Zaurus And The Christmas List

[hellz_hunter]

Heya
for my first post (and depending on the admins, hopefully not my last   )
I am curious as to if the setup i want will work with a Zaurus SL5600

* i plan on buying the Zaurus SL-5600 (with the 255 chip since ive heard reports of the 250 having some kind of performance bug that was fixed in the 255 chip)

* a sandisk 1gig SD card to hold whatever it is i want  (im not too sure as to what does what or what holds what, maybe i could just store my files and such on the SD? movies and songs?)
i dont know how limited i am going to be when it comes to installing software for the zaurus as this will be my first PDA i have ever owned (i am an avid linux user, so i dont think i should have too much trouble understanding the embedded linux interface)

* Linksys WCF54G CF wifi card, i want the 54G series instead of the WCF1# series cause i wanted support for both B and G networks, i know the WCF11 and 12 work for zaurus 5600 but they are B only, i guess i just want to keep my options open

* and finally i wanted to have GPS along with it so i found a website, serilio.com, that had a neat bundle to go with the Zaurus
http://serialio.com/products/adaptors/GPS_BR305_Z6.htm
by looking at that, if anyone has a better guess than me, is that black square to the left of the Zaurus the GPS itself? i have a GPS and it has a screen with it, i guess i can plug that up to the Zaurus instead? I'm really sorry for all the questions and the book I seem to be writing, after reading all over the internet i have many-a-question to ask and this site seemed best to ask
thanks for any help or comments anyone can give me  

[zmiq2]

Hi,

I would really suggest to go for a newer model, even a second-hand unit; that way, you'll have option to install pdaxrom, and have a more loasting unit.

[hellz_hunter]

how new is newer would you suggest? i see the sl-6000 as the newest model, or at least the one i seem to come across the most, that would definately save me money on the wifi part,
the gps adapter and the sandrive i was considering, anyone else not agree that those other things would not be a good choice?
and to remind you i am very new at all this, what is pdaxrom?
thanks for the helpful suggestions

[chayimkirshen]

The SL6000 and C3000 are the two newest models, however the C3k is only availabe for purchase in japan (or through conics.net, pricejapan.com, dynamism.com).

You might find that the C860 is a better bet than the SL6000, in terms of longer term use.  pdaXrom is another ROM for the Z, one which runs a full X server and standard linux apps, as opposed to Qtopia and sharp apps.  It is however possible (correct me if I'm wrong) to use Qtopia apps in pdaXrom through the framebuffer.

That being the case, I've still got an SL-5000d running OpenZaurus, at least until May.  I'll be moving to the C3k for reasons like expandability, faster hardware, etc.  But from the 5600 up you're only hurting for drive space, which you're solving with the SD card.

[ltrm]

A big advantage of any of the newer Zaurii is the 640x480 screen.  I find that this has made console work a lot easier.

You don't mention whether physical size is important to you. (There's a gag in there somewhere   ).  If you need to carry your Z in your pocket then a clamshell model will be a better bet than the SL-6000.

Having said that the SL-6000 is really cheap on Amazon.com at the moment.

[zmiq2]

as previously said the 640x480 screen, the faster cpu and more memory is a must:

clamshell models: c750 (the cheap one), c860, c3000 (the newest)
pros: clamshell form factor, small but nice keyboard
cons: you must spend more $$ on a CF card to get wifi or bluetooh

handheld? models: 6000L
pros: has bigger screen, integrated wifi and/or bluetooth (depending on model)
cons: bulkier, keyboard is not as comfortable for typing, especially when using rotated display, no clamshell so screen is unprotected when the unit is closed

[dsavard]

If ordered from Amazon.com, the SL-6000L is coming with a flapping clear plastic cover for the screen, so, you actually have a screen protector.

[hellz_hunter]

after reading around the forum some, it sounds like the clam-shell shape is pretty popular
ill definitely have to look around for some of the C models mentioned above,
mobility is the key in my purchase, price and size are not (altho i dont really want to carry around a laptop)
i know if i get this model (c860) ill definitely get the Ambicom WL1100C-CF since its known to work (as heard on this forum) and its low power and all that good stuff  
ive been looking around the internet for some places that sell the zaurus c-860 but the usual newegg, amazon and tigerdirect ( thats all ive known to shop at for pc parts) don't carry the c-860
before i go out and buy this im curious about a review i found
http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/sharp_zaurus_C860.htm
there seems to be some issues with japanese text still being in the c-860 and the syncing software, is this still an issue? can anyone else confirm any other issues with the 860?
otherwise i am strongly considering buying this gem
if anyone knows where i might be able to buy this, link me

[ltrm]

If you flash to either Openzaurus, Cacko or Pdaxrom then you should have see no japanese text, unless you want it.

I bought my Zaurus from Japan Direct who had execellent service.  I've also bought things from Conics who are also good.

You could also have a look at Price Japan, they seem to have good prices.

[hellz_hunter]

i found a site that sells the c860 for about 500 or 550$ or something really cheap like that its a site posted in this forum
the site charges 25$ for the english version ROM of cacko but i think ill save my money and try it myself since the cacko site had a great tut on flashing the zaurus
either way i think im strongly going to go with my list of ambicom wifi card the gps receiver and the c860 with the 1gig SD
thanks for the suggestions guys
god knows what kind of setup i would have ended up with  

[zmiq2]

hi hellz,

I think your shoppng list makes a lot of sense.

Amazon et al don't ship this item because sharp has released in japan only. But the importers mentioned are very well know and 100% trustful.

Also, consider pdaxrom or openzaurus for flashing; those two seem the more active at the moment.

Have a nice Christmass !!!

[chayimkirshen]

Back up the truck, can someone please tell me where you saw the $500 c860?  I'd be all over that one.  I've hunted and hunted to no avail.

[hellz_hunter]

im afraid to say but
*cough*cough*ebay*cough*cough*
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ssPageName=WDVW
2 days left...

[nmos]

Back up the truck, can someone please tell me where you saw the $500 c860?

I could be wrong but I believe pricejapan.com and lolzer.com both have C860s for under $550.