Yamaha DVX-S650 5.1-Channel DVD/SACD CinemaStation Home Theater System

Average customer rating: 3.5

Good for basic data
It is worth the price!
Great for BUSY high school and college students!
This product is great!
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VTech Helio Handheld PDA (Metallic Blue)

Manufacturer: Vtech
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B00004XSI2

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Amazon.com Review

Don't let the low price tag of VTech's Helio fool you. Even though the lower-end of the handheld price spectrum often seems to overlap with those $40 organizers available in the electronics department of your local superstore, the Helio is a respectable PDA with as much power and more memory (2 MB of flash memory, 8 MB of internal storage) than the low-cost options from Palm and Handspring.

VTech seems to be going for a slightly different audience, judging by the some of its color choices (among others, it's available colors include Pearlized Pink, Metallic Charcoal, and Translucent Lime). But other than that, the Helio looks quite similar your average handheld. It also offers a syncing cradle, desktop software, and the basic scheduling, e-mail, and notation applications of other PDAs.

Inside is where you'll find the differences. The Helio offers voice recording (up to 50 minutes with its current storage), memory upgradability (up to 16 MB--although you'll have to remove the current 8MB), and character recognition superior to Palm's Graffiti (the Helio uses CIC's Jot). Instead of having to memorize slightly-off gestures (the "7" for "t", for example), you write the letters and numbers just as you would on paper, which can lead to an impressive input rate.

In addition to three buttons for voice recording and playback, the Helio features three programmable application buttons on the front, and two scroll buttons that are conveniently placed on the side of the device.

However--there are no Internet connectivity options available for the Helio yet, although VTech says a 19.2K or 28.8K modem is currently in development. And since the Helio uses the VT-OS proprietary operating system, the number of third-party applications is much more limited than with a Palm OS-based handheld.

If you're looking for a gift that's a little outside the normal PDA box or just looking for a powerful handheld for general on-the-road tasks, the Helio shines. --J. Curtis

Inexpensive

8 MB of internal memory, 2 MB of flash memory

Voice recorder </ul>

No Internet options

Lack of third-party software </ul>

Amazon.com Product Description

The VTech Helio handheld PDA allows you to express yourself with a color that best suits you while the 8 MB memory keeps your personal data close at hand. The Helio features an expense manager, a scheduler, a phone book, a to-do list, a calculator, a memo function, and a sketch pad. You can also download e-mail from your PC and write new e-mail drafts to be sent after you synchronize with the desktop. For added convenience, the Helio has three shortcut keys to access applications, two scroll keys, and three voice recording/playback keys. The CompanionLink synchronization software makes the Helio compatible with Lotus Organizer, Microsoft Outlook and Schedule+, Symantec ACT!, Goldmine, and Palm Desktop. You can back up Helio data on a personal computer or transfer information from your PC onto the Helio.

The Helio comes with everything you need to get started: a stylus, synchronization cradle with cable, CD-ROM with desktop software, CompanionLink software, 2 AAA batteries, and a quick-start guide.

It is backed by a one-year warranty.

Product Description

Helio by Vtech is a compact, easy-to-use personal digital assistant, which runs on VTech's VT-OS1.1. It comes in a variety of color cases, and is designed to offer users a high-quality, user-friendly PDA for exceptional value, assisting them in organizing their busy lives more effectively. Helio features a 160x160 16-level gray scale LCD screen, a high-performance 75 MHz RISC processor and 8MB of memory, plus 2MB of upgradable flash memory for software applications. Input is performed either through a software keyboard, or with the help of CIC's Jot natural character writing recognition. Helio functions as a voice and memo recorder, keeps a to-do list, a phone book and a scheduler. It has an email function, a sketch pad, a calculator, an expense manager, and offers PC synchronization to transfer Helio data to a personal computer, or vice versa. Data synchronization software makes Helio compatible with MS Outlook, MS Schedule+, Symantec ACT!, Goldmine and Palm Desktop.

Customer Reviews:

Good for basic data.......2003-09-13

The Helio is just fine for most data storage needs like phonebook, notes and a calc with metric converter. I like the LARGE FONT mode and the screen is of a descent size. I just returned a Clie' Sj22 because the fonts and screen are too small.

JOT hand writing recognition works GREAT... better than graphiti.

On the bad side, the batteries are killing me. 2-"AAA" are needed and on average last only a week. I am a light user. The Duracell Ultra (recommended) may last 2 or more weeks. Rechargeable are lower in voltage (1.2 volts / cell as opposed to 1.5 volts with alkaline) and cause the battery indicator to appear low, even after a fresh charge. This was a bad choice of power supply. Yes, there is a backlight, but I never dare to use it.

I keep my fingers crossed each time I sync because the software (Helio Desktop) can act buggy because it is slow. Once you get a grip on syncing a few you should do OK.

It is worth the price!.......2002-02-12

I purcased the vTech Helio for myself in Dec.2000, from Amazon.
Then,I was given a Palm llle for Christmas.
Since then I have used them both extensively, and have decided that even though my Palm was FREE,:>, the Helio is a much better value, with 4x the memory, a voice recorder, available for far less, when purchased, than any other PDA in its' class.
The vTech Helio will perform all the standard PDA functions, PLUS the voice recorder, as well as any other PDA I have tried!
It is easy to use the script input, with little practice needed to learn the JOT shorthand.(I had more trouble learning the GRAFITTI used by the Palm PDA).
With everyday use, including playing several games, the batteries last 5-6 weeks, (Longer when I use the GOOD ones)
The only drawback I have found is the lack of a flip cover being available for it.(BUY A CASE!!-it is cheaper than replacing the PDA if you, or the cat, drop it!)
Since I am shopping for another PDA because the Palm died of a cracked screen, (the cat did it!), for which Palm will charge $100. to exchange for a refurbished unit,(Their form of repair), I can replace it with the more versatile vTech, at a lower cost, here at Amazon.
Now, if vTech will offer a COLOR capable model....

Great for BUSY high school and college students!.......2002-02-11

I am person who hates to confrom and in todays world, everyone does. It seems like everyone who owns a cell phone owns a Nokia, and everyone who owns a pda owns a handspring or palm. That is why I own a Ericsson and a VTECH HELIO!. The V-tech stands out compared to other PDA's. It has a built in voice recorder and everything else you need to keep organized. It is very stable, and does not have a cheap feeling like some other PDA's. For the price I bought it for (50 dollars), it was a steal. I know they discontinued making helios, and that is why stores in Europe and America are clearing them out by selling it for 50 dollars. But, the helio was originally 199 dollars (upper quality device),and now its for 50 dollars..it is a great deal. I use my Helio for everything, and it has never failed on me. Yes, their are a limited number of programs, but with all I see, many third party people are still producing new programs for the helio. There is this new program out for Helio's called Grey Scale, and its a must have. Because Helio has a 16 color grey screen (palm has a 4 color grey screen), you can download any picture online and view them on your Helio! For 50 bucks, it is the best deal for a PDA out thier. You won't be disapointed!

This product is great!.......2002-02-10

I really like this product. i would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a PDA but is not looking to spend $300. These are very powerful and come with a lot of software on it. This is a great product!

Response to Icatal.......2002-01-03

I just wanted to say, in response to Icatal's post, that I got the Helio as a Christmas present, am currently on day 9 of usage, and have not had to change the batteries once. I don't know why his batteries were only lasting for 36 hours, but I have not been having that problem.

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