Comments on: Review: Minstrel m500 Wireless Modem

Though many people feel they can't justify the high cost, almost all handheld users would like to connect to the Internet with a wireless modem, if not soon then someday. For those who are already seriously considering getting wireless Internet access or those who are just curious, guest reviewer Davy Fields brings us his experiences with the Minstrel m500 Wireless Modem from Novatel.

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I agree

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/28/2001 8:45:32 PM #

Great product!

RE: I agree

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/28/2001 10:53:37 PM #

Mine is on backorder, and I can't wait to get it!

RE: I agree

rdinterm @ 10/29/2001 8:17:18 AM #

Great review. I use mine with Verizon Wireless, $24.95 unlimited. Have used in DC Metro, Richmond and North Carolina. Very reliable!

Much better than my old Prism with Omnisky.

RE: I agree

covingto @ 10/29/2001 11:00:20 PM #

rdinterm,

Does Verizon offer their own service for the Minstrel or do they piggyback on Omnisky or a similar service? I know that AT&T offers a repackaged Omnisky service, but I didn't know Verizon offered this service. Do you have any pointers?

Thanks.

RE: I agree

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/30/2001 10:37:53 AM #

I believe it is rather the other way round: Omnisky purchases coverage from Verizon (and other providers in other areas).

I spoke with an Omnisky salesperson today, as well as with a Verizon salesperson, and that is what they both confirmed.

RE: Use of Verizon

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/22/2002 5:02:47 PM #

I use my Motorola StarTac with my Palm 505 and cable using my normal voice minutes. I didn't sign up for any special internet or data plan. Could I purchase the Minstrel and use it with my existing plan or would I have to purchase a data plan?

Great review

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/28/2001 11:40:05 PM #

Davy, thanks for the great review. As a former OmniSky user I was wondering how the new minstrel stacked up. Now we just need faster connections!

Davy is mistaken.

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/29/2001 1:26:17 AM #

This is from Novatel's website:
"The CDPD network transmits data at speeds up to 19.2 kbps over existing cellular phone networks"

That is 19.2 kilobits per second, not kilobytes per second. So, 1 bit = 8 bytes, so divide 19.2 by 8 = 2.4 kilobytes per second. So, your speed of 2-3k per second is the exact speed you whould be getting, but you will NOT get 19.2 kilobytes per second, that is pretty much impossible. Heck a 56k modem can only get 5 kilobytes per second.

RE: Davy is mistaken.

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/29/2001 2:01:38 AM #

I think you'll find he didn't say kilobytes. We all got the gist of it... he has the old V unit and the 500 unit is faster for some reason.

RE: Davy is mistaken.

jjsoh @ 3/22/2002 5:51:40 PM #

The orginal poster is mistaken. 1 byte = 8 bits.

Jim

What will be first

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/29/2001 6:26:15 AM #

Very Timely. I am an owner of a Vx w/Omnisky that desperately needs replacing. I traveling alot and I utilize my modem frequently. Therefore, a modem is a must.

What to buy. Although I have been waiting for a new VII or 705?? I don't think I can wait any longer. I was actully thinking of moving back in time and getting the Prism w/Omnisky. Do you have any opinions on that package. I have been shying away from the 505 because of the negatives I have heard about the screen and the lack of Omnisky support for the 505. Has anybody compared the color of the Prism to the 505.

What will come out first, New 7 series, Update 500 series w/16m and enhanced scree, or Omnisky for the Clie.

RE: What will be first

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/29/2001 7:07:47 AM #

No one expect Palm and Sony know that, ****.

RE: What will be first

Altema @ 10/29/2001 10:37:45 AM #

Actually the bad press about the M505 originates from the huge variation in sidelight brightness from device to device, and that everyone was expecting Palm Vx form factor PLUS expandability PLUS a screen like the IIIc and Prism. The expectations were correct on the first two, but the screen is silver and not white. Screen clarity and contrast is excellent, but you have to get used to the sidelight if you get one of the dimmer devices. Some sidelights are so dim you can hardly tell that the sidelight is on, others are nice and bright, but most fall somewhere in the middle. Fortunately, my second M505 is about as bright as my laptop when running on batteries.

Sony and iPaq get around this brightness problem by providing brighter sidelights that are also adjustable. But, you can't put those sidelights in anything the size of the Vx because the battery technology is not there. The iPaq has a runtime of 2.5 hours with the sidelights up, and 1.5 hours while wireless browsing, and that's with a battery that would run a Palm Vx for about half a year! IMHO, Palm may have done better to include a second sidelight and added another mm to the size with a larger battery, WITH a brightness control. Ironicaly, the M505, Sony, and iPaq all look the same with sidelight off.

RE: What will be first

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/30/2001 12:01:49 PM #

I think you are nuts to make a big deal about the colors or the screen on m505. I just bought mine and I LOOOOOVVVVVVVE it. I am deaf so I am much more picky than any of the guys here. Visbility is number one thing to me along with the vibration alarm and I am very happy with m505. Backlight is wonderful and if you charge it every night, you are just fine. I love charging it cuz it gives me an excuse to find the latest new palm software off the internet while I am waiting for it to complete. It takes only few minutes!! If you get a regular clear tape as a screen protector(recommended from Palm Series group on yahoo- look it up there), the colors and the screen gets much better and you will be surprised.

I am sorry for getting off the track here (yes, I will buy the modem that Davy recommended.) I'm just tired of people being afraid of m505 cuz of the colors.

Voice Capabilites?

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/29/2001 8:15:09 AM #

Is there no way to use voice on this system. I mention this because I have seen the sleds available for Vx but they have headsets to allow using as a phone.
Is there any point me asking if this will be available in UK/Europe? Not sure why but US uses different naming convention for its Cellular network protocols.

Regards,

Shayne Gardener
m505 and Vx owner

RE: Voice Capabilites?

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/29/2001 9:27:41 AM #

US and Europe don't use different naming conventions, they use different networks. This is a CDPD modem while Europe uses GSM. Unless they make a GSM version, which would almost require rebuilding it, you won't be able to get it in Europe.

Your probably thinking about the OhFish, which should be out soon for the m505. It is GSM, is a phone and modem, and will probably cost more than the Minstrel.

RE: Voice Capabilites?

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 12:44:31 AM #

Actually a Ohfish Sled would cost cheaper than a Mintreal modem besides I heard it is a tri-band GPRS so you can use it in the US and get a faster speed than the CDPD system

Compatible networks

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/29/2001 8:45:09 AM #

Where can I find a list of compatible networks?

Is US cellular compatible?

Thanks,

RE: Compatible networks

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/29/2001 9:32:29 AM #

Call up US cellular yourself and ask if their network is CDPD.

Or you could just use your mobil phone

Jeffrey @ 11/1/2001 7:07:15 PM #

My problem with the Minstral is the 19.2k for $300+. Until we get G3 things aren't going to get much better (witness the demise of Richocet), so if the low speed digital phone network is the main option I decided to just get the cable from SupplyNet that connects my m505 to my Samsung 6100 phone. With Spring my phone plan minutes can be used as "web" minutes for an additional $10, so for $60/month I get 1000 anytime minutes that I can use for palm websurfing or voice. So far the only drawback is Sprint hasn't lived up to their 19.2k claim; I only connect at 14.4k.

For the office and home I have the Xircom wireless Lan modual for my m505, which works great and is very fast (it's $300 as well, but at least its fast ;) I use PQAs and Blazer with both the phone and Xircom.

RE: Or you could just use your mobil phone

Jeffrey @ 11/1/2001 7:35:55 PM #

Doh, "Sprint", not "Spring" ....

Email w/ AT&T

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/3/2001 11:12:47 AM #

ED, I signed up with AT&T wireless with my Minstrel M500, and I'm trying to send / receive Email. I can log on to my primary ISP's pop server & download mail with no problem. Sending is where I'm stuck. My primary ISP is @home, and they say they don't offer SMTP support if you're not logged in thru their network (via cable modem). I also have a backup dial up account with Pacbell/prodigy but, I don't seem to be getting anywhere there either since I'm not "online" thru Prodigy. AT&T wireless wasn't much help. What/who are you using?
Thanks,
MM

RE: Email w/ AT&T

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/10/2001 6:44:33 PM #

call up att @ home and get the real address of the smtp sever. I spent 1 month to find someone at att that could do this. It can be done, you just have to get a hold of someone intelligent enough.

Hard to find Minstrel M500

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/5/2002 1:57:12 PM #

I just recently purchased my Palm M505. My first thought after buying it was where I could get a modem. I found the one that connects to a phone line and that seemed kind of pointless. I already have that at home. So I started searching for a wireless attachment for the Palm. First, I emailed Palm.com. They informed me that there is NO wireless modem for the Palm M505. ??? So after a couple hours of searching, I finally came across the Minstrel M505. Anyway, I'm wondering if the benefits of going wireless outweighs the cost of the modem and service.

Please reply to my home email:
jaschaef@pacbell.net

Thanks.
Jason Schaeffer

Need Help! Sharing of Minstrel m500 Wireless Modem Driver

Sufi @ 7/26/2006 10:29:36 PM #

Hi Davy,

I've been looking high and low for the minstrel modem driver but still couldn't locate it. I have bought the device from ebay but unfortunately seller did not have driver as well. Tried Novatel Website but drver not available. Tried calling Novatel in States and Canada, but did not received support needed. Tried looking on the web, still unsuccessful.

Therefore I would really appreciate if you or whoever out there who happen to have the driver for the Novatel Minstrel Wireless m500 for Palm M505 to share the driver with me.

Thank you.

Sufi