T615C a smart buy?

[Stardust]

I am looking at the T615C as a possible replacement for my Visor Prism. Would you recommend this model? I've read many complaints online about the T615C's mediocre display (reds don't come out as real reds); lousy stylus; hard-to-use buttons etc.

Lastly, is there a Stowaway keyboard that's suited for the T615C?

Advice from T615C owners will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Josh]

The T615 is a great device! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Yes, the buttons are small, especially the up/down scroll button, but with the jog wheel, I NEVER use the up/down scroll, except to soft reset the device. The jog wheel effectively replaces it.

The other buttons are fine, in my opinion.

Colors are not perfect, as you mentioned. I switched from a T615 to a T665, because I had the Best Buy warranty, and was able to exchange the 615 for no additional money when it developed a small problem. The T665 does have MUCH nicer reds, greens, etc., and also includes built-in MP3 and a faster processor, but it's also about $100 more.

For reading, scheduling, looking up phone numbers, the T615 is a marvelous device. For viewing photos, while they look really nice, reds are more of a rust color, greens aren't that vibrant. Photos on a T665 are amazing, but again, you pay for that.

If you can spend the extra $100 or so, and if you'll use the MP3 player (it's a $120 option on the T615) get the T665.

Otherwise, pick yourself up the T615! It's a GREAT device, at a really amazing price.

(If you can, get it from Best Buy, CompUSA or somewhere else where you have two weeks or a month to try it out and make sure YOU like it. If you don't like it, you'll be able to exchange or return it)

Everyone has their own likes/dislikes. I personally found the t615 (and now the T665) devices to be a great combination of small size, excellent sound from a REAL speaker, and easy to use!

[Stardust]

Thanks for your advice, Josh. I'll keep your comments in mind.

Have a good day.

[NickC]

I agree with Josh - if you have an extra $100, get the T665. Otherwise, you won't go wrong with T615! I've been very happy with mine. The colors don't bother me as much as:

1) the hardware buttons - what were they thinking when they had such nice buttons on the N-series?! 2) Accessories are not readily available at stores as they are for Palm m5xx or iPaq. But yes, the folding keyboard just came out for the T-series.

The toothpick stylus does bother me - I think they kind of designed the unit around the stylus, so they couldn't fit a wider stylus. I'm looking at a wallet style case with a stylus loop so I can use a different, thicker stylus.

[massmac]

Adding my voice to the chorus, I am very happy with my choice of the T615C. It is a great entry to mid-level PDA, and is the first one I have owned.

I am impressed with the display, and the buttons and stylus don't bother me too much.

As with any computing device or other product, think about what you will be using it for. Also, do you plan to add new features or accessories down the road? Maybe the T665 is better for those who use MP3s, and if you do that AND want a small digital camera, save up some more money and get the new NR70.

Yeah, there are fewer add ons with the Memory Stick technology, but that will change.

[Stardust]

Thanks for the additional input, massmac. I don't care for the MP3 and the other gizmos. That's why I'm interested in the T615C. I'm concerned, though, about the difficult-to-use scroll buttons. Isn't this a hassle when you need to scroll up and down an e-book or some other document? And does the jog-wheel compensate for this design flaw?

Incidentally, I use my handheld a lot for word-processing, reading documents and viewing charts and images.

[jimroad]

The t615 is a fine unit but for $100.oo bucks more, you get a 66 Dragonball( fast!!) and better color depth. Also, you get Mp3 player. It's really worth it. Get the t665!!
Jimroad

[massmac]

To answer Stardust's question about the jog dial, I have found it very useful while scrolling through e-books and AvantGo downloads, etc.

And as our colleague indicated, Sony has a number of models that are competitively priced, so it would be worth another look at those models before making a final decision.

[Josh]

I honestly can't remember the last time I had to use the up/down scroll button!

The jog wheel works with just about every doc program (Wordsmith, PalmReader, etc.) that's any good.

It also works (not quite as well) with AvantGo.

I only use the up/down button when I have to do a soft reset, which is very infrequently.

I do agree with the poster who said, if you can afford it, spend the extra $100 and get the T665. It is a great PDA! (fixes my major gripe about the T615, which is weak reds and greens. However, this really is only a problem viewing photos, for reading, scheduling, looking up phone numbers, the T615 is great)

[Stardust]

All your comments have been very enlightening. I think I'll check out the T665C. Too bad I live in Manila, where handheld prices can be atrocius. Can you imagine the Prism still selling here for the equivalent of US$280-plus?

[Markd60]

I live outside the USa and when I went to the US I planned on geting an 615. KNowing what I know now, I would have gotten the 665, but I heard the mp3 player kills the battery. I notice the slow processor on the 615.
I like the 615, but my favorite game is really slow.
I have no problem with the buttons and the scroll wheel.

[Josh]

Markd
What's your favorite game? (don't leave us hanging)

[Markd60]

TANKPILOT
www.pdabusiness.com:D :D :D :D
It kicks ass!!!!!!!!!!!!