I'm doing a trial on two of them, but many features seem the same in all the major players. They seem to allow custom templates, let you sort into a tree view, etc. After continued use has anyone found any particular favorite features or fatal flaws?

jan

I have only used two: the one that comes with the BB, and Cryptmagic.

I haven't used or tried the others but a big thing for me is to get one that has a desktop client also. It makes is soooo much easier to maintain and view your info.

I use Flexwallet - I migrated from a WM5 device, so I already had FW on my desktop and old device. Synced right up with the blackberry.

Don

Desktop client is a good catch, that eliminates the built-in application. I am just wondering if they are overkill, or will I find all that customizing to be valuable. Do you guys have a lot of data being stored, or just passwords and a few accounts?

Very useful to me. I used eWallet from Iliumsoft for years but switched briefly to FlexWallet when WebIS purchased it. However FlexWallet was being heavily developed by WebIS - definitely to make it better, but you basically had to be running a rough beta-quality app while they were working on it. Now I use SPB Wallet, which was recently officially released. They took the others and basically made theirs fill-in any missing features. More customizable than the others, and a nice desktop counterpart.

I have all my bank accounts listed (account #'s, routing #'s, and web usernames and paswords), my insurance policies, various voicemail codes, vehicle info, membership info for various organizations, and about 50 website u.n's and p/w's. Heavily encrypted, so your data is about as safe as reasonably possible. (strong AES 256bit algorithm is used for encryption).

Oh - and it has a password creator, so rather than make up a new password for a new site, you can have the software do it and remember it.

Not a necessity, but can be convenient if you need something like this.

Jim

Does SPB Wallet support the 8830? I only saw it for the Pearl on Handango. I am leaning towards Ascendo, but really have to play with them this weekend...

I use Ascendo Data Vault. The desktop client is great and the app runs very smooth on my device. I really like it.

I don't know what's going on with it. SPB doesn't mention Blackberry anywhere on their site. Handango has this listed on their Blackberry software page, but the version it shows there is the Windows Mobile Smartphone version.

I don't know if that means their Smartphone version will work on a Curve, but I wouldn't want to purchase it to find out.

Jim

It does look OK, but seems a bit pricey.

Heck, most of the BB software I've looked at is pricey! Why mince words: it's downright expensive!

Why is that? For example, I still have a license for Cerience's Repligo document converter/reader. Purchased the desktop and Pocket PC version for under $30. Lifetime license. Now I see they "rent" the same thing for Blackberry for $25 every three months, or $80 per year! Same features. Why?

Jim

I've been using SplashID for nearly a year. It is robust and secure and I like the interface -- I've also used it on a Pocket PC and a Palm, never lost any data in 4 years.

Someone just suggested SplashID to me and I was going to download it and look, thanks for the reminder!

Have you all seen my review page on Crypt and DV.

Stinsonddog’s Blackberry Datasafe Review

Questions for those that know:

Ascendo: You can't open an item from Tree View. So I can scroll down to it and click on it, but the menu does not allow me to view the details. Is that a bug on my BB? In List View, clicking on it brings up a menu that allows me to Open the item.

FlexWallet: Doesn't have a note field?

SplashID: Doesn't have a Tree View?

Ascendo is doing an upgrade. You have to use the enter key and not the trackball. It will autoopen if it filters down to one item.

IMO, Password Keeper is good enough for me. I have used Ascendo DataVault and found Ascendo does hold a lot of info but takes way too much time to enter all the info it will hold. Password Keeper is simple. Just my $.02. YMMV

Can anyone tell me whether or not Ascendo allows registered users of their Datavault application to download updates from their website?

I used Handango for a few years (I have 11 pages in my purchase history there!), but I no longer use them if at all possible since they started that "Download Protection" extortion caper. Now I prefer to purchase directly from developers' websites if they offer it. Ascendo doesn't.

I visited MobiHand from a link on the Ascendo site and wanted to make sure they don't use a similar leech-like policy there and didn't see any mention at all of whether or not you can download there if you purchased from them. I went to their tech support page - Ha! There isn't any such thing there! When you click on the link it has a number of manufacturer and developer links and a short statement about how MobiHand doesn't know enough to offer support so they want you to instead visit the developers' sites. That's a first for me. I won't visit there anymore - poorest customer service policy I have seen for any handheld software vendor!

I notice that AT&T Wireless has Datavault listed on their Applications page, but I am reluctant to purchase from them as I already know they offer no support at all if, for example, you have to perform a factory reset (like a hard reset on other devices) and lose all your data and programs. Last time I purchased from them (back before Cingular merged with them the first time) this did happen and they simply said "Too bad. Want to buy it again?"

Any assistance is appreciated!

Jim

I have had good luck with Mini-Safe since my 7230!

MiniSafe for BlackBerry - Your Electronic Wallet/Password Manager/Password Keeper

Jeff

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8300/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Jeff,

Does Mini-Safe have a desktop version? I really prefer to enter most existing data there & then let it sync to my device.

Jim

Is the same J-mac from SBSH PDA days?

The one and only.

That's Mad Max, my avatar.

J-Mac - I recommend Crypt or Data Vault - see my tips page. Tried and tested for years. Right now Crypt's BB version has a slight edge.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8300/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Actually your review was what sent me to check out Datavault. You did mention - either early in the review or in the other post I read from you - that Crypt had a slight edge, but reading the entire view left me w/ the distinct impression that DV had caught up & possibly passed it.Something about a new version of DV coming soon or just out. Guess I was reading more into it than you wrote!

Though I still think that DV's feature set was more like what I'm used to & prefer. I'll have to read it again when I'm back at my PC.

Thanks!

Jim

Stinsonddog:

You say you recommend Crypt and gove it a slight edge, but in your review you mention the following features that DataVault has and that Crypt is missing:

1. DataVault is slightly faster on the BB
   
2. DataVault also has the better desktop right now
3. DataVault has a more comprehensive user guide
4. Cryptmagic doesn't make you enter your password when you sync; DataVault does make you enter the password
5. Cryptmagic offers only a Tree View & doesn't offer a List View for the desktop. DataVault provides a Tree View and List View on the desktop, and you can easily switch between the views with button on the top.
6. DataVault comes with 20 pre-defined templates, and it’s a breeze to add more as you like. This allows a little more flexibility in that for each type in a category you can have different templates, whereas in Cryptmagic you would be creating an additional template.
7. I wish Cryptmagic would allow docking of its search bar. I often find it not where I want it.
8. Cryptmagic has been my workhorse for about a year now. Why? - Tree view search on the BB takes me to the exact record and shows me the fields immediately. This has been my number one reason for using it. DataVault on the other hand has not only caught up with them, but seems to have passed them. Why? They give you options, and generally options means personal preferences.
9. DataVault also has the better desktop right now. DataVault has a more comprehensive user guide also that describes the features of the program. The Cryptmagic guide is more about installing and export/import.

All comments above were copied and pasted directly from your review.

I realize I have only pulled selected comments from your review, but in all honesty, this is about what I see there. DataVault looks like the better program according to your review, not to mention it costs $5 less than Crypt.

Other than a subjective "Because I like it", or familiarity and comfort level, are there other reasons that your review appears to show DataVault as the more feature-laden application with the more secure methods requiring password to sync yet Crypt is your recommended application?

Thanks.

Jim

They all change slightly over time. There are a few quirks in DV on the BB right now. I use it on the BB the most but often input from the Desktop. The issue with DV on the BB is that I can't copy to clipboard from the menu on DV whereas I can on Crypt so I am using that more right now. They are both good.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8300/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Stinsonddog:
Thank you. Reading through the quote of my last post it appears to be a little argumentative. However it really wasn't intended that way. I had read two posts where you mentioned both DataVault & Crypt and recommended Crypt over DataVault. Yet I read your review twice & came away both times feeling that DataVault was the better application. So your standard naming of Crypt as having an edge was confusing me. Remember, I don't yet have either.

Then again, perhaps my own preference of certain features is shading how I perceive the review.

Thanks!

Jim

No doubt I favored DV when I wrote that - I find the copy to clipboard a major item. They are both great vendors have taken my input on a number of items. Both are good. I just like the copy to clipboard feature and DV only has copy which is manual. I think next release they will fix it.

So just go get one of them.

Thanks.

Now my only concern is where I make the actual purchase! I absolutely hate using Handango due the the download problem there. If Ascendo even had a full featured trial version available for download at their site I imagine I could download updates there as released and my registration would then register the trial. But I don't see it there. I cannot get a response from AT&T Wireless as to the availability of updates from their OTA stuff at Media Mall/Web, but past history has shown that if there is any possible way to mess it up, they'll find it!

Jim

BTW, decided to go with DataVault. Disappointing in a lot of ways, but then again the only point of comparison I have based on usage experience is to the desktop PC/Windows Mobile wallet programs, and I pretty much knew that none of the Blackberry offerings were going to be anywhere near as robust as eWallet or SPB Wallet. I just have to get used to the reduced expectations.

Jim

Marc from Ascendo here.

See below for some responses to questions raised in this thread. <<Your quotes between arrow keys>>.

<<Ascendo is doing an upgrade.>>
We've launched Version 4. Click here for a complete product description or to download DataVault with free trial period.

<<You can't open an item from Tree View.>>
There are several ways to open an Item.
- Scroll to highlight item then click on track ball or track wheel. (V4)
- Scroll to highlight item then click on return key. (V4 & V3)
- Enter characters and when list reduces to 1 item then details are displayed, see Options, View Item, Automatically. (V4 & V3)
- Scroll to highlight item, click on track wheel or BlackBerry menu key and select View/Edit from screen menu. (V3)

<<Ascendo does hold a lot of info but takes way too much time to enter all the info>>
We have added Duplicate Item in V4 to speed data entry and improved importing data CSV, TXT and third party password managers. In V4, we've also added the ability to export items to an encrypted, password protected file to share items with colleagues, spouses, etc.

<<Can anyone tell me whether or not Ascendo allows registered users of their Datavault application to download updates from their website?>>
Yes, you can download Ascendo applications and updates to your PC or BlackBerry from our web site. See "Download" link on product description page which points to FAQ page with ZIP/OTA download links. Click here to go straight to FAQ/Download page.

Once downloaded and installed, registered users can enter registration key if prompted. Unregistered users can select "Register Later" from screen menu during trial period.

Marc
Ascendo Inc.
Ascendo DataVault - Password Manager for BlackBerry

As a user of DV 3.5x, I downloaded version 4 and installed right over the desktop and my BB versions. Seamless upgrade for me. Interface is a great improvement, IMO.

I am a new user of V4 of DataVault; I am still in the trial period, but will likely go ahead and purchase -- probably today.

I like most of what I have seen about this program, although I have been having some "issues" with adding Categories (or perhaps Types) on the Desktop software. The program will ask to save, and then abend with the infamous "report to Microsoft." The worst part of this is that any data elements entered since the last successful logout of the program are lost. While this just drives me batty, I suspect that it is operator error -- although it would be nice if it was handled more gracefully. Despite this, I will probably purchase.

I own SplashID, Datavault, CryptMagic, and FlexWallet.

When I had my Windows Mobile Flexwallet was the one I liked the most. However when I cut over to a Blackberry, their port of it was horrendously slow, the keys were not smartly programmed for the blackberry environment so I had to look elsewhere for a wallet program.

I bought CryptMagic thinking it was pretty good. It's fast and the interface looks smooth and the keys to operate it where really optimized for a blackberry. It's one fatal flaw however was it's lack of flexibility in layout. I was forced to create template directories under topic directories. This is a throwback to the old days where on a PC we create directories based on the application that created the file, e.g. a Word directory under MS Word for windows for word data files. My preference is to create top level topic directories and store ANY type of object under it. So the search continued..

Next I bought DataVault. Seemed ok, the interface was a little clunky compared to CryptMagic (since I live in Tree View, that's the only one I judged). But again the same stupid problem of locking me into using directories based on templates. As well I just discovered that the desktop app started causing script errors in my IE7 and caused the .mht 'save as' option in IE7 to disappear. This I discovered after going through several re-installs to isolate the application that was causing it. I've got an email in with Ascendo now to see if they can sort it out.

My wishlist for the perfect wallet app: One that is fast, is very intuitive with blackberry look and feel, and uses a more flexible approach to the Tree view where we aren't locked into storing objects by template directories@#$%!!

Jay

I have tried most of the wallets and found DV to be by far the best. THe newest update has made a very good program even better. I find that the desktop and handheld communicate without a flaw. On a final note the guys at Ascendo are quick to respond and are commited to offering great support for thier product.

I highly recommend DataVault as well. The new version 4 adds some nice new features like font choices as well as hiding the top/bottom theme bar allowing for additional screen space on the Blackberry.

I use both the desktop application as well as the Blackberry application daily and have never experienced any problems whatsoever. I can also say that support from Ascendo is top notch.

Echo that comment here. I hadn't even mentioned anything to them, but Marc saw my comment above re: some issues, and he contacted me! That's support!

Has anybody used the desktop versions of Crypt or DV with windows Vista yet?

Do the desktop versions of any of these programs work on a Mac?

Gotta echo that comment also. The latest version did away with the quirky IE7 issues I was having on my Dell laptop.

Marc and the team were quite responsive to help me sort it out, as well as solicit other improvement related discussion.

Kudo's to the DataVault team at Ascendo.

Jay

Hi Stinsonddog,

We added Copy-to-Clipboard to Ascendo DataVault for BlackBerry Version 4.2 along with c-key shortcut from View mode. Thanks for your suggestion.

To see all Version 4.2 improvements, click here.

Marc
Ascendo Inc.
Ascendo DataVault - Password Manager for BlackBerry

In Post 31 above I mentioned that I had a couple of small issues with Categories in DataVault. In V 4.22 these have been completely handled. Kudos on the customer support! I am quite pleased with this software on both BB and the desktop.

I also discovered the e-mail encryption feature. Given that this is something that could be quite useful in many different avenues, one suggestion that I have made is that they look at enabling encryption/decryption on the desktop as well. That way the solution would be a bit more generalized than just BB to BB emails. I hope to see that in a future release.

I can recommend this product. It seems to be a full-featured solution.