Vice, I seem to be having the same problem as you. I'm going to be living in Tokyo starting in September (at Waseda Daigaku). I'm also looking at electronic dictionaries and the Zaurus.
It seems there are two main Japanese-English (J-E) and English-Japanese dictionaries (E-J). The Genius and Kenkyusha
Dictionary Guide seem to be the most respected. There is no electronic dictionary that contains a both Kenkyusha and Genius (J-E) and (E-J). Although lots seem to carry both (E-J) and only one (E-J). The Kenkyusha is supposed to have easier sample sentences and thus a better choice until you become more fluent in Japanese.
Anyway the new Sharp comes with the Genius (J-E) and (E-J) and the standard (J-J), but this is what you can find in a bottom of the line $200 Japanese Electronic Dictionary. Couple that with the fact that the Sharp C-3000 is $750, really makes you wonder if the Kanji handwriting recognition is worth that extra 550 dollars.
A good option might be to buy a 100 dollar older sharp (for Kanji handwriting recognition) and keep your Canon Wordtank (hopefully a G50). You will have to carry around two devices, but you will save lots of money. At first you might have to look up lots of Kanji but hopefully by the end of the year you will know Kanji well enough that you won't have to consult the Sharp often. Think of it as added motivation.
You do have to consider that the Sharp has lots of functionality besides dictionaries. I would say this is a big advantage if not for the rapid advancement of Japanese Keitai (cellphones). I'm assuming you will own one because they are pretty much manditory for living in Japan nowadays. The money spent on a subscription plan would be far better spent then on any PDA or dictionary. It's impossible to have a social life (and thus learn Japanese) without one. Anyways Japanese Keitai should be able to do all the PIM and contact functionality of a Zaurus. They are now starting to be able to play movies and music as well. The only thing you may lose out on is notetaking ability but the older Zaurus would suffice in that regard.
So I'm not saying that you shouldn't buy a new Zaurus. In fact if the prices drop enough and I make good enough money teaching private English lessons in Japan I plan to buy one.
An additonal note while Edict is a good dictionary, I do not view it as suffienct for a serious student of Japanese. It is technically only a (J-E) dictionary and trying to translate the other way around is a nightmare. Furthermore it does not have enough entries and has no example sentences and thus is not up to the level of a Genius or Kenkyusha. But regardless it is more than adequete to look up Kanji with handwriting recognition.
