Customer Reviews

Xircom Rex 5001 with Docking Station

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have owned a Rex Pro now for 18 months and have found it very useful. It's size means that it fits easily in my wallet and the syncronisation with Outlook 97/98 and 2000 is superb. I realised just how good it was when the batteries went flat I had to live a day without it!

My only concerns to give to future buyers would be... 1. Buy the optional hard cover to stop it flexing in your pocket, it feels very easy to break and even though I have got the hard cover I've managed to damage my screen, although it still works! 2. The interface when undocked in rubbish. Typing into this device is a clumsy and offen tedious experience, don't as I have try to take down messages while somebody talks to you!

Even with these problems the fact that you can carry it anywhere without even trying makes it well worth the money...

An excellent, minimalist interface in a PC Card format. Tiny, wearable, perfect for a no-frills organizer, Rex is approximately parallel to the functionality found in a Palm's four main buttons (calendar, address book, to-dos, memos). The Rex adds a few more tricks like a two-clock multi-timezone view, but can't run third-party software, do email, write with a stylus, or beam via IR. But if you're looking for an organizer you're not necessarily looking for those features. The real downside for me is the slow (though passable) data entry when away from a computer. The upside is that, lacking a touchscreen interface, the view on the Rex is razor sharp.

A long time ago, I had the original Rex and I liked it, except it was a bother not being able to do any editing at all. I switched to the Palm V after losing the Rex in a cab.

I got frustrated with my Palm V. I wanted it everywhere, so I carried it in my pocket (without a carrying case--it was already too heavy). I ended up messing up the metal contacts in the back and now it has trouble syncing.

With this Rex model, editing is possible (although not pleasant). And, what I found out is that I can completely skip any local software except the sync program. I can just keep all my data on Yahoo and synch them down. That's great--I am usually connected to the internet, so updating the Yahoo data is easy. And I don't have to clutter up my PC with another hefty and flaky app.

I recently received my new 5001 after the screen of my last one got smashed in my briefcase. The new unit an updated REXpro comes with a see through mini plastic case for protection so it shouldn't re-occur. The unit itself is still I believe the best comprimise on features / size and price of all PDA's, it does everything and sync with Outlook as well as many other PIM apps - perfect and an absolute bargain. The input mechanism is slow but I don't think it will be used as that isn't the point let the PC keyboard take the strain and the REX let you "wear your data" -

Will its title on the box of "Wearable Information Accessory" ever catch on?

Great PC software support through TrueSync - an excellent and usable little gadget for the top shirt pocket...

Amazons price and delivery were also impressive. Recommended

I bought the REX because a Palm Pilot was to expensive for me and it didn't fit in my wallet. This one have all the functionality any occupied person could need, including alarm, contact list, to-do list and even the incredible amount of memory (512kb) allows me to copy my email, articles from the web, homework's, anything!... and then read them on-the-road! It does need 2 things: backlight and a better writing capabilities, but consider that is about the size of a credit card, and with just a week of practice you get used to it and the more you use it you'll save time and effort to remember all your activities, meetings, birthdays, etc. Once you have all the list of people (contacts) and all the list of activities you do: seminars, meeting, sport, etc with the touch of just few buttons you get scheduled your activity. It also can be sync with almost all the popular email (and PIM) software, I really recommend using it with Outlook 2000. This is a good mix of state of art technology and daily use need. No one may believe that all your life could fit in just a piece of plastic ;c)

I have recently purchased both the 5001 and the 6000 series REX, and found the 5001 to be more flexible in its synching options, and less delicate.

I use my REX primarily as an address book, to do list and notes. Input is not a big issue for me, nor is Web content downloads.

The 5001 uses the Starfish TrueSync technology to synch with any number of devices, including cell phones, Yahoo and Palm Desktop. I actually synch mine with both Palm Desktop and Yahoo simultaneously so that I have access to my addresses over the Internet.

The 6000 does not support TrueSync, limiting my synchronization options to be only Outlook, and the bundled desktop application. The 6000 also seems to be more delicate with both the screen and the buttons.

Bottom line: I just returned my 6000 and am ordering a second 5001.

I have had a Rex for about 3 years, and just got a Visor. While the Visor can certainly do more stuff, I find that the Rex is more useful on a day-to-day basis. TrueSync (which comes with the Rex - at least when it was sold by Franklin), can sync both devices. While syncing is a little cumbersome to set up, and not completely bug-free, it works pretty well. I also find it easier to add some types of appointments on the Rex compared to the Visor. For example, follow-up appointments are just a couple of button pushes away on the Rex. Anyway, its easier to add stuff via your desktop application than it is on either device. I like both PDAs, but if I had to pick only one, the size factor wins and I'd go with the Rex. USB connection would make it perfect.

I purchased the Rex after reading a number of excellent reviews, including many from people who had purchased the unit to "sync" with their Windows applications, particularly Outlook. I was disappointed to learn later that the Rex does not presently sync with Windows ME or its version of Outlook. Given the number of keystrokes required to enter even small items of info on Rex manually, the Rex is of little use to anyone with Windows ME. Xircom confirms the Rex does not presently sync with Windows ME, although they say they're working on it.

This little thing saves my skin constantly. I put my whole calendar of appointments in MS Outlook and sync it all to the Rex. Since it's so small I always carry it to work and home agaian. That way I can wake up in the morning and check to see whether I have to dash in for a meeting.

The phone book for my work site also syncs into the contact list. Plus my regular Outlook contacts are synced with it. I can flip between my small list of Outlook contacts and the company contact list easily.

I also sync a few text files - a little light reading from fool.com and some cheat-sheets that I use on a regular basis.

I think it's a superb little machine. Truesync is simple but works well for my needs. On my laptop, it syncs via the PCMCIA port and at work it syncs through the little holder which plugs in to the parallel port.

It's probably not the most robust PDA but it's got to be the smallest. If you are worried about breaking it, there are plenty of third party cases available on the net. They range from specially cut-out PCMCIA packing boxes to leather folders with titanium inserts!

My company gave me a couple of hundred dollars to buy a PDA and I almost felt guilty not spending it all by buying the Rex! I'm glad I did.

Having contemplated a PDA for several months, I decided the smart thing was to start small with the Rex. The Rex 5001 has met all of my needs which mainly consist of information retrevial. I must admit that I don't use the Rex to enter much data. But, when it comes to storage and retrevial, Rex deliveres the goods. The functions are easy to learn and use and the 2 included cases seem the offer the protection the Rex needs. I can't imagine doing without or moving to a Plam-like device.