Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Burlington, VT, USA
Posts: 127

And here's the topic where you can post your own hands-on reviews...

I just got my "production" Prism from Fed Ex, and it's almost indentical to the prototype I'd been playing with, save having the final version of the OS.

Some "detail" comments on top of what's been said elsewhere:

1) Interestingly, the seal on the plastic around the Prism states the unit's codename, "Boxster." So what's the Platinum, "Miata?" :-)

2) The little leather slip-case that comes with it will be awefully familiar to those who bought first-generation Pilots. Very similar to the one that came with my Pilot 1000. The disturbing thing? The presence of "Genuine Leather" and "Made in India" on the same tag inside it! What, from cows that died of old age?

3) It does come with with the standard plastic faceplate cover as well. But it's black, rather than blue, and it only snaps onto the front. The new shape prevents it from snapping on the back.

4) It includes the deluxe metal stylus with the built-in screwdriver and reset switch, rather than the cheesy plastic one.

Still doing the initial charge on mine, so I haven't delved into what software's on the CD, etc. yet.

[Edited by dennya on 10-21-2000 at 06:48 PM]

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Denny Atkin / [email protected]
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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

Can you comment on the physical contruction, say the plastic case for example. I've been wondering if Handspring is using a different type of plastic than the basic Visors. Is it the same plastic or a different formula?

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Location: SW Virginia
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quote:

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Originally posted by dennya
The presence of "Genuine Leather" and "Made in India" on the same tag inside it! What, from cows that died of old age?

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Who said it was cow leather? Aardvark, jackal, wolverine?

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 290

quote:

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Originally posted by dennya
5) I opened up the prototype I had to look at the circuit boards.

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Burlington, VT, USA
Posts: 127

The plastic feels about the same as the original, although I can't tell for sure if there are any real differences. When I opened it, though, everything looked very solid. It's all packed very tight in there.

Alas, I didn't get any picture when I had it open -- my wife had the digital camera. It's a double-sided mainboard, and there's also a second small circuit board behind the buttons with some additional electronics. The battery's attached to the back plastic. I'd advise anyone considering opening their Visor be VERY careful. I'd guess it voids the warranty, and the way the wires and the the screen connector are in there it would be VERY easy to screw things up if you jerked something out of its connector.

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Denny Atkin / [email protected]
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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Oklahoma City Ok.
Posts: 42

Now that you have one in your hands i would like to ask one question. I know they say that the prism will not sync in the deluxe cradle but will the deluxe sync in the prism cradle?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Burlington, VT, USA
Posts: 127

Yep, just popped my Deluxe into the Prism cradle and it synched with no problems.

The Prism also syncs fine with the USB Hotsync cable (the little travel cable).

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Denny Atkin / [email protected]
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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Oklahoma City Ok.
Posts: 42

Thanks that is good news because at work we use 4 visors and 1 cradle to sync with and now i can just replace the old visor cradle with my new one (when it gets here) and all will be fine. Thanks again!

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 5

Power Button

Hey this is mainly for dennya, but if you have a prism, you're welcome to reply also!

QUESTION: How weird is it to have the power button on the right?? I've seen in all the photos w/ it on the right! It just agrivates me! Also, I noticed on the right side...the border of the LCD is about twice the size of the left side...the VDX has the same comsmetic apperance, but it's nowhere nere are visable!

Thx
Robert

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 247

Okay, one question here, since I'm a potential international customer - how and where does the AC adaptor for the Visor Prism fit?

I hope it has not been integrated into the cradle and is a plug in of some kind like the one on the Palm IIIc.

I'm thinking of ordering one through a friend and having it sent over to me.

[Edited by Tan Kit Hoong on 10-18-2000 at 09:32 PM]

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Tan Kit Hoong,
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the AC adapter fits next to the USB plug

hope that helps

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 3

my Prism thoughts

the AC cord does plug into the USB plug that plugs into your computer. (plug plug plug <g> )

i like it better than my IIIc already, except that it is missing the "stay on in cradle" feature in the prefs app.

why do I like it?

it's faster. 'nuff said.

the color of the plastic shell. yeah i'm lame like that.

potential for future expansion. definitely getting one of the mp3 players to replace my nomad II. getting the eyemodule. and probably the phone if there is service in my area.

handspring got me!

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 247

Thanks fmlydoc and ch0ke. Yes, that does help. At least I know that there's no problem and I can just get a stepdown transformer to work with the Prism.

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Tan Kit Hoong,
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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by Tan Kit Hoong
Okay, one question here, since I'm a potential international customer - how and where does the AC adaptor for the Visor Prism fit?

I hope it has not been integrated into the cradle and is a plug in of some kind like the one on the Palm IIIc.

I'm thinking of ordering one through a friend and having it sent over to me.

[Edited by Tan Kit Hoong on 10-18-2000 at 09:32 PM]

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Good question... I need to know that too before I buy one...
Does the adaptor 'auto-switch' between 110V and 220/240V?
In that case I can just buy a plug conferter and I'm set...

If not I need another adaptor

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Burlington, VT, USA
Posts: 127

Pewterpez,

The power button being on the other side is only annoying when you're switching back and forth between your old Deluxe and the Prism to move your apps over. :-) Otherwise, it's pretty easy to get used to.

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Denny Atkin / [email protected]
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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 247

Yeah ToolkiT - that was my other question - if the AC adaptor is autoswitching between 110-240 volts, it would even better.

Anyone out there can help us? Just take a close look at the power adaptor for the Prism and see if there's some thing that says "Input: 100-240VAC"

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Tan Kit Hoong,
Star Publications (M) Ltd
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Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 219

quote:

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Originally posted by Tan Kit Hoong
Anyone out there can help us? Just take a close look at the power adaptor for the Prism and see if there's some thing that says "Input: 100-240VAC"

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Taki
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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 247

Thanks Taki! As always, you're a real help!! I'm calling my friend in the US right now to order it!

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Tan Kit Hoong,
Star Publications (M) Ltd
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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by Taki

quote:

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Originally posted by Tan Kit Hoong
Anyone out there can help us? Just take a close look at the power adaptor for the Prism and see if there's some thing that says "Input: 100-240VAC"

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Here it is: "Input:100-240V ~ 50/60Hz 350 mA Output:5.9V---2000 mA"

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COOL!!!

Mmm I need my bonus soon... I wonder if HS ships internationally...

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 9

AC adapter and Prism

How does the AC adapter work with the Prism. Can you take the AC adapter with you when you travel (without lugging a laptop computer), and use the adapter to recharge the Prism?

You mentioned that the AC adapter plugs into the synch cradle...does that mean you CAN'T use it without a synch-able computer?