Trying to decide on one of these. Who's used both? I've tried the demo of SPB. Sprite doesn't offer a demo, just some screen shots. Comments?

Thanks.

Current PDA: Axim x51v

Former PDAs:
iPaqs: hx4700, h5555, h5455, h3970
HP Jornadas: 567, 545, 430
Post-Its before that.

I've used both. The advantage I see with SPB is that they have a way to "unpack" your backup file with the unpack tool so if you just wanted a certain file that you might have accidently changed you could unpack your backup and retrieve that single file.

Other than that they are pretty much very similar. The most important features to me were scheduling backups and making them executables which both programs can do.

Hope that helps.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I think they're pretty different. Sprite backs stuff up in cab form so you can reinstall everything anywhere at anytime. SPB (what I use) creates one file that reinstalls everything in the main memory. The advantage of Sprite is if you have apps installed to a card and the card gets erased, you can still reinstall everything whereas you need to do more of a full reinstall (I carry an duplicate SD card in the PDA case). I hope it helps.

Menneisyys did a great review here. Not sure where his previous articles are.

The new version of Spb Backup allows you to backup your CF or SD card.

X51v, 2GB CF, 2GB SD, Sena Case, ThinkOutside BT Mouse and Keyboard

  

The new version of SPB backup will allow you to backup to any card and restore either the whole backup or individual files. It creates and executable file that can be copied to another card or to the pc. It will also backup BIS and CF and SD cards if you want to.

Sprite Backup. I bought both and deinstalled Spb Backup.

www.AKAJohnDoe.com

"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible" - Frank Zappa

  

I use Spb Backup.

I have used both (on WM5 & 2003se) and honestly they are quite similar with bonus differences on both sides.

Here's the big ones for me -

1. Spb costs about $10 less. I bought it with the 20% off discount since I own a bunch of Spb stuff so it was even less than that.

2. Spb backs up to a cab/exe so you only need to have that available to restore. Sprite (when I used it) required the backup file + another cab to reinstall Sprite before you restore. Sort of a pain, but still functional.

3. Spb has an unpacker. This lets you pull apart the backup file to get the single file you may want.

4. Both allow you to choose what/where you want to backup and how many old copies to keep. Sprite has them beat here since you can also backup to your PC via sprite - Spb doesn't

5. Speed - Sprite was faster. Spb compresses better.

6. Both allow you to schedule you backups.

7. Sprite screwed up my PIM data when restoring (exchange server) which resulting in a ton of duplicates. Spb didn't.

Finally - did I mention cost? Realistically you want a program that will backup your data and restore it. Both do this very well ... why pay more for a program that does the same thing as the other one. It's sort of like this:

Plymouth Neon = $10,000
Dodge Neon = $13,000

Both were identical cars with identical warranties and accessories... why the heck would you spend $3,000 extra to get the same car?

Apple iPhone
O2 XDA Trion - WM6
T-Mobile SDA - WM6

 

I've been a long time user of Sprite backup. It used to work fine for me but later I had some problems restoring from the backups. Yes, I do have a LOT of stuff installed on my PPC but thats not an excuse for a backup program not to work. Then I bought Spb backup and its been working great for me. So personally I'd recommend Spb backup.

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I give Spb backup thumbs up also.

I've using Sprite for quite some time, and it works as it should, but after trying Spb backup, I just have to switch.

You really can't go wrong either way. Good luck.

I have always used Spb Backup. Now that I can back up my SD and CF using Spb, it's just makes it all the better.
Quick question though,

Will Spb Backup backup my SD card if I have the program itself installed on the same SD card???

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hands off!!! Get your own Axim!

I just tried it. I backed up my SD card, where Spb backup is installed to my CF card and it ran fine. I started a restore, and it had the Spb backup folder in it. I'd say YES!

SPB backup ; same service, 10 bucks richer

I strongly recommend Spb backup. It works perfectly and without fuss.

I downloaded and installed the lastest Spb Backup (V1.5) last night and set it to perform a scheduled backup this AM at 05:05. I have a Sprite Backup scheduled for 04:04.

As with earlier releases, Spb Backup shutdown the Odyssey client such that it did not restart in the system tray after soft reset. Sprite Backup does not do this. While some may view this as a desireable feature of Spb Backup, I do not. The Odyssey client does restart manually.

Also as with earlier releases, the scheduled Spb Backup did not actually complete until the password lockout was interrupted by my first alarm of the day, which was at 08:15. Sprite Backup is unaffected by the password lockout.

The size of the Spb Backup files (there are two for every backup) is smaller than the (single) Sprite backup file. This could be related to compression.

I have done a number of restores from hard reset with Sprite Backup that were 100% successful, including full restores of BIS onto Dell replacement devices. I did not test restoration with this installation of Spb Backup, but I have before.

I really do not understand why Sprite Backup does not offer a trial period. A very puzzling business policy.

Bottom line: I am running WM2K3.2 on a Dell X50V. Were I to go to a WM5 device, I would certainly try Spb Backup again, especially since I already bought it back in mid-February of 2006 and I do not own the WM5-compliant version of Sprite Backup, but at this time, Sprite Backup is my choice. Spb Backup deinstalled once more.

www.AKAJohnDoe.com

"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible" - Frank Zappa