Thin Is In
Written: Jan 21 '01 (Updated Jan 22 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Not bulky, no batteries needed, easy to install, software can be replaced.
Cons: Requires special cable, e-mail program is shareware, web browser is unstable.
The Bottom Line: If all you need is a Visor modem to connect to a standard land phone line, this is the modem to get.
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| KristenA's Full Review: Wristband Thincom Modem |
I've had my Handspring Visor Deluxe for a year now, and I've been anxious to go online with it. However, I didn't jump at the chance to buy the first Handspring modem that was available; I wanted to wait until there were a couple of choices to compare.
So, after many months of waiting for products to be released, I was able to consider 3 different modems: The Handspring 33.6 modem, the Xircom 56k Springport modem, and of course, the CardAccess 33.6 Thincom Modem (now known as the Thinmodem). I'll tell you why I picked the Thinmodem.
A big advantage that the Thinmodem has over the others is that it is THIN. When you plug the module into the Handspring Visor, it fits flush with the top and back. Nothing protrudes over the edges. Your plastic Visor cover will still fit, and your Visor will still fit in any case you may be using.
The next big advantage with the Thinmodem is that it doesn't require any extra batteries. It runs completely off the power of your Visor. I was a little worried about the Thinmodem draining the Visor batteries. Although the battery meter does dip when the modem is in use, it climbs back up after you go offline. Of course, modem usage does shorten battery life a little. During the first week that I had the modem, I was online approximately 8 hours total before having to replace my Visor batteries. Since then, I've only been using it to check mail and occasionally check a web page, and the Visor still gets about the same battery life as it did before the modem.
However, one disadvantage with the Thinmodem is that it does not have a standard female phone jack. It comes with a special 6 foot cable. One end of the cable plugs into the Thinmodem module and the other end is a standard male connector which plugs into an RJ-11 telephone jack. This just sounded like trouble to me. First, you have to keep track of a six foot cable. My Visor and Thinmodem may easily fit in a pocket or purse, but what a pain to carry around a cable! Also, to plug the cable in would usually require crawling around on the floor, under desks, behind furniture, or wherever to find the phone jack. Honestly, this potential problem almost stopped me from buying the modem.
However, with a quick look on the CardAccess web site (www.cardaccess-inc.com), I found out they sell a 4 inch "dongle adapter" for $5. One end of the adapter plugs into the module and the other end of the adapter is a standard female phone connector. This adapter makes life a little easier. Rather than crawling on the floor to plug in the cable, I can usually just unplug a desk phone and use that connector with the adapter. Still, I have to carry around the adapter.
Despite the problem of carrying around an adapter, this is actually a very easy module to use. Like all modules for the Handspring Visor, software is automatically loaded when you plug the module into your Visor. The first thing that pops up is an on-screen tutorial. This tutorial is very helpful. It takes you through the setup wizard to configure your modem, online service, and remote HotSync setup. I was online with my ISP (Earthlink) within about 3 minutes.
It was then time to explore the included software.
First, there is the very handy Thinmodem Status Pop-Up. You just tap the very lower right corner of your screen (where the magnifying glass picture is), and a window will pop up displaying your connect speed, modem status, and time. This is kind of like the online status indicator in Windows 98.
The other three programs are all Shareware:
* MultiMail Pro by Actual Software checks your POP e-mail accounts. It works great, but it is only a 10 day free trial version. If you want to continue using it, you will have to register the program, and it was a little too expensive for my budget.
* Browse-It by Puma Technologies is a web browser. It reformats web pages to fit the Visor screen, supports cookies, and standard graphics formats. It also tracks your browsing history and stores bookmarks. It sounds great, but unfortunately, this program caused more soft-resets in 2 days of using it than my Visor had ever seen in a full year!
* Online by Mark/Space Software is a VT100 terminal emulator. This is great if your ISP supports shell access. Mine does not, so I didn't even try this software.
So as you can see, I was not happy with the included applications. I read something about being able to replace the applications stored on the module, but the instructions didn't say anything about that. So I went back to the CardAccess web site and found out they had a free upgrade available for download.
Downloading and installing the upgrade only took a few minutes. It added the very useful file mover program which allows you to move programs from the modules memory to your Visor, and from the Visor to the module. There is approximately 500k of storage space on the module.
I replaced MultiMail Pro with the less expensive IambicMail. I replaced Browse-It with the much more stable Blazer web browser. Finally, I replaced Online with a program more useful to me - PalmIRC.
Overall, I'm happy with the Thinmodem module. It may not fit everybody's needs since it is not a wireless modem and does not connect to cell phones. However, if all you need is a Visor modem to connect to a standard land phone line, this is the modem to get.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
KristenA
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Location: Campbell, California
Reviews written: 27
Trusted by: 14 members
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