NX70/73/80 vs Zire71?

[-DC-]

Well, I've been thinking about getting a NX or a Zire71.
I understand the prices but what I really want to know is what are the real difference between the 2. There's the obvios size and storage, memstick etc, but what about the rest? bettey life, camera quality etc.
BEen thinking of getting a Zire71 and leaving the rest for a 15" LCD screen, or get a sexy looking NX. What do you guys thing? (LCD screen isnt important either, but i want to see if its worth not getting an NX :D)

[aaronrkelly]

It all boils down to the one most important feature for YOU....mine is size, that why I still use my T615c....out of all the ones you listed the only one that would start to fit my needs (until Sony steps up) is the Zire71.

[ejdeleon]

Have (had) both...returned the Zire 71 (after testing 2 units)!

Zire pros:
-price (obvious)

Zire cons: many (when compared to the NX 70)
-FREQUENT crashes and resets --> don't know if this is a product of hot synching it with a previous profile for my Sony N760 causing conflicts but it definitely irritating making it unreliable. Turned it on 5 times yesterday and 3 of the 5 times it hung!
-poor integration with Windows; hot synching takes forever especially when transferring files to the card --> they recommend using a card reader. Even using a card reader, I had problems with the card being recognized (I don't know if it were because the card reader was defective or it was formatted by Palm). Irregardless, it makes transferring MP3s and video files a bear!
-photo viewer - limited options; no zoom features (like Sony)
-Kinoma player sucks! How could they even compare this with Sony's included proprietary video compression and converting program. I ran the same original MPEG1 compressed file made suing Pinnacle Studio 8 and used the highest quality compression on Kinoma Producer and Sony converter ---> Sony ran away with the prize by a MILE!
-did I mention frequent hang-ups!
-no integrated palm file utility to erase stuff on the palm's internal memory; I placed a video file on the main memory and couldn't find a way to erase it!
-Stylus is cheap plastic; no reset pin
-poor MP3 program (real player) - graphics and options very limited

Overall: Yes, it's a great price to pay. I don't think the Sony NX70's price is going to come down that much when the new ones come out. It's fine if you only want to use the Zire for organizing names, addresses, etc. and OCCASIONALLY use it for multimedia stuff such as MP3s, video, games. But multimedia and windows integration is very poor. Stick with a Sony --> they seem to have the right combination.

Background: I have had a total of 8 different PDA's in the past and present: from Palmpilot professional (when they first came out) to IIIxe and IIIc, Sony N760, HP 3945 pocket PC, Sony NX70 and tried 2 Zire 71s. Currently using the NX70 for the past 6 months without any problems.

[-DC-]

hmmm I guess I'll still go with the Sony... Seeing they're only about $150-$200USD apart...

[archangel]

The volume on Palms is terrible as well. You will need to use the sound booster option in Aeroplayer and then it distorts the music.

Stick with Sony.

[Tek Phreak]

The Main, HUGE difference is gonna be screen size. I work for OfficeMax and sell Zire 71's. I'd say the camera is nicer on the NX - it enhances light better. You will be able to play VBR mp3's with the zire though. The Zire does have the best Palm screen that i've seen. I would say it slightly outdoes the NX's but only by a very small margin, it is a great screen though. But the main thing is the 480x320 resolution of the NX. After going from an m130 to an NX70, everyother screen seems so small. Even the PPC's which are comparable in size. The NX's screen is so nice. You wanna watch a movie in a square? I dunno, that's the really big difference for me. Personally, i think the zire-71 is a great PDA though, and i have nothing against it. It doesn't make me wish i had it, or didn't have my NX. But honestly, nothing does or will for a while now, i love my NX and see myself using it for at least another 6 months to a year.

Enjoi.
-Tek

[watoke]

I been using the NX for for the past 6 months, and I love it.
Yeah, it may not be as small as Zire71, but overall I think it surpass the zire 71 with the Sounds & Video. :cool:

And one more thing, is the screen size. YOu will love it 320x480 and not 320x320 ... and the display on the SONY is sharp and clear ..and of coz not to mention the camera, and I think the NX camera is much better than the one on Zire71 (The picture taken is more like those NOkia HP with built in camera :p )

[Mad_Dogg13]

Just to add to the NX70's camera, there's also multiple settings for the camera. I like how all sony cameras add those cool effects (B&W, Sepia, Neg. art, etc.), those are always a great bonus.

[n2ifp]

Do you want to drive a Lexus or a Hyundai?

Lexus=NX70