Registered: Feb 2002
Location:
Posts: 1

Thinking of getting a Prism.

Good evening. I'm ready to move into the color PDA world. I've been looking at the Prisms, as well as Sony T615C and Palm m505. I've also heard rumors of a Palm m515 coming soon.

I've been reading up on all these devices and also have played with them at a local Circuit City.

I'm interested in getting some real life experiences from people that have used the Prism, both good and bad.

Thanks.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 441

I own a prism and the only things I find lacking are:

1) Size
2) Battery Life
3) Low resolution

I do like the bright screen which the m505 doesn't ahve. although it may have better battery life. If i had to get a new pda right now, i'd go for the T615 it has small size, high resolution and relatively bright screen.

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 41

I have a Prism and I like the bright screen and the springboard slot. I have the GPS which I use quite often and color really makes a difference when reading maps. I also have the backup module, 8 meg expansion module, eyemodule, minijam and a CF card with 128 megs of memory. My only concern is if there is not going to be a Prism II. If Handspring doesn't come out with one, I am considering the purchase of another Prism as a backup.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1062

I love the brightly colored screen on my Prism. It does affect battery life significantly, but you can turn the brightness down. I have to have it all the way up in my office, but turn it down to around 25% at home playing games. Also, it is hard-to-impossible to see outside on sunny day.

Size of the Prism is not an issue to me b/c I carry it in my purse. It is an issue for guys, who usually put PDA's in pants or jacket pocket.

My main problem is that I would like more than 8k, although I understand that I can upgrade internally somehow.

The only other color device I am familiar with is the IPAQ, which I know b/c someone let me play with it during a meeting. The screen was nice (Prism's seems just as good to me), but the operating system drove me bats. I like the Palm OS.

Registered: May 2001
Location:
Posts: 70

A win win

I have had my Prism for a little over a year and love it. Battrey life is good,size wise I have no problem. I think it was Fry's that had it on sale for $189.00 which is a killer deal.

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

I loved my Prism when I had it. It was definately superior to my VisorDeluxe. I did upgrade to a CLIE760, though. It offered more of what I was looking for. The biggest reason I ugraded was for the Reflective screen. Outdoor visibility was something I really wanted and the Prism was just not good enough. Inside, it is absolutely great, though.

The biggest consideration is how much you use SpringBoard Modules. If you have a large investment of modules and wish to continue using them, go for the Prism. If not, I say get the Sony. If you want MP3 get the 760, if not go for the 615. I am sure the 16MB of RAM would be great. Not to mention you get OS4 with VFS Support, something I love more and more each day.

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Registered: May 2001
Location:
Posts: 70

Gr is right about the screen,if you plan to use it alot out of doors-you will not be happy with the Prism. My knock against Sony would be that the last couple of units have not been backword comp. and aftermarket stuff is slow to come out.

Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Miami
Posts: 6

Love the prism

I purchased a refurbished prism from visor last month. I upgraded from my basic 2 mg visor I had since the first month visor began to sell. I bought it because I wanted to purchase the sprint connection. (It�s a visorphone for use with sprint) I wanted to be able to browse the web in color as well as ditch carrying the phone and the visor.

I have been thrilled with the outcome. I love the colors on the prism and all the games I downloaded. I love the phone with sprint and the web browsing. I love carrying only one item. I know its larger than the treo, but I wanted color and didn't want to wait for the color treo or pay $$600 bucks. I also didn't like the voicestream plan.

The battery life isn't a problem for me since the phone and visor stay in the cradle charging all day at work and I received a travel charger when I bought the phone to use in my house. I also bought a car charger, so I am totally covered.

You really can't see the screen in bright light but that doesn't pose a problem for me very often

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Mike

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Macau
Posts: 52

I also love my prism. I love the saturated colors and the brightness (even turned way down as I usually have it) and the springboard modules. The only drawbacks are the poor visibility outside, which luckily doesn't affect me often, and the size, which I don't actually mind since it goes in my purse as with K. Cannon. A friend recently got an edge, though, and I can see that if you used one it would be hard to go back to the Prism size.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

Things I like about my Prism:

- I like the screen brightness, color, and clarity. I have not had the opportunity to play with other company's color PDAs enough to base a decision just on that.

- I like that I can still use my favorite modules seamlessly. I have a rather large investment in modules. Although I could recoup a good chunk of the money by selling them, I am happy with the way most of them work and am glad to be able to keep using them.

- I rather like the form factor of the Prism. I carry mine in my pocket either in the original slip case, or in the Handspring Mesh Modulecase. I also have a SM MemPlug which is thicker than the case, but I honestly rarely notice the supposed 'brick-like' feel of the Prism.

- I love the fact that I can use it in low-light conditions easily. It is so easy to use, say, at night to read in bed, etc.!

- I love the fact that it is faster and uses a newer Palm OS than the Deluxe!

Things I do not like about the Prism:

- I do not like that it does not fit in most Visor cases. It seems to me that Handspring could have rigged up a way to allow a snap-on cover to fit the front or the back by just engineering two sets of top grooves or something.

- I do not like the difficulty of seeing the screen in sunlight. Surely there is a way to create a snap-cover that helps (Polarized?)

- I do not like the too-quiet alarm (typical to all Visor units, and maybe to others as well!)

- I am not real fond of the battery life issue, although I have never had a problem with it. I charge it up when I am at my computer (and I have a travel charging cord for use at work), and I have a charger module for other situations.

- I really wish Handspring would have used an upgradeable OS chip- but this is a generic Handspring issue again.

Finally, what I liked most about my Prism?

The price. When I got it at Wal-Mart.com for $250, and factored in the modules I had, I could not have afforded any other color PDA available that I knew of, and that was actually better in any way.

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Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Duluth GA
Posts: 26

Thinking of one too

Also thinking of upgrading to a Prism... I'm concerned about the long term battery life , especially if repeatedly charged on a daily if not heavier basis. How long do you EXPECT the battery to last before refusing to recharge AND how do you replace it?

Does the cradle have a second cord for power supply? Or is it just draining a measly few volts through the USB? (I work at an NT site that probably won't upgrade until later this year - thus I don't think my USB ports are active. My current Keyboard could double as a USB, but I'm not sure that if I upgrade or replace with the Prism/Compatible version that it would function as a charger as well...

I've been using screen protectors on my Platinum to avoid scratches; they do dull the screen some. Do any of you Prism users use protectors, or avoid them because of visibility limitations?

As I said I've been using a GoType Pro keyboard for my Platinum; If I upgrade now, I could by a new one for the Prism (Different connection) for around $49. They said they could modify the one I have for $20, but I'd have to ship it to them. I saw a two-piece folding keyboard once on a site selling Prisms, but it really didn't mention a brand name. Definitely not a Targus. A near-full or full keyboard is mandatory - I treat this thing almost like a laptop at times...

My Memplug should transfer no problem. Handcam ditto. I may have to load COLOR versions of some of the software I've installed, but I can do that... It'd really be neat to see COLOR photos immediately - or in my Handspring photo albums...

As I said - I'm thinking of it. Been debating it for weeks now. Made worse since I saw it at a local Staples for a discounted $279.94. I know that HS is selling new ones for $299 with an Eyemodule, but I've already got and like my Handcam.

Any advise and comments would be helpful...

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Mark Brinkman aka OMNITRON
My PDA??? - Visor Prism with Memplug CF and 128MB card

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 73

The Prism is Good but could be Better

I went from a Sony Clie 320 to the Prism and have little or no regrets. I got it at Christmas and the only unit making me think twice about changing is the EDGE but a color screen is very appealling. Once you go color, its hard to go back to grayscale.

The only complaint is the size and screen resolution in daylight (both of which can be gotten use to) but the springboard expansion slot and the cost of accessories make up for these shortcomings. Sony's modem is easily double the cost of a springboard module and Sony doesnt offer a GPS accessory. As far as size goes, it's really not much bigger than my old PALM PILOT PERSONAL and it can easily slip into a jacket pocket with ease. I think the size concern is contributed to SONY and other companies seeing how paperthin they can make units that are very appealling and "neat" looking. In daylight the unit will need some shade to see the screen. I've used the unit in my car with the GPS running and simply found a place that wasn't in direct sunlight. I like the idea about a polorized filter. Maybe that would solve the daylight problem.

quote:

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Does the cradle have a second cord for power supply? Or is it just draining a measly few volts through the USB?

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

Screen Protector:
I use the Brandos (www.brando.hk.com?) and the www.PDAScreenProtectors.com G2 series with no complaints- I love these things!

Battery:
All rechargeable batteries have a finite life span, but it is long enough that when the batteries finally die, I figure I will either be ready to upgrade to another device, or I can get a new pair of LIon batteries at the local battery store and replace them. (Most built-in battery packs are pretty easy to replace, even if they were not meant to be!)

Charging Cradle:
The actual 'cradle' does have a seperate power supply. Most of the 'Travel Charger Cords' use the USB's power.

B&W to Color Apps:
Switching these was one of the great joys of switcing from my Deluxe to the Prism!

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