Best older Palm OS PDA?

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
My Visor Prism died...when I was burglarized last year they threw it against a wall in the house. It was working fine despite the broken case until I needed it Friday to do an OBDII scan.

I am looking at the following models...I sort of like the looks of the 665 the best but I am not sure if a 200MHz ARM based processor is better than the 66MHz.

Model [Palm OS Version] Processor [Memory]
Clie TJ35 [5.2.1] 200 MHz i.MXL [32]
Tungsten T3 [5.2.1] Intel Xscale 400 MHz [64] (don't know if that slider is good)
Clie TG50 [5] Intel Xscale 200 MHz [16]
Clie T665C [4.1] 66 MHz Dragonball VZ [16]
Clie SJ33 [4.1] 66 MHz Dragonball VZ [16] (don't know if I like the permanent cover)

I'd be using these mostly just to hook up to my OBDII scanner. I am using ODBSCAN.NET's palm application that is no longer made. I have their laptop software as well but dragging out a laptop to just read and reset a code for a friend is a PITA.

Anyone have recommendations, even outside this list?

I wouldn't mind picking up a camera or even GPS if possible (I had springboard modules for both these, having both built in would be nice).

The only real requirement is Palm-based OS and have a RS-232 or Serial Cable option available.

Thanks
 
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Synomenon

Lifer
Dec 25, 2004
10,547
6
81
The CLIE SJ33 was an awesome little PDA, but then I gave it up for a CLIE TH55 and that one was even nicer.
 

Synomenon

Lifer
Dec 25, 2004
10,547
6
81
That's the only matrix for Palm PDAs I've seen. If you can still find a TH55 or a UX50, I'd go with one of those. I forgot about the UX50 and that one was good too.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
ouch at the pricing on those :) Looks like a good unit though...the others are around $80...that one is $150ish. I was hoping to be around $25-50 since I still need a serial or RS232 cable which can be steep on these older devices :), Do you know if all Palm 4.0 OS applications are compatible with the later OS's?

I'd hate to buy one of these and my software not work.
 

TheStu

Moderator<br>Mobile Devices & Gadgets
Moderator
Sep 15, 2004
12,089
45
91
Don't forget ebay. I have been looking on there recently, I have had a jonesing for some SpaceTrader, and there are no good clones on the App Store.

You can often find them for around $20-30
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Yeah, ebay is the place I am quoting pricing :)

I will keep an eye out, I am in no rush at this time as I can use a laptop...

Are there any iPad ports for Palm OS and hardware compatibility offered for RS232?
 

Synomenon

Lifer
Dec 25, 2004
10,547
6
81
ouch at the pricing on those :) Looks like a good unit though...the others are around $80...that one is $150ish. I was hoping to be around $25-50 since I still need a serial or RS232 cable which can be steep on these older devices :), Do you know if all Palm 4.0 OS applications are compatible with the later OS's?

I'd hate to buy one of these and my software not work.

I found a site that still has new / unopened ones in stock, but they're also charging the same new / MSRP prices these things were going for when they were originally released.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Anyone know if going from an application written for pre-4.0 OS will be affected by the later ARM only 5.0+ OS?

I am thinking my safety zone maybe the Sony Clie PEG-T665C...I was hoping to avoid it's crappy red coloring (which probably is still better than my Visor Prism).