D-Pad issues

[Computer Ninja]

Friends, it's come to my attention from reading other forums (yes, I have some competitors out there) that there is a known-issue with the d-pad. I'm not sure if it's only on the 400MHz version, though.

When I tried using my d-pad (I've only tried a handful of times), I felt that it was a little "loose" and flimsy, and POSSIBLY didn't work very well. I just passed it off as bad design. I didn't think I'd be using the d-pad a whole lot anyway, however, there are some people out there who are using PocketSNES (or NES?) and playing games that use the d-pad as a joystick. They complained about it, too.

Well, it seems that many of them have called Dell and have received replacement Axim's within 2 days. Some people said they'd wait until mid-January so that Dell's inventory would have "fixed" Axims.

Anyone else having this issue?

[Elyod]

Yes I noticed it too...exactly as you described it. I have only used it for reading a book and it always feels loose and sometimes it works, other times it would scroll down 2-4 pages with the same touch.

I like all but this "feature", also the scroll button on the side seems to work about the same way. I am going to give it a week or so and see if it is something I have to get used to or not. I would hate to get a replacement and find out that it is a basic design problem.

[Computer Ninja]

It seems that the people I was talking about were getting better units when they were replaced.

[jim]

I got a new one in 1 day. Overnight! ANd there is a big difference

[Former_HPB]

I've also hear that if you go to settings, buttons, put the repeat rate at 0, this also helps quite a bit. I also think it feels loose, but it seems to work fine when I use pocket NES.

[Computer Ninja]

Former_HPB, can you provide a good link for NES games? I am trying to use Yame, but I have to figure out how to switch it to English, first.

[frustrated_teccy]

I had read about the D-pad issues prior to ordering my Axim, so it was one of the first things I checked out when I received it.

It is, by far the weakest part of the unit... Technically, mine works in all directions, though getting it to go right requires advanced finger techniques... the main problem seems to be a sort of bounceback issue. The down and right directions seem to register a second command of up and down respectively about half the time they are used... Does seem to depend on the app though... Microsoft reader is WAY too sensitive to this, as are some games (speedball 2 demo), while others (like Rayman) seem to have no issues at all. So far I am not particularly worried about it... Maybe b/c it is my first PPC and the WOW factor is still in place... We will see. I get a little annoyed every time I press the centre of the d-pad down, though, and hear it go *click* like something is gonna happen <_< ... Dammit, it SHOULD be an enter button...

[Elyod]

I agree with all the posts, it just isn't working correctly. I had Ms. Pac Man (since I am an old guy) one of my all time favorite games. I got so tired of not being able to go where I wanted to go that I removed it from the AXIM out of frustration.

Also I'm with you Ninja, where are those NES games . . . I guess so that I can work up more frustration...

<_<

[Computer Ninja]

I am so glad we have a place to talk about this stuff.

I am writing this from ThunderHawk beta 1.06.
They asked me to test it for them.
When I get my new Axim, I'll let y'all know if
my d-pad is better, stiffer.

[Computer Ninja]

I'll tell ya, though, the ThunderHawk browser is nice, but it's still flaky. Maybe it's because it's a beta for the Axim.