Questions before I buy.

[gapost]

Looking to get one of these palms. A couple of questions.

How is the screen outside in bright sun?
Can the backlight be turned off when outside to save power?
Is there a cover for the screen or do you have to use the case?
Finally, how do mp3's sound through headphones or buds?

Thanks to anyone who replies.

Oh, and how does it sync with Outlook. The older Palms had Chapura PocketMirror.

[dequardo]

Originally posted by gapost
Looking to get one of these palms. A couple of questions.

How is the screen outside in bright sun?
Can the backlight be turned off when outside to save power?
Is there a cover for the screen or do you have to use the case?
Finally, how do mp3's sound through headphones or buds?

Thanks to anyone who replies.

Oh, and how does it sync with Outlook. The older Palms had Chapura PocketMirror.

1) Screen is OK outside. You'll need to turn up the brightness a bit.

2) No but can be minimized.

3) no cover

4) IMO great.

5) Yes comes with 3.1.3 of Pocket Mirror

[gapost]

Thanks for the reply. I am considering the Zire 71 or the Tungsten T. I am kind of leaning toward the T because I probably use my palm outside in the sun as much as inside and I understand the T has a reflective screen, which is better outside.

[gapost]

I can answer a couple of my own questions.

I compared the Zire 71 side-by-side with the Tungsten T outside in full sun. On both, the backlight was a non-issue as you could not tell if it was on or off. Compared to the T, the Zire screen was not as clear and sharp as the Tungsten. It looked pretty good as it is "transflective" according to Palm. However the T, was clearly the best outside. Also, the ability to turn the backlight off on the T would help save the battery. You cannot turn off the backlight on the Zire.

For sure, the Zire 71 has a brighter screen inside the store, with both backlights at maximum. I would say inside, they are just about the same in clarity.

Hope this helps some others.

[boysofsummer32]

Hello,

I have a Visor Prism currently. I am thinking of upgrading to the Zire 71 because I am looking for a palm with a better screen. I will use the camera and mp3 player though they aren't the main features that appeal the most to me. There are a few issues on my mind:

1) How does the screen (i.e. brightness, resolution) of the Zire compare to that of the Prism?

2) How does the battery life differ?

3) My Prism has a defect in the screen where I tap in one spot and it thinks I am tapping somewhere else to the left or right. This may be because it is a refurbished model. Does the Zire 71 have any defects like these?

4) OS 5 vs. OS 3.5.2H1.5. Are there just as many programs for 5 as 3.5.2?

and finally

5) Is the design of the Zire better than that of the Prism? In example, where the power button is located or the up/down buttons vs. joystick.

[dequardo]

Screen blows away the Prism's primarily due to the 320x320 resolution. Brighter also. Power button is not as good as it can be easily trigger by the stylus location. Power button action is fine.

Battery life on the 71 will exceed that of the Prism.

OS is greatly improved over 3.5.2 on the Prism.

Yes, IMO it is simply better all around. Don't forget uses a non-proprietary memory slot also.

[boysofsummer32]

thank you very much dequardo

[iiicRules]

Extra point on the OS difference- you said are there as many programs for os 5 as os 3xanswer is yes because OS 5 runs most of the old OS 3x programs and all the new OS 5 programs. OS 5 programs are extremely impressive.

DJ Sammy fan are you??!

iiicRuled

[boysofsummer32]

Thank you for your reply. lol. no i am not a D.J. Sammy fan. Boysofsummer is the name of my boat. and 32 is a random number.

[gonnabe]

3) My Prism has a defect in the screen where I tap in one spot and it thinks I am tapping somewhere else to the left or right. This may be because it is a refurbished model. Does the Zire 71 have any defects like these?

Have you tried recalibrating the digitizer on your Prism? Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but sometimes the most basic problems can be fixed rather easily.

If you're not familiar with the process, just tap on your Preferences (Prefs) icon, then select Digitizer from the drop-down menu and follow the steps, being sure to tap as precisely as possible during the recalibration.

Thought I'd mention it just in case...

[boysofsummer32]

Yes I have tried that. Basically that is the only thing that keeps me sane. I have to do that almost every day because the Prism gets so messed up. Thank you for your help and support dequardo, iiicrules, and gonnabe.