Psion 56k Travel Modem

Rating:
Summary: Get a Pretech
Review: I bought the modem so I could get my mail remotely. This modem really does perform. When browsing with the Opera Browser on my Revo, I swear sometimes it's faster than my PC. I Highly reccommend it, even though the price is a bit high. Just use the AC adapter whenever possible, this thing flies through batteries.

Rating:
Summary: Palm GSM Upgrade Kit - Nokia to connnnect with this
Review: I just ordered a psion 56K travel modem and wanted to hook it up to a cell phone. I was wondering if i could hook the Palm GSM Upgrade Kit - Nokia to the Psion 56K travel Modem

Rating:
Summary: psion modem
Review: I purchased the Psion 56k Travel Modem as an experiment and in the end I couldn't be (much) happier. I use a Windows CE-based Casio, a Palm IIIe, and a Compaq IPAQ Pocket PC an a regular basis and I hoped to find a modem that would work with all three. Setup of the modem connection with the Casio and the Compaq was effortless, and with a little web-time to download system updates for the Palm (and a little help from PSION to get the proper software)I now have a modem that I can use with my hand-held devices, as well as my laptop. Overall, an excellent product at a price that gets better every month. The biggest plus? it works *well* beyond the one foot distance advertised. I can put it high on a bookshelf and sit comfortably anywhere within about 6 feet. The largest drawback, and the reason for only four stars? It is not Fax capable.

Rating:
Summary: Very good, but not quite perfect
Review: I purchased the Psion 56k Travel Modem as an experiment and in the end I couldn't be (much) happier. I use a Windows CE-based Casio, a Palm IIIe, and a Compaq IPAQ Pocket PC an a regular basis and I hoped to find a modem that would work with all three. Setup of the modem connection with the Casio and the Compaq was effortless, and with a little web-time to download system updates for the Palm (and a little help from PSION to get the proper software)I now have a modem that I can use with my hand-held devices, as well as my laptop. Overall, an excellent product at a price that gets better every month. The biggest plus? it works *well* beyond the one foot distance advertised. I can put it high on a bookshelf and sit comfortably anywhere within about 6 feet. The largest drawback, and the reason for only four stars? It is not Fax capable.

Rating:
Summary: Not compatible with Handspring Visor
Review: I was very disappointed with this product. I purchased it for my Handspring Visor because it was the fastest modem on the market. I could never get it to work. First of all, it was not made for the Visor, it was made for the Revo, so none of the instructions in the box helped me set it up. I followed the instructions on Psion's web site, but after many more attempts, I was still unsucessful in connecting to my ISP. I even called Psion's technical support hotline, but got nowhere. After trying to get this product to work for about a month, I sent it back and purchased a Thincom 33.6 modem (about the same price) and was able to connect immediately. I am not saying that this is a bad product, it most likely works fine with Psion's PDAs, but, it is not a product that should be purchased for use with a Handspring Visor.

Rating:
Summary: As Small as a PalmPilot but with a Full Keyboard and More
Review: Psion invented the palmtop in the mid-80's and I have been a loyal Psion user since 1996.

Back then, and up until just a couple of years ago, you could actually buy Psions in stores like Office Depot or CompUSA. As PalmPilot's popularity grew and eventually WindowsCE entered the fray, Psion has fallen off of the US retail map while still maintaining a comfortable lead worldwide. The Revo, and Psion's new partnership with Amazon.com, should bring them back to the states for good.

The first thing you have to ask yourself is if you're a stylus or a keyboard-input person. For me it's comparable to the mouse vs. keyboard debate on a PC. The more of a "power user" you are the less you'll use the mouse, choosing instead to use keyboard shortcuts, etc. First-time users will no doubt lean more heavily on the mouse/stylus for input, but as you become more comfortable it is nice to have a more direct way for input. Unfortunately with PalmPilots you never get that chance to graduate (yes, I'm aware of the tacky add-on keyboards available for PalmPilots, but I'm talking about something I can whip out of my coat pocket and use in seconds rather than having to assemble an erector set every time I want to enter data). Some WindowsCE devices have keyboards, and I have tried them, but I am disgusted by the usability of their software. That is by far Psion's chief advantage, superior built-in software. And if you absolutely must use the stylus it is right there, tucked away inside the body.

The Amazon.com review touches on a few of the applications but doesn't do justice to a couple of them: Agenda, which is the PIM that comes standard, is the most powerful time-management suite you'll ever use. Customizable and flexible it will make you wish Psion made a PC-version for your desktop PC.

Data (and Contacts) are database programs that also blow away anything I've ever seen on other palmtop platforms. I have huge databases of information that can be searched, sorted and genuinely used within mere seconds. Built-in email, Internet browser (I have to confess I've never used the web application, I don't yet care to use a four inch screen to read today's headlines), word processor, spreadsheet, notetaker and more all will do most everything you need. I also use a couple of freeware programs, one called ABP for banking and financial account maintenance which can synchronize with Money or Quicken.

And don't bother comparing the hardware specifications of the WindowsCE or PalmPilot machines to the Revo because it is irrelevant. When closed it is so small it will comfortable fit in a shirt pocket. And when open it has an ingenuous design which slides the keyboard out to give you a very useable device (the keyboard's tactile function is actually very nice, it just takes a couple of days of getting used to it).

As referenced in the Amazon.com review, Psion licenses their software from a company called Symbian which is actually the new name for Psion Software. Symbian is a partnership between Psion, Motorola, Nokia and Ericsson. (Any ideas why the top three cellular companies in the world would want to partner with a British palmtop maker?) This software is custom written to provide two extreme benefits: speed of use and low power consumption. It is very realistic to expect to get two or more weeks of average usage out of the built-in Revo rechargeable batteries. And you'll never look at an hourglass while switching tasks or applications again. It will spoil you when you return to your desktop PC!

The docking cradle and PsiWin synchronizing software really are easy to use and reliable. I have never had a problem with the Revo unnecessarily coming out of its cradle as the Amazon.com review states, in fact I usually leave my Psion docked right beside my PC as an essential reference source for information when I'm working.

Am I biased? Of course, I love these things and can't wait to see what comes next from them. I bought the Revo sight-unseen after only reading the reviews and details on the Internet, and I have been very glad I did ever since.

Rating:
Summary: Great modem for your PDA
Review: This is a great way to get on the internet while on the go. It works with almost all platforms of PDA, be it a Palm, Pocket PC or Psion. Also, because it uses the IRDA port, you can get on the net and still use your expansion slot for memory. My only complaint is the battery life... which falls somewhat short of the advertised "4 hours". If you plan on doing a lot of traveling, you might want to pick up the optional AC adapter for this while you are at it. Other than the battery life, this is a great little unit and well worth the money.

Rating:
Summary: Great modem for your PDA
Review: This is a great way to get on the internet while on the go. It works with almost all platforms of PDA, be it a Palm, Pocket PC or Psion. Also, because it uses the IRDA port, you can get on the net and still use your expansion slot for memory. My only complaint is the battery life... which falls somewhat short of the advertised "4 hours". If you plan on doing a lot of traveling, you might want to pick up the optional AC adapter for this while you are at it. Other than the battery life, this is a great little unit and well worth the money.