Xircom 802.11b Springport Mini-Review

Posted By: Ed on Monday, May 21, 2001 7:05:55 AM

A reader named Kevin Hedspeth purchased a Springport Wireless Ethernet Springboard Module on Friday and wanted to post his initial thoughts.

I successfully connected to my Linksys wireless access point and router within five minutes of recieving the package. I can't tell the speed as no utility is given to check the transfer rate but it syncs incredibly fast even when I am doing a complete backup.

It does slow the system down, especially data entry.

I have sucessfully used it with: Blazer, Multimail, Aileron, Lftp, hotsync, ICQ and MSN Messanger. I'm going to try VNC tonight and see just what it will do.

The Springboard uses the serial/USB libraries for operation so I'm really curious as to whether it will work with a keyboard once somebody comes out with one.

All in all it was worth the $300 price tag as a "new toy". Functionally, if you don't have an extra $300 I'd wait and see what Bluetooth has to offer.

Xircom Releases Info on 802.11b and Bluetooth Modules

On the Web:

More Stories Like This...

Treo 600 Now Available For Verizon Wireless
Treo 600 Available Through Verizon Business Channels
Treo 600 Bluetooth Bounty
Sprint Officially Offers Camera-less Treo 600
T-Mobile Treo 600 Update Released
Treo 600 Updater Released for Orange
More articles about Handspring

Permalink | + Bookmark & Share

Article Comments
12 total comments

The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PIC is not responsible for them in any way.
login or register for free in order to post comments.

MSN Messenger

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/21/2001 10:06:00 AM #

How did you tried the MSN Messenger, is there a palm version, please explain if you are so kind

RE: MSN Messenger

Hedspeth @ 5/21/2001 1:32:21 PM #

http://www.ruksun.com/DOWNLOAD/download.asp

eval copy of MSN messanger for PALM....works great

Question for reviewer

jayhawk88 @ 5/21/2001 11:32:56 AM #

From the comments in the review, it seems you've had experience with wireless connectivity before. Would you say that the range/signal strength of this unit is the same as similar equipment made for laptops and such?

RE: Question for reviewer

Coyote67 @ 5/21/2001 11:57:10 AM #

I have recently tested out the 802.11b springport at work on our 802.11b floors.
First, let me say this thing is big.
It weighs more then my Visor does, or atleast thats what I think.
Its really hard to measure signal strength since there aren't any utilites out that do this, and since
the speed is also limited by the cpu, its impossible to compare the signal to a laptop. But I can say
that using blazer was very fast and pages load pretty much in instantaneously. Its a really nice thing
to play with, but do you really want to spend $300 to read your email or browse the web in bed?

Well I know I do :). I really wouldn't recommend this for home use as it would get very expensive
to hook up a home with access points and this module, but for corp use its great. You gotta wonder
how much acceptance it would get, no ones gonna trade in their blackberry for a Visor and big ass module, but who knows.
It is a nice toy, maybe then symbol releases their version, we'll see prices go down a lot.

OH my god...becky, look at her....Prism.

RE: Question for reviewer

Hedspeth @ 5/21/2001 1:34:51 PM #

Actually found the range on my PALM is better (distance wise) than my laptop. I use the Linksys access point and cards because they are reasonably priced for what they are.

Xircom SWE Module

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/21/2001 1:00:27 PM #

I, too, have tested the SWE module with great success on our Cisco wireless network moving seamlessly from hub to hub. It's worked well with Blazer, Multimail Pro, ICQ, AOL AIM, and Hotsyncing Wordsmith, Quicksheet, Avantgo, and Eudora Mail and Web.

RE: Xircom SWE Module

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/27/2001 4:30:56 PM #

I got the module about a week ago. I have spend probably 30 hours trying to get this thing to work! I am using a Visor Edge and all my network settings are correct. I am using a Symbol access point and can sync just fine. Other then that, I can't access Blazer, Aim, ANYTHING! If anyone has any suggestions, let me know. Thanks - JB

P.S. I've spend time on the phone with Xircom, Palm, and Visor, and none of them can tell me what is wrong.

RE: Xircom SWE Module

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/10/2001 5:08:09 PM #

I am struggling with this module. I get a
0x0302 error. Xircom support is quite
useless. They indicated that this was a
DHCP error. I got the same with a static IP.
I want to make it work first against a
Win98 PC and then Linux. I use an Addtron
Wireless Access Point.
Thanks
srini

RE: Xircom SWE Module

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/7/2001 10:44:05 PM #

This Serial error is very annoying. It works fine for a while and then is broken for hours. I have gotten the same error against a Linksys and Apple Air Port Base Station. This unrealiability make is hard to rely on for presentations!
I am using it in a Visor Pro. It can recharge in the Pro's charger.

RE: Xircom SWE Module

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/27/2002 10:06:00 AM #

I also have the Serial Error 0x0302. Does anyone have a solution?

xircom airport?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/23/2002 3:06:00 AM #

I have a xircom springport for my visor prism (3.5.2H1...).At my home I have an original airport basestation which at the moment is using airport firmware version 2.x (newest).At present I have dialup at home and the devices communicate flawlessly. At work I have a DSL connection and a airport version 2 running firmware 2.x (newest) The ssid is inputted correctly and recognized if it is not the device does not connect so that is not apparently part of the problem.) I receive an ip address and the gateway address that is filled in is correct. I have manually filled the dns server address as to the fact they are a requirement for gaining access in my network. on a side note I have often found that I cannot leave these filled and have the card auto fill them in at home. If I ping the assigned imp address one of two things will happen. 1. No response and when I look in the status menu I have the dns server infor filled in.2. I will recieve a icmp back but then in the status I have no dns entrys.This is NOT a dns issue when i manually fill an address to connect to in my mail application(multimail) I still get not reponse.This seems to be a connection problem but I have full signal strengeth and it works fine.I just want to know if anyone else has had a similar problem.If it did not work evertime I tried at home to connect than I would think it was broken.

RE: xircom airport?

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/29/2002 4:54:33 PM #

Yes, I have the same problem - using Springport w/ Prism, Snow Airport running 2.0.4. I can connect wirelessly to the Airport, full strength, but no internet. Using Dynamic address (reports correctly), Gateway OK, Query DNS (Pri DNS same as gateway, no Sec). Manual DNS does not work either. Keep getting DNS error/server not found. Have to use SLIP method as PPP won't connect to Airport. This thing is driving me mad. Is it a DHCP/NAT issue? Anyone else? - D

Palm Software on sale