jes Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Hi I saw this at the NEC show and was wondering if anyone has any feedback on it. http://www.roadpro.co.uk/retail/product_detail.aspx?prod=POCKETSURFER&id=1005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I also saw this at NEC and later looked for a review on the net. I typed 'Pocketsurfer2 review' into Google and got a review. It looked good to me at NEC but possibly only for use in Uk - not sure how it would be on the continent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I looked at this at the NEC and had a demonstration. It proved to be chronically slow, my laptop with my mobile phone as a modem and a half strength signal loaded my websites front page in 25 seconds the pocketsurfer still hadn't completed it after well over a minute. The screen is too small at 640X240 (aproximately 5" X 2") and the keyboard is absolutely terrible. If you need mobile internet access and own a laptop and mobile phone then use them instead of this. At £180 its about five years too late in my opinion. Here's a link to the unit. http://www.roadpro.co.uk/retail/product_detail.aspx?prod=POCKETSURFER&id=1005 D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GJH Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Thanks for that Dave. I said on another forum that I'd like to see the thing in action before parting with 180 quid. I too use a mobile phone with laptop or PDA when travelling so it's nice to know how it compares. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 The blurb on it sounds good but the reality disappointed me. I'd say for anyone interested get along to somewhere that stocks these gadgets and try one for yourself. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 The one I saw at NEC was a lot quicker to load, although the demonstrator did say that it depended on how long the gadget had been on battery power. I don't see these as an alternative to a laptop, after all it's called a Pocket surfer because it's intended for carrying around on a more permanent basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Quite true Malc which is why I recomend anyone interested in one tries it out first hand before they purchase. just because I wasn't impressed with it doesn't mean it won't suit some people's requirements. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Hi All, It should be remembered that when comparing to a laptop and mobile phone the pocket surfer is FREE to use for up to 20 hours per month and costs £5.95/ month for unlimited usage. Subsequent years cost £39.95/ year for the standard use package. Also, as always, RoadPro charge maximum price and it is available on the net for less. Bas PS Also the manufacturer quotes 7secs per page download on normal strength signal, which suggests something was wrong at the NEC or the manufacturer is breaking some advertising standard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 At the NEC I asked them to 'sign on' to the Camping Club site and it took about ten seconds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Hi again The write up on the T3 Gadget site seems to suggest it is quicker than 3's Gold service! So that further seems that there was something not right at the NEC. See http://www.t3.co.uk/news/247/communications/other/free-mobile-internet Bas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I can only speak as I find and I found it wanting in several departments :-S As I said before, if you're interested in this gismo then seek one out and try it for yourself before you spend your cash. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza454 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I bought one a couple of months ago and find that it's ideal when away for receiving/sending e-mails and checking news/weather sites etc.Generally pages download between 5 and 10 seconds.I take Daves point about the keyboard, but it's best if you type similar to how you would send a text on a mobile phone, ie, type with your thumbs, sounds weird but it's easy with a bit of practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globetrotter Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I agree-bought one a few weeks ago and it is excellent for my requirements and the pricing deal is very good. Typing with the thumbs is definitely the way to go and becomes very easy. There are some bugs in the system which I have raised with Datawind (the manufacturer). They assure me that these are known problems and solutions are coming soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jes Posted October 25, 2007 Author Share Posted October 25, 2007 Thanks for the info also found this while searching, looks like a discount to me "Nonetheless, I appreciate that we need to be competitive. So, for all you lovely MHF people only, if you order a POCKETSURFER from us (until November 10th) on-line, we'll send you a £25.00 RoadPro voucher for use with a future order. Just mention this offer in the order comments field at the checkout. I wonder if it would work for others or is this some sort of clever marketing by road pro to enhance other forums memberships. Does not the mmm have special offers from road pro, come on mmm we are being left behind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vernon B Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 It's the charges for using this abroad that's the turn off for me. I'll be sticking to pocket billiards until network operators get real about their fee structures. Vernon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardoakley Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Hi (lol) I had a long chat with the guys at the NEC who told me that it will work abroad on expensive roaming rates because it works like a mobile phone. I'm still waiting for mine to arrive so can't say any more. It will work anywhere you can get a Mobile phone signal! To me it's better than setting up the laptop to do the same and it also just fits in your pocket. Apparently they are made by the same firm who made PSION gadgets regards richard :-> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vernon B Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 richardoakley - 2007-10-27 4:57 PM Hi (lol) I had a long chat with the guys at the NEC who told me that it will work abroad on expensive roaming rates because it works like a mobile phone. I'm still waiting for mine to arrive so can't say any more. It will work anywhere you can get a Mobile phone signal! To me it's better than setting up the laptop to do the same and it also just fits in your pocket. Apparently they are made by the same firm who made PSION gadgets regards richard :-> Now that last point is very interesting Richard. I've had a PSION organiser for years and wouldn't do without it. It's beautifully designed and the software is superb. Do I take it that the surfer also has "organiser" capabilities? Vernon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardoakley Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Hi :-D I do not know any more than I have written which was gleaned fron the chaps at the show the only other thing was that they said that the firm was Canadian. I must admit I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one because it will answer my E-mail problems and I will not be tempted to eat too many Macs!! see http://www.t3.co.uk/news/247/communications/other/free-mobile-internet and http://www.pocketsurfer.co.uk/htm/News%20Letter.htm regards richard (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 I don't believe that the Psion comment is accurate, i.e. made by, however the man who was the CEO of Psion and still owns the Widget Company has just been made the European CEO for Datawind Europe. The pocket surfer 2 has no PDA facilities and is only a web browser, therefore you can get e-mail via web based accounts and surf but the tool has no other use. I very much like the gadget and would get one tomorrow but for one thing. The whole working of the machine rests on Datawinds (who??) servers and the machine has no life with no Datawind it cannot be used to surf without connecting through Datawind. The press has made comment and Datawind has not yet convinced the business world that their model of free, followed by low cost GPRS connection, is sustainable and indeed will only be successful if the user take up is high volume which in turn could cause traffic problems via their server. Hate to be a harbinger of doom but I have bought into enough lame ducks in the past, however I really do hope this is a success as I really like the concept and low cost and would like one. Bas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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