Sprint PCS CF card

[AximDellDude]

I noticed that Sprint has a CF card available with their Vision plan. Has anyone tried this out? Supposed to give internet access and can even be used as a phone from the pda.

I know the card you're talking about. I was flipping through the latest issue of Pocket PC Magazine and found an article about the Sprint PCS Connection Card. Sprint's marketing it, but it's Novatel Wireless's product. Unfortunately, it doesn't mention until about halfway through the article that the card is in PCMCIA format. <Le sigh> I guess whenever Dell gets around to offering an expansion pack similar to iPaq's, hopefully one with a rechargeable battery because this thing's a power suck, this will be kinda cool to get.

[jtfowl0]

There is a CF card, too...I know because I have and use one! The SKU on it is a 17-2555. They are way cool, and plug into Axims beautifully. They work on Sprint's 3G data network, so they are capable of speeds of up to 3 times 56k, but my speed has been on par with a 56k connection so far. The CF card also has its own battery pack so it doesn't drain the Axim, although I wish battery life was a little longer. The advantage of this thing is that it comes with the PCMCIA adapter so you can use it in a laptop as well. $99 a month for unlimited data didn't seem like that bad of a deal to me.

[jplush76]

does the CF card for for regular sprint cell customers or do you HAVE to have a PCS vision account? I just have PCS

I have their adapter that lets you plug in your phone as a modem to your laptop and it SUCKS 14.4K transfer, took me 10 minutes literally to check one yahoo email. Is the CF card worth getting or is the service still really slow?

[run_GMoney]

Anyone know what connection setting I should have setup?

[WindWalker]

There is a very complete thread about this card over at PocketPC Passion. Dale Coffing is a Microsoft MVP who was using this card for connectivity, and was able to get speeds up to 100 kbps, and as low as 23 kbps. Check out the discussion, it's pretty positive.

[run_GMoney]

Thanks for that link but I didn't see anything regarding connection settings. I'm assuming I need to set something straight with the Internet/Work options. Any thoughts?

BTW - when I click "Go" from the PCS Connection Manager, I get a message saying "Your card is receiving important information from the PCS Network. This may take a few minutes." Then a screen comes up saying "If you have changed your password on-line, please also change it at Change Password on the Tools menu." I haven't changed anything. I just got the dang card. Alright that should do it.

[ACW]

I had problems with my card for the first couple of days and had to get on the phone with an air card specialist to correct it. I am pretty new to the world of PDA's but with their help got it running well. I have been using it as a phone and to surf the web. It is absolutely awesome. It is worth trying to work out your connections problems with a specialist.

[dennis_galloway]

hi guys,

newbie here 2 the group. I have the CF2031 card on the PCS Vision plan for 4 $30 a month/ 40 after 3 mons w/ unlimited data. I love it. it's great. i used my axim 2 make and receive calls and 2 get on the net

installation was easy for me. However, it doesn't like installing on my PC or my Del laptop with windows me. But my roommates laptop on win 98 works like a charm. and I always get fast downloads whether on the laptop or the axim.

denn

[ACW]

Im on the same plan for $30/mo. Sprint is catching on and is trying not to set anyone else up on the plan. I have two associates that have been trying to do it and the service or sales reps have been giving them a lot of crap and said if they got on the plan, Sprint can cancel service at any time. They also just raised their rates to $35 for two months and $45 thereafter.

[dennis_galloway]

I just signed up on the 14th of Feb. and I've had no problems. i thought I would have to fight my way to get on this plan that I'm on now. But they signed me up automatically. it's sprint's own fault because tyhey always mention this modem as a phone. The others are modems or connection cards, but they call the CF 2031 a phone.

Own thing that I heard, I don't know if it's true or not, is that in the PCS Vision, they could not track the data amount used. And instead of discarding what they have already paid for, they choose to keep data as an unlimited option. And it may be right. Since I've switched, I cannot see how many minutes I have used at all. How about you?

Denn

[DaMemphisMan]

could you post a link to that plan cuz all i see on sprints website is an unlimited plan for $99 a month

[dennis_galloway]

There is no link. it's just the basic PCS Vision plan for $30 for 3 months and then $40 a month thereafter w/ unlimited data.

I was in the same boat as you. I've been hearing about people doing it. So i finally went to the PCS store and bought it. and then came on and activated it.

And I got that plan w/ no problems nor arguments. if you look at the connection card plans, you only see $40 for 20mb. so i didn't go by that. i called and activated and was ready to argur for it because my boss has the same plan. But all my prep was in vain, i didn't have to say a word.

However, I just went to the sight and they have changed pricing again to $45

denn

[ACW]

I haven't seen anything that tracks data usage. It just shows under history how many times I have connected.:D

[dennis_galloway]

And nothign about how many minutes used right?

Denn