Features

• English to Japanese/Japanese to English dictionary (Romanized)
• Integrated thesaurus and spell checker
• Large 5 line by 30 character display
• Search for phrases; idiom/example sentence search
• Displays keyword, part of speech, English or Japanese equivalent, stress and accent marks, example sentences and idioms

Reviews (12)

Good for Beginers, but overpriced
When I first bought this dictionary in Japan, it really helped me a lot because I couldn't read chinese characters. I would carry it with me wherever I went as it was really small and light. It helped me a lot in conversation because I could search for a word fairly quickly and it also was a big help in learning Kanji. But it didn't take long for me to realise that the vocabulary of the dictionary is VERY limited. This became much more apparent as I became better at Japanese. I wouldn't really recommend this dictionary to anyone simply because it's overpriced. I would recommend a dictionary for Japanese people (without Roman characters) because for the same price you can get a really good one especially the Casio Dictionaries.

good for a first shot
I'm an exchange student in Nagoya right now and I bought the RM2000 to help me get around. As a student of the Japanese language, I was dissappointed. It couldn't really help me converse with my friends. But it has proven useful at such places as the bank ("Hmm... how do I say, 'I'd like to open an account'?") and other various stores and shops. It is a good dictionary for a traveler or a beginning student. For a more advanced person, I recommend the Canon Wordtank IDF-4000. It has a jump feature that allows you to look up a word in English, select the kanji, and then jump to the pronunciation. That way, you don't have to search all around just to say the word. It too has an English interface.
I'm really happy the RM2000 was made though. I hope it will lead the way for other dictionaries focused on the foreign user.

Cheaply Made
This should sell for $30.00 tops. That's the price of the other Seiko electronic translators. Because it's so expensive I was really upset when it stopped working after a few months. It didn't just break all at once it went out one key at a time. The problem is it uses a rubber pad with a magnetic strip to activate the chipset, but the metallic material was too thin and wore off quickly. Don't waste your money.

On the other hand a Japanese friend has another seiko model and it's awesome, built much better.

okay, but seiko SR950 much better
I had the choice of several japanese translators, and though this one looked nice because it's meant "for english students" I decided on the seiko SR950 for several reasons:
1. has VERY large (230,000) japanese-japanese dictionary
2. has Katakana dictionary (borrowed words)
3. Kanji dictionary (VERY IMPORTANT if you ever want to actually try to figure out what a sign or something says, and the paperback ones are too big to manage)

On the other models they say "for native japanese" becuase the instruction manual is in japanese, but I did not find this to be an issue at all. There are buttons in black on the top row (same setup as this RM2000) and Frankly, if trial and error isn't simple enough (there's only 8 of em) it's pretty easy to ask someone who knows any of the language for a basic rundown and make a note of it on paper. Plus, assuming you do learn japanese, the features of this RM unit become rather obsolete, whereas the japanese-japanese and kanji dictionaries of the sr950 make it a favorite even among the japanese (it's the same price, may have to check the japanese link in amazon to get it though)

Great for Learning Students/People
I had actually wanted this for several years. However, since the vocabulary word number is so small compared to the other keyboards, I was a bit hesitant. The other so highly recommended one, the Casio IDF-3000, I actually purchased from Japan! It is a great one, but is way too hard for me to use yet, without Romanji. It is made for Japanese-fluent-speaking people to use. One day hopefully for me!

But that's what's so great about this RM2000. You type in an English word, then it tells you exactly how to SAY it in Japanese, then how to write it in HIRAGANA, and then how to write it more advanced in KANJI/+hiragana.

And it is the only existing one available that is for us learners who can't speak very well. But I can't wait to start writing some more letters to Japan. Have fun! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Seiko Smart 200 label printer is a quick and easy solution for tasks ranging from mass mailings to a single tag. Just set it on your desktop, connect it to your computer, and follow a few easy steps to print as many labels as you need at only eight seconds apiece.

Because the 200 employs direct thermal printing technology, you won't need any ink cartridges, ribbon, or toner. It accepts labels up to 2.125 inches. Capture addresses from Microsoft Word, Outlook, and other compatible applications and send them directly to the printer. It supports wraparound text, shrink-to-fit formatting, and address recognition and parsing. With 203 dpi resolution, your logos or other graphics will look great, too.

The 200 supports a postal bar-code option for the U.S., UK, and the Netherlands. In addition to English, it recognizes French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch. The Smart Label 200 weighs only 1.14 pounds. To operate the printer, you need a PC running Windows 95 or higher, and if you want to use the USB cable, you need Windows 98 or 2000 (a serial port cable is also included). ... Read more

Features

• Allows you to quickly produce custom labels
• Prints labels in 8 seconds
• Built-in USB and serial ports
• Comes with software
• Compact, stylish design

Reviews (3)

This is the best thing since sliced bread!
I think this label printer is tops. I've worked with sheets of labels through a printer, the DYMO label printer, but this one is really tops. It's easy to use, fun, and you can print out one label at a time as needed or 50. The ease and versatility make it a favorite in the office. Switching among file folder labels, address labels, and shipping labels is a task that has become simplified via this machine.

The only drawback I have is that the Seiko labels are thermal and fade after 1 year. I haven't seen anything to replace these, either, but have mentioned my concern to the manufacturer.

All I can say is WOW
The Smart Label Printer 200 is a dream come true. The software is very easy to use, and the labels that are printed are just awesome. Talk about fast... much faster printing that I was expecting. This is one of life's "must have" luxury items. If you are in business for yourself (Like I am), this printer, and the ability to produce beautiful quality labels which can be used for a variety of purposes requiring "stickers" is a must. I would most highly recommend this label printer to anyone.

Don't know how I ever worked without one!
This nifty little printer is an amazing timesaver and a really useful tool. I'm constantly setting up files for my office or making mailing labels, etc. I used to use the Avery page sized labels, but would end up wasting so many because I only needed one or a few labels. This machine will print the labels as you need them! No more piling up lists of labels and saving them up until you have enough. No more using up a whole sheet of labels for just one label. This machine is extremely easy to use. It has many different fonts to choose from. It will automatically shrink the font size to fit the label if you have lengthy text. You can add graphics, frames, etc. Its software saves the labels, so that you can just click and print on often used labels. One piece of advice -- I would definitely purchase at least the SLP200 (I think there might be an even newer one out there...) I've had both the 100 and the 200. The 200 prints quicker and cleaner and has more options. It also will print both the 1 and 2 inch labels. The difference between the two models is huge and well worth the money. Happy printing! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Seiko Smart 100 label printer 100 is a quick and easy solution for printing one or dozens of address-size labels (1.125 inches) right from your desktop. Just connect it to a computer running Windows 95 or higher, install the roll of labels, and you're ready to go.

You can capture addresses from Microsoft Word, Outlook, and other compatible applications and send them directly to the printer. This printer also supports wraparound text, shrink-to-fit formatting, and address recognition and parsing. With 203 dpi resolution, your logos or other small graphics will look great as well.

Because the 100 uses direct thermal printing technology, you won't need any ink cartridges, ribbon, or toner. It supports a postal bar-code option for the U.S., UK, and the Netherlands. In addition to English, it recognizes French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch.

The Smart Label 100 comes with both a serial cable and a USB cable; you'll need Windows 98 or 2000 for USB. ... Read more

Features

• Allows you to quickly produce custom labels
• Prints labels in 8 seconds
• Built-in USB and serial ports
• Comes with software
• Compact, stylish design

Reviews (3)

Excellent Product
Great product which I have used on several computers with no problems for nearly 2 years. Have gone through many rolls of tapes with not one wasted label of thousands printed. Great software makes printing easy and convenient. USPS codes makes the mail move faster to destination.

No problems; fun device!
I've had the Seiko Smart Label Printer 100 attached to my computer for well over a year now. While I don't use it a great deal (I have not yet finished my first roll of labels!) I have never had any significant problem with it. It is, in fact, kind of a hoot to use -- I get a small thrill when I finally push the "print" button and the label immediately starts to roll out; I guess the street wisdom about guys liking label makers is true! :-) But seriously, I am always amazaed at the fine resolution I get on the printed labels (and mistakenly tend to use a font larger than I need). I give the device 4 rather than 5 stars mostly because the user interface of the software used to design the label contents is a little bit clunky, but I wouldn't let this prevent me from buying and using the printer.

This is a waste of money
I have had two of these label printers and both times, they have stopped functioning after a few months. When I contacted Seiko to replace the first one, they refused and said they bore no responsibility for a faulty product. TGhey told me to contact Amazon who after some arm twisting, agreed to replace it. The second one is now also not working, but instead of me wasting valuable hours trying to fight to get a replacement, I'm going to dump it in the trash where it belongs and buy a Dynmo one which my colleague has which works perfectly. Seiko Instruments SUCKS. ... Read more

Features

• Directional Cursors for easy navigation
• Context-sensitive Help mode
• Protective folding lid with quick reference instructions
• Long life batteries installed
• Displays the time, day and date for local time zone and over 100 cites worldwide

Features

• Over 800,000 bi-directional translations with auto language recognition
• Over 2,000 conversational phrases in eight categories, including eating out, hotel, money, etc.
• Advanced verb conjugation and inflection search
• Large 2 line, 20 character per line display
• 12 digit calculator, with metric and currency converters

Reviews (4)

simple words missing
The first word I typed in to translate was "cat". Hmmm... it's not in the dictionary. That about says it all.

Not recommended
The unit took about a month to be delivered from Seiko. After using it for several months I have found that it does not even have common words and phrases. It would be of no help to try to use it in a Spanish speaking country.

Missing alot of words
Disappointed with the lack of words. Every 3rd or 4th word I looked up was not in the dictionary.

light & cheap
This translator is light and small. The display is only 2 lines, but that's enough. When you enter a word it let's you choose the part of speech & lists several meanings without any explanations. You can search in the phrases also. For the nouns you can check the plural form, for the verbs you can change the tense & the person + the negative & the question forms. The vocabulary, as you can expect for this price, is limited. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Make traveling in Spanish-speaking countries easier with this Seiko Spanish-English dictionary with advanced verb conjugation. This electronic dictionary is perfect for travelers, offering quick access to 370 common phrases for travel and emergency situations.

This Spanish-English dictionary features 600,000 bidirectional translations and it instantly finds and translates conjugated verb forms. Seiko's EZ-Learn teaching system helps you build your vocabulary and language skills. Other handy features include a 12-digit calculator with memory and percent function, 28 bidirectional metric and currency converters, and an international clothing-size comparison chart.

Entries are easy to read on the large LCD display, and you can enter information using the full keypad and function keys. This dictionary weighs only 9.3 ounces and comes with a one-year warranty. ... Read more

Features

• More than 600,000 Spanish-English bidirectional translations
• Instantly finds and translates conjugated verb forms
• EZ-Learn teaching system builds language skills
• Quick access to 370 common phrases for travel and emergencies
• 12-digit calculator, metric/currency converter, international clothing-size comparison chart

Reviews (4)

Never used it
I have never used this unit but I have tried many like it. Of all of these I have found that the Franklin units are the best.

The Franklin TES-118 English/Spanish Translator is great. It has Advanced verb conjugation. The more expensive Franklin unit like DBE-1450 Spanish/English are better but the TES-118 is all most people will need.

I don't like the multi-language like the Franklin TWE-118 5 Language European Translator, because the verb conjugations are not included and the dictionaries are a bit small. But this unit is still much better others in its class.

Worthless pocket crowder
Save your money. This "dictionary" must have been compiled by experts in Sanskrit. An amazing number of common Spanish words are not included. Many words, in both languages, are mis-defined. It is so awful, that I ended up checking the results against a paper dictionary....which of course renders the electronic device useless.

What can I say good? The conjugation feature is good...IF your verb happens to be in the pitiful lexicon. I also like the test and list functions. In other words, as long as you are working inside the dictionary`s limited set and rule out the wacky occasional definition, it works fine. But, honestly, I would save my money.

Very useful tool, with some limitations.
This little translator (actually a dictionary with verb conjugation, has been a major tool in my learning toolbox. First, the little machine is very well built. Mine has survived abusive treatment on the workplace and in my car, and keeps going. It's been left in a hot car, dropped on pavement, and generally thrown around and it continues to work as before. The little keyboard is surprisingly easy to thumb-enter. The display is large and clear. The verb-conjugation allows you to scroll through conjugations of a verb or search by English or Spanish translation, including compound verbs. It has a 40 word list that allows you to practice. It gives you the word in the language you choose, and requires you to enter the word in the other language.

Now for the limitations. First, there is no contextual information. For example, if an English word has two Spanish meanings, the translator does not give you any information to determine which word you need. In addition, the spelling trainer does not allow you to enter accent marks or tildes, which limits it's utilization for memorization. The machine does not handle reflexive verb forms at all. In addition, the conjugator offers the verb form for "you (formal), he, she, and it" as separate entries even though they have the same conjugated form. The machine also does not allow any form of drills with conjugated verb forms.

The device does have a couple of quirks. It omits some common words, even "cat." Sometimes the -s- key functions as the -y- key in yes or no function questions. I have owned two of these (the first was destroyed by a dog after being dropped in the yard) and this problem existed on both.

In comparison to Franklin's equivilent product, I would say that the Franklin translator has far superior information but that the device is more poorly built. The Franklin translator has a rather flimsey cover. The button's are soft in operation, and you can't tell by feel if the device has accepted the keypress. The display is somewhat hard to read, but it does display far more information including examples, contextual information, and various forms of a word.

I highly recommend the Seiko translator so long as the user is aware of it's limitations. You will still have to use your dictionary to decide which option is correct for your purpose. But I love the Seiko for its small size, ease of use, and toughness. I can carry it with me on my job, and use my free time to carry out drills.

Quick, Simple, and Effective
I really like this product because in addition to being an advantage over a big, bulky, written dictionary, it's easy to use and has effective results. It not only can tell you the translation of words from spanish to english or from english to spanish but can also conjugate verbs. It gives quizzes about verb conjugation and vocabulary; it also offers quizzes for commonly used SAT words. I must stress how easy it is to use. I can't even use my sewing machine but i figured out how to work this in not even an hour! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Whether you need one label or dozens, you usually want them immediately. With the Seiko Smart Label Printer 240, you can easily print a label in just three seconds.

The compact Seiko 240 is compact and light (only 1.14 pounds) and fits right on your desktop. It is a handy easy-to-use PC peripheral. You can capture addresses from Word, Outlook, and other compatible programs and send them directly to the 240.

The 240 features wraparound text, shrink-to-fit formatting, and address recognition and parsing. With 203 dpi resolution, your logos or other graphics will look great on the labels too. The 240 accepts labels up to 2.125 inches wide--great for packages. It employs direct thermal printing, so you won't need any ink cartridges, ribbon, or toner.

A postal bar code option is available for the United States, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. The 240 can also recognize French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch, in addition to English. It comes with both a serial port cable and a USB cable. Windows 98 or 2000 is required for USB. ... Read more

Features

• Allows you to quickly produce custom labels
• Prints labels in 3 seconds
• Built-in USB and serial ports
• Comes with software
• Compact, stylish design

Amazon.com Product Description

Improve your vocabulary in Spanish or English with the Seiko Spanish-English dictionary with interactive teaching system. This electronic dictionary is perfect for ESL or SSL students and translators.

This Spanish-English dictionary features 4 million bidirectional translations and 15,000 English and Spanish verbs with full conjugation and grammar correction. Quiz yourself on the 100,000 multiple-choice questions and answers built into the dictionary to prepare for the TOEFL and SAT tests.

Entries are easy to read on the LCD, which displays three lines of 22 characters each with all accent marks, parts of speech, and gender. You can enter information using the full keypad and function keys. The dictionary weighs only 6 ounces and comes with a one-year warranty. ... Read more

Features

• More than 4 million bidirectional translations
• 100,000 multiple-choice questions and answers for TOEFL, SAT
• More than 15,000 English and Spanish verbs with full conjugation and grammar correction
• Shows all accent marks, parts of speech, masculine/feminine forms
• Ideal for ESL/SSL

Reviews (4)

Best in it's Class
For it's size and functionality this unit can't be beat. Has the vast majority of the translations, gives all lthe conjugations for the various verbs yet is small enough to fit into your back pocket, and simple to use to boot. It's biggest draw back is that it can be somewhat slow to translate. All in all I've purchased quite a few of these translators and anything close to it in functionality is twice the size. Sure beats carrying a spanish to english dictionary.

over-hyped product
This translator claims to have 4 million bi-directional words. So I assumed this would be plenty to use as a dictionary. I am reading a good book by Perez-Reverte and I was hoping this would speed up my dictionary searches. I would say on average that 1 word out of ten registers. I'm mad and I want my money back. or applied to a better product. Are you reading this, Seiko?

Some basic and slower
PRO: This is a basic translator for people that just need find one or two meanings by word, the keyboard has a good size for the size of the translator. The influebce tool is good, it give you the means of many verbs in all tenses and in three modes.
CON: English and Spanish are complex languages and many words have many meanings, also some words have idiomatic meanings, this translator give you a maximun of three meanings for some words, is some slower, take 3 seconds for some words, and the menus are some difficult to use.

Some basic and slower
PRO:This is a basic translator for people that wants just one or two meanings by word, has a good tool with the Influence function that allow find the all tenses of many verbs, in three modes. The keyboard has a good size for the size of the machine.

CON:English and Spanish are some difficult languages and some words have many meanings, this tranlator just gives you a maximun of three meannigs for some words, is slower take three seconds for find a meaning, and doesn't have a space bar for compound words. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Travel easily through Europe using this Seiko six-language translator with organizer and travel alarm. Cross-translate English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese with the database of 200,000 words and phrases.

The organizer stores more than 160 names with multiple phone numbers and addresses. Other features include world time for 32 cities, and a travel alarm with 10-minute snooze.

Entries are easy to read even in dim light with the backlit LCD display, and you can enter information using the full keypad and function keys. Password protection keeps your private data from prying eyes. This translator weighs only 6.5 ounces and comes with a one-year warranty. ... Read more

Features

• Cross-translation of English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese
• Translates over 200,000 words and phrases
• Stores more than 160 names with multiple phone numbers/addresses
• World time for 32 cities, travel alarm; clock with 10-minute snooze
• Backlit display for easy viewing in dim lighting

Reviews (3)

Very disappointed - limited dictionary
I bought this device because I thought it might help me on a vacation to Spain. Boy was I disappointed. The number of words especially common travel/tourism related-words, that it knows is small. The unit is hard to operate. Even the travel alarm is poorly implemented. Save your money. Buy something else (like a good phrase book).

Disappointing, I returned it.
... Unfortunately,while I found it very easy to operate and very compact, I found using it to be quite disappointing. The first word I looked up was the German equivalent of "train" but the Seiko didn't contain "train," "train station" nor "locomotive" in its dictionary. Considering that much of European travel is done by train, it seems a pretty basic word that should have been included in an item aimed at European travellers. Ironically, they did include "trainer," which I think is far less necessary than train. The currency converter is useless - most of the buttons are for currencies no longer in existence since the Euro is now the standard in most European nations.

Almost all handheld multi-language translators have some common drawbacks and this one is no execption. Here are some examples: In order to translate a verb, you must provide the infinitive version in the foreign language. No gender articles are provided. The vocabulary word total given is for all of the words combined from each language -not for each individual language. This type of device is really just meant to provide catch-phrases and very basic vocabulary only. The Seiko was much easier to operate than others - I did not have to read the directions to figure out how to select the desired language and it was easy to figure out how to enter words. Also, the Seiko is backlit and easy to read - the letters are very clear and huge. It is sturdy looking and sleek,fitting easily into a pocket. Despite these positives, I found it much less expensive and much faster to look up words & phrases in a tiny traveller's dictionary/phrasebook. Therefore,I am returning the Seiko.

Nice for the price
The Seiko DF4033 Language Translator is a nice little unit. It's small enough to fit into a shirt pocket, but it will bulge a bit, since it is about 3/4 of an inch thick. It has a backlight which makes it easier to read the screen in dim light. However, each of the keys serves two functions: the main function (such as a letter or numeric value) is printed right on the key and is easy to read, whereas the secondary function (attained by pressing the SHIFT key) is printed in orange over black making it harder to read even in normal lighting and I've found it impossible to read in dim light.

The unit is somewhat intuitive and appears well constructed. It has a number of phrases in various categories (accommodations, dining, health, shopping, travel, etc) that could come in handy. But, like most of these units, I've found the number of such phrases to be very limited. The alarm clock is a nice feature as is the phone directory. And you can even replace the battery without losing your stored data. You have 30 seconds to do so!

The letters on the screen itself are large and easy to read, but this limits the number of letters that can be seen at one time to only 12 per line. You can see the additional letters by pressing the scroll key. However, in translating some of the phrases the first few letters of a word can appear at the right end of screen on the first line and when you press the scroll arrow the screen image jumps to the remaining letters, essentially bisecting the word (you never see the entire word at the same time.) It would have been better if they had wrapped the phrase into the second line on the main screen so you would not have to scroll at all.

I think it would have been a nice feature if the translated word also showed the gender, where appropriate, and if phonetic assistance in pronouncing the foreign word was provided. There is room to do so on the second line of the display. Unfortunately, I have not found any reasonably priced translators that will do so, including this one.

Overall I like the unit and for the price I think it is a pretty good deal. For the casual traveler who does not know the language I expect that it will serve you (and me) well. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Seiko Instruments InkLink handwriting system is the ultimate tool for instantly capturing your handwriting or drawings directly to your handheld, laptop, or desktop PC.

It's easy to use, works on ordinary paper up to legal size, and easily clips onto 50-page tablets. Plus InkLink comes with its own carrying case that fits in a pocket or purse.

Using Seiko's exclusive binaural technology, the InkLink Data Clip continuously listens for communications from the InkLink pen while it tracks the natural movement of your hand. As you write anywhere on the paper pad with the InkLink pen, the InkLink Data Clip reads precisely the location of the pen tip and communicates its exact position to your handheld, laptop, or desktop PC.

Sounds complicated? Believe it or not, InkLink is about as difficult to use as a paper clip. With InkLink, all you have to do is think it, ink it, and link it. ... Read more

Features

• Instantly capture your handwriting or drawings directly to your handheld, laptop, or desktop PC
• Works on ordinary paper up to legal size, easily clips onto 50-page tablets
• InkLink pen tracks natural movement of your hand; Data Clip communicates positions to your handheld or computer
• Comes with carrying case, 1.5 volt button batteries (3), blue ink cartridge, AAA battery (1), IrDA transceiver, InkLink USB Cable, InkNote Manager software on CD-ROM for PC, Pocket PC and Palm OS, Quick Start Guide
• Compatible with handhelds, laptops, or desktop PC's with USB

Reviews (14)

Excellent at notetaking. Software is missing featues
The InkLink receiver is small and easily clips to a pad or even a single sheet of paper. The receiver can connect via USB to laptop/desktop, or by an IR transmitter to a PDA. The pen has a transmitter near its tip, whose signal is picked up by the receiver. No tablet required! The carrying case that holds all fits in a pocket or brief case.

The system accurately transcribes handwriting, pictures, squiggles, and so on. The software stores each session as a file containing one or more pages. Its easy to select, delete, and move words, figures, etc. The final printed version can look better than the original! I'm tempted to use the system for all my notetaking.

Some software features are poorly implemented. For example, lines can be straightend, but the operation requires selecting a menu item. There are no standard drawing features, such as menus to make lines, boxes etc. You can copy and paste selections to other pages in InkLink, but you can't copy into other other applications! You can't add a sketch directly to add sketches to, say, a PowerPoint presentation. You can export pages to .jpg, .bmp. or .png format, but that is an awkward way to transfer a document or drawing. (With Adobe Acrobat you can "print" a PDF file that retains the original quality. That's useful for transmitting documents. It would be nice to have that as part of the software.) Conclusoin: the software makes Inklinke a closed system, not an universal input device. Still, it is easy, small, and inexpensive, and I'm tempted to buy a second for home.

Good tool for the price but.....
Update:
The pen battery lasted about 3 weeks for me. ...Man....I wish they had rechargeable batteries!

The Palm software is very slow...I have 4 images on the Palm (M515) and it takes a while to load each one of them
___________________________________
Original:
The Seiko InkLink Handwriting System is quite the tool for transforming notes as you write to a electronic picture.
Things I liked: Small, compact and functional tool that helps me store a electronic version of written notes.
Things I did not like: The help was written by a minimalist for people who like a few riddles!

Install phase:
As I installed it, I noticed that the attached help pamphlet left a lot to be desired and they ask you to refer to the electronic manual for everything else. (Use explorer to view the contents of the CD and the manual)!

The assembly and installation is very simple. But, if you run into even a small software issue, it is just best to reinstall the whole suite (PDA, Desktop). I also ran into this wierd thing of if I keep it connected to the USB Hub, I could not shut the computer down (Windows 98). I had to unplug the device (It was in constant communication mode I guess).

I spent a better part of 3 hours trying to figure out how to get to manually synchronize my Palm notes and the Desktop notes. Would it have hurt for them to illustrate the help better.

Operation phase:
It was working like a charm for taking my notes into the computer. But, I suddenly noticed that if you draw/write very fast, there is chance that you may not digitize some parts of the text/picture.
The view on the Palm(m515) is not very useful. You need to zoom to 400% to view the text and get to see very, very small parts of the text. I plan to use the Palm only as a temporary storage device.
The ability to associate categories and keywords to each file helps you catalogue the pictures you create.
I see this as a very useful tool to help organize your notes and maintain a catalogued, searchable electronic copy!

Magical hardware, so-so software
The InkLink system consists of a clip that fits on the top of an ordinary writing pad, and a special pen. The clip connects either to the USB port of a desktop computer, or to a little gadget (supplied) that allows an IR connection to a palm or pocket PC.

The device is very good at what it does---digitising drawings and handwriting at extremely high resolution. I tried writing as small as I could on the pad, and it's still very good on-screen. The resolution's basically greater by the width of the ball-point pen.

The hardware is amazing, and works like this: the clip sends an infrared pulse to the pen, which then emits an ultrasonic pulse back. Two detectors on each end of the clip pick up the ultrasonic pulse, and knowing the speed of sound, calculate the exact position of the pen. It works perfectly, even right at the far edge of a letter-sized pad.

My main qualm is with the software. It's clunky and has no default vector export format. It took me a long time to work out how to export the drawings in a vector format (the supplied software allows export as .bmp, .jpg, and .png, all bitmat formats). To export in a vector format you have to print the page to a pdf file (using pdfwriter as a virtual printer), then import the pdf into a drawing program such as Adobe Illustrator. It would be really nice to be able to use this device directly in a drawing program, as an adjunct to the mouse.

Overall, I would recommend the Inklink. It's very good at what it does, and once the vector export is worked out, it works well as a vector input device. It's also amazing to write on an ordinary pad, and see the same marks come up on the screen. If only Seiko would put a bit of effort to the software, this could become a must-have device.

Buy the SmartPad II instead
I have both InkLink and SmartPad II. I thought I'd get more use out of the InkLink since it has both PDA and PC interface; however, as stated in many of the reviews, it's a hassle to setup and has many weak s/w issues. Additionally, I take great issue with the extremely short pen battery life.

SmartPad II is not easy to use with a laptop; however, it works like a charm with my Pocket PC. Plus there is no setup hassle and the battery life is wonderful...I've not has to buy a replacement battery yet. It's an odd "AAAA" (that's right, 4 "A") battery. The organizer case forced me to lighten up as it does not contain the usual ring binders; however, there a lot of surface on the left inside face to Velcro till your hearts content. Finally, this device does not optically sense the location of the pen; so, there are no issues with flipping sheets. I've modified a standard steno pad (by trimming the backboard with a scissor) to fit the sleep) and find I can flip back and forth and edit as long as I do the same on the PDA.

I realize that you could fax or scan hand scribbled notes and have a graphical capture anywhere. I find that I can draw and beam diagrams to those that have PDAs and email them to those that do not without another digitizing session. So, chose the SmartPad as your InkLink will sit and collect dust...mine does.

Disappointed in Seiko, disappointed I bought it.
I tried the Logitech Digital IO pen and didn't like the size and fact I had to buy expensive proprietary paper -- so I bought the Seiko.

Problem with so many hardware manufactures is that they just don't know how to write (or care) about the support software.

1. When using the pen with a PC, if something takes to 'focus' from the Seiko software, like a popups message or alert, the pen will stop recording penstrokes. This can be a disaster if you are not constantly watching your PC screen.

2. When using the pen with a PDA if you loose the ir link or the PDA popups message or alert, the pen will stop recording penstrokes. Again, this can be a disaster to your notes. The only way to get what you've written into the file is to painstakingly write over the parts you have already written.

3. Better have a lot of little hearing aid batteries handy for that pen -- it chomps through them.

I bought the pen at full price when it first came out. I complained to Seiko about the lame software and they said a number of people had the same complaint but there was a development kit available and that they would constantly be improving the software. It's been two years now and Seiko has not released a single update.

I recommend not buying this pen. While the hardware is nice, the software is basically useless, unless you are willing to put up with a lot of headaches! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Seiko Instruments SmartPad2 enables you to instantly capture everything you write or draw using the SmartPad pen on ordinary paper and send it to your Palm OS-based handheld. You can handwrite notes and store them in your Date Book or draw a map with directions and attach it to a contact in your Address Book. It is compatible with Palm III series or later, Sony Clié, Handspring Visor, and HandEra handhelds.

The SmartPad2's adjustable infrared transceiver sends your notes and drawings directly to your handheld via the infrared port. Store your notes as attachments to any of the four Palm OS applications or transfer them via HotSync to your PC. From your PC you can print your notes, and file, fax, or e-mail them. You can also e-mail notes and drawings directly from your handheld with optional e-mail software and a modem or phone.

SmartPad2 consists of an electronic notepad integrated into an elegant portfolio that also stores and protects your Palm OS-based organizer. The paper notepad is a standard paper pad; refills are available at any stationery store. A special pen is provided that automatically transmits whatever you write through SmartPad into your Palm OS-based organizer. For convenience, the opposite end of the pen contains a stylus point for use with the Palm OS-based organizer. ... Read more

Features

• Captures handwritten notes and drawings on an ordinary pad of paper and sends them to your Palm OS handheld
• Organize notes, drawings, and diagrams with Palm applications
• View notes on your handheld instantly
• Tap-type with new integrated QWERTY keypad
• Compatible with Palm III series or later, Sony Clie, Handspring Visor, and HandEra handhelds

Reviews (2)

Smartpad helpful, could be better
I just got my Smartpad 2 the other day, and today was the first day I used it in my classes. It is very impressive and has several distinct advantages compared to normal pen and paper note taking. You have a digital copy on your PDA, and your computer, and if something goes wrong with these then you have a hard copy. I also have hand pain and can't always take my own notes, so I can have a friend take theirs on my Smartpad and keep the hard copy. No more trips to the copy center to copy notes. My biggest problem/dislike about this product is the limitation of an 8' by 5' sheet of paper! I have to flip pages constantly. In my calculus class I can't fit an entire problem and its derivative on one page with the notes that go along telling you how to do the problem in the first place. This can be VERY confusing. Also, don't plan on viewing your notes on your PDA with much success. Magnifies up to 4x, but mine didn't come with the software to do this, and I can't find it on the website, so it's almost impossible to view at the 2x level. I have a Palm IIIc now, but I'm upgrading to an iPaq or similar device this summer, I think I might also opt to upgrade to the Seiko Ink Link. I wish I'd seen the Ink Link before I purchased the Smartpad 2. With the Ink Link you hook up the unit to a legal pad and it captures what you write to your PDA or computer. You don't have the page size limitation with the Ink Link that you do with the Smartpad.

Finally - something that works for me
This device isn't for everyone, but it fits my needs perfectly. It represents my third attempt to find an affordable, easy-to-use solution to getting scribbled meeting and design notes and drawings into my computer for quick dissemination to interested parties and stakeholders. I've previously tried the A.T. Cross-Pad (no longer made) and the Logitech IO Personal Digital Pen (ASIN B00006JP23), each of which fell short for various reasons.

Here is how I use it - during meetings I take notes, do sketches (user interfaces, high-level system design diagrams, etc.), and list follow-up items. This material is automatically beamed to my Palm Vx as pictures of the sketches and/or notes. I upload these to my PC and email them as attachments. This gets information out quickly, which can be followed up later with more refined notes transcribed into a word processor (by hand) or better drawings (I use Visio).

It does one thing only - captures pictures of what you write on plain paper - and it does that exceptionally well.

I liked the easy set-up, the fact that it comes with a QWERTY tap keyboard (it's under the pad), and performs as advertised. If your needs are similar to mine stated above and you have either a Palm or Pocket PC PDA you will probably love this notepad. However, it does not perform optical character recognition, so it that is what you're seeking you need to keep looking. ... Read more

Features

• Labels for Seiko SmartLabel Printer Pro
• 2 rolls per box, 130 labels per roll
• White color, large size
• Direct thermal printer technology
• Each label measures 1.125 by 3.5 inches

Amazon.com Product Description

Seiko-Austin's Thumboard keyboard provides the ideal PDA input alternative to the often awkward stylus pen. The QWERTY key layout makes it instantly recognizable and easy to use, perfect for those on the go. The keyboard connects directly to the handheld, and there's no need for a stand or flat surface to use it. An extended character set, menu commands, and software button shortcuts make your typing faster and more accurate. You can also turn on and access primary applications through the thumboard. The keyboard is compatible with the Palm V and Vx handhelds. ... Read more

Features

• Perfect input alternative to stylus pen
• Light and small
• QWERTY key layout
• Connects directly onto handheld
• Compatible with Palm V and Vx handheld

Reviews (3)

Simple and handy
This is not a full size keyboard, but if you carry a Palm, you do not want to carry a full size keyboard anyway. This device is the best option if you want to key in your words without messing with graffiti.

The device is lightweight, easy to carry and fits right into the Palm. Keying in letters and other functions are a snap. I have fallen in love with this thing since I began to use it.

The only improvement I hope is to have a protective cover on the keys. To slip it on my Palm every time is not convenient enough. If there is a cover, I do not have to worry about touching the power-on button when it is attached to the Palm and stays that way all the time.

Excellent Idea but...
...

Pro:
It gives you a decent input mechanism for the Palm.
Seems to be built well.
Low cost.

Con:
If you have the leather case for the Palm, the keyboard will not fit.
I realized that the only reason I wanted to use a keyboard to type into a Palm was because I didn't have a keyboard. Now that I have it, I haven't really used it.

Small but Powerful!
Alright, I have to admit that straight out of the box I thought I was never going to be able to use this thing! The keys seemed terribly small and my fingers aren't the most delicate things on this planet.

After a couple of days, I'm falling in love. This keyboard has a lot of advantages over other 'portable' keyboards.

Size: Truly portable. Comparing it my friend's Stowaway, this thing just takes the cake.

Location: If you don't know yet, you slip this over the bottom of your handheld (in my case Visor). It stays in place remarkably well. It's rounded sides and larger profile, makes typing easy because the handheld is easier to hold.

Construction: Yes, it's plastic, but it's well made plastic. Everything has clean finished edges. I flexed my in my hand and it creaked a little bit, but not like it was going to fall apart suddenly.

In conclusion, I give this tiny but powerful keyboard four stars. It would have earned the coveted five star rating if it's keys were just a smudge bigger, or spaced out a bit more. If you have small fingers and great fine motor skills, you'll be typing out page-long emails in no time. ... Read more

Features

• Designed for Smart Label printers
• 220 labels per roll, 1 roll per pack
• Compatible with Smart Label Pro for Windows, Mac, and DOS, and Smart Label Pro 220 and 200 for Windows
• Ideal for packages and name badges