thinking about the TG-50... two questions for users

[Headgamer]

Hi all,

I am new here, and a present Handspring Prism user. I am thinking of upgrading to the TG50, but had a couple of questions about it based on reviews I have read out there. I am hoping you folks would be kind enough to provide some answers...

1) I have read about the screen anomaly at the bottom of the display (white/dark waves). I have not been able to see one in stores yet, so cannot judge how noticeable or annoying it is. Can you folks comment on it and how bad it is?

2) The Bluetooth appears to be rated at around 30 feet. Will there be any way to extend that range at all? I plan on getting a bluetooth dongle, and would go ahead and get one with longer range if there would be any possible way to extend the TG50's range.

Thanks for the help!

HG...

[jaydisc]

1. Bairly noticeable in my opinion (everyone's will vary), but every Clie I've seen appears to suffer the same afflication, specifically my original T615.

2. If you get a long range dongle for your PC, the TG50's range doesn't need to be long. I haven't done any testing on the Bluetooth range

[Steve-O]

1) The screen anomaly doesn't bother me at all. In fact, the only time I remember it has one is when I read this forum! I would think a dead pixel would be much more annoying, which I don't have luckily.

2) Belkin makes a long range bluetooth usb dongle. Check out CompUSA or PCConnection's websites. It's the one that has a shark fin-looking antenna.

[TechnoCat]

Originally posted by Headgamer
2) The Bluetooth appears to be rated at around 30 feet. Will there be any way to extend that range at all? I plan on getting a bluetooth dongle, and would go ahead and get one with longer range if there would be any possible way to extend the TG50's range.[/B]Most likely you won't get 30 feet. Ten feet is more typical; Bluetooth is very low-power, and the 30 feet is "line of sight"; it only goes that far with no obstructions.

To maximize it, get a dongle with an antenna on it instead of in it, or better yet an access point, which costs four times as much but tends to be much better. Connect the dongle or access point by a USB cable, rather than directly to your computer or hub, and mount it as high and close to where you'll be as you can. USB cables are only a few meters long, because USB is very timing dependent, but a bit of high makes a big difference in going over obstacles.

[Headgamer]

So it's the range of the dongle that matters, not the PDA itself? I have seen the dongle you are talking about - has like a 200 ft range or something. Does that mean that my TG50 (if and when I get one) would be able to access my PC's internet connection from 200 ft way, or is it still limited to the TG50's estimated 30 ft range?

Sorry, but this bluetooth stuff is all new to me...

HG...

[TechnoCat]

Originally posted by Headgamer
So it's the range of the dongle that matters, not the PDA itself? I have seen the dongle you are talking about - has like a 200 ft range or something. Does that mean that my TG50 (if and when I get one) would be able to access my PC's internet connection from 200 ft way, or is it still limited to the TG50's estimated 30 ft range?The PDA's range is very limited, but there's nothing you can do about that. Range depends on two things, receiving and transmitting. A strong base (dongle or access point) can transmit a strong enough signal to give you the 30 feet line-of-sight, maybe even more, to the PDA, but without being able to hear the pda back, it won't matter.

That's why you want the height and no obstacles, to better your chances, and an antenna on the dongle to make it a better listener. But a wall will reduce the signal distance by a lot. You aren't going to get 60 feet from the TG50 regardless of what access point you use, but you might only get five feet if you simply plug a cheap dongle into the back of your computer and sit somewhere in front (i.e. the other side) of your computer with the TG50.

[Headgamer]

Man, techno, that's kind of diappointing. Does Wi-Fi compare any better? Just curious...

HG...

[TechnoCat]

Originally posted by Headgamer
Man, techno, that's kind of disappointing. Does Wi-Fi compare any better? Just curious...Yes, WiFi has much greater range, but it uses a lot more power also. So devices are either bigger and heavier due to the bigger battery, or only run for short bursts.

[nekrataal]

I've had my TG-50 for about a week now, and I didn't even know that the screen has a problem till I read it just now in this thread. As far as Bluetooth goes, its NOT designed for networking. It was developed for the PAN or Personal Area Network concept about 7 years back. Its only becoming a reality now, but basically its a little wireless network between your cell, palm, headset...etc. Primarily device-device communications and all of which are on your *person*, so range was never really built into the specifications. WiFi was BUILT for range, but as TechnoCat says, it sucks your battery dry. Besides, i'd rather use my T68i and check my mail for a few bucks a month rather than having to pay Starbucks through the nose everytime. That and I can do it anywhere, without a hotspot which are few and far in between.

[Headgamer]

LOL... well, I live in Bismarck, ND... we're lucky just to have electricity... just kidding! Seriously, the idea of Starbucks with wireless access points is not even remotely close to getting here. I simply want to be able to SMS or use Messenger via my Palm while sitting on the couch. Nothing major. At most, I'd want to be able to check some email/do minor surfing from the bedat night while trying to get to sleep. Problem is, bedroom is upstairs, computer is downstairs in the room below... Don't think bluetooth or wi-fi would work for that... though like I had said before I am clueless about this wireless stuff....

HG...

[graph101]

nekrataal where did you get your t68i? from att or tmobile? i saw a couple of unlocked and upgraded from t68-t68i originally from ATT at half.com and thinking of getting it over tmobiles skyblue colored t68i. i have tmobile service so do you think att will work on TMOBILE?

[nekrataal]

no idea, you gotta ask the tmobile guys. I'm pretty sure that cingular's the only one that uses locked phones, but you'd better double check