mtroy wrote:I've had one of these for about six months. It is almost unuseable with the terrible resistive screen. Hard to read and even harder to use for finger input.
That being said, where else can you get a tablet for this price?

You're talking about the wrong model. This T301 has a capacitive screen. You were probably using the R101, which is reisistive. But even then, I wouldn't call it unuseable. I have a R101 and we use it all the time. And I'm not sure what you mean by hard to read. It's a standard LCD screen, and we have no problems websurfing or reading eBooks, or PDFs.

Does this tablet come with a 4GB SD card already installed?

cosens84 wrote:Here is a comparison of the two
http://www.tabletreaderinfo.com/content/Velocity-Micro-Cruz-r103-Tablet-Review/Velocity-Micro-Cruz-t301-Comparison.htm

Wow..big difference in screen resolution. Is there any differences?

Oh well...in for 3..no "black friday" lines for me. These will make inexpensive gifts for some teens in the house....

buddhafool wrote:This might make a nice virtual comic book device...

Does anyone know if it will run Comixology Comic Reader smoothly? (Not the "Droid comic viewer" listed on the manufacturer site)

I'm not sure, but check out ComicRack for Android - this is by far the best comic book app I've ever used on Android. Just takes a lttle time to get used to the interface, but after that it's all good.

Btw, imo a 7 inch device is not good for a comic book reader - it's just too small. 10 inch device with an IPS screen is the minimum for an enjoyable reading experience, again imo. If you must use a 7 inch device, you might want to look into Comic Reader Mobi, as that has a "zoom" feature to read the dialog boxes on smaller screens.

MrJazz wrote:Please everybody ~ the R-103 and the T-301 are NOT the same. R= Reader; T = Tablet.
Apples and oranges...

x2 on this -- they are completely different devices. The "R" is a very slow device with a resistive screen and meant only as a reader primarily. The "T" is truly a tablet device, and has a capacitive screen. They have different chipsets, also.

That's not to say that the T301 is a bargain, but you can't use the R series reviews to make a decision on this. My own 2 cents is that, for 75 bucks, it is probably good bang for the buck. But it's not a Kindle Fire or even a Nook Color v1 as far as capabilities (the 256MB of RAM being the biggest bottleneck imo). I personally would take my $75 and shop around for a refurb Nook Color v1 and root it, if I was looking for a low cost 7 inch tablet. But that's just me.

Here is a shorter video review, it got an 7/10 score, just like everyone else said it what you pay for at $180 but were getting it for $70. I bought two.

pphilipp wrote:Capacitive screen!!!????

Aw come one! I've owned several of these cheap Chinese tablets and what they call 'capacitive' and what you, I, and Apple call capacitive are not one and the same thing.

If this one has true, authentic, well-behaving capacitive, I'll be extremely surprised. If it really does, then it's doing much better than it's $200 big oriental brothers who most of the time lack such a luxury.

Capacitive is capacitive is capacitive; it doesn't matter if it's on the Cruz or iPad or my inductive stovetop. The big difference is that the iPad and higher end Android tablets use a faster CPU. In other words, it's not so much the screen being unresponsive, but the CPU's inability to keep up with fast input. You can help things by getting rid of background processes and apps, and increasing the clock speed to 800mhz. For what it's worth, I've never hacked my R101 and it handles resistive inputs just fine. Is it perfect, no? My Edge, for example, is much more responsive. But for many apps, such as websurfing, chess, eReading, etc ... the touch screen simply hasn't been a problem.

If you're too young to remember the days of dial-up internet using this tablet will give you a good idea of what the experience was like.

migelito wrote:Capacitive touch screen means no using with gloves. in case it's winter or something

I have this reader, and it is a good little tablet if you don't expect too much. I have other tablets and a Kindle 2 and a Kindle Fire arriving today.

MAJOR DISCOVERY I've recently made. Pick up one or more of the rubber tipped styli, from Amazon. I have the long ones and the short ones that have a little nub that plugs into your earphone jack, while not in use.

The rubber tipped styli make even the worst touch screen into a dream to use. So if you use a rubber tipped stylus you can disregard any complaints about the touch screen.

NOTE.... I lost the charger for mine and tried about 40 chargers that I have in my small computer lab. None would work. I had to order one from eBay, made specifically for the Cruz.

Been heavily researching this type product and want to say there is a HUGE difference between Android 2.2 and 2.3, just as there is another between 2.3 and 3.0+ If this one had been 2.3 I would have bought. When Android 4.0 comes out, they will all have cell phone capability too, and it won't be long. Some already allow phone sim cards, the Dell Streak does. Anyway, if it's for a child, this one is fine but limited, great for a reader though! And cheaper than many readers. Or, learn on it as much as you can so you'll be ready for the better ones and the price drops as the generations fade, as you know.

egillingham wrote:Can I make non-cam Skype calls from this?

No, there is no microphone, although I guess someone could interface sound through the mini-USB.

buffaloed wrote:If you're too young to remember the days of dial-up internet using this tablet will give you a good idea of what the experience was like.

Agreed. On a Commodore 64 @ 300 baud!

There are hundreds of tablets on this website, how would someone know which is the best one to buy? I am so lost.

http://www.ahappydeal.com/MID-UMPC-st2-sid453.html?gclid=CLm5gabju6wCFQrGKgodQCDLpw

chrisstefan wrote:On sale at newegg for $59.99 shipped free.

Where? Please provide a link. I searched for "Velocity Cruz" and the only thing that came close were T301 screen protectors for $58.99.

sdc100 wrote:Where? Please provide a link. I searched for "Velocity Cruz" and the only thing that came close were T301 screen protectors for $58.99.

Don't bother. This is yet another person who found a R103 at Newegg and assumes that it's JUST GOT to be the same as a T301. Or, as Forrest Gump says, "Stupid is as stupid does."

Unfortunately, we'll probably have at least 5 or 6 more people making the same error. See above.

No GPS or Bluetooth ability. Noooooooope!

DaveMaurice wrote:I was going to order but found a review on it that changed my mind:

http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/velocity-micro-cruz-tablet/4505-3126_7-34451903.html

Thanks for the heads up, footnotes of the review are if your a grown up its not for you, if its a kid its not for you.

sdc100 wrote:The easiest way to waterproof a device is simply enclosing it in a ZipLoc™ bag, squeezing the air out. The problem is that this uses a capacitive screen, which requires skin contact with the screen (as far as I know). Humidity also plays weird tricks on the touch panels. My inductive stovetop has a capacitive touchpanel and when it gets very humid from cooking, buttons get activated without touching. If you want to do the ZipLoc™ thing, buy a resistive tablet, such as the lower end Velocity Cruz R101.

amazon.com had waterproof pouches that are accessories for the kindle

centuri0n wrote:I bought one of these for my wife last time it was on w00t. We are very pleased with it.

My feedback:

This is NOT a tablet, regardless of the description. it's the world's cheapest and most durable COLOR READER, and you should buy it with that in mind. It can do some other stuff in a rudimentary way, but it shines as a reader. It can run Kindle and Library loan software, and it can muddle through with PDFs and Office documents. The constraint for using it more robustly is the touch screen, which is laggy -- not like your iPad but more like a device that needs a stylus to really work well.

If you want a COLOR READER, this is a huge value and a great buy. If you want an actual TABLET COMPUTER, this is NOT the item to buy. It falls way short of that.

Also: the use of the SD card can be tricky. I have had good success with it playing music and moving books around, but again: not a tablet.

Define tablet, and give me link verifying that your definition is the standard definition. Then tell me why this Cruz doesn't fulfill those criteria. I've used tablets since the Apple Newton, and still use my Fujitsu Stylus running Win XP Tablet Edition with Handwriting Recognition (circa 2002). If those are tablets, why isn't this? If speed is your complaint, do you consider the original 4.77mhz IBM PC XT or Mac bona fide computers?

I'm very disappointed by the snobbery and ignorance when it comes to this debate.

kevinleigh wrote:I'm looking for something to surf the web while I'm at the coffee shop. Is this the right product for me? Check my e-mail, play on Facebook etc...

There are many such products that will be "right" for you. It really depends on your budget.

For simple browsing and email access, this seems to be a great tablet for the price. Keep in mind it only has 2 GB of stock memory, of which probably just over 1 GB is actually available for storage, so you'll want to get yourself a high capacity SD card to add to that.

Install android market (for technically inclined, ymmv)

Step1 - Apparently first step is to install latest firmware from cruz: http://cruzsupport.velocitymicro.com/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questionID=861

Step2 - http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/17518-android-market-and-google-apps-on-the-t301-with-froyo-now-possible/

I'm in. hope it works nice under counter to view recipes. im sick of dragging my laptop into the kitchen

aolshove wrote:The lack of a GPS makes ANY tablet at any price a no-sale. GPS capability is a major part of a tablet's cool factor and general usefulness because some of the best apps utilize GPS.

Well, that may be true if you want to look cool. Most of us are more concerned about functionality and price. What best apps require GPS? Sure you can get store coupons based on location, but that's certainly not a function I use often and I have yet to find any of the offers useful. And I generally have my smartphone when outside, not a 7" tablet. Furthermore, GPS-less devices can use WiFi to determine location if necessary, if public WiFi is available. It's not as accurate, but it works.

redbaronofredbud wrote:Difference is night and day. I have a Pandigital with Froyo and a Xoom with Honeycomb and I much prefer the Xoom. The internet was slow even right by a wireless spot, the apps are limited, and it didnt do Netflix. Its on the back burner (gonna modify it) and the Xoom is my main tab right now. Cant wait for the ICS update on it! Hope that helps.

I don't think that that's necessarily a function of the OS. You're talking about a much more powerful abd expensive Xoom vs a cheap Chinese-designed and made Pandigital. The CPU and other components -- and price -- are very different. In order to run Honeycomb, Motorola had to meet certain hardware requirements, which the Pndigital didn't. The only way to validate your claim is to compare a Xoom running Froyo vs a Xoom running Honeycomb.

jasonking0351 wrote:This certainly is much better than the Sony Dash that I paid $20 more to buy!

Depends what you are looking for.

I want to mainly use this as a portfolio for my photographs that I can show potential clients. I'm wondering if the 800x600 screen will show my photographs in good enough quality.

If you go read the reviews (both pro and consumer)..this is what it boiled down to.

At $250 (release price) this was dissapointing...slow and not very useable due to no Google App store.

At $120 it was a 'nice, inexpensive e-reader that allowed you access to both internet and email'.

Soooo...at $70 it should be pretty dang good..right?

There's a lot of good info about rooting and cleaning these up to a useable machine. At $70 I got 3 of them...and I know it's not a Xoom or iPad...it will make a good inexpensive Christmas gift.

Go read / watch the reviews...not as much disgust with the capability..more "you get what you pay for" vibe...and at $70, if I can use this to check email and look at gunbroker.com while having coffee that will be great...

mrwilt wrote:I want to mainly use this as a portfolio for my photographs that I can show potential clients. I'm wondering if the 800x600 screen will show my photographs in good enough quality.

No...you need something with IPS type display..this is a basic 800x600 LCD screen.

I don't even have a computer -- I'm using my neighbor's. He has Wi-Fi and has said I can use his; our houses are close together and I think the signal will get into mine clearly. All I want a computer or computer-like device for is to listen to audio from the Web. Not just radio stations, but all sorts of podcast-based programs and audio from programs of many different kinds that you have to go to a website and select the program you want to hear. That's why I haven't bought a WiFi Radio -- the publicity for those seems to always indicate you can only select from some website's menu of radio stations (& you need a computer to set it up). So will this tablet, or one of the similar under-$100 tablets I keep seeing advertised, do what I want? And can I do something similar with it when I go to other locations that have public WiFi? For decades, I could get a lot of the kind of audio I want listening to shortwave, but so many stations have gone off the air or discontinued their English services that just about all those sources are gone.

sdc100 wrote:Capacitive is capacitive is capacitive; it doesn't matter if it's on the Cruz or iPad or my inductive stovetop.

I understand the point you're trying to make here, but there are differences in digitizer quality, screen lamination process etc. that put the lie to your statement taken literally. There is a world of difference between the various capacitive screens and then an additional modifier for the driver and software using it.

I also have the resistive version of this tablet, and the "MASH THE SCREEN..." is right. But since this is CAPACITIVE, I wouldn't expect you to find that as a problem.

Keep in mind that this is a TABLET, but Velocity has no intention of upgrading to Android 3.0, which is the TABLET OS. Therefore, some apps don't work right (probably the larger screen).

On the upside: It's a really good e-reader for those who like a back-lit screen. I prefer my Nook with the e-text screen, but it requires an external light if you want to read in the dark. I've loaded up the Nook, Amazon, and FBReader e-reader apps on the Velocity Cruz, and they work fine (except for the MASHING).

I give it a thumbs-up. Just don't compare it to a $400 tablet.

mike123106 wrote:I got the T201 from woot months ago (I think that's the right number I'm half asleep) took it out of the box for 5 min and never touched it again. Super slow.... No android market. Super slow. Not a tablet, its a reader but not sure what books to read with no Google reader. Slowwwwww.... Also you have to MASH THE SCREEN WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT. Not like a phone. I got a galaxy tab and never looked back.

desireeguth wrote:Well, even though I repeatedly fail to get a Big ol' Cornucopia, I finally managed to get the tablet I have been wanting to get FOREVER! Thanks woot, now my kitchen cabinet will have a tablet velcro-ed to it so that I can view my recipes while cooking.....YAY!

That's a perfect use for the Cruz. YOu can even read full Cookbooks in ePub. A friend also records cooking shows off PBS for his mom to view on her Cruz. BTW, you don't need to Velcro™ it. It comes with an easel so that you can use it as a clock or digital photo frame too.

AS for the Cr.ap Bag, I FINALLY got one, which was shipped out yesterday. But the shipping weight was only 2 lbs so I'm not expecting all of the wonderful stuff I've seen on YouTube of people opening their Woot Cr.ap bags. I've seen large boxes full of GPSs, DVD players,and other goodies. With my luck, the 2 lbs (which includes shipping box and packaging material) will have a t-shirt or cedar cooking chips.

pookiesdilemma wrote:When Android 4.0 comes out, they will all have cell phone capability too, and it won't be long. Some already allow phone sim cards, the Dell Streak does.

The Streak allows phone calls because it is an enormous phone and not a tablet. Android 4.0 doesn't enable phone calls for non-phone devices, it simply merges Gingerbread and Honeycomb's diverging code trees back together and has things like UI Fragments to allow apps to be phone and tablet unified releases. Allowing phone calls besides VOIP requires hardware GSM or CDMA radios that are simply not present in WiFi only tablets.

MrJazz wrote:Please everybody ~ the R-103 and the T-301 are NOT the same. R= Reader; T = Tablet.
Apples and oranges...

Only in name, and sometimes, the resistive vs capacitive touchscreen, and included apps. Otherwise, they're pretty much identical. I've tried 4 Cruz models, including their R and T models. As someone who likes precision, I actually prefer a resistive screen. That's why none of the expensive equipment in our lab uses a capacitive screem. It's too easy to activate accidentally, or select the wrong choice.

I'll ask it once more: What generally-accepted definition of a tablet disqualifies the R models from being a tablet? And what criterion/criteria fails? Please provide a link.

aaronshall wrote:Nothing in the write up....


are these the 101's or 103's?

Says T301

roebeet wrote:Most Android devices are ARM-based which means all the tens thousands of apps out there will NOT work with this device. So, you might have some apps that were ported to a MIPS CPU but I don't know how many really exist.

Perhaps there's an ARM emulator of some kind, but not sure if that's something you even want to deal with on a tablet. So just be wary that your app options might be limited -=- probably whatever the Cruz Market offers.

most android apps are compiled to dalvik byte codes. for this reason, android apps can run on an arm-based tablet and, say, an intel-based google tv box unchanged

http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/21572-guide-cruz-t10x-t301-rooting-dalvik-turbo-removing-bloatware-gapps-market-more/

I got one and I plan on rooting it following these instructions. Maybe I'll even be able to update it to Honeycomb or Ice Cream Sandwich? /wishfulthinking

sking237 wrote:zzzzzzzzz-----------------
Which movie viewer app are you using?

For simple viewing, I just use the built-in video viewer. Keep in mind that I have the older R101, which doesn't play H.264 compression. According to the description, this Woot can play H.264. When I need to play specialized videos, i.e. RMVB shows from Asia, I use some Chinese program but I can't remember its name (my Cruz is home). It plays virtually any format you throw at it but since I don't read Chinese, I don't use any of the fancy features. Do a search for "android rmvb." If it plays RMVB, you can be pretty sure that it'll play most formats. But again, most of the time, the built-in featureless player is fine.

kevinleigh wrote:I'm looking for something to surf the web while I'm at the coffee shop. Is this the right product for me? Check my e-mail, play on Facebook etc...

The first question is whether your coffee shop has free Wifi. If yes, you're set. None of the functions you mention are CPU intensive. And if you use a powerful browser like Dolphin HD, you can even choose between the mobile and full versions of most websites. For example, I prefer the full versions of eBay and YouTUbe when I'm managing my accounts. Not sure about Facebook.

If you do a lot of typing, however, you may want to buy a USB keyboard. I got a one off eBay for $10. free s/h. It also function as a case and easel for the tablet. Keep in mind, however, that the Cruz uses a min-USB port so you'd need a USB-to-miniUSb converter.

If it could run Cyanogenmod I would be in for one. I'm not motivated to do the level of hacking required otherwise to get it to where I would want it.

jamina1 wrote:This is actually on sale at Newegg today for $59.99 with promocode EMCYTZT915

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16858274015&nm_mc=EMC-GD111611&cm_mmc=EMC-GD111611-_-index-_-Item-_-58-274-015

Good luck.

Different model... R103