Customer Reviews

Royal Vista Credit Card Size Organizer

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I got a Royal Vista for Xmas, returned it the next day. The unit shipped with four dead batteries. With fresh new batteries, the display was still dim even on the highest contrast setting, except when the serial port was plugged in and Vista Sync was running on my PC -- then it was OK or maybe needed the contrast turned down a bit. I could not get the unit to transfer data to or from either of my PC's. Both the unit and the PC said the data transferred successfully, but in fact, nothing transferred. In addition, the PIM that comes with it ("Royal Link") did not match the Vista's features very well -- field lengths were different, etc. The inability to successfully transfer data to/from my PC was the thing that convinced me to return the unit. I tried -- I did everything the help files on the CDROM and their web site said; then I called their long distance support number and waited an hour without speaking to a human before I gave up.

This is advertised as a very compact organizer and seems like a great value at first... then you realize that without the "convenient" keyboard, there is no way to enter data at all. I figured you'd at least be able to enter numbers by hitting the up and down arrows, but no such luck. That means you don't only have to carry around the compact unit, but also the not-so-compact plug in keyboard. I'm going to try and return this. I hope they take it back (cannot be repackaged due to annoying plastic package that you have to cut with scissors to open).

Stay away from this item. I bought one, and couldn't get it to work. Whenever I tried to input data from the keyboard, the screen began to flicker and then would freeze. The only way I could shut it off was by holding down a key on the keyboard and hitting the on/off button on the organizer. I exchanged this for another one, and lo and behold, I had the same problem. Trying to get through to customer service is impossible. Forget about it!

I bought this and returned it the next day. It is difficult to use, and it refused to power up 3 times in the single day I owned it! I had to reset it in order to get it to power up. The keyboard is cumbersome, and disconnects too easily. I returned it, and purchased a Casio PV400-Plus instead, and I have been very pleased.

Do not fall for this organizer's value, you are getting nothing out of it. I have had numerous problems with it, not caused by me or my computer, but the way it was programmed to run. Whenever you are typing a message, you can only put 100 characters! The screen flickers and flashes whenever you type, and it is a disaster for all the fast typers of the world, YOU HAVE TO PUNCH THE KEYS JUST TO GET IT TO WORK! The next time someone talks to ROYAL, ask one of them if they ever heard of a backspace button. The simplist task of just deleting a letter requires you to press the < button and then hit delete or overwrite it. Don't be fooled, this is not a good PDA.

The compact size was a real selling point for me, but it's a huge drain on batteries. I'd put in new batteries and immediately the "low battery" indicator would come up. It doesn't do a complete synch transfer to my PC, which is also irritating. To top it off, if your keyboard cord wiggles slightly out of the slot, you're screwed because it never works right again. Hopefully I'll have better luck with my next PDA.

I had many of the same problems as the other reviewers. I did not give up and after several days was able to work around the problems, except the back space key thing! I am sure that most readers would not be willing to persevere. But if you do you may be like me and fall in love with this organizer. It is small with a lot of features and memory for the price. It is perfect for me. Who knows, if you're lucky you may get one that actually works right out of the box!

I got one for Xmas and it broke 3 months later. the screen cracked, keyboard stopped fuctioning. I opened it up and found it was poor;y assembled. the screen was not reenforced. The biggest piece of junk ever!

First of all, fellow New Yorker marcr2 is not being fair to the Vista, because on the packaging it states clearly this uses the included foldable keyboard. In fact it says you input data either by using the keyboard or by syncing. It's not fair to criticize the manufacturer just because you fail to read the product description closely.

The Vista is a rudimentary electronic planner that can store up to 12,000 records. I saw it at an Odd Job discount store on Lexington Ave and it was selling for forteen dolas, so I bought it just to see what it was like. Well, doesn't look like I'll throw away my HP iPaq 1910 Pocket PC any time soon. The Vista is cute and really small and weighs only 1.6 oz with its two watch-type batteries (one for backup), but since you need the keyboard or a PC to input data, it's not convenient. The user interface is more complicated than necessary, although it's not hard to figure things out on your own. If you get lost, the 4-point-font user's guide helps. It also comes with PC sync software although I have not tested it since this is not going to be my main PDA. For me it's more a toy. But I can see my dad using it; in fact I'm buying him the version with a stylus and touch-screen for the same low forten dolas.

If you just want a simple calendar/addressbook/reminder and don't do much input on the road (or don't mind carrying the 0.5-oz keyboard with you), the Vista is the perfect size, and its price is right. For people with serious PDA needs -- such as downloading games and programs -- you need a Pocket PC or Palm.

I bought this little PDA for my husband so that he would have an easily replaced PDA incase of loss or damage as he works around heavy machines that have eaten up pagers and other items before. He loves it as it is small enough to fit in his wallet but he can attach the keyboard to add information as required. He has had nothing but good to say about this PDA. Those of you who want the high dollar toys don't buy this one, BUT if you want a PDA for your phone numbers, appointments and with the ability to download to your home or office PC this is an low cost great buy.