All roads seem to be leading to the PDA. While some palmtops are being streamlined down to PDA-like levels, a few companies are taking their formerly meek organizers and beefing them up to compare with the handhelds as well. Sharp's YO-520 electronic organizer definitely falls into that latter category.
The YO-520 has 1 MB of system memory, which is low for a handheld PDA but on the upper end for a $50 organizer. It also synchronizes data with your desktop PC, albeit through a slower serial port connection (though most of the data transfers you'll be doing won't be large enough to warrant a faster connection).
Close to the size of a PDA, this foldout organizer features only a 20-column-by-5-line screen, but does offer a bright backlight behind the display. Most of the space of the organizer is taken up by its myriad Chiclet-size keys--an entire keyboard and calculator are replicated on the unit. Additional buttons take you to the different applications built into the YO-520, including a calendar, scheduler, to-do list, expense calculator, and date reminder.
Programming the YO-520 isn't as easy as with your average PDA, where you click with the stylus until you find the settings. We found it was necessary to keep the manual handy, as we were constantly using secondary key functions to change the preferences.
In addition to synchronizing with data on your PC through the simple but thorough PIM (personal information management) software, the PC connection lets you download files from MyWizard.com and transfer them to your YO-520. These programs include sports schedules, college class notes, literature, and more. There is also a handy Info to Go feature at the MyWizard site to convert text from any Web site into a format readable on your YO-520.
While it won't be kicking the Palms out of dedicated PDA users' hands, Sharp's YO-520 provides more power and connectivity than your average organizer, and it would work well for users who need an inexpensive and portable PIM. --J. Curtis
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Full keyboard
- Synchronizes with a desktop PC
Cons: - Tiny display
- Serial connection
The Sharp YO-520P packs 1 MB of memory and PC synchronization capability into a compact two-sided organizer. This organizer has a full keyboard with cursor keys, number pad, and menu keys, plus a backlit 20-character-by-5-line display. Organizer functions include three phone books for easy lookup of business, personal, and other contacts and a scheduler to keep track of all your appointments. The calendar displays monthly, weekly, and daily views.
With the YO-520P's PC cable, you can back up your data and synchronize with your PC. Browser software allows you to download data like sports schedules, holidays, city guides, and more from MyWizard.com. Software is included for Windows 95 and 98 connectivity and Microsoft Outlook synchronization.
The Sharp YO-520P operates on two AAA batteries for up to three months, based on one hour of use per day. It comes with a one-year warranty.
1 Best Organizer In The W O R L D!
The Sharp YO-520P is the best organizer I've used. It can do the following:
1. Memos (great to type long essays on (1995 characters) )
2. calendar (plan ahead with Calendar)
3. expense (keeps track of... well, your expense.)
4. clock (keeps track of time. Has built-in world clock.)
5. calculator (with conversions)(12-digit)
6. to do (What you need to do.)
7. anniversary (Keep track of your holidays, anniversaries, ect.)
8. telephone (list important telephone numers here.)
9. schedule (Keep track of your appointments with schedule.)
10. 1 MB storage! (user data approx: 896 KB)
11. Download data through mywizard.com
12. Syncronize with your PC
13. AND MORE!
CONCLUSION: GET IT! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!
2 Interesting but...
I have another Sharp organizer and it is the EL-6990. That one is a little more easier to use. This one has no games on it but I like the fact that maybe I might be able to do with it. The other one I have was cheaper. But this one is worth your while but keep the manual on hand like I do because I just got this one. I am still having some trouble shooting but I am getting used to it. Does this one also sychonize with your pc and have it's own organizer software for it? My EL 6990 has the software and can be backed on the computer?
3 KISS for replacing your address book
I have been using the Sharp series for over 10 years now. The great thing is at this price I can have 2 backup devices for travelling and keep one at work-so I am never w/o my info! I back it all up on my PC and sychronize it as needed. I use the Palm Pilot for some work,but it cannot beat the simplicity of this device for storing hundreds of names,#s,emails and addresses!
4 YO 520 Review
This is a response to EGray10 (and others):
To run your YO 520 using windows XP, go to the Compatibility Wizard within XP, and specify that the YO-520 software should be run using the Windows 2000 drivers. After doing that, it should work (it did for me).
Good luck!
5 Sharp Yo-520
It was great until I got Windows-XP. Now it doesn't work and I lost the Software CD and I now I have all my important addresses just in limbo on this organizer. If it breaks or I loose it... I loose everything! Help?
6 You will not find anything cheaper.
Probably too small display but for this price you won't be able to get anything better. Easy to use + nice software...
Now I need to buy a USB to Serial adapter to use it on my laptop :( ..
7 A candle that burned bright but quickly faded.
For the first year that I used my YO-520 I was very pleased. It had lots of room for telephone entries and added information, excellent backlight, useful scheduling feature, easy accessibility to features.
Unfortunately after the first year and a month, it went "bellyup," losing all data. All I get now is a message reading "Data has been impaired! Press(Y) to CLEAR ALL memory." Sharp service was less than useful.
8 Not bad for the price
I've had my YO-520 for a year now and find it is pretty adequate for basic functions. My biggest problem is I used to have an OZ model that came with DayTimer software, a larger display, and was a whole lot easier to use. Then again, it cost 6 times as much! The YO-520 is fairly simple to use, but lacks the ability to categorize expenses and memos, a feature I sorely miss. It's also difficult to add new schedule entries when there's already an entry for the same date. You have to scroll to a clear date, enter the information and change the date. Also, the MyWizard website has hardly anything useful to download for the YO-520. The OZ models had a button for new entries and was much easier. Still, for the price you get a lot of functionality, and the batteries last a good long time.
9 ???
Does anyone know how much space this organizer has? If so, please email me at FusionControl@aol.com
10 Best Buy
Most places such as Staples and Office Depot (In Canada) sell the Sharp YO-520P Memo Master for over 100 US Dollars. This product is available at Amazon.Com for $49.99! This is truly the best buy!
