SEVERE inconsistencies with the touchscreen feedback!!

Theemed · 04-30-08, 06:50 AM

I opened Notes, activated the free input (vector drawing with the stylus) and traced some vertical lines from the bottom upwards.... HOLY CRAP if they weren't random! At best, they never could be started from the real bottom, but they began from ~3mm from the upper margin of the lower interface... but the constant behaviour, mostly in the lower left quarter of the screen, was that Notes drew an almost zig-zag line until it reached a certain point, where the vectors soon reached exactly under the stylus tip.. and during all the process, I was giving all the care I could to trace a vertical line on the screen! I was totally astonished at how cheap a defect that can be.

EDIT: Just to be sure, I peeled off the screen protector... gee, that was the culprit

I still cannot start the lines form the very bottom of the active area, as they begin 2mm upwards, and have the inconsistency on the scrollbars (if I try and drag the scrollbar, it draws a line 1mm left of the scrollbar border instead), but the zig-zag behaviour is gone... :rolling:

I could -partially- correct the behaviour by adjusting the alignment so I didn't actually tap in the center of the + marks, but, depending on the feedback "distortions" I noticed, slightly modified the position of the stylus tip. Specifically, addressing the scrollbar problem, I had to tap the upper right + and lower right + slightly left off the center, so I can now drag the scrollbar with (almost) precise response. What's still lacking precision is the vertical discrepancy at the lower side, which I wasn't able to correct in a sufficient way even adjusting the taps during screen alignment.

04-30-08, 11:33 AM

I have observed th zigzags even before having put the screen protector. I have the impression that the screen is really unreliable for this PDA. I have a lot of problems with Calligrapher.... Are you able to use this SIP reliably on this PDA (or Transcriber of course if you do not have Calligrapher)?

Murat

FrinkTL · 04-30-08, 12:23 PM

Want to know what I think? I think there are some serious deviations from spec by whomever is actually manufacturing the iPAQs for HP. I've used 3 of them so far and EVERY SINGLE ONE of them was different in some way. Either the touch screen response/accuracy, speaker volume, or CF Slot power consumption have been different between just the 3 that I have had & used. I have even experienced different program responses with the same programs installed (on one the iPAQ would just close the application without throwing any errors and on another I get the eternal hourglass/sundial).

All this leads me to believe that there are SERIOUS manufacturing irregularities (deviations from spec) that are causing some unfortunate souls greviuos headaches. I think that there is nothing wrong with the devices that actually comply with HP's spec. The problem is that it's a crap shoot (luck of the draw) whether you'll be one of the lucky ones to receive one of those devices.

Theemed · 05-04-08, 12:06 PM

To Yildi: I only use an onscreen keyboard (specifically PocketCM, which is compatible with enhanced VGA resolutions) so I don't really experience huge discrepancies in other SIPs using gestures to write. Weirdly, the zigzags were so much evident as so easy to disappear as soon as I peeled off the protector. Still doesn't make sense, as even a low quality plastic film cannot possibly send the pressure from one point to another 3mm distant, especially if really thin. Now I have a decent screen response with notes hand drawing by having corrected the screen alignment with slightly off-tracked keypresses on the +'s
To FrinkTL: do you think you have one of those full-spec devices now? Regarding the matter, I had the feeling the CF problem was a widespread issue from which noone was safe, except those who used "complying" cards.
Don't you have the scrollbar problem *at all* now with the new device as you mentioned, or it is just "better than before"?

FrinkTL · 05-04-08, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Theemed

To Yildi: I only use an onscreen keyboard (specifically PocketCM, which is compatible with enhanced VGA resolutions) so I don't really experience huge discrepancies in other SIPs using gestures to write. Weirdly, the zigzags were so much evident as so easy to disappear as soon as I peeled off the protector. Still doesn't make sense, as even a low quality plastic film cannot possibly send the pressure from one point to another 3mm distant, especially if really thin. Now I have a decent screen response with notes hand drawing by having corrected the screen alignment with slightly off-tracked keypresses on the +'s
To FrinkTL: do you think you have one of those full-spec devices now? Regarding the matter, I had the feeling the CF problem was a widespread issue from which noone was safe, except those who used "complying" cards.
Don't you have the scrollbar problem *at all* now with the new device as you mentioned, or it is just "better than before"?

I'm not lying; the touch screen is perfectly accurate. Every touch responds exactly where I touch the screen, including all scroll bars and the upper corners. It's a tiny bit less responsive in the upper corners, but still accurate. In case it matters, I use HP's own screen protectors and always have; I think the protectors have nothing to do with any issue other than to possibly exacerbate a pre-existing problem.

Do I have one of the truly spec-compliant devices? Maybe. It is the best one so far. Oddly, though, the 2nd one had a slightly better battery life, if you can fathom that. This one is still great, but seems slightly shorter. Of course, that's only an impression, versus a hard-core test-based statistic.

rush214 · 05-05-08, 05:26 AM

I have Brando screen protector installed and whole area in Notes application is available to draw on my 214, without margins

Theemed · 05-05-08, 05:30 AM

For the time being, I'll be content with the improved touchscreen precision after fooling the alignment procedure... maybe in 8 months time, when the warranty is about to end, I'll fry it to get a replacement the newest possible :P

Rush: I have margins with no sensitivity even without a protector...

05-07-08, 06:48 PM

I have observed problems even before having installed the screen protector and I was hoping to get better screen response using a good protector (I have bought the Boxwave one). I have always used this kind of protectors on my preceding PDAs and in general they increase the accuracy of Calligrapher. In the case of 210, they have not had any significant positive effect in fact... The borders of the screen behave really erratically... I want to send it back but I am afraid that I will get another unit with other problems (I do not have any other problem with my 210 but I do not use CF cards).

Murat

Kevin1a · 05-07-08, 07:05 PM

Sounds to me like it may be a problem with the digitalizer. I just had a similar problem with my Ax. I ended up replacing the screen with a slightly scratched, but still functional, screen someone pulled out of a junked unit. I would really only have had to replace the digitalizer.

This may or may not be your problem, but if nothing else works and you are ready to give up hope, replacing the digitalizer may be the way to go.

I was forced to repair my unit when I got to the point where i hard reset, and could not pass the mandatory screen alignment proceedure. I had to use a tool for the desktop to help me trick the device into thinking I had already aligned the screen though it still misinterpreted my taps. If your problem gets that bad send me a pm and I will try to find the program.

grouch · 05-10-08, 10:02 AM

I've been seeing the screen responsiveness problem. I had to do the screen alignment 5 times before I could get to the Today screen for the first time. Now I'm no newbie to allignment - this is my 6th Pocket PC. Then I noticed skipping in the ink, when using Calligrapher. At first I attributed it to the iPAQ requiring more pressure than the X50v that I was used to. But I also noticed that, if I used the soft keyboard for input, I kept getting a letter below the one I wanted. I redid the screen alignment (it took 4 times to pass) and things didn't improve that much.

Once I got my Brando screen protector, things have been much better. I did do the screen alignement once more. It only took one time to allign. No more ink skipping, wrong keys, etc.

The only problem I still see is when using the right hand scroll bar. I often trigger the menu, instead of just scrolling. I try to remember to put the stylus so far to the right that it's almost writing on the case and then it works better.

Theemed · 05-11-08, 01:11 PM

My same problems grouch... only thing is that I fooled the screen alignment procedure into letting me use the full width of the righ scrollbar (see elsewhere in this thread). Only drawback: apparently now there's a slight messed up middle scrollbar in excel, while scrolling the sheets menu (I use this xls file with lots of sheets to track payments data).

pivaska · 05-12-08, 05:04 PM

I have just purchased (my job purchased for me) a new IPAQ 210. I got it about 3 weeks ago. I have had no problems of any kind with it. I had a Dell Axim X51V that toasted. I have watched movies, read books, done wifi (very fast) listened to books, etc. No problems. I wonder if we start posting certain serial numbers or whatever we might be able to see if there is a problem with certain groups such as mentioned that the specs might have been deviated from. Serial number for mine is 3CC81306SF. Tell me if you need anything more than that.

Theemed · 05-14-08, 04:14 PM

Mine is 3CC809.... no big news tho, if they did solve some issues on the road, the latest sn's are bound to be the lucky ones.

FrinkTL · 05-14-08, 04:27 PM

Mine is 3CC8070... and it works just fine. In theory, that's a lower number than Theemed's s/n, so I guess that rules out an intentional fix. Sounds like it is just plain old irregular quality of the factory line and luck of the draw if you get one that actually passes. I almost wish that wasn't the case.

rush214 · 05-15-08, 04:25 AM

Heh... mine is 3CC8050... and I'm very satisfied with it