eugene
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 63
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Post by eugene on Aug 15, 2008 10:20:30 GMT
Hi everyone,
All this talk of technology. has anyone had any experience of something new called the Pocket Surfer2? It claims that once you have paid the purchase price (about £160) you have free access to the internet with it over all the UK.
It has a colour display and folds up to pocket size. It sounds too good to be true.
Eugene
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Post by niloc on Aug 15, 2008 11:22:51 GMT
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karenw
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 92
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Post by karenw on Aug 15, 2008 13:37:28 GMT
I use a Pocket Surfer and it is good. For an extra £5.99 per month you can have unlimited access. My husband uses it at sea for weather forecasts and I use it on my camping trips. Providing you're in an Orange reception area then you can use it.
It's fairly fast and you can enlarge/reduce the size of the display so it's clear except for very small text. For me it's proven invaluable for keeping in touch, finding local facilities and I feel lost without it.
The downside is that the battery only lasts about 5 hours but it can be charged from a lighter socket (or mains if you use campsite and the hook-up facility), doesn't stream music or video and the display can be hard to read by torchlight at night (which is how I use it!).
I paid £149.99 at Ebuyer.com and would recommend it for easy, flexible internet and email access almost anywhere and out on the road. It's not as fast as broadband but is very much faster than dialup.
HTH
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Post by yamaha on Aug 23, 2008 22:58:58 GMT
Oh dear - you Guys have got me at it again - I'd never heard of the Pocket Surfer2 before, but on reading up on it, it seemd an excellent bit of kit - so I bought one!!
I must say, I'm very impressed with it. Yes, it's a bit fidley to use, initally, but you soon get used to it's foibles.
As an old codger, the screen could be a bit bigger - but that would make the whole machine bigger - so it would no longer be pocket sized.
I also read all the reviews I could find about it - most seemed to praise it, but some hated it - myself, I think it's a brilliant bit of kit that does what it says on the box - and I haven't been anywhere yet that it can't find a network to connect to - but I only got it this week!!
If you have a Maplins near you, they should have a display one on a stand that you can have a play with.
Go on - treat yourself - you know it makes sense!! ;D
Mike
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Post by Pauline on Aug 24, 2008 16:53:51 GMT
This look fun, but can you tell me, is it just for surfing the web and reading? or can you also use it to input to the web, for instance could I put posts on here while away, just like I would with wifi and the laptop.  |
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Post by yamaha on Aug 24, 2008 23:23:14 GMT
Hi Pauline - just as an experiment, this reply is done on my Pocket Surfer, whilst sat in the lounge, surrouned in camping gear for my biking trip tomorrow night. We'll see how the message looks - at the mo it's just one continuous line of text.
Mike
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Post by yamaha on Aug 24, 2008 23:57:30 GMT
Well, that little experiment worked OK, didn't it?
It does take longer - but if you're away from home, it certainly keeps you in touch.
I also experimented with controlling my desktop computer with it - that is wierd - you see your decktop, and can open files, etc on it - I tried a couple of pdf workshop manual files that I have - it's all there - could be very useful in an emergency.
Also, all your emails are downloaded to it when you connect, and obviously, you can delete or reply to them as normal.
Maybe we'll want a new Pocket Surfer section soon on the Forum!!
Mike
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Post by friffies on Aug 25, 2008 8:32:40 GMT
Hi Everyone
We purchased a T-Mobile dongel for internet conections whilst we travel this fair country of ours.
Its great for finding stuff like addresses from websites.
You get 3mb download per month for £15,just plug into a laptop also we sometimes use it at home.
malcolm.
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Post by Pauline on Aug 25, 2008 9:01:32 GMT
Maybe we'll want a new Pocket Surfer section soon on the Forum!! Mike Yes it would go nicely with the 'Cheeky so and so' section ;D |
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Post by Pauline on Aug 25, 2008 9:03:16 GMT
Thanks Friffles, there seems to be so much to choose from. Mike the test certainly worked, I wouldn't have known that you had done it from anything other than your PC.  |
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Post by snobbyafghan on Aug 25, 2008 15:44:01 GMT
Does it work on the continong?
Doug
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Post by marc4242 on Aug 25, 2008 16:36:36 GMT
I use what I assume is the same web n walk £15/month usb stick that friffies refers to, in conjunction with an asus eee sub-notebook. The 1st eee I bought I think has about a 9" screen which is great for popping in a pack an I always have the web on tap. I both a 'snap and lock' hard yupperware waterproof box to protect it.
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Post by viv on Aug 25, 2008 17:07:07 GMT
All very interesting for me as well, as I am keen to get internet when travelling around.
I have been looking at internet connections for camping today. My best option today was an offer from '3' phone network for a dongle at £15 per month with 5 mg downloads. This would mean I could get rid of my BT broadband connection (currently £15 per month) No real saving therefore, but it would mean I could use my laptop at home and when travelling via the mobile phone network.
Will ponder overnight as to what is best option for me. I can't get out of my BT BB contract until next March but I am in no hurry as we won't be going away much in Winter.
Will watch this space with interest.
My daughter says 'you lot seem to have most things sussed' not sure if 'you lot' meant 'campers.'
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Post by bubble10 on Aug 28, 2008 8:28:26 GMT
Back to the pocket surfer for one mo., if it is free internet access for the first year, what does it cost for the second and thereafter?
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karenw
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 92
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Post by karenw on Aug 28, 2008 10:37:10 GMT
The second year subscription for the Pocketsurfer 2 is £40 but I haven't found a price for year 3.
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Post by snobbyafghan on Aug 29, 2008 14:11:46 GMT
Can I repeat my earlier question? Does it work on the continent?
Doug
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Post by wendy on Aug 30, 2008 8:01:23 GMT
The website for Pocket Surfer says to ring their Customer Service for use abroad. I think I've read somewhere that it is very expensive.
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karenw
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 92
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Post by karenw on Aug 30, 2008 11:52:55 GMT
Yes, it can be used overseas but, like mobile phones, it isn't cheap.
I think you have to register a credit card with PocketSurfer and overseas charges are billed to this so it could be difficult to keep a close eye on costs.
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Post by wendy on Aug 30, 2008 18:41:13 GMT
It's £14.99 per hour and as karenw says you have to register your credit card details. See here |
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Post by Graham on Aug 30, 2008 20:54:51 GMT
It's £14.99 per hour and as karenw says you have to register your credit card details. See hereWow, think we'll stick to looking for McDonalds and get it free. Graham |
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Post by viv on Sept 1, 2008 8:50:36 GMT
Well nothing is straightforward in these days of fast advancing technology. My plan to get rid of BT broadband and just use a £15 pmonth dongle at home and when travelling has been skuppered. Watched son try and use his Orange dongle on his laptop and it was just really slow, would drive me mad if I had to use that everyday.
Anyway I am tied in to BT until March. They are offering a free surfing device if I up grade for an extra £5 per month. This sounds like it is worth considering but who knows what will be available by March, probably be able to get internet via my wristwatch for free by then!!!!
Am keenly looking at Sky options.
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Post by snobbyafghan on Sept 10, 2008 9:54:06 GMT
I've got a Vodafone dongle. Although capable of 3g speeds, in most places it operates at 2g and it is slow compared to home broadband. I've got it mainly to enable me to work while sneaking off in the van and it should come in useful when we go to France next week.
I find it pays to turn off automatic downloading of pictures - it speeds up web page loading considerably. The worst thing is if someone sends a large attachment by email.
Doug
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Post by glenw on Sept 24, 2008 13:43:22 GMT
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