NX 80 Design flaws

[dihinaloudh]

Love my NX 80, but...

a) Congratulations to Sony for inventing a stick that breaks with normal usage! The stylus no longer locks open... I mean the fact that this is the first stylus that has EVER worn out on me. Their little telescoping styli are, I suspect, a way to make sure that once someone buys into the Sony Palm line, they will have to fork over a little more cash to Sony.

b) After a lot of use in tablet mode, I am noticing that the buttons are causing the finish on the back of the LCD to wear off. I have no problem with a little wear and tear (though it will certainly lower resale value) but this happened so quickly that I would have to call it a design flaw. Too bad the little rubber bumpers designed to keep the screen up off the buttons don't work. Am I the only one with this problem?

I suspect these issues have been discussed already, but I just wanted to vent a bit. Guess I'll have to buy a pack of replacement styli, and I am thinking of putting a screen protector on the BACK of the LCD as well, just to keep more of the finish from wearing off.

[Spikesdacoolest]

I have a bit of finish wear and I've had mine since christmas but I just thought that mine was from keeping it in my pocket....I do feel like I'm going to break the stylus everytime I take it out of the silo though :/ kinda stupid that it clicks into place SO firmly that you have to feel like if you accidently let go of the PDA while trying to take the stylus out that it would go flying and break. also I don't use that tablet mode buttons...thought I would but I don't...I use the stylus for most of it.

[timage]

What's scary about the stylus as well is that there is a little O-ring at the point where it telescopes that can come off. If it comes off while the stylus is in the Clie, it has the possibility of not allowing you to close the CF slot on the back of the unit.

Bummer. I just carry a stylus from my Palm III (a great, sturdy, well-weighted stylus) in my case and use that.

[BMEngineer]

You may want to get some stylus fof NX from some of the third party manufacturer

[aussie_nx70v]

I've got the NX70V and ive also noticed that the two rubber bumbers are causing more trouble then they are worth. About three 6 months ago i noticed that they were rubbing off the finish off the screen border as well.

The NX looked so good when i first purchased it (new). No so good looking as time goes on. I hope this isnt a sign of the new Clies to come !

[bighornsheep]

Originally posted by dihinaloudh
Love my NX 80, but...

a) Congratulations to Sony for inventing a stick that breaks with normal usage! The stylus no longer locks open... I mean the fact that this is the first stylus that has EVER worn out on me. Their little telescoping styli are, I suspect, a way to make sure that once someone buys into the Sony Palm line, they will have to fork over a little more cash to Sony.

b) After a lot of use in tablet mode, I am noticing that the buttons are causing the finish on the back of the LCD to wear off. I have no problem with a little wear and tear (though it will certainly lower resale value) but this happened so quickly that I would have to call it a design flaw. Too bad the little rubber bumpers designed to keep the screen up off the buttons don't work. Am I the only one with this problem?

I suspect these issues have been discussed already, but I just wanted to vent a bit. Guess I'll have to buy a pack of replacement styli, and I am thinking of putting a screen protector on the BACK of the LCD as well, just to keep more of the finish from wearing off.

I have the nx73 so your problems should be universial for both.

However I don't experience neither of your problems.
The stylus should be very good, I always play with it pulling it up and down, for the past 5 months now and it still holds up stongly

Have you dropped it before?

About the finish coming off, now this is really weird. Because 73/80 the keyboard is caved in abit in the centre, so you shouldn't really have a problem about most of the buttons.

Also, are you like jamming your stylus too hard on the screen?
Maybe if that's so, it would explain why the finish is coming off so soon.

[GodOwnsAnNX80]

Oh boy, and whine thread! Hooray!

1) If the keyboard buttons stuck up just one more millimeter it would be so much easier to touch type.
2) The PDA should turn on when you open it and turn off when you close it. There is *NO* excuse for it not to be able to do this. I've had PDAs from the 80s that could do this. It's a basic function.
3) The backlight is too bright. Seriously, who runs theirs at full power for any reason? Other than as a flashlight? In a dark place, like maybe a play or opera, it's too distracting to others(and blinding to me) even at the lowest setting, so I can't use it. :mad:
4) Speaker should be front or edge mounted.
5) Stylus should be just as long as the PDA case and one piece, not the little telescopic toothpick it comes with. What I wouldn't give for the stylus from my Psion to fit. Although mine has been sturdy so far.
6) Need to be able to disable or re-map the Capture button. It's too easy to activate the camera while in my pocket. I'd like to just disable it since I'd open the PDA to access the camera screen anyway.
7) And speaking of the camera, it opens too easily. I'm constantly finding it rolled out for no reason and having to stuff it back in. And why does the image quality suck so badly? Some people would say "well what do you expect" and I say that I expect them to not even bother if it's worse than the one on my CELL PHONE.

I'll stop now. Honestly it's still the best PDA I've ever had. It just lacks some thoughtfullness in the usability department. Lots of bells and whistles but there are no handles on the bells and the whistles are to big to fit in your mouth.

[yr3698]

Originally posted by GodOwnsAnNX80
And why does the image quality suck so badly? Some people would say "well what do you expect" and I say that I expect them to not even bother if it's worse than the one on my CELL PHONE.

A 1.3mp ccd cam on a pda, now i would kill for something like that:p. I cant believe you say the image quality sucks.

On a side note, how good are cams on cell phones?

[GodOwnsAnNX80]

Originally posted by yr3698


A 1.3mp ccd cam on a pda, now i would kill for something like that:p. I cant believe you say the image quality sucks.

On a side note, how good are cams on cell phones?

The one on my cell is less pixels (don't recall the number) but the images are clearer.

I just remembered something else to whine about. There is a huge expanse of unused blank space on the keyboard side of the Clie... yet they still can't fit 0-9 and some punctuation keys on it? There's room enough for a whole second keyboard there!
And speaking of the keyboard, the key repeat rate is too slow. Is there a hack for that?

[Tim_axe]

I don't know about the keyrepeat rate...

I do know why the upper row of keys are imprinted on the back of my LCD though. In my case, the hindge for the LCD has weakened, and the LCD acturally rests on the thumboard. The Tablet Mode buttons acturally rest on the Clié also, and that is why the keys don't show up in that area as much (plus the keys end halfway down the Clié anyways). I acturally have a sqare imprint of my LCD on the body of the Clié since my hindge weakened so much. I don't think it will break, but it is scarry to see this happen. If I can get ahold of a sepeate digital camera, I'll take pics of it.

And I love the camera, I just wish it dealt with motion and extreame contrast better. Some of my best pics were in Japan, but here in Idaho they aren't quite as good.


(I'll link to some of my best pics (of 3000) I uploaded for another forum) 50% Resize, EXIF information retained. PM me for full size images.
http://home.steven.murphy.name/cliff/files/misc/photos_dsc00025_res.jpg
http://home.steven.murphy.name/cliff/files/misc/photos_dsc00036_res.jpg
http://home.steven.murphy.name/cliff/files/misc/photos_dsc00046_res.jpg

Now Idaho pics
http://home.steven.murphy.name/cliff/files/misc/photos_dsc00182_res.jpg
http://home.steven.murphy.name/cliff/files/misc/photos_dsc00905_res.jpg
http://home.steven.murphy.name/cliff/files/misc/photos_dsc01089_res.jpg (from inside a moving bus! very unexpected!)
http://home.steven.murphy.name/cliff/files/misc/photos_dsc01454_res.jpg
http://home.steven.murphy.name/cliff/files/misc/photos_dsc01592_res.jpg
http://home.steven.murphy.name/cliff/files/misc/photos_dsc01774_res.jpg

[stronggeek]

Originally posted by GodOwnsAnNX80
Oh boy, and whine thread! Hooray!

1) If the keyboard buttons stuck up just one more millimeter it would be so much easier to touch type. I agree, but not a huge factor me.


2) The PDA should turn on when you open it and turn off when you close it. There is *NO* excuse for it not to be able to do this. I've had PDAs from the 80s that could do this. It's a basic function This would be a nice option.


3) The backlight is too bright. Seriously, who runs theirs at full power for any reason? Other than as a flashlight? In a dark place, like maybe a play or opera, it's too distracting to others(and blinding to me) even at the lowest setting, so I can't use it. :mad:  I'm not mad but it's dissapointing that at night to only thing I can do that's not too destracting is read, because I can invert the program, but there are times I'd like to perform another activity, but (and I never thought I say this)1% is too bright!
4) Speaker should be front or edge mounted. Yes, but that goes for all clies
5) Stylus should be just as long as the PDA case and one piece, not the little telescopic toothpick it comes with. What I wouldn't give for the stylus from my Psion to fit. Although mine has been sturdy so far. I don't like the stylus at all. I only use it in a pinch (like if I misplaced my mult-pen).
6) Need to be able to disable or re-map the Capture button. It's too easy to activate the camera while in my pocket. I'd like to just disable it since I'd open the PDA to access the camera screen anyway.
7) And speaking of the camera, it opens too easily. I'm constantly finding it rolled out for no reason and having to stuff it back in. And why does the image quality suck so badly? Some people would say "well what do you expect" and I say that I expect them to not even bother if it's worse than the one on my CELL PHONE.Happens to me also, if I put my clie in my pocket unlocked, but normally I've activated while putting it in or taking it out, not while it's in there.

But I agree with yr3698, image quality on my NX80 (got to wonder if you have a bad cam) is fantastic for me and what kind of phone do you have? Because I've got a VX6000 and it takes great shots, but no where near the quality of my NX

I'll stop now. Honestly it's still the best PDA I've ever had.  Same here

It just lacks some thoughtfullness in the usability department. Lots of bells and whistles but there are no handles on the bells and the whistles are to big to fit in your mouth. :) But obviously we ended up with the NX80 for none of these factors are deal breakers- for either one of us  

[CopyCat]

My NX70 has been perfect. I love it and enjoy everything it does for me:D

Its a bummer yall bought something you don't like, maybe you should have bought something else.

[marino]

I have the NX80 and I have had it for the last 6 months. It has been the best PDA I have ever owned, and thanks to BB, I have owned quite a few. The camera is perfect for me, and has taken some amazing pictures. As for turning the clie off when you close it, try okey, pretty amazing program. However, I also have had some of the finish come off. But overall, for the minor flaws, the NX80 is perfect, and I really couldnt see myself owning another model, well for right now, lets see what OS6 machines bring us. But even still, they better be able to stand the test compared to my NX80

[aussie_nx70v]

Originally posted by CopyCat
My NX70 has been perfect. I love it and enjoy everything it does for me:D

Its a bummer yall bought something you don't like, maybe you should have bought something else.

I never said i dont like my NX70V. I just think the build quality could have been abit better.

I love the unit and quite frankly would not change it for anything else that is on the market today. Beleive me, ive been offered plenty and rejected every one.

My NX70V forms an integral part of my law enforcement duties and puts every handheld unit that my collegues have to shame !!

SHAME....SHAME....SHAME......

[wrbonfield]

seeing that this is an NX forum there arent going to be many people who are actually dissapointed or mad about their nx. i wish people who switched to other models or to pocket pcs would stop by and comment.

i dont have my nx73 (yet) and am still in the process of deciding whether its worth my 305 bucks. so far, i think im gunna buy.

[stronggeek]

Originally posted by aussie_nx70v


I never said i dont like my NX70V. I just think the build quality could have been abit better.

I love the unit and quite frankly would not change it for anything else that is on the market today. Beleive me, ive been offered plenty and rejected every one.


Yeah, same here.

I'm not sure who or for that matter what Copycat was referencing, but I like that even though we realize that the NX is the best series to date we're not so blind as to admit that is not flawless and that certain features can definitely be improved.

[BMEngineer]

Anyone would like an NX80 without the thumbboard? (Thc NX will only have a thickness of the screen!!!)

[meir87]

The Keyboard isn't the only thing on that half of the Clie so it doesn't add much thickness. In fact Everything with exception to the screen (proccessor, MS slot, "motherboard", CF slot, and internal storage) is found on the keyboard half of the Clie. Making it a pure tablet mode pda would not make it much thinner (maybe 1/16in less).

[BMEngineer]

sorry but i didn mention the keyboard alone....i mean the whole keyboard half of the NX!

[meir87]

With out the keyboard half of it you only have a screen. There is nothing for it to display because it has no source of power, no proccessor, and no data storage.

[BMEngineer]

How can i explain this to you.........A CLIE with the thickness of the screen!!!!! Never mind you won understand.

[BMEngineer]

I will save anymore of my explanations on you....because this is wat i feel future NX should have.....Whole unit is about the thickness of the screen. Maybe you should read more to understand words better :D

[meir87]

Ok. I understand. So you're saying something hypothetically. It can't actually be made.

[BMEngineer]

Finally you do and i am relieve now :D. It can be done actually, since people manage to reduce the size of the laptop to the size of the palm, why not for CLIE also ?

Anything is possible.....

[meir87]

Well it can be made with current technology. The screen with the casing is only 1/5in thick and there aren't any color lcds thinner than 1/10in. I don't think you can squeeze All the circuitry that the clie need into a 1/10in space and even that is generous because the metal has some thickness.

[Tim_axe]

If squeezing it in like that was somehow possible (in the future, and it can be thicker) it would be an amazing device. Kinda like a mini-spiral-note book that does a whole lot more. I think I'd accidentally find myself chucking it like a ninja-star (?) though, so it is definately a good thing tech isn't at that point yet. :D


Anyways, I don't know if it has been posted before, but I've taken some pictures of my Clié and highlighted some wear spots that I mentioned in my other post in this thread. So here it is: http://home.steven.murphy.name/cliff/files/misc/photos_clie_wear_spots.jpg

And I've never managed to break my MG-MS during normal usage as the OP mentioned... It pops out a little bit some times, but is usally snuggly in there.

All in all though, I love the NX80V; nobody else in my area has a PDA with a Camera. I have the sweetest Clié at my school, and I'm working on making my own Virtural Graffiti screen, and also figuring out why NXSkinGen.exe isn't compiling my skins right... I need to set my Clié apart from everyone else's by just that little bit. :)

[bighornsheep]

Originally posted by Tim_axe

Anyways, I don't know if it has been posted before, but I've taken some pictures of my Clié and highlighted some wear spots that I mentioned in my other post in this thread. So here it is: http://home.steven.murphy.name/cliff/files/misc/photos_clie_wear_spots.jpg


Woohhhh.....
That's bad..

How can you ruin your expensive device like that?

I have the nx73 for 6 months now and it's still perfect brand new condition.

You should get a case for it or something....

[acraniotes]

I don't know about the NX73, but the NX80's finish is pretty fragile. I keep mine in a case, or in my back pocket (with nothing else, other than lint), and I've got a few "unexplained" scuffs and scratches. My NR70 was a lot more durable in this respect. Of course, cosmetic issues aside, it's been a rock-solid, reliable PDA. I've even dropped it a couple of times (which would account for the "explained" scuffs and scratches), and it has never let me down.

All things considered, it still looks pretty good when one takes into account just how much I use it.

- Adam

PS - I've had it since August.

[meir87]

You put your Clie in your back pocket??? I'd forget and sit on it.

[acraniotes]

Ha! Actually, I've been doing this since my Palm V days, so checking my rear before I sit down is akin to an autonomic reflex at this point in the game. Mind you, I have sat on my V, Vx and 505 - they were so damn small, sometimes I would forget they were there. Don't really have that problem with the NX80, though. It fits, but you know it's back there (okay, that didn't sound quite right, but you get the picture).

- Adam

PS - Actually, none of what I wrote sounded "quite right", come to think of it...

[meir87]

LOL :D

[DZEL]

Hey I have the same problems as ( Tim_axe ) with my nx80v, and I have a case for it. I take good care of my clie. I've hade mine for 3 or 4 months now. And I think ( GodOwnsAnNX80 ) is right about the 1-9 buttons they should be added there is a lot of room, and also the blue and pinkish prints next to the buttons on the keyboard are not back lited, so you cant see them in the dark. And my camera resolution isn't very good either (for stills or movies). You need to put the sun in a room to take a good picture and hold still for like a minute to take a decent picture. The stylus is a pain in the... sometimes it gets jamed and I have a hard time to pull it open and there are times when is way to easy to open it (I have the impresion I'm gonna brake it) mine doesn't click when its open any more but it still stays open.