The CompletePowerful, As-New Refurbished PDA
2GB High-Speed SD Card
Full Suite of Dictionaries
This is a complete electronic dictionary, ready to use. Compared to a standard electronic dictionary, the Japanese Language Tools System has much better dictionaries, far better input systems, a better display, and expandability into the future--all that power and it's still much easier to use than a regular electronic dictionary. And, because it's built around one of the most powerful and reliable pocket computers in the world, the JLT system can do a lot more than just find words: GPS, movies, music, games--it can do just about anything. The system comes in two versions, one with a native Japanese OS and one with a native English OS (click each for more details about it; I recommend the Japanese). The English version is built on a Dell Axim X50V, the Japanese on an HP iPAQ hx4700, both factory refurbished to like-new condition. This page is mostly about the dictionary system; click here for more information about the hardware (sorry, link coming soon).
You've come to this site looking for a dictionary, and it's as a dictionary that the JLT System truly shines. First, the actual dictionaries in the system are the best you'll find. When conversation grinds to a halt around a term I don't recognize and no one can explain or when I ask a question no one can answer, the EDs come out--whether in a bar, over a book, or at the doctor's office, it's a pretty frequent occurrence that I can find the answer but the people around me with their Wordtanks and Ex-Words can't; it almost never happens the other way around. Here are the dictionaries that come standard in the JLT System (click the name of each dictionary for a more complete description and actual screen shots). .
This standard set is more than most users will ever need. However, because the JLT System is a powerful and flexible computer, it's simple to add whatever addtional dictionaries you like. High level students may want to add a kokugo jiten (Japanese-Japanese dictionary). Both Daijirin and Koujien are available as options. There are myriad free and commercial dictionaries, for specialized fields of knowledge and for almost every language in the world, that can be added quite easily. One customer is using hers for, at last count, English, Japanese, Mandarin, French, Italian, Portuguese, Scots Gaelic, and Latin. Click here for more information on other dictionaries.
The biggest advantage of the JLT system is not simply that it has more and better entries but that it gives you more and better ways to look up those entries. First, consider how you would enter a kanji character--which you'd have to do not only to find information about the character itself, but to look up a word containing that character. In a standard ED, you decide which part of the kanji is the radical, count the strokes in the radical, enter that number, then choose the radical from a list of radicals with that number of strokes. Then you count the total number of strokes in the character (hope you've got your reading glasses!) and enter that number. Then you get a list of characters with that radical and that total number of strokes. Once you're familiar enough with kanji to recognize the radicals and what kinds of strokes are used, it's not so bad, but the JLT system has a much better way. Both the English and Japanese OS versions of the JLT System include the best system for entering Japanese I’ve found: a handwriting entry system that's both forgiving and powerful. While some of the most expensive EDs have handwriting recognition features, most are quite strict--not only do you have to write every stroke in exactly the right place and at exactly the right angle, you must also write them in exactly the right order. In the Windows Mobile system, even if you get a few strokes wrong or completely flub the stroke order, you'll find the kanji you're trying to write quickly and easily, and you can search for words containing that kanji in any dictionary—it’s also a great way to write Japanese into a Word document, memo, email, or web search.
Of course, it also features other lookup tools, including a virtual keyboard with a standard IME (just like the one in any regular desktop or notebook computer)—this is the best way to enter lots of Japanese, in case you decide to write your autobiography on the train. Click here for more info on entering text this way.
The biggest plus of the Windows Mobile input systems is you can enter any kind of Japanese term directly into any dictionary to look it up. If you see a new word, you can simply enter it in kanji in to look it up. That sounds like a no-brainer, but NONE of the other EDs work this way. In them, if you want to look up a Japanese word (as opposed to a single kanji), you must enter the word in kana. So if you see a word written in kanji and don't know how to pronounce it (i.e., how to write it in kana), you can't look it up. Even on the few top-of-the-line EDs with handwritten entry systems, you can enter kanji only into the kanji dictionary—as in their cheaper cousins, you can’t look a word up by kanji. There is a workaround, but besides being a bit awkward, it works for only about a fifth of the Japanese words in the various dictionaries-80% of Japanese words cannot be be found at all unless you know how to pronounce them. In the JLT dictionary, you can look up every single Japanese word either by how it's written (kanji, kana, or a mix) or by how it's pronounced (hiragana or katakana). Not only that, buy you can easily enter more than one kanji from the word--thus when you hit "Find" it takes you directly to the word instead of to a long list of words beginning with the same kanji. In a regular electronic dictionary, you enter a kanji, then you have to scroll through screens and screens of words beginning with that kanji until you find the one you were looking for (and, of course, in a regular dictionary the word you want won't be there at least 80% of the time). Because of these features, and because the JLT system has many times more words than other electronic dictionaries, you'll rarely be disappointed.
Both of the JLT dictionaries have big, 480x640 pixel full VGA displays—3.7 inches for the Axim and 4 inches for the iPAQ. In fact, the display is actually sharper than what your computer monitor can reproduce. 480x640 pixels (standard VGA) used to be the standard resolution for a full-size computer monitor; the PDA squeezes the same number of pixels into a much smaller screen, so the image is much sharper. The screen in the image at the top of this page isn't nearly as sharp as the real thing; a lot of detail was lost to make the image appear roughly life-size on the lower resolution of a standard computer monitor. The image below shows the full 480x640 pixels of the VGA display; again, because your monitor has much larger pixels, the image appears larger than actual size of the display.
The high resolution means even complex kanji appear crisp and sharp; reading on the JLT system is a pleasure (of course you can increase or decrease the text size as you like--these shots are of the old version of Eijiro). The beautiful display is also perfect for looking at photos and watching movies.
The JLT System is a full-featured pocket-sized computer with hugely expandable storage space, a beautiful high-resolution display, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless, and a 624 MHz processor that's still the fastest available in a handheld device. Full tech specs and hardware information are here (note, linked page not up to date), but what it all means is that you can do just about anything you want with it. Travelling? Your hotel room, the airport, and the nearest coffee shop very likely have Wi-Fi networks over which you can surf the web and check email (standing just about anywhere in Tokyo, I have a choice of several different free networks I can connect to). Or get a CF mobile data card and a data plan from your mobile phone company and you can connect to the internet anywhere you can get a mobile phone signal. Buy a Bluetooth GPS receiver for under $100 and appropriate software and maps (more info coming soon on this site; ask if you're interested in getting your JLT system with a GPS package), and you've got a GPS navigation system. Pop a bunch of movies and songs on your memory cards and you've got entertainment to go. I also use mine to align the equatorial mount of my telescope, and lately I've been recording model speeches and listening tests for my students (I also recorded my alarm clock to use when kids are sleeping in class). With the right software, you can use it to do anything from flying an airplane to changing the channels on your TV. You can even play games.
I offer two slightly different versions of the JLT System. One has the standard Japanese operating system, and the other has a version of the English operating system that's been altered to allow Japanese character input and display. In use, the two versions are almost indistinguishable. The input systems are exactly the same, almost all software software will work perfectly well on both devices, and both versions are supplied with ENGLISH versions of the documentation and the software to sync the device with your regular Windows computer (Mac software is also available from other sources). Some users may find the English version easier to use, as, of course, all of the OS functions and the included programs are in English (obviously, some of the included programs in the Japanese version--such as Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer--have Japanese menus; however, the dictionary software is in English on both models). The Japanese version, though, is much easier to use than most users expect, even for complete beginners; most menu functions and icon labels are in English or in katakana transliterations of English words, and the icons themselves are pretty obvious; plus, with screenshots of every menu and option in the English instruction manual, you can easily figure out even the most complex operations in a few seconds. I recommend the Japanese version for most users. I’ve just made a major improvement in the construction of the English system to get rid of the annoyances and instabilities it had before, but putting Japanese on it required quite a bit of hacking and the new version hasn’t had the extensive testing the Japanese one has had—so far it’s reliable and almost as fast as the Japanese, but I haven’t been running it long enough to be able to say it’s as reliable. The Japanese system is factory standard—it hasn’t had my hands deep in its guts pulling out this and cramming in that—and it’s got a long track record of near perfect reliability. However, if you feel the Japanese version will be more difficult for you to use, the English will serve you well. Here you'll find a brief note about using the Japanese version, and here is a description of the English version. (English version page describes the OLD version--not the new one described above. New page coming soon).
It's a good idea to keep any small, expensive electronic item in a good solid case--you won't feel like you have to baby it. I've watched mine fly across an intersection, hit the pavement hard, skid a few meters, and bang into the curb after a bike crash--with no damage at all to my Axim. Moreover, since a PDA has no moving parts and very little power moving through it, the only source of wear and tear is the subtle flexing of the outer shell from riding in your pocket or as other items in your bag press on it; eliminate that stress and your dictionary may well live forever. The best case money can buy is the Proporta or Innopocket Magnum magnesium case (different names for the same case). It's so sleek it's hardly bigger than the PDA itself, allows full access, feels great in the hand, and looks fantastic. It's expensive for a case, but once you see it and hold it, you'll be glad you sprang for it. I have Magnum cases in stock for the Axim for 5500 yen, and you can find one for the iPAQ hx4700 online for about the same amount (inlcuidng shipping). Acceptable is the Rhinoskin case--it's almost as small and form-fitting as the Magnum, but it opens to the side, so it's a lot less comfortable and secure to hold when using the PDA (still, it's great protection and the best of the aluminum cases). I have some used Rhinoskin cases for the Axim only for ￥1500; you can find new Rhinoskin cases online for a little more than twice that. You don't have to buy a case from me, but I strongly recommend that you get one somewhere. The iPAQ comes with a pretty good, if bulky, padded case with some hard parts inside to protect the device, and the iPAQ itself is a bit more solid than the Axim. If you want to put the iPAQ in your pocket or just prefer something like the Magnum, which you can leave on the iPAQ as you use it so it’s always protected (and, heck, it looks pretty cool), you can find the Magnum case online for the iPAQ for about the same price I charge for the Axim version (including shipping). Rhinoskin and generic cases for the iPAQ are also available online.
Even more essential is a screen protector; even normal use can scratch up the screen. And since the refurbished PDAs come with perfect brand-new screens, you’ll want to keep it looking perfect. I include a basic screen protector free with the Axim (sorry, I don’t have any for the iPAQ). If you prefer, you can upgrade to a BoxWave Crystal or Antiglare protector for the Axim for ￥1400; these provide solid protection, slightly better stylus feel and response, and a notable increase in visibility (I recommend the Antiglare). Plus it's a lot easier to install the Boxwave protectors cleanly and neatly. Unlike the basic protector, which must be replaced periodically, you can remove, wash, and reapply the Boxwave. Check a typical review and some random ones on Google. It’ll be a week or two before I have any screen protectors for the iPAQ—however you can order one directly from Boxwave .
Visually impaired customers:: Note that you can increase the size of the dictionary text, as well as that in Word documents, etc., quite a bit, and it's also possible to increase the size of the text in menus via fairly cheap accessory software. However, this is a portable device small enough to fit in a pocket--there's only so large text can get on a 3.7 inch or 4 inch screen. If you have a significant visual impairment, no device this portable is going to work for you. I may be able to help you find and set up other options, though.
Each JLT System comes with all the essential equipment: worldwide power supply (may look used), sync-charge cradle (ditto), system software (to sync your Axim or iPAQ with a Windows 2000 or XP computer--Vista support is free from Microsoft, and software to sync with a Mac is available elsewhere), back-up and restore CD, English version of manufacturer’s owners’ manual (electronic format only for the iPAQ; electronic and, if I have it in stock, paper for the Axim), manual for special features of the JLT System (electronic), stylus, battery, and all necessary cables, plugs, and adapters. As part of its refurb program, HP Japan tosses in some brand-new extra goodies--a sync charge cable, car charger, and the aforementioned case—so of course I include these at no extra charge.
Finally, each system comes with a one month replacement warranty and free tech support for at least three years (probably lifetime, but I guarantee three years). These are well-made, proven systems with no moving parts and very little power moving through them, they’ve just been tested and refurbished to factory-new condition by the manufacturer, and I've also tested them thoroughly to be sure there is no damage or defect; unless mistreated these devices are very unlikely to stop working on their own. *If you did not use a screen protector and case with your PDA and it has become scratched, I won’t be able to resell it without a steep discount, so I will NOT issue a full refund. Always use a case and screen protector!
