PDA Reviews

Good news second: The display is pretty and easily readable; the form factor is nice and small so I can just keep it in my pants pocket; it plays mp3's very nicely with a free download of the RealPlayer; the voice recorder activates at the press of a hardware button and comes in handy while driving; this PDA can sort through 3+ years of my appointments in no time flat.

Bad news third: Under serious usage, the digitizer becomes erratic and terribly frustrating. Where you place the stylus can be off by as much as several characters, first one way, then another, then back again, with no predictability. Unfortunately, you usually spot the error after writing in the wrong area, or worse, pasting instead of copying. It requires almost continual recalibration. It's clearly a hardware problem since tapping it on the side causes it to happen, but it's random and unpredictable. The result is a much slower inputting of data (and ample swearing).

Perhaps worse is that the support I have gotten from Palm has been very, very frustrating. They have replaced the tungsten with another return a couple different times, and the exact same bug was present in each machine. While the tech people adamantly deny a hardware problem, one of their engineers was upfront with me. He acknowledged the hardware problem, but unfortunately couldn't do anything beyond sending me another or advising me to briskly smack it open and shut several times.

Conclusion: If you don't demand too much of the digitizer, you'll probably be happy. If you get in any trouble and need tech support, you may be very unhappy with the company. Personally, since I like the Palm OS so much, I am about to purchase a Sony Clie.

There are some areas that could use improvement, though. For starters, the Tungsten T is heavy for its size. On the one hand this gives it a feeling of durability. On the other hand it's really too heavy for a shirt or pants pocket. Also, the plastic cover that ships with the unit doesn't have cutouts for quick and easy access to all of the buttons on the bottom front. You can get there with the 5-way button, but it takes longer.

All told, I'm happy with the Tungsten T and would recommend it.

The Palm Tungsten T is actually my first PDA -- I just graduated from college and I'm starting a new job, and I figured this would be a good way to get organized and keep all my phone numbers, etc. in one place. So far, it's been pretty impressive.

My first impression was of how small this thing is; it looks and feels bigger when you're using it. A lot of this is due to the very slick sliding Grafitti area. When closed (and in a clamshell case), it's smaller than my bi-fold wallet in every dimension (at least when I have a bunch of receipts and some cash in there), and only a little heavier. It fits in the front pocket of your pants or jacket without any trouble, and when compared to some of the monstrous handhelds (especially the PDA/phones) that I've seen in stores, this thing's very portable. After all, you're going to carry it around with you all day, right?

The color screen is great; it's big, bright, and looks very sharp unless it's in direct sunlight (at which point it washes out). It's marginal without the backlight, even in a well-lit area. The T2 has a newer transflective screen that's supposed to fix both those issues, so if you plan on using your Palm outdoors a lot, or you need to stretch your battery life by running with no backlight, that might be a better choice.

Speaking of battery life, it seems excellent. Based on the meter, I'd say you get maybe 2-4 hours of constant use out of a full charge (also dependent on what you're doing; games take up more than looking through your calendar). I haven't tracked how long it takes to fully charge; I never manage to get it more than 1/4 of the way down! Some people have griped that the battery isn't removable; however, Lithium-Ion batteries are extremely reliable and last a long time. They also don't have the memory problems of older Ni-Cad and (to a lesser extent) Ni-Mh batteries, so you shouldn't have to worry about your battery life getting worse as the unit gets older.

It's fast; not quite as instantaneous as some of the more expensive Sony units or Pocket PCs, but it's got enough horsepower to sort several hundred addresses in the blink of an eye. Games seem to run well, although I haven't tried any fast-paced, graphically intense action titles. Best I've got are Pac-Man and Missile Command clones, which don't have any problems.

Palm's default software is pretty good. I actually bought an open-box Tungsten T, which doesn't include the extra CD of software that usually comes with it, so I can't comment on that (but if you have one and want to send me a copy, please do!). It's got all of Palm's standard date/addressbook software, which is servicable, and there's lots that you can download for it. HotSync operations are very fast. However, I wish it had better backwards compatibility with OS3.X/4.X titles; simple things usually work fine, but more complicated graphical apps and games often fail (or have graphics/sound problems). Also, older titles usually don't support the 5-way control stick (they treat it as an up/down scroll only, or ignore it), and assume that you have a Graffiti surface readily available, which can be a pain if you're trying to use things 1-handed or with the unit closed. Newer software is better, and there are several add-ons you can download that let you write on the main screen as if it were a Grafitti pad (though I wish Palm would integrate this functionality into the OS, since the add-ons are a little spotty.) I can say, though, that it recovers very quickly from a crash, with no need to hit any hidden recessed switches on the back.

I *hear* it can double as an MP3 player, as it has a headphone jack, but you can't actually load MP3 files onto it without a memory card (which I don't have yet). There's a small speaker (and mic) built in, but the speaker's pretty poor. The microphone seems to actually work well, even through a closed aluminum hardcase. Voice memos come out perfectly legible.

It only has 16MB of onboard memory, but that holds a *lot* of addresses and several dozen sizable programs (small programs are usually less than 1/10 of a MB; large ones are rarely much more than 1/2 MB), so I don't count it as a big drawback. Also, large addon cards are readily available for file and data storage (up to 512MB). The T2 has 32MB of flash RAM, so again, if you need the extra functionality, it might be a better choice.

I'm getting a bluetooth phone soon, so I'll have to report back after I see how well they work together. I don't have a bluetooth adapter for my PC, so I haven't tried it with anything yet. Hopefully I'll be doing wireless web surfing soon.

All in all, the Tungsten T is a solid, affordable mid-range PDA. And with the introduction of the new Tungsten T2, its price will probably drop significantly over the next 6 months. It doesn't have a camera or other flashy multimedia features that this year's models have, but it is a slim, lightweight organizer that can do a lot of neat tricks on the side.

Well-packaged. Small screen is still very readable. Controls are fairly intuitive once you get used to them.

Sucks up battery power. If you don't need constant updates be sure to use the unit in the "Battery Saver" mode. I've found that to be more than adequate for typical use (in a car, for instance, when you can't be looking at it constantly anyway).

Note the software version you have. I'm new to Garmin products but according to their web page they update the software regularly. The eTrex Vista that I bought had version 2.28 of their firmware and they were up to version 2.50, three versions past mine. No big deal, I downloaded the latest version and installed it easily. The only catch was that they said to put the unit in Simulator Mode during the download--even though there is no such thing described anywhere in the manual. I did some reading and it seems to me that they must have meant Demo Mode. That's what I put it in and the download proceeded seamlessly. They warn you that downloading firmware may delete waypoints and other data you may have saved. It didn't delete mine but I'd still recommend getting the latest firmware right away before you have any data to lose.

In summary . . . Bad: The unit I bought from Amazon didn't have anywhere close to the latest firmware. Good: It's easy to get the latest firmware.

Along with the new software you can also download the latest version of the manual in PDF format.

I plan to get one of the MapSource CDs in order to download more detailed map data into the unit. If you do that, however, the base map that the unit comes with will be erased (according to the Garmin website). You can get it back (again, by downloading the original database from their website) but I really don't know why the different databases can't play nicely together.

Overall I'm very happy with my eTrex Vista.

Cons:
-screen is small
-screen detail is somewhat pixilated
-panning/scrolling on map is slow. Screen goes blank for a moment. Then it takes it awhile to redraw the map.
-occasional loss of satellite lock when under moderate tree cover (although this is probably true of all gps)
-designed for left hand use if this is an issue
-data cable is included but car adapter is not
-must be outside of backpack in order to receive signal (I guess gortex is too thick)
-cause an accident by watching the gps rather than the road

Pros:
-compact
-good intuitive use of menus except for marking waypoints
-excellent trip data: distance, elevation, average moving speed time or overall average, how long you have moved or stopped for, elevation, current speed and direction and more
-works inside the car
-excellent car navigation
-excellent hiking navigation
-has altimeter and compass
-detail on base map gives major hwys and roads
-detail on extra map excellent (eg., will give street numbers of individual houses)

Eddy

Pros:
-Color depth makes for a much more readable screen.
-Can see the screen inside AND outside, I always had problems with this on the other devices
-Pocket PC 2002 while glitchy in a few places, is easier to use and much more intuitive than Windows CE. (For example, there is a sound control available at all times. You don't have to dig into settings to turn the sound up or down quickly.)
-Sound is much sharper and can get louder than the Cassiopeia (a big issue for me since I listen to audio books through Audible.com)
-Sleek design and sensible button placement.
-Themes are easily modifiable. I love being able to use a picture from a favorite trip, or of my husband, as my background. Seems minor, and it is...but I like it.
-Lots of memory! Great for those of us who download books and MP3s. (Legal MP3s made from my own CDs, of course.)
-iTask makes it easy to close one or all of the running tasks.

A few cons:
-Stylus got stuck inside the device, but purchasing an inexpensive zipper cover with a stylus holder took care of this.
-Freezes every now and again. I'm assuming that future releases of the Pocket PC will deal with this issue.
-I miss the modifiable launcher. I like to be able to categorize my programs and access them more easily.

In short, it's a great little device. I'll be honest, the name "Compaq" doesn't exactly inspire me to fauning, but in this case it is earned. (I had a Compaq laptop that I returned after a week because they put so much garbage on it, and the DVD player froze on any DVD with a menu.) The iPAQ really shows some quality craftsmanship and I would recommend it to anyone.

Pros

Heavy Duty Zipper.

Well made.

Great protection.

Stylish

Cons

No belt clip. I don't really miss it but it would be nice to free up my hands and stick it on my belt. (but then again, I will look less like a geek.)

Makes Palm III more bulky. Difficult to keep in pocket.

Not much room inside to store anything besides a business card and a couple of scraps of paper.

Velcor mount for Palm III not very secure.

It is not waterproof, though, nor is it crush proof. You can still expect damage if you drop your Palm from any good height or accidentally sit on it.

The quality of this product seems fairly high. The fit on Palm III series devices is excellent. The Palm attaches to the inside of the glove with a hook and loop fastener so it won't go flying when you open the case.

I have no complaints. This is a neat accessory that will protect your palm from minor shocks and splashes encountered in normal every day use.

I think it's a good product and a good value.

At first it synced fine, but after a while, I had occasional problems and would have to spend hours getting it to work, because my comp would not be able to find the device (I've found many reasons for this, and trust me - they are a pain to chase down - even fluff in the connector and an iffy signal to the interface will do the trick). This time, I've spent a week of evenings searching for the solution. When I checked the HP Web site, this item was totally lacking in help, I believe because it is no longer sold. My comp is fine, the device is fine, and the Activesync is there - they just are not speaking. I call this the "family feud PDA" - they are close, they are family - they won't talk.

I've given up on it - bought a Palm-based product for a bit higher cost. So easy, plus it has a camera, an MP3 player, and it syncs!

I use my PDAs in an intense business environment and for far more than as an electronic replacement for a Daytimer. For me, it's a briefcase replacement. With the larger PDAs, I ended up carrying them in my hand since they were uncomfortable in a suit pocket. Not so with the 1910. I can't tell that it's even in my pocket.

The screen is wonderful: very legible and I love the backlighting. I get several days out of the battery, and that includes spending a fair amount of time reading AvantGo content.

I interface the PDA with Outlook and have had no problems. I use the cable rather than the cradle. Just plug it in and the PDA automatically syncs.

Someone mentioned that HP does not make a case for this model. That may be true, but HP cleverly styled this one to match the size of the smaller Palms. I found a case (for the Palm M105??) at my local Best Buy that fit the iPAQ beautifully--inexpensive but sturdy. I use the case for transporting to and from the office but carry it out of its case in my pocket during the day.

My only gripes: I'd like to experiment with 802.11b wireless. The Dell Axim has that capability (as an add-on), but the iPAQ does not, to my knowledge. Another complaint: I'm very used to the Graffiti text entry from the Handspring. I used it to transcribe notes at meetings, etc. I'm having problems getting the hang of it with the iPAQ. It has been very hard to get the hang of it on the iPAQ and I may try switchin to the block method instead. The onscreen keyboard is definitely not made for heavy duty data entry.

In short, I'm extremely pleased with this PDA. There are a few little compromises, but size, screen, price, and overall quality are superb.

Now for a few Cons,
The conventional "CROSS" at Top,right hand corner doesnot stand for "Closing" of the program but it means "Minimising" the screen.That leaves your program still running in Backgroud.So even if the display shows your "desktop" (Today screen) there are functions running in backgroud...This will make your PC freeze often if many programs are running.
This PC freezes very often and I have to reset it then.
If it freezes real bad then you will have to Hard reset it which means your data is lost.
So I would suggest that "Stop" all the running programs at certain intervals..You have that option in "Settings".

But overall I am very happy with the performance...
I would advise one to buy it.

Thanks, Handspring, I've explored my options--and I'm switching to Sony.

The Good:

* Battery life is good, and while most people would prefer a rechargable pack, I like using regular batteries. I can go on long trips with a 12 pack of batteries, and not worry about where/if I can plug in to charge.
* The display is crisp, and excellent for a greyscale display. I regularly surf the web with AvantGo, work with graphics and documents, play games, etc. My only gripe is with PalmOS and not the Visor itself, and that's that the display contrast setting can't be saved at different levels for different apps. Some games need light contrast, some apps need darker, etc. It's a pain to keep changing it.
* Springboard modules are pretty sweet. Okay, they're pricey, but you can do some really neat stuff with them, software and hardware wise.
* PalmOS itself rocks. Okay, this is very subjective, but I really dislike Windows CE and its interface. It's very non-intuitive, and very non-Windows. While Palm has fallen behind in multimedia areas, I still think it's an awesome OS for a handheld, especially because of all the fantastic PalmOS software out there.
* Linux connectivity is a snap. ;) Nuff said.

But, there's some bad, too...

* Sound is virtually non-existent.
* The Visor screen is very, very, VERY prone to scratching just from regular stylus use. After the first two days of using my Platinum, I found a nice 'w' scratch in my graffiti area, and I was not amused. Fortunately, the "WriteRight" screen protectors take care of that problem. They reduce screen clarity, but overall I'm very happy with them, and they let me use this great machine without fear of damaging the display.
* One thing that ticked me off was I had to buy a second cradle after I got my Visor. Why? Because they FORCE you to buy the handheld with a USB cradle. There is absolutely no way to swap it for a serial one, which is what I needed, as my main computer doesn't have USB. This lead to me dropping an extra $30 just to make the system work out-of-box with my computer. C'mon Handspring, at least give people the choice if they want it.

Overall? I love my Platinum. I've also got a Diamond Mako, which is nice, but not nearly as capable in many regards. If you don't want to shell out for color, and just want a speedy handheld that can run any PalmOS app you throw at it, go for this baby. It's a steal.

I'll list the difference btw Deluxe and Platinum, and let you be the judge to which one to buy.
-First, Visor Platinum is the FASTEST PalmOS PDA with its 33mhz processor. Other PalmOS PDAs have either 16mhz or 20mhz. Visor deluxe has 16mhz. However, the speed of the PDA is a little overrated, since most Palm application do not require high speed processor anyway. but hey, the faster the better, right?
-Second, Visor Platinum has 4 bits display while Visor Deluxe has only 2 bits display. This means that, Platinum can display 16 levels of greyscale, while Deluxe can display only 4 level of greyscale.
-Third, Platinum has PalmOS version 3.5 while Deluxe has version 3.1. This is important because you can not upgrade PalmOS on Handspring's PDA (due to USB problem). So, this means you'll be stuck with which ever PalmOS that comes with your Visor forever. But this is not a big problem as it may sounds, b/c any PalmOS's are essentially the same thing.
-Lastly, Platinum has cool sophisicated silver color, while Deluxe has teenage iMAC style colors.

Another product I recommend if you are considering buying Visor Platinum is PalmIIIxe. PalmIIIxe also has 4 bits display like Platinum, and it also comes with PalmOS version 3.5. I'll make a list of difference btw Visor Platinum and PalmIIIxe for you. (Note that this list also include some of the differences btw Visor Deluxe and PalmIIIxe)
-PalmIIIxe is the same price as Visor Deluxe, which is about fifty bucks cheaper than Platinum
-PalmIIIxe comes with only 16mhz processor like Visor Deluxe
-Visor has expansion module, which means alot, you can add many many feature afterward, you can make your Visor am MP3 player too! And you can also easily add more memory to your Visor, while for PalmIIIxe, you can only add 2MB flashcard.
-When you buy a leather case for your Visor, you dont have to stick a valcro to the back of your PDA like you have to for Palm. (Palm need a Valcro to hold it to the case, while for Visor, there's a plastic holder attach to the back of the leather case, so you can jsut put your Visor securely in there)
-Visor comes with a fast USB cradle while Palm comes with slow serial cradle, so if you buy palm and want a fast synconizing, you'll need to buy a USB cradle separatly.
-Visor comes with a good quiality stylus, it has solid feel of metal, and if you open it up, there's a little screw driver and a reset pin inside. Palm comes with a piece of plactic stylus; buy a new stylus cost about fifteen dollars.

Are these difference worth the more money you pay for Platinum? Let yourself be the judge, see what you need.

The thing worked great for the two weeks and certainly was a geek magnet. Like other reviewers' Visors, mine eliminated many post-its and slips of paper and let me carry me address book and calendar; I wish I'd bought one sooner!

I hope that quality control is not an issue for Handspring. If the replacement unit fails, too, I'll be back to knock off a star and probably to look at an overpriced Palm instead.

Update August 2001: The replacement Visor has worked without a problem. I would have no qualms buying another Visor (except I can't figure out why they still cost more than $...).

Finally, just some advice for those buying PDAs: regardless of which brand you buy, think about what you will use it for. For example, if you aren't going to have a ton of reference data or books stored on your PDA, 2 MBs will get you through quite a bit. Buy a PDA that will take care of your needs, but also one that will allow a little growth (most people don't realize how much potential there is for their PDA... tons of free downloadable programs). Finally, I highly suggest buying some type of protective case (there are some nice small ones out there that aren't too bulky, e.g. a palmglove or the new handspring neoprene) for carrying your PDA around in. Whatever brand you buy, it won't be able to hold up to very many drops (if any) or sitting down on in your back pocket.

I've seen several reviews complaining about being unable to use activesync with the be-300, this is not true, installing a third party patch allows one to use activesync with your b3-300. I've seen several people complain that it doesn't play mp3's, again not true, included in the bundled software is an mp3 player. I've seen a few reviews saying that it doesn't run windows ce, not true, it doesn't run pocket pc, which is microsoft's "special" version of windows ce run on the higher end models. I saw a review complaining about the lack of a video encoder for the CFM format, not true, included in the bundled software is an encoder for their CFM format. One can also purchase a third party app called PocketTV for the be-300 to play mpeg video. Yes, this device may require you to actually put forth a little effort to get it doing exactly what you want, what doesn't? Visit ... to connect with be-300 users around the world and see what it can do.

Nicholas

I've seen several reviews complaining about being unable to use activesync with the be-300, this is not true, installing a third party patch allows one to use activesync with your b3-300. I've seen several people complain that it doesn't play mp3's, again not true, included in the bundled software is an mp3 player. I've seen a few reviews saying that it doesn't run windows ce, not true, it doesn't run pocket pc, which is microsoft's "special" version of windows ce run on the higher end models. I saw a review complaining about the lack of a video encoder for the CFM format, not true, included in the bundled software is an encoder for their CFM format. One can also purchase a third party app called PocketTV for the be-300 to play mpeg video. Yes, this device may require you to actually put forth a little effort to get it doing exactly what you want, what doesn't? Visit ... to connect with be-300 users around the world and see what it can do.

Nicholas