QUESTION: Visor Edge vs. Sony Clie s360/T415

[markt2000]

Ok I have narrowed down my options of buying a new pda to:

1: Handspring Visor Edge
2: Sony Clie PEG-S360
3:Sony Clie PEG-T415

I'm kind of caught in a situation that I will probably regret buying one instead of the others. All three are expandable (though visor is more expandable) but the S360 has double the memory. I've never used any of them so I dont quite know the screen quality. Also, I've heard the Sony Clie S360's case isnt that durable..I.E. Power button breaking off, etc. The Visor Edge has a sleek look to it, and isnt plastic like the Sony's. All 3 are about the same price. Ive heard lots of people saying the screen on the T415 sucks but the high res 320x320 seems really appealing to me. Any suggestions/advice would help greatly! Thx!

[JohnKes]

1: Handspring Visor Edge
Expandable with Springboard Modules, some of which are on clearance (=cheap).
Keyboard and travel chargers are unique, but also on clearance.
Screen is fairly bright in office-level lighting.

2: Sony Clie PEG-S360
Fewer accessories, except Memory Stick.
Screen is kind of dark.

3:Sony Clie PEG-T415
More accessories than S360.
Probably can use T6xx/NR70 accessories, like keyboard.
Screen is better than S360.

If you want to use accessories like modem, MP3, GPS, VisorPhone, etc. go Edge. If you want something small and pocketable, go T415. I wonder if you can scope around different electronics stores, Target, WalMart, etc. to see these in real life. That will help you decide.

[vike99]

I'd either wait a bit, or go with the S-360. Both the handspring and Sony T415 only come with 8MB RAM; S-360 comes with 16MB. Extra memory is not so cheap as to ignore the cost, plus I've had a number of problems getting my sw to access programs or files that are on external memory cards. So the more internal memory you can get, the better IMO.

Secondly, I was in the same boat you are in some time ago and went with the S-360. I chose it for the following reasons:

1. More internal memory (see above)
2. The screen was far easier to see in ALL light conditions (not sure what the prior viewer is talking about - I hated the visor edge backlit display) than all other pda's I looked at (including the visor and palm bw pdas). It wasn't even close.
3. I also have a sony cam corder and camera, which both use the sony memory sticks - so am able to use the same memory cards for all my electronics. I also prefer the small memory stick over the other memory card options - less bulk for same amount of data storage.

On the down side, I am on my second S-360. I dropped the first one from my deck outside (long story) and the power button failed. From what I've read/heard from others, the power button seems to be a design weakness. The unit still operated fine, but had to use the calendar/todo/etc buttons to turn the thing on - got tired of that so swapped it for a new one (thru best buy extended warranty). But been using this for about a year and no complaints. Secondly, the S-360 comes with a flimsy cover - I quickly bought a more rugged cover ($20 from Target) and have been fine ever since.

Note - you might want to check out sony's web site as they offer refurbished units at reduced cost.

[markt2000]

thanks alot everyone...i think im gonna go for the visor edge or s360...I can always fix the visors backlight with a hack tho...thx again!

[JohnKes]

I found the S360 display kind of dark (without backlighting) under the fluorescent lighting at Fry's. The Edge was much easier to read.

True, in a dark room the backlighting of the Edge is pretty lame. (I had a Visor Deluxe - same backlight.) Sorry I couldn't test the S360.

Think about the lighting condition in which you will most use your PDA. For me, it's cubicle-level fluorescent.