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Casio Casio Pocket Manager BE-300
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More…| Ease of use | Average |
| Documentation | Good |
| Features | Average |
| Weight | 6.5 ounces |
| Battery type | Lithium ion |
| Primary expansion slot | CompactFlash |
| Software extras | Cutting Edge Quickoffice |
| Support policies | One-year parts and labor warranty; toll-free 12-hour weekday tech support |
Bottom Line
It's a bargain for users willing to contend with largely nonstandard ways of accessing PIM functions, though models running newer operating systems do more things and, in some cases, do them better.
Casio Cassiopeia BE-300 Pocket Manager
Casio Pocket Manager BE-300 Review, by Mick Lockey January 7, 2003
WHAT'S HOT: Priced at $150, the BE-300 is a bargain for those looking for a basic PDA with a few advanced features. It has all the common features of a basic PIM (Contacts, Calendar, and Mail, among others) plus colorful images from its 240-by-320-pixel screen.
The Cassiopeia BE-300 was the only unit we tested in the basic category to include an expansion slot that can take CompactFlash cards. Generally speaking, a CF slot is more versatile than one that accepts a Secure Digital card: CF slots can accept an adapter for surfing the Web, as well as storage cards, including IBM's Microdrive. The BE-300's 16MB of internal storage should be plenty for modest, everyday needs, however.
WHAT'S NOT: The device runs the Windows CE operating system--the precursor to Pocket PC 2002--so it doesn't support the whiz-bang features that devices running newer operating systems do. In our hands-on tests, the BE-300 didn't respond to our commands as quickly as other PDAs did. Plus we had to double-tap with the stylus to access applications from the main menu.
The silver-and-black device feels a bit bulky in the hand. At 6.5 ounces, it's the heaviest unit among those we tested in the basic category. Other downsides include a viewable screen area that's slightly smaller than others. The handwriting recognition wasn't as accurate as that on other devices, either. For instance, though we repeatedly tried to write the word "lunch," the BE-300 recognized several letters incorrectly. Using the keyboard pad would have been quicker.
WHAT ELSE: The smoky gray cover that's designed to protect the LCD display from dings is made of durable plastic, but we were able to easily pry it off from its hinges.
This unit has a four-way navigation pad and four buttons, two of which are used to select highlighted functions. In addition, seven icons span the bottom section of the LCD screen and provide shortcuts to a variety of common tasks such as Contacts and E-mail.
Casio provides no printed documentation, but it includes a CD-ROM that has a short manual with basic setup and troubleshooting information. A more extensive user guide details how to work with media applications. The programs for viewing image files and listening to MP3s have additional sections.
UPSHOT: It's a bargain for users willing to contend with largely nonstandard ways of accessing PIM functions, though models running newer operating systems do more things and, in some cases, do them better.
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Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
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Reviewed by: Hiigara
Strengths: A LOT of programs available, good memory, excellant screen.
Weaknesses: Doesn't work with ActiveSync without installing Xpod, a replacement OS for the CE (recommended...)
Overall: The BE-300 comes with Windows CE, but I recommend downloading Xpod and replacing it. Xpod will allow you to use ActiveSync OR the included connection program, giving you the ability to install Windows Media Player and other programs that the included program doesn't support. Also adds the option to browse through folders in Explorer. Even if you don't install it though, there are still plenty of programs available, and a lot of games. You can make an external battery pack easily for it, and the CompactFlash slot can support a 1GB IBM MicroDrive, great for storing large AVI/MPEG files (like ripped DVD's) that way you can watch them when you aren't doing anything else.
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Reviewed by: Guilmon
Strengths: Price, flashing with eXpod, simple stock interface.
Weaknesses: Complete lack of software, interface, memory usage, lack of widely available accessories for a modest price.
Overall: I purchased a Be-300 expecting a lot more than what I received. I am a student, so money is tight, but I was looking for a device that was more than a simple organizer. The BE-300 looked like a fine choice, it had a color display, was backed by wince, and was expandable. But once I finally did everything I was to ever do with it, flashing it with epod (3.1 or something,) going back to stock not having enough ram, I decided that instead of investing money in something I really disliked, I'd just return it and get a real pocket pc. Best decision I have ever made. From a software point of view, the be-300 is "what-you-see-is-what-you-get." It is difficult to find any good, or halfwise decent programs for the thing that are worth keeping, and are small enough to last without taking up too much of the precious ram. It's built in interface is unlikeable, except for the color feature. The stock pim functions are like a palm in color, and that's about it. I knew not to expect a cadillac sports sedan for the price, but this was just too unreasonable to withstand. Returned for a full refund second week of use, money saved and put to good use getting an E-310.
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Reviewed by: drflgood31
Strengths: It works adequately as an electronic organizer but those can be found for $10.
Weaknesses: Proprietary interface, lack of well priced accessories, and poor hinges for the cover.
Overall: The other reviews must have been written by Casio employees. They say if you use a third party interface you can use some downloaded programs. How dare they, if casio were a decent company, they would use an interface that allows full use of the product BY THE PERSON WHO PAID FOR IT!!! AND I DIDN'T GIVE IT 4 STARS. I GAVE ONE BUT THE RATING SYSTEM IS WORKING AS BADLY AS THE CASIO.
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Reviewed by: frugalb
Strengths: inexpensive and powerful
Weaknesses: short battery life, and requires some geek skills to get the most from it
Overall: The previous review is a slam against eXpod. It is a petty review written by someone with a hidden agenda against the person who wrote eXpod. Ignore his negative comments. Expod makes the BE300 not only usable, but extremely enjoyable. If you buy a BE300, you owe it to yourself to download and try eXpod 6.1 (it is free!) There is a new version (PPX) coming out soon to paid members, and also a version that will work on other PPC's, so he has changed the website name to http://www.ppx3k.com/ Yes, BEE is pretty neat, too, but it is an open source work-in-progress, whereas the eXpod and PPX software is complete and "bug-free", ready for prime time.
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Reviewed by: goofather
Strengths: Does almost as much as any PPC 2000 and is very fun to play with
Weaknesses: Casio support, screen viewing outdoors
Overall: I have no clue what that guy is talking about. Only thing I can guess is they took the $30,000 when they took eXpod to make thier BEE-OS :) You can keep eXpod, just give the $30,000 back. Seriously, just check out www.ppx3k.com for yourselves. These childish business tactics are rather unbecoming.
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