Should I go get SL10? (Canada)

[Winston]

For those of you who live in Canada:

I know the SL-10 has been discontinued. I also know that among the Palm-powered PDAs out there that uses AAA batteries, the SL-10 is the best available. I also know that Futureshop still has SL-10's available. I'm currently using an NR70V but after using this color PDA along with others using internal rechargeable batteries, I'm still interested in AAA-powered handhelds for their convenience and reliability that I can change batteries anywhere and anytime with ease.

Now my questions...

(1) Do any of you foresee the PDA companies making any more AAA-powered handhelds in the future? The trend seems to be adding color and multimedia support, which forces the PDAs to use Li-ion batteries. I am one of those who wishes to use a PDA as a PDA, not as a "Personal Entertainment Organizer". Therefore, 8Mb is enough for me, and I don't really need the color and the camera that the NR70V provides.

(2) Since I don't think companies are going to be making AAA-powered PDAs anymore, do you think I should head to Futureshop (or any other computer stores.. Radioshack, whatever) to get one while they're still in stock? I don't want to go buy refurbished Palms and Visors especially since I've seen how small and high-quality the SL10 is.

Thanks!

[___]

Don't get the SL10 as it has a bad screen. Try the H1910 because it has a stronger OS and a great screen. You can even play Age of Empires on your handheld... :o

[psychomom]

I love my little SL-10! I think the screen is very clear (especially after downloading some new fonts). It sound like it'll do everything you're looking for, and then some. I also really like being able to use AAA's. And the price is right!

[winstonw]

Originally posted by ___
Don't get the SL10 as it has a bad screen. Try the H1910 because it has a stronger OS and a great screen. You can even play Age of Empires on your handheld... :o

Hmm.. I'd like my purchase to be a PDA, not necessarily an overpowered pocket pc with age of empires on it.

[T1000X]

If you can get the SL10 cheap, then I'd go for it.

[cass_m]

I'd go for the SL 10. One thing I miss about my visor delux is that I can't just carry extra batteries with me.

[NJL!2016]

NO NO NO its a piece of crap!

[big_raji]

There are battery adapters that clip onto the bottom of your clie, and you can pop in a couple of AAA's.

I don't know of any brand names, but I've seen them on eBay, and on Brando.

[Jake K]

Originally posted by winstonw


Hmm.. I'd like my purchase to be a PDA, not necessarily an overpowered pocket pc with age of empires on it.

Well, it doesn't have age of empires included...

I think you should definitley get a color pda. They are just so much better.

[hherbzilla]

Originally posted by Jake K
I think you should definitley get a color pda. They are just so much better. I agree. I started out with a b&W but then returned it and upgraded to a color. It's SO much better to have color, and I don't even play Age of Empires. Color is great for enhancing ease of use in just about any app (DB5 and Shadow being my two most important).

[winstonw]

Color is nice, but it'll boost up battery consumption much more than black and white models. My main point was whether I should get the SL-10 because I'm looking for Palms that use AAA batteries, and the SL-10 is the best among those. Color PDAs can't use AAA's because they take up too much power and need Li-ions at least to power them

[Berto2112]

If you're deadset on getting a AAA-powered PDA, then yeah, I think the SL-10 is the way to go. I'm sure all PDA makers are going to start phasing out their AAA powered PDAs soon since the marktet is turning more and more towards rechargeable, so you're going to be finding that issue wherever you look. I say go with the SL-10.

[hherbzilla]

I'm curious... why the desire for AAA? and what type of daily usage do you anticipate? Many of the color models, like my SJ30, get great battery life.

[winstonw]

I have an NR70V and the battery life is OK... I listen to MP3s and play with photos (i.e. moderate to heavy usage) and I get about 2 or 3 days before the low battery warning comes on. I've also used the SJ-20 for a few months, and I've given that to my girlfriend as an upgrade for her Visor.

I'm so concerned about AAA because aside from school, I may go to various places during the summer and holidays. Last summer I was back in Hong Kong from Toronto, and I was left without a USB port for syncing my old Visor Neo. Furthermore, I was away on trips longer than 2 weeks, and I wouldn't want to rely on rechargables to last that long even if I've left town with a full charge.

And since I already own the NR70V (gift from dad, I still think it's big for a PDA), I'm looking for a reliable machine (in terms of battery and backup) that gives me PDA functions without the frills of an MP3 player or camera or color. After using PDAs for a few years I'm finding that PDAs are best used as PDAs.. their physical limitation (especially screen size) limits their use. More heavy-duty stuff is better dealt with by a notebook. The newer PDAs are so expensive they're very close to the price for notebooks anyways.

[update] You asked how I use my PDA. I think I'm a moderate to heavy user, using my PDA for basic functions, and the graphing calculator, wordsmith, occasional games on the subway, Avantgo, alarms, and ebooks on iSilo

[Mike B]

Whether you get the SJ10 or not, when my wife and I were looking for her pda we looked at the SJ10 & 20. When we were checking prices the sony store was cheaper than anywhere else (not what I expected $169.99 everywhere else was 179.99) so if you decide on the SJ10 make sure you don't assume futureshop is the cheapest. In fact personally I'd pay more just to avoid the place.

[winstonw]

I finally found one SL-10 in Radioshack. I've went to 2 Sony Stores in Toronto and 2 Futureshops, and they were all out of SL-10's. Finally I went to Radioshack and they still have it (for 179.99). Bought it home, it works great, the screen without backlight is the same as SJ-20 (crispy!). Of course one can't compare this with color - but as an AAA-powered handheld I really appreciate the good screen quality and high-res. After dumping the rarely used apps in my NR70V, I've copied all the useful ones into my SL-10 and I still have 1.2M left. For those who still enjoy the reliability of AAA-powered PDAs, I heartfully recommend the SL-10.

[___]

Originally posted by winstonw
I finally found one SL-10 in Radioshack. I've went to 2 Sony Stores in Toronto and 2 Futureshops, and they were all out of SL-10's. Finally I went to Radioshack and they still have it (for 179.99). Bought it home, it works great, the screen without backlight is the same as SJ-20 (crispy!). Of course one can't compare this with color - but as an AAA-powered handheld I really appreciate the good screen quality and high-res. After dumping the rarely used apps in my NR70V, I've copied all the useful ones into my SL-10 and I still have 1.2M left. For those who still enjoy the reliability of AAA-powered PDAs, I heartfully recommend the SL-10.

We all know deep down you wish you hadn't got the SL10.

[Berto2112]

Wow....isn't $179.99 kinda pricey for the SL-10? I think I paid that much for my SJ-20 back in January...and that one's come down since then. Hell, my SJ-30 was little over $200 when I got it last month...

[winstonw]

In case you're wondering, it's CAD$179, not in USD :)