H.C.L. Electronics 16MB Flash Springboard Module

by HCL

Product Details

• Item Weight: 0.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 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: B00005BGB8
• Item model number: HSB-16B
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,968 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 3, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Hagiwara Sys-Com 16 MB flash memory module allows users to store applications and data files such as e-books without using precious internal memory. With the built-in file-mover application, you can back up your data or copy, move, and delete applications and data files to and from the flash module. This module stores up to 400 typical Palm OS applications.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From A Medical/Professional Prospective, November 4, 2001

By 

"ucsf-med" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: H.C.L. Electronics 16MB Flash Springboard Module (Office Product)

So you took your brand new Palm out of the box and wondered, "Wow, what am I going to do with 8MB? That's so much memory!" And then after one week of downloading games and beaming programs from your friends, you hit the 8MB barrier. You had promised yourself that you would use it for all those medical databases and your PDA is full before you get a chance to load some. What to do? If you have a Handspring Visor, you can just buy more memory to plug into the SpringBoard expansion slot. The best memory expansion module that I have found for the Visor is the SpringBoard Flash Module by Hagiwara.

The two big advantages to the Hagiwara SpringBoard Flash Module are low power consumption and seamless operation. When I tested out a competing memory standard (CompactFlash Adapter), it drained my batteries within a week of normal operation, regardless of how often I used it. On the other hand, I have not noticed any decrease in battery life with the SpringBoard Flash Module. Moreover, the operation of the SpringBoard Flash Module is seamless. I use the regular program Launcher that comes standard with the PalmOS, I can beam programs and files directly from the Flash Module, and there is no delay when loading a program from the Flash Module. In stark contrast, the CompactFlash Adapter requires a special program to run files directly from the expanded memory and there are significant delays when running programs directly.

The only deficiency associated with the SpringBoard Flash Module is that it is read-only. Meaning, files that are moved onto the Flash Module cannot be edited or updated; they must be first moved into the internal memory (or just kept there) first. With most medical databases, this is not much of a problem, as they are basically unchanging electronic encyclopedias. Additionally, text files and other documents that you may update regularly are often small and the memory savings from saving them to the expansion memory is trivial. However, some programs like Vindigo or ePocrates have files that are constantly updated and edited. If these files are loaded into the Flash Module, the Visor crashes when you try to run the program (just do a reboot and move the file back into internal memory).

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Addition to any Visor, November 7, 2001

By 

Daniel Sweeney (Grimes, IA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: H.C.L. Electronics 16MB Flash Springboard Module (Office Product)

It couldn't be easier to use. I opened my package from Amazon, inserted the 16MB Springboard Module, and voilà, I have more than double the memory. The file mover is simple to understand, and it's easy to move both applications and data to and from the module. I've had no problems with reliability, and the only drain on battery life has resulted from increased usage since I have I have a lot more applications and games.

Owners of 2MB Visors need to be forewarned, however, that individual data files and applications are still limited by that 2MB barrier since they are first installed onto the Visor's internal memory and then moved to the module. Chances are this won't be a problem for you.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best springboard flash modual, June 16, 2001

By 

"rsibell" (Spring Lake Park, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: H.C.L. Electronics 16MB Flash Springboard Module (Office Product)

this, i must say is the most user-friendly flash modual for visor owners. when you first put it in a new application called file mover is visible. it allows you to move,delete,copy files from the modual and the handheld. it is very simple. the data transfer rate is about 1mb/minute. ive had mine for a couple months now and the only problem i had with it is if im running afterburner. and with 16mb of extra memory you can fit all those big e-books, dictionarys, games, etc. if you buy this you wont regrete it.