Organizer Reviews

The iPaq's been out since June and I happened to be one of the first on hand when CompUsa had it on the shelf so I eagerly snatched it up. I can use the USB at home but I also needed the serial cradles for NT at work. Yet here it is October and the serial port still isn't available! Three months and all I've got is a $500 digital grocery list. And what's with CE ver 3? No close button on the applications! I don't even use it now, what a waste of money. Should've been smart and returned it within 14 days. I still drool over the display of accessories for every other hand held out there...

While it is a bummer that Compaq does not have any serial cradles available yet for NT4.0 users who don't have USB support, I bought a serial cable and it works just fine. I had no trouble getting it to synchronize with my workstation running Windows NT, although it's slower than USB, I guess. You can get the cable right here from Amazon.

I have iPAQ and Windows NT 4 at work and the workaround is to email to my home Windows 98 machine (that supports the iPAQ USB connection) items I wish to download - It works fantastic until I get my hands on a serial connection. I downloaded all my contact information directly via infrared from old Casio Windows CE device - if you have Palm (or PocketPC) get PEACEMAKER software to communication with CE (or Palm) devices.

Shortly after I purchased this keyboard I installed it and used it briefly. The next time I tried to use it it failed to work, and when I try to use the "keyboard.exe" to initialize it fails to recognize it and it generates an error. When it worked it was too small for normal typing but a lot better than the on-screen keyboard. I can't even remove the drivers for it.

The keyboard was a dissapointment. The iPAQ PDA fits the keyboard but not with an expansion pack installed so it can't be used with accessories like a modem or network adapter. It can't be used for email in a hotel room. I had to take it back.

not bad, although not for touch typists. Biggest failing is inability to connect ipaq with expansion sleeve connected, as per other reviewer. Just has to go back to the store for that reason. I thought I might be able to 'adjust' it, but nothing doing.... Shame really 'cause for the price against the Targus, it could be a great alternative

My recorder worked ok for a couple of weeks till I had to change the batteries in my PDA; then whenever I put the module back in the PDA froze up and I had to do a hard reset. Also, their URL is apparently inactive? DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!

After fitting the myVox to my Handspring Platinum, I tried recording a few messages. Everything seemed OK, although the sound quality wasn't great as others have noted. However, after nine or ten messages, the PDA locked up, with a Fatal Alert: Fatal Exception message. Nothing would persuade it to work apart from a hard reset - even the power switch was locked ! Hard-resetting it meant that I lost all the data on the PDA, so I tried to hot-sync it from my PC to restore. After the hot-sync, the unit gave the Fatal Exception message again, and wouldn't go any further. Eventually I had to manually install all the applications and data that were there before installing the myVox, which took about six hours ! I re-fitted the myVox, but within another nine message recordings, the PDA went into a continual reset loop. Back to re-installing again today ...

Coincidentally, I have a second Handspring Platinum on temporary loan, and I tried to fit the myVox to that one to see if it was a problem with my particular PDA, or a conflict with any software I have loaded. This second one is factory-default - i.e. no 3rd party software. Again, in less than ten recordings, it was locked solid with the "Fatal Exception" problem. Incidentally, the version of software on the module seems flaky too. Selecting the "Purge" menu option always gives an error message "Form.c, Line 1728, Object not in form" which looks like a debug message - I wonder if this is an intermediate (unfinished) version ?

I can only assume that the myVox Springboard module is not compatible with the Platinum Visor, or with the version of PalmOS it runs (3.5.1, as opposed to the version 3.1 that the other models of Visor use), contrary to the claims on the Handspring website, but in any case, I'll be sending it back for a refund tomorrow.

I use this everyday! Mostly in the car/ at work / around the house to record stuff like "remember to call jim" or "Met the following at X meeting: Steve...".

Sound Quality? I think it's pretty darn good. Not CD quality, but that's not why I bought it. I did record gurgling brook in the Olympics recently though.

I LOVE that I can just push the button on top and record without even taking the cover off of the Visor. This is easily the best feature, and I can't imagine having to take off the cover, take out the stylus, turn it on, open the application, and pressing the "record" button (like the other voice recorder). Crazy.

Time? 8 Mins? I don't think I have ever gone below "5 mins remaining"

Crash? Yes it did once, but I am pretty sure that it was because I told it to set an audio alarm, then deleted it before it had the chance to play. Of course, that's when it crashed - when it tried to play the message that wasn't there.

This appeared to be an ideal convertor tool from smart media to CF. However, having purchased one, I find from consultation with Pretec that it is limited to a max of 32Mb smart media card - hardly sufficient for many peoples needs today. In addition this is not mentioned on the Amazon description - in fact the implication is that it can support 64Mb cards.

A product I wish I had not bought!

Wish I'd read the other reviews.

This is a nice device as long as you only have 32mb or smaller SmartMedia cards. It won't read anything larger. I had hoped to use it with 64mb cards (perfect size to hold a CD worth of MPEGs on), but no luck. Don't believe the technical data provided by Amazon on this one. Pretec says in big red letters that 32mb is the largest card it's been able to translate so far. They'll get there someday, hopefully soon.

With some of the negative reviews, I thought I'd add one for the positive. It works just fine. I'm using a 32M Smartmedia card from my digital camera. I can easily view images taken with my digital camera as well as using the Smartmedia for extra storage. The form factor isn't a big deal to me. So what if it sticks out an inch or so. If you want smaller, then go buy compactflash and sacrifice the ability to swap media. The only real negative was the lack of documentation.

first, the salesperson told me it will work with my new ipaq 2215 running pocket PC2003, so i gave it a try. but i should have read these amazon comments before i do this!

Guess what, no, it doesn't work. it only work immediately after a soft reset, and only under its special "keyboard setting" screen, not in word documents, notes, emails, not anywhere else. then, after i ran some other programs, it just stop working altogether.

okay, maybe it works fine for ipaq 3800/3900, but get this: i tried to go to their website for update drivers for the new OS. Their website: ... (a taiwanese company) is no longer in service! So, even if I had a 3800/3900, i'll think twice before getting this product.

This is not worth your time or money. The keyboard is horrible, the installation instructions impossible to understand, the setup procedure does not work well. I purchased two of these, returned one immediately and found the other defective. ...

This product is worthless. I returned it as soon as I saw how the product was designed. Everything about this product is poor; from keys that are difficult to press, to a space bar that is split, to the hinge in the middle of the keyboard that acts like a barrier to fingers that might try to cross it. Save the frustration.

I got one for Xmas and it broke 3 months later. the screen cracked, keyboard stopped fuctioning. I opened it up and found it was poor;y assembled. the screen was not reenforced. The biggest piece of junk ever!

First of all, fellow New Yorker marcr2 is not being fair to the Vista, because on the packaging it states clearly this uses the included foldable keyboard. In fact it says you input data either by using the keyboard or by syncing. It's not fair to criticize the manufacturer just because you fail to read the product description closely.

The Vista is a rudimentary electronic planner that can store up to 12,000 records. I saw it at an Odd Job discount store on Lexington Ave and it was selling for forteen dolas, so I bought it just to see what it was like. Well, doesn't look like I'll throw away my HP iPaq 1910 Pocket PC any time soon. The Vista is cute and really small and weighs only 1.6 oz with its two watch-type batteries (one for backup), but since you need the keyboard or a PC to input data, it's not convenient. The user interface is more complicated than necessary, although it's not hard to figure things out on your own. If you get lost, the 4-point-font user's guide helps. It also comes with PC sync software although I have not tested it since this is not going to be my main PDA. For me it's more a toy. But I can see my dad using it; in fact I'm buying him the version with a stylus and touch-screen for the same low forten dolas.

If you just want a simple calendar/addressbook/reminder and don't do much input on the road (or don't mind carrying the 0.5-oz keyboard with you), the Vista is the perfect size, and its price is right. For people with serious PDA needs -- such as downloading games and programs -- you need a Pocket PC or Palm.

I had many of the same problems as the other reviewers. I did not give up and after several days was able to work around the problems, except the back space key thing! I am sure that most readers would not be willing to persevere. But if you do you may be like me and fall in love with this organizer. It is small with a lot of features and memory for the price. It is perfect for me. Who knows, if you're lucky you may get one that actually works right out of the box!

This product doesn't work with Apple OS X 10.1.
Amazon and Belkin's manual say it needs Mac OS 8.6 and above.
On the back of package say Mac OS 8.6 - 9.x
I tried to find a drive for OS X on Belkin's web site, but none is available.
I am returning the product.

I could not even get the Targus drivers to install on my Windows XP Home Laptop--had to return product because it did not work.

Belkin has beta drivers for Mac OS X 10.1 and 10.2 at http://www.belkin.com/beta/#1 ... I think the trick (stupid though it is) is to disable HotSync in the HotSync Manager and then re-enable it, after having selected the USB seria port as the desired connection. From what I've seen, you don't even need to quit HotSync Manager between disabling and re-enabling the HotSync.

I had a Handspring Visor with the Handspring billfold case for 2 years. It was an awesome combination. The Treo 90 Leather flip case is about next to useless. It barely holds anything (2 credit cards, 4 if you really want to cram them in, a few business cards and 2 dollars bills if you fold them up real small) and it about triples the thickness of the Treo. The billfold case for the Visor did the same thing but it would at least hold 9+ credit cards and a bunch of cash and papers in the money section. The Treo 90 Leather Flip Case is not worth it. The problem is, there really isn't anything else available as of this date (10/2002) that can used as an alternative.

The wallet adds girth to the handheld, which takes away from the best feature of the treo 90 - its puny size. It's a good case to store the handheld in for a backpack, or a briefcase, and it has spaces for credit cards and memory cards, but you have to remove the protective cover to use the wallet. The buttons, which are usually protected from being pressed, are not protected in this wallet. The flap folds down over the screen, but it's not a great design. I own this and also the sports case and I usually only use the sportscase. Althought the sportscase is too large to keep it housed in and fit into your frontpocket, I just carry around my Treo90 out of its case as it's so small anyway and is protected by its cover window. When I return it to my backpack, I keep it in the sportscase. I wouldn't recommend this wallet.

I bought this product regardless of the poor reviews it received. I have not had any problems with the case fitting. My treo 90 fits snugly in the carrier and snaps easily. You can shake it or whatever and it stays in place. The plastic cover must be removed before using it in the leather case, but the cover isn't necessary once the treo is in the leather case. I'm not sure if Handspring has improved the case since the other reviewers bought one, but I did not experience any of the same problems they had. I highly recommend this product to anyone who wants to protect their treo 90 with a compact, high quality case.

This is a very lame product and it bugs me that HP has their name on it. It offers no protection for your Jornado, the button did not work on mine. the stylus is very hard to remove from the top of the case and it dosent really fit in the docking station very well.

This product was designed to protect the Jornada, but I think that it does more harm than good. To use it, you must remove the metal cover that is already on it, and the top of the leather case isn't nearly as durable as the metal. This is also drastically over priced and I would definately not recommend it. If you are looking for good protection from shock and weather, go with the Body Glove cases.

The cover does its job and looks better than the hard cover. I would like it to have a belt clip but the way it was designed it is not safe to hang it around your belt. Other than that I like it.

This unit just died on me within three months. The charger works (I bought it separately) but I cannot hotsync anymore - what's the point of having a iPAQ that does not sync? It's either the connector to the cradle or the connector to the base of the handheld that's not connecting. For the high $$$ that I had to pay for this flimsy product, it's really a pity that HP will not provide a good product. It's poor design makes the iPAQ rock back and forth without a firm connection.

I gave this one star bcs it does NOT charge your unit, as one would expect. This cradle is just a display holder.

To charge your unit, there are four ways:

1. Buy a charging cradle, which is an extra cost (no universal one to fit several PDAs, just one for the 1910, according to hp tech support; I couldn't get an answer as to whether an other hp PDA would also fit the 1910 but I think I read this somewhere on a customer review site). This is the most expensive option.

2. Use the sync cable. Run it btw the USB port on your desktop and the USB port on the unit, hooking tog. as tho you are going to sync. This is the easiest option.
3. Get your cell phone A/C adaptor. Plug into the wall. Plug the male part of the A/C adaptor into hp's 1910 adaptor and plug the other end of hp's 1910 adaptor into the USB of your desktop. This requires purchase of the 1910 adaptor. Amazon has it for $.... $... elsewhere.
4. Buy a 2nd battery.

Some people buy two charging cradles (one for home, one for work) and others just carry around the sync cable.

mb

The cradle is a good buy, it holds the iPaq upright while charging and synch'ing it. It is true that the plug is not included but me advice is to get a travel plug from eBay and use the original with this unit. It works great, no problems. By the way, the cradle on eBay is going for [$$]so this is actually cheaper.