I keep hoping that Epinions will create this on the site, and after months of checking and searching, I couldn't believe that someone has finally created this category so that I can post this review. It always seems strange that Epinions would post a similar type of card but not the other but I'm happy since I can finally post my review on the Sandisk Wi-Fi SDIO card for the Zire 71 ( SDWSDB-000-A10M ).

The one thing about the Zire 71 that it sorely lacks compared to many higher end Palms which many people have expected to have been built-in was the lack of Wi-Fi capability. After all, when the Zire 71 came out, it was considered a higher end consumer product as opposed to a higher end business product that the Tungsten T2 and T3 were geared towards. After all, it came with the integrated camera which the Tungsten line didn't have and would have required an SDIO slot camera attachment. So, in some ways, the Zire 71 was a step up. There was quite a pressure from the Palm community to create an SDIO (SD card) Wi-Fi card that will work on the Zire 71 since it was quite a "multimedia" Palm. Until the card with the Palm drivers came out, the only Wi-Fi capable Palm was the Tungsten C, but that was running OS4. T2 and T3 had bluetooth capability but no Wi-Fi. So, it was a BIG DEAL to make the Zire 71 Wi-Fi capable. For Pocket PC users, there was already a Sandisk Wi-Fi card that works for them and due to problems with Palm not releasing the info on the Zire 71 to Sandisk and other companies, the Wi-Fi card drivers for Zire 71 seemed like a dream that would never come true. After a long time of hearing rumors on the card and the delays, Sandisk finally came out with a special Wi-Fi card with special drivers that will not only work on Pocket PCs, but also with the Zire 71. But, they had created a special card that will work on the Zire 71 due to power concerns of the handheld. So, now, there's the older version Sandisk Wi-Fi card ( SDWSDB-000-768 ), the Zire 71 version ( SDWSDB-000-A10M ), the Wi-Fi card with 256MB RAM ( SDWSDB256A / SDWSDB256A10 ), and the PalmOne Wi-Fi card for the Zire 72, Tungsten T3 and T5( P10952U ). For Zire 71, the only one that has been confirmed to work is the SDWSDB-000-A10M version. All others won't work. Well, I don't own any of the other cards and thus have not tried using the driver on these cards so I can't really confirm whether they work on the Zire 71. Do a search on the various shopping search engines like Froogle.com, Pricegrabber.com, etc with the product numbers and you should be able to find some online stores that sell them. For those in Canada, the only bricks and mortar and online store that has them in stock is Compusmart.com. Many other Canadian online stores keep pushing their backorder and expected date of arrival. In my view, you're better off paying the extra money so that you can get the card, rather than waiting for something that may never come. Since the Zire 71 is already a discontinued Palm, there's the chance that retailers may not bother carrying the card and would instead, carry the other newer cards which support the T3 and Zire 72. So, better get the card now rather than regret it later, when you can't get it anywhere.

The card comes in a plastic blister package. You can clearly see that the card is similar to a regular Secure Digital (SD) card with the exception that it is a slight bit longer (for the antenna to broadcast and receive 802.11b signals). The card measures 5.2 cm x 2.4 cm x 0.4cm. The top portion of the card is slightly thicker than the bottom portion, where it gets inserted into the Palm's SDIO slot. There is a LED light indicator on the top portion of the card, just slightly above the Wi-Fi certified logo which lights up and flashes to indicate that it is searching for Wi-Fi signals and stays lit without flashing if it detects a signal. Other than the longer size and the thicker top, it doesn't look very much different from a Secure Digital card, since it still is a SD card and fits into the SDIO slot.

Opening up the plastic packaging, make sure that you not only remove the Wi-Fi SD card, but also the Sandisk cardboard packaging as well because you'd notice that hidden between the Sandisk cardboard packaging, that there's a mini CD along with some documentation on the card. Many people who've bought the Wi-Fi card complain that there is no CD included in the package. I'd think that they didn't remove the cardboard and throw away the package without checking twice. So, if you get the Sandisk Wi-Fi card, make sure you check for the mini CD in the package.

If for whatever reason, you have the Wi-Fi card but no CD, you can still install the drivers. Get the drivers from this link:

http://www.sandisk.com/tech/docs/palm-driver-v3.zip

Looks like Sandisk has finally taken down the drivers and the page off their site. I have uploaded the same file to a free host server for those who wish to have access to it:

http://www.myfilehut.com/userfiles/17284/palm-driver-v3.zip

Unzip the file and then run the setup.exe file. It will install the apps on your Palm via Hotsync.

And you can check out the main Sandisk Wi-Fi card for Zire 71 for more information on the specs, etc.

http://www.sandisk.com/retail/c-wifi-sd.asp

So, you pop in the mini CD and what happens is the it will launch your browser to display the index page. But unfortunately, it launches the wrong index page (index.htm) rather than the correct one (index.html) so you end up viewing a blank page. Just open the correct index file, index.html. You're then shown the Sandisk Wi-Fi card page. Select the Express Install for your language (Dutch, English, French, German, Italian). Then select Zire 71 for your Palm. It will then show the Installation page which steps you through the installation with screen shot images of the installation to make it easy to step through the whole process.

1. Connect your PDA

2. Install the Wi-Fi Utility

3. Initialize the Wi-Fi Utility on your Palm device

4. Insert the Wi-Fi SD card, connect to a wireless network

5. Start accessing the internet

A good idea is to read through all the steps so that you have a good idea of what to expect and what the screens will look like. Or better yet, print out the page so that you have a hard copy to step you through since once you start doing the installation, it's not very easy to jump to the instructions.

Section 1 > Connect your PDA. Establish a Hotsync connection to ensure that hotsync will synchronize files properly between the computer and Palm device.

At section 2> INSTALL THE SD WI-FI CARD, there's a red START button. If you click on it, you will be prompted on what to do with the setup files. Either save the program on your hard drive or run the program. Depending on your Windows operating system version, you will be asked to either "Open" the file, or "Run" it. Click "Ok" and the InstallShield Wizard will guide you through the rest of the setup process. For most screens, you will need to click on the "Next" button, select "I agree" to the agreement page, "Done", "Ok" and "Finish". The installation page shows screenshots of what shows up on your computer so you have an idea what to expect and what to do. The setup process should be setting up a hotsync connection to install the Wi-Fi Utility and other files to the Palm device. If it doesn't, it doesn't hurt to do another hotsync. Simply press on the hotsync button on your cradle and let it run through.

At Section 3> INITIALIZE THE WI-FI UTILITY ON YOUR PALM DEVICE, You will first need to tap on and launch the Wifi Setup app. This is pretty much just a license agreement. READ THE LICENSE AGREEMENT AND SELECT I AGREE TO CONTINUE. Nothing noticeable will happen after you "Agree". You will just be taken back to the main menu.

Next, you will have to set up the Network preferences to default to wireless LAN since that is what will likely be the network you will use. Tap on the Prefs app in the main launcher. On the Preference screen, click on Network under Communication to go to the Network selection screen. Select WLAN from the Services drop-down list, then click on Done.

At 7. RESET YOUR PALM DEVICE, make sure that the Sandisk Wi-Fi card is inserted in the SDIO slot and open up the camera to expose the reset hole at the back. Insert a pin into the hole to reset the device so that the drivers will be installed and loaded properly. MAKE SURE THAT YOU RESET THE DEVICE or else the card won't work.

Insert the Sandisk Wi-Fi card into the SDIO slot. Make sure that it is properly inserted and locked with a soft click. Next, run the Wi-Fi utility app if it doesn't automatically take you there. Most times, the Wi-Fi utility app with the Wlan Configuration window will run when it detects the Wi-Fi card in the SDIO slot. The green indicator light on the Wi-Fi card may start to flash if it begins detecting 802.11b signals. If there are access points available, it will show up in the Access Point List near the bottom with a bar signal indicator to show the signal strength (the more bars the better). Tap on the Rescan and it should scan for networks. You may be shown several access points, some with an open lock and some with a closed lock. Open locks indicate open networks. Closed locks indicate WEP enabled. Tap on Connect and the card will attempt to connect to the network. If successful, it will be able to acquire an ip address and will indicate that you have successful connected. Then, you can launch a Palm web browser (if already previously installed) or other internet apps (ie. SnapperMail, etc). If not, you will continue on to Section 5 to install Novarra's nWeb Palm web browser. If you need special configuration, you may have to refer to the Utility manual page on how to input the Network (SSID), enable encryption, DHCP, and other settings.

At Section 5> START ACCESSING THE INTERNET WITH NWEB WEB BROWSER, click on the red START button so that you will be prompted on installing the program.

Please note that the nWeb browser is only a trial version and not a full licensed version. Apparently, they offer the proxy service free for 12 months with browser purchase ($34.95). Afterwards, it costs $5 for 3 months. You may want to try other browsers (eg. Palm Web Browser Pro, Xiino, Blazer, Eudora Internet Suite, Pocketlink. With Palm Web Browser Pro, they have not indicated anything about charging for the proxy service. Enabling proxy on the browser will speed up the loading of images and pages on your Palm, although depending on the network, especially public hotspots, you may have to disable it if you want to connect on their network.

Personally, I have found that Palm's Web Browser Pro works the best for me. nWeb seems to be slow and most times, I can't even figure out whether I am going to get a page loaded up or will get a connection error. Blazer works fine and fast, but since it does not support javascript, it limits the sites that I can surf. Some people say that Xiino works well.

When I originally got the Wi-Fi card, it took me a while to get the card to work. I think it has a lot to do with the resetting the Palm with the card inserted. So, if you find you're having problems, do a soft reset with the card inserted and try connecting with it.

Once the card is set up properly, it will detect 802.11b network signals if available. The light indicator on the card will flash if it's sniffing for signals and the light will remain lit and not flash if it detects a signal. You will notice that the card will still stick out a bit even if you have inserted the card. The obvious reason is that it needs an antenna to transmit and receive signals. So, when you're using the card, make sure that you are careful not to accidentally break the card.

Although there is a Wi-Fi sniffer app (Wi-Fi utility) in the software, it doesn't seem like the best, probably limited due to the relatively small antenna of the Wi-Fi card and battery issues. You may find that when sniffing for signals that you may have to point the antenna in a particular direction to get a better signal or better signal strength. Taking a step or two will affect the signal as well. I find that sometimes I may be tapping on the "Rescan" to make sure that I can detect the signals. One second, an access point may show up, and another second, it may not. I wouldn't consider it a flaky software or hardware. After all, this is a small SD card so it's very limited in its capabilities.

The card tends to drain the battery very quickly, so be prepared to buy something like an emergency 9 volt battery charger (eg. Belkin (F8P3003) which allows you to connect a 9 Volt battery to charge the Palm via the universal connector), or a Power To Go sled (P10906U) that also connects via the universal connector and provides an external source. Otherwise, you are limited to very brief surfing sessions on the Palm before the battery gets completely drained.

Advantages:

- allows wireless access to 802.11b networks

- relatively easy to use

- includes a wi-fi detection app

- allows connection to WEP encrypted networks

- portable and lightweight


Disadvantages:

- only allows wireless access to 802.11b networks and not 802.11g or other protocols

- may have some problems setting up the card

- wi-fi detection app is very limited.

- doesn't allow connections to WPA, a more secure network protocol.

- the antenna sticks out of the Palm, and may make it easy to accidentally break off

- drains the Palm battery very quickly so will need an external battery source to keep Palm battery powered.


One thing to consider when contemplating on getting the Wi-Fi card is that you have to also consider the extras you'd need to buy with the card.

First of all, the card only connects your Palm to a wireless network. If you don't have a home wireless network, and wish to use it at home, you'll have to add the cost of a wireless network such as router, modem, cards for your computers, etc.

Second, in order to surf the internet with your Palm, you'd need a browser. The card does not include a licensed copy of a browser. Although there is a trial version of Novarra's nWeb, you are limited in a trial period. After that period, you'd have to pay for a license (~$35). And also, in regards to nWeb, if you wish to use their proxy service, you'd have to pay for that too, after 12 months. PalmOne does not currently charge for their proxy service. I'd suggest trying out the various browsers available and buy the one that you find fits your needs.

Third, since the Wi-Fi card drains the battery very quickly, you should spend some money on an external battery source as discussed previously. The 9 Volt emergency charger may vary from $10-$25 and the Power To Go sled may vary from $45-80.

Fourth, if you want other applications like email, wireless chatting capability, you'd have to buy the software for those too.


Aside from the Sandisk Wi-Fi SD card, there is another option to bring Wi-Fi to the Zire 71. Enfora ( http://www.enfora.com ) has long provided a Wireless LAN portfolio case which doubles as a case for the Zire 71 as well as providing wireless access for the Palm. Rather than connecting to the Palm via the SDIO slot, the Enfora case connects to the Palm via the universal connector, freeing up the SD slot so that you can store information on the card, rather than relying on free RAM as would be in the Sandisk Wi-Fi card. And, the case has its own battery so that it doesn't drain the Palm battery to use the Wi-Fi. But it is more expensive. And some people have complained that the case's universal connector is only connected to the case via velcro and may seem cheap. And you may have to adjust the clips to make sure that it connects to the Palm properly so that it doesn't come off. Still, those who own it say that it works quite well. You may have to weigh the pros and cons of buying the case as opposed to the Wi-Fi card debating between battery life, freeing up SD slot, buying an external battery source, etc.

Overall, I am satisfied with the Sandisk Wi-Fi card since it now allows me the ability to surf and connect to the internet wirelessly, something that I was not able to do a year ago since the Zire 71 does not have a built-in Wi-Fi capability. Although the signal is only limited to 802.11b, a much less secure signal than 802.11g, many hotspots and wireless networks still broadcast in those signals so for now, it satisfies my needs. With the Wi-Fi capability, the Zire 71 is turning out to be much more of a multimedia PDA. Being quite portable, I can easily pop out the SD card and pop in the Wi-Fi card and launch the Wi-Fi utility app to connect to the wireless network. This is quite convenient. Life has changed so much for the better after I've bought the Wi-Fi card.

Here's one suggestion to those who are considering on getting the card. First try connecting your Palm to the internet via the cradle to determine whether you are comfortable surfing the internet with the smaller screen of the Palm and the time it takes to load the images, enabling and disabling the proxy service on the browser, etc.

Download the trial version of Softtick PPP:

http://www.softtick.com/ppp/

Download the trial version of Palm Web Browser Pro:

http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?&productId=88625

or other browsers like Blazer ( http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&PartnerREF=&siteid=1&prodID=33508 )

Xiino ( http://www.mobirus.com/eng/products/Xiino/index_html ), nWeb ( http://www.nwebwireless.com/get_nweb.htm )

Install the programs on your Palm and start accessing the internet. You may discover that you don't like surfing with the Palm so you've saved yourself some money. So, I'd suggest trying this first before buying the card only to sell it on Ebay later.

I have posted more information at the Brighthand forums so you may want to check them out for more information on the Zire 71 there:

http://discussion.brighthand.com/palmhandhelds/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42028&perpage=40&pagenumber=1

And if interested, please check out the other Epinion reviews related to the Zire 71:

PalmOne Zire 71 PDA/handheld
----------------------------
http://www.epinions.com/content_116392562308


Audible audiobook files and store
---------------------------------
http://www.epinions.com/content_121368252036


iRock FM music transmitter
--------------------------
http://www.epinions.com/content_131544026756


Lexar JumpDrive Trio card reader/thumbdrive
-------------------------------------------
http://www.epinions.com/content_141916212868


Thanks as always for taking the time to read my reviews.

Recommended: Yes