Clipper Gear SIM
Saver
Backup and Copy Unit for GSM Cell Phones
An easy and affordable way to backup and
copy the information on your phone's SIM or R-UIM card
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This compact SIM and R-UIM Saver is wonderfully easy to use
because the LCD screen walks you through the simple process
and gives you helpful information about the data stored on
your SIM or R-UIM.
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You backup your computer data,
don't you? Well, so too you should with your phone.
And if you're changing wireless providers (eg from AT&T to
T-mobile) you'll need to copy all your phone book data from one
SIM to the other.
Here's a very simple, easy,
and inexpensive way to back up, copy, and transfer the phonebook
data off your GSM mobile phone's SIM card.
Update, Aug 05 : This
new improved model has three new features - easily replaceable
longer life battery, LCD display, and ability to save both phone
book and SMS data. And all for the same price as the
original SIM Saver units!
Description
Clipper
Gear's SIM Saver Backup and Copy Unit is a very compact
and lightweight device. It measures 2.25" x 1.5" x 0.5"
and weighs 0.7 oz.
Operating the unit couldn't
be simpler - there are two buttons, one for on/off and for
confirming your choices, and the other for stepping through the
various functions and options. The LCD display clearly
shows you what you're doing and prompts you for what to do next.
The unit is supplied
complete with the 2032 size mercury battery it uses
pre-installed, and has complete instructions to tell you how to use the
unit.
The unit has a full one year
warranty and comes packaged in a lovely presentation box with
magnetic seal.
Functionality
The
Clipper Gear GSM SIM Saver unit is very easy to use.
Turn it on, put in a SIM or
R-UIM card, and then simply copy the data from the card to the
unit, or from the unit to the card.
You almost don't need
to read the instructions - all you really need to know is
graphically shown on the helpful clear LCD display. The
unit also shows you
which way to insert the SIM, leaving nothing to chance and so,
even if you lose the instructions, you'll still know what to do.
This unit is vastly simpler
to operate than the SIM Backup 500
unit we reviewed before. There is no need to bother about
passwords or multiple commands or anything more complicated than
the two buttons and LCD prompting.
Backing up takes 15 - 30
seconds to complete. Restoring is slightly slower.
We use our unit primarily as
a spare copy/backup of our main SIM card, holding all the
phonebook data from the SIM card in the unit's memory, just in
case we ever lose the phone or SIM card. This stored copy
can also be useful if we damage the SIM card itself, or if we
need to copy data from one SIM to another.
Compatible with all GSM phones
and their SIM cards
The unit will work with any
SIM card from any GSM phone, even on other carrier's
prepaid phones, and from anywhere in the world.
This makes it particularly helpful when you have multiple SIMs -
a SIM for the US, perhaps several prepaid SIMs for elsewhere in
the world, and a global roaming SIM as well. You can
easily copy and transfer your phone book data between all the
different SIM cards.
The unit works with all
types of SIMs including the newest 64kb SIMs as well as older
32kb and 16kb SIMs.
Also compatible with the cards
in other cell phones too
The unit will also work with
the new R-UIM cards (Removable User Identity Module) that are
being used in some of the newest CDMA type phones. You can
even copy the data from a SIM to a R-UIM or vice versa.
Helpful Hints
Because I have several SIM
cards with different phone directories, I have labelled each SIM
Saver with the name of the SIM card it has stored inside it.
When you're adding phone
numbers to your phone book, store the phone numbers in full
international format. Don't store local numbers as only
seven digit or ten digit numbers. That way, as you travel
around the US, the phone will always correctly dial the phone
numbers, and if you travel overseas, the phone will still know
how to dial numbers.
Full international format
means you start off with the international access code (the plus
sign +) then the country code, area code, and phone
number. So to save a US phone number, eg (206)555-1212,
you'd use this sequence +12065551212.
The unit will only work if
you have turned the PIN code off on your SIM, so be sure that
you have done this before using it.
Battery Life
The battery is quoted as
having a life of at least three years and probably more.
And the data stored in the unit is preserved for a reasonable
amount of extra time once the battery dies.
The battery is a standard
2032 type mercury/lithium watch type battery, and is very easily
replaced without the need for tools or special skills.
Cost
The SIM Saver unit is very
good value, with a
retail price of only $19.95.
We like them so much we've decided to sell this unit ourselves.
Click to go to our 'store' page
where you can purchase one of more SIM Savers (they make a great gift!) using Paypal and charging to your credit card or bank
account. A single $2.50 shipping charge is added, no
matter how many items you buy
or where in the world you'd like them shipped.
If you do lose your instruction manual, you're welcome to ask us
at any time and we'll send you a PDF replacement copy. You'll get an invaluable accessory to simplify the
management of your cell phone name and number directory, and
you'll be supporting The Travel Insider at the same time.
Other recommended cell phone accessories
We have two other products
you might also want to consider.
The
Clipper Gear Micro Light can be mounted on the back of your
phone. It is small and lightweight, and has two powerful
LED lights in it - ideal for giving you light in an emergency.
The
Clipper Gear Emergency Battery
Recharger allows you to recharge your cell phone's battery,
even if you're nowhere near a power source. If you're like
me, your phone's battery always dies at the most inconvenient
moment. Keep one of these handy for the next such
occasion.
Summary
This is an easy to
understand and easy to use device that provides a clear and
valuable benefit if you have a GSM SIM or CDMA R-UIM based cell phone.
Recommended.
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Originally published
28 Sep 2004, last update
21 Jul 2020
You may freely reproduce or distribute this article for noncommercial purposes as long as you give credit to me as original writer.
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