Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 6

Fellow Visor Users,
I am writing an article in an upcomming edition of my Handspring Weekly, comparing the Palm Vx with the Visor Deluxe. I have a few questions I would like to ask you. Sort of a mini survey. Here are my questions:

1. If you could do a unit for unit swap (no cost), would you trade your Visor Deluxe in for a Palm Vx? Why or Why Not?

2. When Palm releases their color device next month. Will you be tempted to buy it? Why or Why Not?

3. Do you think Handspring will be moving to color? Do you care if they do?

4. Besides cost, what tempted you to go with the Visor?

...thanks! I appreciate all your postings.


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Richard Kettner
Handspring Weekly Editor

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 6

Richard,

1. - Yes I would swap, because besides cost the only difference between the two devices is size. I don't use springboards, so they didn't affect my decision to get a Visor. The only reason was cost.

2. - I would be, but since I already put money towards a Visor, I can't imagine spending it again. If I had known that Palm was going to come out with color, I may have waited to see what it was like (not necessarily bought it though).

3. - Yes, I think they will keep up with Palm, but no, I don't really care, because like I said above, I'm not going to buy another PDA for a while.

4. - Nothing, I went for the Visor because of cost (value).



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VisorGuy2000

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

1) No I would not swap for a Vx. Previously I might have, because the Vx is still nicer aesthestically by a long shot. However, now that I am on vacation with a hard-resetted PDA and no data, the Springboard backup module seems indispensable. Previously I always had the option of just going back to my PC for a backup. (Interestingly, after several weeks with the Visor, I never once had to hard to reset. However, one hour into my vacation my Visor crashed - I was playing with software I hadn't previously tested on the Visor.)

2. Colour? Whatever. Not a big deal for me now. I usually skip a generation or two when buying technology. I'll at least wait until colour Palm software becomes established and even newer colour Palm OS machines make it to market.

3. Handspring will have to move to colour, eventually. And yes, I do care if they do, and hope they can incorporate Springboard technology. So, when I buy a colour Visor, I'll be able to use at least some of my old Springboards. And I hope they are in the colour market soon, so that developers can debug their colour software on the colour Visors. Even though I don't plan on buying a colour machine any time soon, others would.

4. Besides cost: springboard, springboard, springboard, and springboard, esp. because it's PnP. 8 Mb was a BIG consideration. USB was a definite plus. Colour cases were a bonus but not a big deal. I had also considered a WinCE machine (Casseiopeia E-105) but was finally convinced that the OS is inappropriate for this type of PDA.

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Eugene Hsieh
Editor, VisorCentral FAQ

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 19

1. I would swap merely 'cause of it's size.

2. No, If it is the size of a Palm III and yes if it's the size of a V.

3. Look what color did for TV. It wouldn't be wise not to switch to color. I'd worry about Nintendo if I were you (summer Gameboy II / PDA)

4. I tried and I tried to get my hands on a Visor DLX (because of it's price)...but being European it's virtually impossible. Now I ended up with a V... still looking for Visor though. I love companies that don't **** around (like 3-"money"-Com) that's why!

BTW START SHIPPIN' INTERNATIONAL!!!

[This message has been edited by Driver (edited 01-27-2000).]

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 19

1. I would swap merely 'cause of it's size.

2. No, If it is the size of a Palm III and yes if it's the size of a V.

3. Look what color did for TV. It wouldn't be wise not to switch to color. I'd worry about Nintendo if I were you (summer Gameboy II / PDA

4. I tried and I tried to get my hands on a Visor DLX (because of it's price)...but being European it's virtually impossible. No I ended up with a V... still looking for Visor though. I love companies that don't **** around (like 3-"money"-Com)

BTW START SHIPPIN' INTERNATIONAL!!!

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 43

1. Yes I would trade. I like the smaller size but was unwilling to pay more for it.

2. No, but it comes back to price. To support the added complexity of color, the resources would have to be beefed up...adding cost.

3. Doesn't matter to me whether Handspring launches color or not based on my comment above.

4. More memory - Vx wasn't available at the time.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal
Posts: 115

1. No - I think I'm one of the few that has never liked the look and feel of the V/Vx plus I'm not always near a cradle for recharging purposes so would either have to carry spare batteries or the portable charger - extra batteries fits my needs better at this time

2. Curious but not tempted to buy - a)will wait to see how it performs and b)right now color would be a luxury not a necessity -down the line that will probably change.

3. Sure - they'll need to remain competitive - What I care about is smooth compatible upgrades and functionality

4. Form factor, springboard, track record of the folks at Handspring. I think better things are yet to come. 3Com seems to be in a bit of disarray not very focused and not sure what direction they are really heading.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 5

(1) Yes, size matters (if it didn't cost more) and right now I don't use springboard (but hopefully this will change once we get some more options).

(2) No, just bought a Visor Deluxe and don't need another platform right now, plus color will boost Palm's prices even higher.

(3) If a Visor can be made smaller or same size and without a huge price increase, I could see Handspring moving towards color, but I personally don't see the need -- lean and mean is what I need, I can get much better resolution and color on a desktop or notebook. This is a PDA.

(4) Cost was a primary motivator, but the springboard option was an incentive. Finally, it wasn't 3Com, everyone likes an an underdog.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: I'm not sure, but I see lots of lights everywhere.
Posts: 1287

1. Yes, reason: better form factor, better styling. And the case isn't made of cheap, brittle plastic like the Visor.

2. I will be tempted (like many others) to buy a Palm IIIc when it becomes available. But I'll take a "wait and see" stance until other developers such as Sony and Handspring develop color devices of their own. Also Pocket PC manufacturers will be coming out with all new models of Windows CE devices. It should be interesting to see what they come up with as well.

3. Handspring will undoubtedly produce a color device, but it may not be the Visor. They might be saving that feature for some yet to be announced product. Maybe the SmartHand!

4. I went with the Visor because of the promising Springboard technology. Although I have yet to see any modules materialize.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 18

1. No, no Springboard module and, very few people have Visors around here, the palm is pretty commom, I like to be different.

2. No, as some others have already said, I already invested some money in a VDx, I plan to use it for a while.

3. They probably will, they have to compete with Palm. Yes, I care.

4. Amount of memory, sprigboard.

[This message has been edited by Eraser (edited 01-28-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Eraser (edited 01-28-2000).]

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 4

1. If you could do a unit for unit swap (no cost), would you trade your Visor Deluxe in for a Palm Vx? Why or Why Not?

I have already swapped, at a big cost, as my Visor Deluxe died in the first ten minutes of use. My brand new Vx is working just fine thank you. I will be back to Visor in a year or so when the quality and customer support improve.

2. When Palm releases their color device next month. Will you be tempted to buy it? Why or Why Not?

Color is no big deal. I wanted the Visor, now my Vx, to use as a PDA, not a hand held game system. Until MS Outlook makes color a key issue my PDA does not need color.

3. Do you think Handspring will be moving to color? Do you care if they do?

To keep up with the market I belive they will have no choice but to move to color. I don't care if they move to color, see #2 answer, but I do hope they last as a company as I do want to give them a second chance when they get it all together. I still think highly of their product concept.

4. Besides cost, what tempted you to go with the Visor?

After cost the "unlimited" expandability was the biggest factor. Now I see customer service and quality control should have been up there higher on my list of factors.



[This message has been edited by kwalk (edited 01-27-2000).]

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 289

1. I would not do a unit swap for the Palm Vx .. Granted, it looks niceer and everything, but I don't like the idea of one rechargeable battery built in (I currently use NiHM batteries with my Visor and like knowing I have a few days worth of use on reserve wherever I am..)

2. I will be interested to see how the Color Palm device operates (battery life, functionaility, display characteristics, etc..), but I don't think I would purchase one or be tempted to until my Visor either breaks or applications I want to use won't work on the Visor. If I really wanted Color, I could have purchased a WinCE unit.

3. They have to move to color. Palm will be color, WinCE is color, they need to atleast offer something similar.

4. I like the 8MB onboard, springboard slot, USB cradle, and the fact it was the latest thing from the creators of the Palm.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 434

No. I would not trade. As others have said, I like the flexibility of replaceable batteries. I'm also looking forward to getting some Springboard modules; and that is something that the Vx just can't touch.

No. Assuming the rumors are correct, I'm not even a little bit tempted. I've seen the color on the CEs, and I wasn't impressed. I doubt the IIIc will top CE color. Even if there are no trade-offs to getting color, the 8-bit color that they are offering is just not useful to me:
1 - I remember how bad photos looked with 8-bit color
2 - I don't see any applications that really would benefit from color; and I'm not buying the anti-aliasing bit about it improving legibility - - the existing screen fonts are more than good enough!

Yes. I'm sure that color is the future. I just hope that it is way in the future. Why? I think that color will lead to bloated frivolous apps, and thus it is fundamentally against the KISS principles that made the Palm great.

I don't see how you can overlook cost. It was, and is, HUGE! Other than cost, the Handspring slot was the draw.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 40

1. I would swap. I like the form of the Vx.

2. No. I just purchased the Visor.

3. Yes. I would like to see how it compares to the Palm.

4. Handspring is a new company and wanted to try something different and to support the competition. The VisorCentral discussion board was also a main factor.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Hebron,CT USA
Posts: 14

1. No way. As many others have stated the thought of a fixed NiMH battery is no good. I like to be able to carry spare batteries with me just in case. Also battery life is much better.

2. No. If I want a color device I will purchase a laptop. Maybe as color applications and quality improve I may eventually consider it.

3. I am sure they will. It will be a while before I consider color though.

4. Memory, Springboard, product design and a sense of adventure. I am on my 2nd Visor Dx. The first one lost its digitizer after about three weeks. The replacement is much better.
The plastic of the case seems better and the screen isn't "crunchy" like the first. Customer service was verry good!! I had the replacement within 2 weeks with return shipping for the defective unit. Although the "growing pains" were severe at the start, they seem to be getting their act together.

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

[1] No, I would not swap. The springboards are nifty. And I adore the green color of my Visor.
[2] No, I won't be tempted. Not unless the battery life is the same.
[3] I'm sure Handspring will eventually be color. I don't mind as long as the problems are addressed (mostly short battery life)
[4] Springboards. Lotsa RAM. Cool colors. Positive "click" application buttons.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 391

1. I'd swap in a heartbeat. I need that serial port. Ironic, for all the talk of springboards it's expandibility that gets me.

2. No, I don't think the power use of a color screen is worth it for the applications I have. If it had better audio, then sure... I don't know why palm audio is so bad... cheap D/As don't use much power and they're *really* cheap!

3. Of course they'll be moving to color. I don't care if they do or not.

4. I went with the visor for the expandibility. Oh dear, I blew it there... nobody's even talking of a serial port springboard.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Columbia, MO, USA
Posts: 68

1. Not a chance. I think the USB cradle is the way to go. I also like the orange color I purchased.

2. I have no need for the color. I paid the $250 for my visor and have no regrets because it provides that much value as an electronic brain. Color would not enhance this functionality in any way.

3. Yes, they almost certainly will. It's good for them to stay competitive and to continue advancing the products. When it's time to retire my Visor color may no longer cost a premium and could then be justified.

4. USB connection, memory, expandability, and color shell - in that order.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 12

1. No way. I love my Visor: it syncs effortlessly with the USB connection, it has the features I want, and it's Orange!

2. A color screen is not important to me (but ask me again in a couple of years...)

3. I assume Handspring will go to color al some point. Either way is fine with me.

4. Memory, USB, color case, and Springboards, Springboards, Springboards!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 13

1. If you could do a unit for unit swap (no cost), would you trade your Visor Deluxe in for a Palm Vx? Why or Why Not?

It's a close call but no because of the additional expandability offered by the Visor's Springboard expansion slot.

2. When Palm releases their color device next month. Will you be tempted to buy it? Why or Why Not?

No. For me, buying the Visor (a ~5 month old product) was a stretch because i like to see a product get the its bugs worked out before I buy in. Also, I'm not convinced of the usefulness of a color PDA especially considering the additional cost to one.

3. Do you think Handspring will be moving to color? Do you care if they do?

Yes, I believe they will move to color to keep up with current technology. i will be very interested to all companies' implementations of color Palm OS PDAs.

4. Besides cost, what tempted you to go with the Visor?

Springboard expandability, memory.


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"No man is an iland...
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee."
--John Donne