Vernier Tech Info Library TIL #1065

Question

What support does Vernier have for Palm OS handhelds? FAQs.

Answer

1. Which Palm OS handhelds do you support?

The current version of Data Pro software is designed to run on Palm OS (version 4 or newer). Each Palm model series to which we connect uses a different style of connector ("multi-connector","universal" or "legacy"). The Handspring Visor uses a special Visor cable. The Dana uses a standard USB cable. The Sony uses a special Sony cable. We provide support for the following models and connectors:

Palm "Multi-Connector" Handhelds: Palm Tungsten T5, Tungsten E2, Palm T|X
Palm Multi-Connector Data Collection Package, order code DP-MP

T3 "Universal Connector" Handhelds: Palm Tungsten T3, Garmin iQue 3200, 3600
Palm T3 Data Collection Package, order code DP-T3
(Garmin does not support synchronizing to Macintosh computers. You may purchase a third-party sync tool at www.markspace.com.)

Sony Clie Handhelds: PEG-TJ25, TJ35, TJ27, TJ37
Sony Clie Data Collection Package, order code DP-SONY
(Sony does not support printing with PrintBoy drivers or synchronizing to Macintosh computers. You may purchase a third-party sync tool at www.markspace.com.)

Palm 5 "Universal Connector" Handhelds: m500, m515, i705, Zire 71, Tungsten T, Tungsten T2, Tungsten C, Tungsten W
Palm 5 Data Collection Package, order code DP-5

Palm "Universal Connector" Handhelds: m125, m130
Palm Universal Data Collection Package, order code DP-UP

Palm "Legacy Connector" Handhelds: m100, m105, III, IIIe, IIIx, IIIxe
Supports up through Data Pro v 1.3 only
Palm Legacy Data Collection Package, order code DP-LP

Handspring Visor Handhelds: Platinum, Prism, Neo, and Pro
Supports up through Data Pro v 1.3 only
Data Pro Visor Package for Handspring, order code DP-VH

Each package above contains 3 items:
- a CD with Data Pro software
- one Handheld-to-LabPro Cable
- one Handheld-LabPro Pouch (DP-UP) or Cradle (DP-5, DP-T3, DP-MP)

Dana by AlphaSmart: order code DP-DANA
Package contains 1 item:
- a CD with Data Pro software

Note: LabPro interface is required and not included in any package.

2. Will our Palm Data Collection Packages work with other handhelds that run Palm OS?
a) Older Palm Handhelds? (V, Vx, VII, VIIx, Palm Pilot series (Personal, Professional, 1000, or 5000))
Answer: No.

b) Sony (Clie)?
Answer: Yes, but only for Clie PEG-TJ25, TJ-35, TJ-27, TJ-37. (Printing not supported.)

c) Palm Zire, Zire 21, Zire 22, Zire 31, Zire 72, Tungsten E?
Answer: No.

3. Will Data Pro work with a Pocket PC handheld, such as HP iPAQ or Dell Axim?
Answer: No. We do not support the Pocket PC (or Windows CE) operating system.

4. If I purchase one Palm handheld package in order to obtain the Data Pro software on CD, can I then purchase cables (or pouches) separately at a lower price?
Answer: No. We include a CD with every package as a convenience to customers. Even though we include one CD per package, you can use it to install Data Pro onto as many handhelds in your school or college department as you wish, or on teacher or student handhelds. We do not sell the cables, software, or pouches as separate items.

5. How many packages will I need to buy?
Answer for Palm handhelds: You will need to purchase one package for each LabPro. This will provide you with everything you need for data collection with that LabPro (except the handheld device itself).
Answer for Dana by AlphaSmart: You only need to purchase one package (software only) for all LabPros.

6. Can data collected with Data Pro be sent to the Vernier Graphical Analysis 3 or the Vernier Logger Pro 3 program?
Answer: Yes. Students simply place their handheld into the HotSync cradle, start up the software (version 3.1 or newer), and press the HotSync button. Their data transfers directly to the data table and graph.

7. Can data collected with Data Pro be exported for use with Microsoft Excel, or other computer applications?
Answer: Yes. You will simply place the handheld in the HotSync Cradle, press the HotSync button, and the Data Pro data is saved as a text file (.txt) that can easily be loaded into Excel or other applications.

8. Do you have a new edition of Physics (or Chemistry, or...) with Calculators adapted for Data Pro?
Answer: We do not have printed editions, however the Palm handheld electronic files for all of our subject area books are included on the CD in the back of the Science with Handhelds book. This book has 42 printed experiments and 192 electronic file experiments. The order information is:
Science with Handhelds, order code SWH
You may download sample experiments at:
http://www.vernier.com/cmat/handhelds.html

9. What is the purpose of the Pouch or Cradle?
- gives an all-in-one feel for remote data-collection solution.
- provides support to ensure that the Handheld-to-LabPro cable remains firmly connected.
- provides a little bit of classroom security so your Handhelds don�t "walk away."

10. My Palm brand handheld has an operating system older than OS 4. Can I use earlier versions? Can I upgrade my OS to a version that works with Data Pro?
Answer: You may use Data Pro 1.3 with Palm OS 3, but you will definitely need to upgrade to OS 4 versions to run the latest Data Pro. Many Palms with older operating systems can be upgraded. To find out if yours can be upgraded, consult the Palm website at
http://www.palmone.com/us/support/downloads. There may be a fee for this upgrade.

11. Can I use my Handspring Visor or Visor Deluxe with Data Pro? Is the Visor Palm OS upgradeable?
Answer: We do not support Data Pro on older Visors, however you are welcome to try Data Pro on a preview basis to see if it will work for you. The Visor OS is not upgradeable.

Created by: rjohnson on April 18 2002
Last updated by: jmcbride on June 07 2006