that you would need that much of an upgrade to the OS you will be buying the next generation anyway so who cares? This point drives me crazy

Back to the batteries again since you are being redundant. I don�t buy new batteries as I have NIMH�s. I recharge them just like you and it doesn�t cost me anything extra. Oh if you are away yours will just die. I can but standard alkalines and be up and running again.

You are entitled to your opinion but don�t mention things that are not an issue like the screen that is the same.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Richmond, VA, USA
Posts: 151

I love my Visor, but I have to point out that the Palm Vx has a 20 Mhz Dragonball processor as opposed to the 16 Mhz ones in the Palm III and Visor. Not that it really matters anyway with Afterburner.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 146

Babylon5,

Hey man, I hate to contradict a fellow sci-fi lover, but if we're going to talk about FACTS:

Regarding the Plastic cases, the colored Visors ARE more brittle than the Graphite Visors or a Palm device. Even Handspring has acknowledged this because they will replace chipped or cracking cases for free. This is something they would otherwise consider normal wear and tear on a "healthy" case.

Also, regarding the screens, Handspring has taken the same position on this as they did on the cases. In their haste to get the Visors out ASAP they didn't allow the screens to "cure" all the way, and thus they were softer, and more prone to scratched. Well that, and the stylus sucked.

Regarding batteries, you're right, it is preference. However, I doubt you'd have to worry about needing to recharge your battery on a trip unless it was a very LONG trip because the Vx's battery lasts about a month on a charge.

Finally, as noted by na2rboy, the processor IS faster. On a personal note, I like the Visor and I think it is a great product (though I don't own one). Contrary to what bluedlunxnj said, the Visor's do compare to Palms. They even exceed Palms is certain areas (springboard, USB sync, etc.) I don't think blue stated his opinion in a very nice way. But he was right about certain things.

Hawkeye

[This message has been edited by Hawkeye (edited 03-21-2000).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 56

You just spoke of the screens curing. Screen curing only happens after about 6 months, not several days. Since the same screens go on Visors and Vx's and since most Vx's do not sit in the box for very much longer than a Visor that statement is incorrect. Anyone who buys a Palm device will have to wait for the screen to harden, unless it has been siting in the box for 6 months or so, which is highly unlikely

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 146

First of all, in my post, I didn't say that Vx's didn't have problems, I was simply pointing out that Visors weren't free of this problem. Also, just because Visors and Vx's use the "same" screen, it doesn't mean they are from the same production batch. It's very possible that Vx's screens were cured and the Visors weren't. Honestly, I haven't heard any complaints of Vx's scratching easlily, whereas I have heard countless complaints of this on the Visor.

That's just from the facts I have access to. I'm not saying that I'm absolutely correct, it's just from what I know.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hawkeye:
Babylon5,

Hey man, I hate to contradict a fellow sci-fi lover, but if we're going to talk about FACTS:

---

Well then don�t Glad you also love Sci-Fi. We need more on TV. We really have hardly any good Sci-Fi shows these days but that should not discussed here of course <grin>

quote:

---

Regarding the Plastic cases, the colored Visors ARE more brittle than the Graphite Visors or a Palm device. Even Handspring has acknowledged this because they will replace chipped or cracking cases for free. This is something they would otherwise consider normal wear and tear on a "healthy" case.

---

Well As I said I do admit I was not as sure about the color ones. I have a GVD so don�t care about that

quote:

---

Also, regarding the screens, Handspring has taken the same position on this as they did on the cases. In their haste to get the Visors out ASAP they didn't allow the screens to "cure" all the way, and thus they were softer, and more prone to scratched. Well that, and the stylus sucked.

---

I am aware of this curing effect. This relates to all Palms. That is all I meant. It is no different so should not be an issue. It is not a �VISOR� thing. The default stylus is not great but easily replaced. I tell you what; I do like the placement of the Visors over other Palms. Some models they seem to be way in the back. I like it more on the side than some Palms I have played with. Seems easier to get to it on the Visor. IMHO.

quote:

---

Regarding batteries, you're right, it is preference. However, I doubt you'd have to worry about needing to recharge your battery on a trip unless it was a very LONG trip because the Vx's battery lasts about a month on a charge.

---

Well as I said man, personal opinion on this issue. No right or wrong here really.

I will tell you the truth though, my NMHI�s don�t last worth S%&# time wise. I get about 5 hours actual run time out of them. (Yes the beam receive is off and hardly ever use the backlight )I really thought they would last longer so am not happy with that. You say the Vx can last a month on a charge? What actual runtime would that be? If that is true and that is with good use, using backlight etc� then that is good and would make me not worry about that issue so much. I am not happy with the Visor battery wise but I can slap a new set in every few days and just recharge so it hasn�t really affected me that much.

quote:

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Finally, as noted by na2rboy, the processor IS faster. On a personal note, I like the Visor and I think it is a great product (though I don't own one). Contrary to what bluedlunxnj said, the Visor's do compare to Palms. They even exceed Palms is certain areas (springboard, USB sync, etc.) I don't think blue stated his opinion in a very nice way. But he was right about certain things.

Hawkeye

---

Really? Okay I thought that was the VII that had a faster processor. I admit when I am wrong. I do think the OS fixes that Handspring uses, did make up for it. The Visor runs very fast compared to other Palm PDA�s I played with. Kick in Afterburner (yes I have tried having that off and my batteries still suck )
and it runs very nice indeed.

Later.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 146

Babylon5,

Yeah, we do need more Sci-fi!!! Anyway, you're right about Visor's OS helping out with speed. Wes over at PDABuzz performed a test using iSilo and a database query. The Palm IIIx ran it in 72 seconds, the IIIc in 56 seconds, and the Visor Deluxe in 52 seconds. It's also interesting that the IIIc has a 20mHz processor. Therefore, the Visor does a great job with what it has.

Between the optimized OS and the USB sync'ing, the Visor is faster and more convenient, but now that I've used the IIIc, it would be hard to go back to monochrome. It will be neat to see what Handspring does with color. Rumor has it that there will be a color Visor this summer or fall.