iPaq screen reflections - anyone really happy with their solution?

Richard,

The note below is my expression of frustration on a tired evening. Your
note below "asked for it".

Your web site is impressive - a good copy of mine.

It is amazing the extent to which you copy my web site and take the margin
out of selling the products. I see you even stole my "Add to Cart" and
"View Cart" buttons. I created those. I'd request that you remove them
from your site, but I guess I don't want to go that far. Feel free to keep
using them. I guess imitation is the highest form of flattery...
Unethical is the word that comes to my mind. But we are in a free market
economy and I accept that.

I've heard rumors that your cables aren't as nice as the ones from Larry
Goddard that I sell. I'm sure others will say the opposite is true.

I find it hard to compete with you on price so I must take my hat off to
you. Since I don't make the cables myself (you must) I can't sell at the
prices you do. I do have a very loyal customer base though that seems to
like the support and customer service I offer. I imagine you have happy
customers as well.

I don't make enough money on the cables or cradles to want to sell for the
prices you do. I'll keep my prices where they are. If people buy from you,
good for you - you can sell the parts at a profit margin I won't accept.
I'm not making enough profit as it is to justify the late nights.

I can say that the TEKK cradle solution I offer has a much more rigid
gooseneck than the RAM gooseneck you offer.

Good Selling,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring Supplies
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com




"Richard Pfiffner" wrote in message
...
Craggy Aero

Same cradle lower price.

Richard
www.craggyaero.com



"Jim Kelly" wrote in message
u...
| The cradle
| itself is mass produced for use in automobiles, but modifications
are
| required for use in gliders.
| But I completely understand your wish that they could be less
expensive.
| Paul Remde

Maybe the mass produced model for automobiles will do the job?? Is
it much cheaper??

Cheers,

Jim.

the TEKK cradle solution

Now boys!

The price needs to a third of what it is to be realistic . . if you
have energy to vent go beat up the manufacturer!!

Considering that all we need is a us$20 HP sleeve fitted to a RAM
mount, add a plug with wires for us$13 (from he
http://www.gomadic.com/ip4leadprewc.html#) to do just as good a job
bar one thing: the TEKK mount turns the wire backwards and protects
the delicate connector in the iPaq, I think a little job in the
workshop could protect the standard fitting.

One big advantage of the setup described is that by using Velcro to
fix the sleeve to the mount, anyone else with a different type of
gadget just has to add Velcro to it's back, slap it on and fly (no
iPaq mount to unscrew).

Cheers,

Jim Kelly.

To start, let me state that I find posts of this nature completely
unprofessional! If you have an issue with another company for infringement,
then take it up with them, not on here.

Let me share my experience with both of these vendors so the other side can
be heard.

When I purchased my glider I wrote both Richard (Craggy Aero) and Paul
(Cumulus Soaring) the exact same email seeking help. I do not know either of
them and have no other interest in them except as a prospective customer.

I included photos to assist them in deciding how best to solve my problems.
After researching the sites they both appeared to offer a solution to my
problem of hooking up an Ipaq to a B50/Volkslogger.

Cumulus's web site certainly sells one on how experienced and wonderful they
are (actually how wonderful he is), that's for sure. Craggy's web site just
offer the basic info and pricing with little sales pitch. Actually it's a
bit spartan.

I received a very fast and extensive reply from Craggy within a day. It
included many suggestions including an offer to prewire everything and ship
it to me within two days. I received prompt replies to further questions and
basically he put up with the newbie trying to find an economical solution.
(What this thread is really about)

On the other hand, I never heard back from Cumulus and sent a second email
asking for advise and finally received what I would call a "simple" reply;
"OK, here buy this!." The 'tone' of that email what not unlike his post here
attacking Richard. Nothing like I expected considering how the first page of
the website reads! I mean really, this guy is really into himself and it
shows!

While I decided to wait for the SSA convention and see these mounts and
cables in person (as well as meet the respective individuals), I did order
an upgrade for WinPilot from Richard and have received excellent support. I
also ordered a cable and it was not right and my return was treated very
promptly!

As I said, I find posts of this nature very unprofessional and for me shows
exactly what kind of businessman you are, notwithstanding how wonderful you
tell us you are!


"Paul Remde" wrote in message
news:4MbBb.477861$Fm2.467503@attbi_s04...
Richard,

The note below is my expression of frustration on a tired evening. Your
note below "asked for it".

"Jim Kelly" wrote in message u...
the TEKK cradle solution

Now boys!

The price needs to a third of what it is to be realistic . . if you
have energy to vent go beat up the manufacturer!!

Considering that all we need is a us$20 HP sleeve fitted to a RAM
mount, add a plug with wires for us$13 (from he
http://www.gomadic.com/ip4leadprewc.html#) to do just as good a job
bar one thing: the TEKK mount turns the wire backwards and protects
the delicate connector in the iPaq, I think a little job in the
workshop could protect the standard fitting.

One big advantage of the setup described is that by using Velcro to
fix the sleeve to the mount, anyone else with a different type of
gadget just has to add Velcro to it's back, slap it on and fly (no
iPaq mount to unscrew).

Cheers,

Jim Kelly.

For an additional investment of $29.95, you can have automatic wire
connections, and rear-projecting (or side projecting) wires. See this
link: http://www.anywheremap.com/pages/pro...ages/aw170.htm
I fabricated a mount for my iPAQ 3835 using an HP sleeve, the sleeve
lock described in the link, a piece of 1/4" plastic and some RAM mount
hardware. it worked so well I made a couple of them (one for my car
too). If you're good with a soldering iron, you can save the cost of
an expensive cable.

Rich Kiray

I think the Mertins mount is a good product. Enrique does a very nice job
making them in molds, etc. But some customers that purchased them in the
past said they were not impressed with them because they look a little
"home
made". I think the web site mentions that they are home made, but... I've
had to take one unit back for a refund. The unit worked fine but didn't
meet the customer's expectations for the price.

I returned that unit to Paul earlier this year. It didn't meet my
expectations because it didn't work. The IPAQ wouldn't connect to the CAI
302 using that mount. I assume the mount connector was not making adequate
contact in the IPAQ or there was some other wiring problem.

Also the fit was so poor the IPAQ consistantly became stuck in the mount.
To extract the IPAQ I would have to hold the mount in one hand, the IPAQ in
the other and pull with clenched teeth until my face turned red... then the
IPAQ would come out. Waxing the edges of the IPAQ helped, but goodness
gracious, what a pain.

To Paul's credit, he did take the Mertin's mount back and give the credit
toward a TEKK mount which worked and fit perfectly from the start.

Guy Byars

I returned that [Mertins] unit to Paul earlier this year. It didn't meet my
expectations because it didn't work........ Also the fit was so poor
the IPAQ consistantly became stuck in the mount.

Apparently, then, there is more than a little variability in the Mertins
mounts - quality wise. I was completely satisfied with the fit and
finish of the one I received.

Tony

Catfight!

"Paul Remde" wrote in message news:4MbBb.477861$Fm2.467503@attbi_s04...
....
It is amazing the extent to which you copy my web site and take the margin
out of selling the products. I see you even stole my "Add to Cart" and
"View Cart" buttons. I created those. I'd request that you remove them
from your site, but I guess I don't want to go that far. Feel free to keep
using them. I guess imitation is the highest form of flattery...
Unethical is the word that comes to my mind. But we are in a free market
economy and I accept that.

Paul, you might also want to send a nasty note to Jeff Bezos. He also
stole your "shopping cart" idea on Amazon.com.

"Rich Kiray" wrote in message
| For an additional investment of $29.95, you can have automatic
wire
| connections, and rear-projecting (or side projecting) wires. See
this
| link: http://www.anywheremap.com/pages/pro...ages/aw170.htm

EXCELLENT! Thanks Rich!

I would expect the mount to work on later h3900, h5100, h5400, h5500
series iPaqs too, since they use the same sleeves and cradles.

Curiously, I opened the plug on my iPaq-GPS cable and found that
there were two carefully soldered jumper-wires joining several pairs
(?) of contacts. Anyone know why? I thought it might be to double up
on power, but this would have been better done at the other end of
the cable (there were plenty of unterminated wires available in the
lead).

I had expected just 5v, gnd, data-in and data-out to be needed. Is
it possible that some of the advanced data-comms pins have to be
jumpered for an iPaq to communicate with a gps?

I could peel off the tin sides and try to determine exactly which
pins are jumpered, but a magnifying glass will be needed . . boy is
it delicate in there!!

Cheers,

Jim

Trust that you've got some sleep by now Paul? This product, readily
available from Anywhere-Map, could be just the thing you need to
prove to TEKK that their price should have tumbled down by now. As
Rich says, once the price is right we will tend to buy them in
multiples. I for one would have bought straight from seeing them on
your beaut web site if the price had been reasonable.
Thanks for all of the time and effort that you put into your site,
it really is very good.

wrote in message newsXjBb.6245
I find posts of this nature very unprofessional

This sounds like "the pot calling the kettle black" to me!


You only have to look back through this newsgroup's postings to see
how Paul has made a great contribution to supporting the gliding
community for years. Then look over his web site to see a vast array
of good advice and collective knowledge that you won't find
elsewhere. From my observations both Paul and Richard are capable
businessmen and are able to offer great help to the gliding
community. At the end of the day a man's got to get bread on the
table. From what you have described about your experience, it may
have been easy to see that you were a WinPilot man and Paul was
being asked to provide support with little hope of getting any
order! Time management is an important aspect of being a good
businessman too!

Yes, Paul's post may have been unfortunate, but that can be the
nature - and strength - of such an open forum . . it isn't easy to
be great every day, at every thing!

Chin up Paul!!

Cheers,

Jim Kelly.

"Jim Kelly" wrote in message
...
wrote in message newsXjBb.6245
I find posts of this nature very unprofessional
table. From what you have described about your experience, it may
have been easy to see that you were a WinPilot man and Paul was
being asked to provide support with little hope of getting any
order!

Not quite true. Clearly on both sites are the cables and power supplies
that I'm going to require. I could purchase from either and accomplish the
goal.The are exactly the same (specification wise) at both companies The
only item was an upgrade to WinPilot (came with the ship). So if you think
passing up a sale of $300-$600 because I use WinPilot (upgrade cost of
$50.00) is good business well so be it. I don't. Besides, you build your
customers for not only present sales but future ones as well.

Besides, what do you feel is so unprofessional posting an experience, one
good and one not so good. After all, that's what this is all about isn't it?

I notice that is newsgroup community basically has nothing good to say about
the PW-5 and is quite vocal in that regard! Well I have a PW-5 and find all
the bashing in poor taste. I have refrained from comment as it's sad to see
such attitudes from fellow soaring pilots. Likewise it sad to see one vendor
attack another!