Ok what is required hardware wise for the Dell Axim to use the PDA-ir device?

Do you need a CF Card expansion pack like with the Ipaqs? (I have my Axim on order, get it next week).

Thanks for the help.

You just plug the PDA-ir module into the Axim's CF slot and run the latest version of PDAwin's TV Remote Control software. No additional hardware is required.

For those considering an Axim as a full time remote, I just purchased a 32MB version for $152 + tax direct from Dell.

Watch www.getmeadeal.com for specials and coupons.

Yep, that's all you need. I've been using this setup for almost a month now. Got the PDA-ir when Dave first made the changes to get it Axim-compatible. Coupled with the PDA-ir, the Axim is a great low-cost solution for a color touchscreen remote.

--JordanW
Aximsite.com Moderator

JordanW,

Any chance of a staff review for PDA-ir on Aximsite.com?

Thanks for the info. I just ordered my PDA-ir from EDV. Hopefully I'll get all my goodies around the same time next week! :)

Dave,

Yes, I'm actually about to start working on a review myself. I want to get my digital cam working, but it's not the end of the world if I can't get some pics of it. It will probably be next week before I get a start on it. You can expect it to be posted sometime in a week or two. I'll drop a note on here whenever it's up.

--JordanW
Aximsite.com Moderator

Mighty big hopefully there, I ordered one on the 16th (for use on my new Axim) and it's still "Awaiting Shipment". No reply to an email asking when, either.

At least no charge has shown up on my credit card yet, either.....either.

Bought, downloaded and installed pdaWIN, too. Been playing around with it a little bit, but it's a pain having to walk across the room to try things out. Need that extra 'lectric Dog boost!


This message was edited by star50fiveoh on 05/23/03 04:28.

Star,

The design change to accommodate the Axim required a different transistor (as well as some other components). Mouser showed 1000s in stock but actually had only a few on hand with the balance on backorder. EDV found a second source (Newark) who also shipped a day later than promised. I believe they now have the inventory situation under control and have caught up or nearly caught up on filling orders. They have been scrambling ever since PDAwin made a premature announcement of Axim support.

EDV is a part-time business. The small market for PDA-ir dictates that they be built in small batches. Most of the assembly takes place on weekends as Dane has a fairly demanding day job that takes him on the road a lot. If a components shipment arrives on Monday instead of the preceding Friday, it can delay things for nearly a week - this happened with the Newark shipment. Most of the manufacturers of the CF cardframes, covers and connectors expect quantities in the tens of thousands (The first quantity price break is at 10K.) and keeping a steady flow of smaller quantities is an ongoing headache.

I understand your impatience. I ordered an Axim two days ago and don't understand why it still hasn't arrived.

perhaps a disclaimer to that effect might be in order somewhere on the site. It's not like we're going to order it from somewhere else, as there is nowhere else to order it.

at the very least, someone should be keeping up with customer queries. surely there is someone in dane's sphere of influence who could check and reply to emails.

from everything i've read on several axim sites, the card is everything it's touted to be, and you (despite your protestations to the contrary) seem to be the marketing department. in the interest of customer satisfaction, good communication is a must.

the "axim world" is one of the hottest pda markets there is right now, it's growing by leaps & bounds, as such, the demand will only increase and if too big a void is left by a sluggish vendor, someone else will eventually find a way to fill it.

i admit, i am pretty impatient, i'm a product of the mass marketing of instant gratification, and the internet has only reinforced what i've been force fed my whole life. a reasonable amount of information on a web site (even if it's just a RTFM link to a FAQ) and prompt response to emails is music that could soothe the savage breast.

...and yes, it is "breast", not beast:

William Congreve. 1670-1729. The Mourning Bride. Act i. Sc. 1. "Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."

Star,

I did the design and worked out how to manufacture it economically in the small batches required but that's the full extent of my connection - EDV does the manufacturing, marketing, shipping, etc.

I try to respond to questions here and on Usenet because I know Dane is too busy to do that. While I know the technical issues, I am not always up to date on the inventory situation - Dane seldom responds to my email either.

I'm long retired. My health is poor and can only get worse so I'm not eager to do more. I just spent a week in the hospital where I got a little electrical work done by a cardiac electrophysiologist so I don't need all the @!~^%&$# stress!

i understand that dane is family and all, but if you:


stop defnding him and let him sink or swim on his own. the longer you keep posting in his stead, the more "@!~^%&$# stress" you'll continue to have to put up with.

a small business runs on word-of-mouth, and i've seen similar complaints on other Axim sites about lack of communication from EDV. it doesn't help his web-rep.

i'm not intending this to be a flame war, but you continue to post replies that dane should be responding to.

I think you have very badly misinterpreted what I had to say.

Dane's day job keeps him busy with far larger issues than anything connected with EDV and brings in income that is many orders of magnitude greater than EDV is ever likely to generate. He also has 4 kids that range from 2-15. All but the two year old are involved in soccer, basketball, etc. and his weekends are divided between attending their activities and dealing with the small EDV product line. He also has to find time to deal with a totally disabled family member (me). EDV is likely to always remain a tiny part time business that responds to a very small market niche. You cannot manufacture free time out of thin air so the communication is not likely to improve substantially.

I've recommended discontinuing PDA-ir as it is far more trouble than it's worth. I'm sure Dane's wife feels the same. The circuit board supplier just doubled their price with no warning. Had I not been able to negotiate a reduction, it would have been the death knell for PDA-ir.


I'm not familiar with many Axim sites so I can't respond to your claim but I've fielded less than ten delivery complaints between here and email from EDV customers over the year the product has been available.


I'm sorry but it comes across as a flame. Dane is out of town more than he's in town and frequently cannot access his email until he returns. I merely try to answer technical questions and provide what factual information I can about why shipments were recently behind to the few people who post complaints here. If you don't want my posts, the alternative is to remain in the dark.

[Link: aximsite.com]

Star ordered his PDA-ir one week ago today. CCNow probably did not forward the order to EDV until Monday. Star is so upset that he doesn't have it in hand after four business days that he's now flaming me in other forums despite knowing that I have nothing to do with the manufacture or shipments but also knowing that I just recently got out of cardiac care where I damn near died. You are a real piece of work, star.

I'll say it again.......i'm not flaming YOU.

just the policies of and lack of response from EDV, and I'm not the only one upset, check some of the other posts on the AximSite.com thread I posted. there are other Axim Sites that have upset/impatient customers "flamimg" you as well - not you, you....but EDV "you".

And again, if you don't want the stress, let dane deal with it.........it's his puppy, after all.

i understand about being a small business and delays and costs. but none of that is any excuse for leaving your customers hanging with nothing more than an "Awaiting Shipment" notice when you check your order status.