Glenayre @ctiveLink Wireless Messaging Springboard Module and Handspring Visor Deluxe Bundle

by Glenayre

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.8 x 2.2 x 1.4 inches ; 8.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00004W4E7
• Batteries: 4 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #415,068 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 29, 2000

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Glenayre @ctiveLink Wireless Messaging Module transforms the included Handspring Visor Deluxe into a wireless interactive messaging device. Now you can send messages wirelessly to any e-mail address; receive sports, stock market, and weather updates; look up telephone numbers; and more. The Handspring Visor's 8 MB of memory allows you to store approximately 500 e-mails and other messages. And you'll never miss an important message, since you can keep the @ctiveLink Wireless Messaging Module always turned on--whether it's in or out of your Handspring Visor.

The @ctiveLink module comes with preloaded applications for your Handspring Visor, including BeamLink (for sending and receiving e-mail messages) and InfoBeam (for querying and receiving updates from Internet information services).

Important note to customers: The Glenayre @ctiveLink Wireless Messaging Module requires a minimum $24.95 monthly wireless service option through Metrocall. An activation card with details is included in the box. For information on Metrocall's nationwide coverage, check storefront.metrocall.com/Metrocall/coverages/coverage_2way.asp or contact the customer service department at [phone].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glenayre's @ctiveLink Module is Fabulous!, October 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Glenayre @ctiveLink Wireless Messaging Springboard Module and Handspring Visor Deluxe Bundle (Office Product)

This module has features and capabilities no other seems to have. It's "always on" so there's no waiting and no busy signal. It can work outside the Visor! It is two-way. Lots of power and you can reliably connect from anywhere, and STAY connected because it's always ON. It uses ReFLEX technology that can retain connections anywhere in the world, so you don't have to worry about travelling. I find this to be the most reliable gadget of this type, with a lot of available software to expand capabilities as needed.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Visors (I know nothing about the included module), March 26, 2001

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Glenayre @ctiveLink Wireless Messaging Springboard Module and Handspring Visor Deluxe Bundle (Office Product)

(I have a visor deluxe graphite, but I will post it up under all visors, because the comments apply to all of them unless otherwise noted)

I finally decided to get a handheld, so after dropping a few hints, I got a Visor Deluxe for my 15th birthday (OK, OK, I totally walked my dad through the purchase process, but who cares?)

9 days (and based on battery use, over 2 months of normal use) later, here is my review. The Visor is pretty small, I don't know what people saying it was bulky were talking about. It is really easy to use, it took no getting used to, except for the graphiti. That's still a little wierd. It has a backlit screen, but I never figured out how to turn it on, my friend did. You hold down the power button. Hotsyncing couldn't be easier, you press the hotsync button on the cradle or on the visor's screen and it goes. The 2 MB visor will probably be good enough for you if you only download Freeware Apps and use it as an organizer, but if you are like me, you will need the 8MB of the deluxe, platinum, prism and edge. The screen is very clear of most things (digital photo albums can look pretty bad, but I think it is the App and not the Visor) It has been very reliable so far, I have installed nearly every App I could find, and no freezes, even soft ones. The stylus has a built in screwdriver and reset tool.

The downside- The OS is not upgradible, maybe someone will make a springboard module someday, but I doubt it, and it will cost alot and not allow you to use the springboard for anything else, killing it's main selling point over the Palm. And also, I am careful with it so I have put no scratches on it, but I let some people borrow it, and I am seeing some. I am mad now (no, that does not read mad cow, mad now) Screen covers cost about $2, but they take all the un out of even owning one. they are that terrible. If worst comes to worst, you can replace the screen down the road for $50. even if you have to replace it once a year (which you shouldn't, but just for the sake of argument) it is worth it. A screen cover ruins everything. Being the careful user you will be, you shouldn't scratch it too badly too quickly.

Comparing to a Palm- this is Much better than a Palm. My friend has a Palm. I hate it. OK, I don't hate it, but it is a mere shadow of mine. the screen quality of the Visor is much better for moving things such as games, and the buttons on the visor are 10 times easier to push, the difference between winning and losing in many cases. The Springboard port is the final factor that puts the Visor way ahead of the Palm. You can get modems, cameras, more space, GPS, cell phones, voice recording, Games, Mp3 players (tisk tisk, stealing music, eh? Kids these days!) You name it, they got it. (look under springboard modules here at Amazon for things I missed) But one thing that annoys me about the Visor and not about the Palm is the infrared port. The visors is in an Akward location, and the Palm's is not (see pictures) And the Visor does not have an upgradible OS, but that doesn't matter too much, so far they have been little more than a minor update. All in all, definitly buy the Visor.

Choosing the right Visor- REGULAR- This has OS 3.1 and 2MB of ram. this is enough only for people who plan to use it for it's designed purpose. If it's not enough, you can upgrade later via Springboard cards. 4 shades of grey DELUXE-Cool colors (which I opted against to avoid too much attention), 3.1, and 8MB of Ram. 4 shades of grey too. PLATINUM-Faster processor, but it's not necessary. However, if you can cough up the cash, it is worth it, because it displays 16 shades of grey and OS 3.5. EDGE-Just like the Platinum, only much thinner. However, putting on a springboard card makes it about as thick as the regular ones. PRISM-Just like the Platinum, only it is in color. Definitly worth it if you got the cash.

PS-to avoid scratches, DON'T LET PEOPLE BORROW IT!!!!!!! I can't stress that enough. People are stupid. Kids these days!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Never worked, March 2, 2001

By 

"dbhtrainr" (Sterling Heights, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Glenayre @ctiveLink Wireless Messaging Springboard Module and Handspring Visor Deluxe Bundle (Office Product)

I ordered this with high hopes. I was severely disappointed. This unit came with Metrocall service and after 2 weeks of doing everything humanly possible, and 4 hours online with customer service and everyone possible, I mailed it back today. This unit looked great and was a serious disappointment. Part of the problem is that you have 3 or more providers with each piece of equipment. 1)hardware 2)wireless service 3)software writers for hardware operation and programs. This just seems to be too many cooks in the kitchen. Everytime I had a problem, each would point fingers at the others. I, being the customer did not appreciate that and the attendant wasting of my time.