GREAT MANAGER, BUT IT'S NOT A POCKET PC
Written: Jan 20 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It works well as a "Manager"--contacts, calendar, gaming, etc.
Cons: It has trouble synching with other software and computers.
The Bottom Line: Good at what it does--a Manager to keep you organized with the ability to play a few simple games to keep you occupied.
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| briandalsmom's Full Review: Casio Cassiopeia BE-300 Pocket PC |
HOW I CAME TO OWN A CASSIOPEIA
A year ago Audible.com and Amazon.com got together to do a promotion to get portable listening devices into users hands at a reduced price. The deal was that if you signed up for a year’s subscription to Audible you’d get a free bottom-of-the-line MP3 player. For a price, you could upgrade to a device that did more than just play audio—that’s how I came to own a Casio Cassiopeia. I upgraded for $99 (at the time, these were selling for $199 so it seemed a great deal—the prices have come down since then).
THE SELL
What sold me on the upgrade were the additional features the Cassiopeia had—a 3.2” color screen with 32,768 colors and resolution of 320 by 240. Quite nice for such a tiny screen! It also offered upgradeable memory—standard was 16MB but by adding flash cards the memory was endless. Since I would be using this primarily for audible books, I could store the books on compact flash cards (type II) and swap them out as often as I desired.
Flash Memory is used for the ROM, which allows you to delete applications that are part of the standard installation and replace them with other applications—not to worry; you can reinstall them from the CD which is included. Also, data is preserved even if the battery runs down—an important feature!
It also offered a memo pad, address book and calendar that would sync with Outlook, e-mail and web browser (which require an optional modem and ISP) and for fun handwriting recognition. You “teach” it to recognize your handwriting so you can make entries with the stylus by writing on the screen.
It does not have a built-in speaker and must be used with headphones or some speakers with a headphone jack connector which wasn’t a problem for me as I prefer to use ear buds. It offered basic voice recording—to leave yourself a note and MP3 playback with optional software.
Casio provides a web-based service called myCasio where users can download branded content, and personalized services. It was launched in 2001 and since I’ve owned this I haven’t seen any real changes to the site. It was advertised as the place to go for new software and content, but it just hasn’t been the hot spot it was to be. In the year that I’ve owned this I’ve seen just a few software titles added.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Listening to Audible books requires the downloading of software used specifically for this purpose. Once done, there’s additional software that the Cassiopeia needs to transfer those files from your computer to the PDA. That’s when the problems happened.
Casio does offer a comprehensive online help site at http://www.casio.com/support/. This was my first stop on my quest to get my unit working properly. It was easy to navigate and offered some valuable information; however, I needed to contact the service people by telephone as my specific problem wasn’t addressed. This was done easily enough through their toll-free number.
The problem was the Casio software wouldn’t talk to the Audible software. After spending hours with Audible and then Casio (each blaming the other), I gave up. Audible did at least try to make good on it—they sent me a new Casio (see my Audible review for the gory details of that return http://www.epinions.com/content_67892514436).
When synching with my Outlook it frequently crashed both machines. Casio couldn't explain this either.
This thing has been sitting in my drawer ever since—I keep debating on whether or not I should sell it on eBay. Oh, I did get it to work once, but it wouldn’t recognize the flash card and the unit memory isn’t large enough to hold an unabridged book, so technically it never did work.
SO LITTLE SOFTWARE
There are just a few spots on the web where you can purchase and download software. Casio only recommends authorized resellers—they link them from http://cassiopeia.software.casio.com. Prices range from just a few dollars for simple games to $30 to add spreadsheet functions.
GENERAL DESIGN
It looks good, makes sense in the layout, and has a simple menu. No complaints here. I like the tap screen and enjoy pointing and clicking with the stylus. A few seconds to set it up and it was ready to take manual input. That’s where the ease ends—try getting it to talk to another computer and that’s where it begins to be difficult.
The colors can be accentated by purchasing alternate menu software which adds photos and colors to the basic and boring menu. The screen is easy to read and is backlit for nighttime viewing.
It's small and flat and fits beautifully in a shirt pocket. It's lightweight and fits nicely into the hand. I do hate the flip up cover and have removed mine opting for a leather case to protect it instead.
WHY I’M GOING TO GIVE IT ANOTHER TRY
I have 26 audio books that I’ve paid for sitting on Audible.com waiting to be listened to. I’ve gone to Mycasio.com and there’s an upgrade for the software that is supposed to fix all the major bugs in the program. I’ve got the new Cassiopeia so it’d be a fresh start. Sure, it plays games well, at least the Solitaire I purchased from http://cassiopeia.software.casio.com for $5, and I might be able to get it to do my calendar, however, it isn’t serving the main purpose I purchased it for.
WHO’S THIS FOR?
This is for someone who wants to play games, listen to music or books, and keep addresses and contact information as well as sync with Outlook calendars. This isn’t for someone who wants to use it as a mini-PC. There isn’t any word processing or spreadsheet capability.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
An AC adapter was included as well as Lithium ion batteries which are recharged when plugged into the docking cradle.
USB connection
Software: Casio PIM, backup, setup, email, browser, MP3 player, still image viewer, camera application, PC Data Sync Soft, calculator, clock
Stylus & flip up visor
CD
DETAILS
Size: 2.9” x 4.7” x 0.7”
Weight: 0.36 pounds
Warranty: 1 year parts & labor
Operating System: Widows CE 3.0
Processor: NEC VR4131 166MHz
NOTE
Although the BE-300 runs Win CE 3.0, you must use applications specifically for the BE-300. Win CE applications will not run on this device
OPTIONAL
Modem
Keyboard
http://www.mycasio.com/mycasio/mycasio.html
I'll update if I decide to start using it again.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99
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Epinions.com ID:
briandalsmom
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Member: Mom
Location: USA
Reviews written: 249
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