Casio EX-word XD-SP6700

[katafei]

I'm thinking of buying this casio, as the pink one is very affordable on amazon.co.jp at the moment.....
But I would really like some feedback from people who use electronic dicts. Does this sound like a useful dict to you guys?

Looking forward to your answers, 'cause it's taking a lot of restraint not to go and buy it straight away

[becki_kanou]

Sounds great to me! I've always used the X-word series (I have the XD-ST81000 currently) and I really like the speaking function. The one you've selected is a bit more high-end than mine, but it looks worth it, especially with the pen input.

[ss]

Go for it!

My classmate got SX6500 last December, around USD320.00, without the speaking function (JP pronunciation in Meikyo).
I got the Casio Ex-Word XD-SP6600 which my colleague bought from Tokyo around March this year. It was 30,000 yen, about USD340.00. (WIth JP Pronunciation in Meikyo & other added functions). I think SP6700 is the latest model and since it is selling at USD289.00, it’s really worth buying.

[clay]

I think the recent Casios are excellent.

I know it is a lot more expensive, but the XD-GP9700 has the huge Kenkyusha J-E (480,000 words versus 90,000 in the SP6700 J-E). It also has the awesome Oxford Dictionary of English (not the OED) while most other models (including the SP6700) have only a Learner's dictionary. I find myself using the ODE almost as much as the Kenkyusha.

But are the better dictionaries worth the extra price? Personally, I would rather wait and save up to get the much better dictionaries in the GP9700.

But that is not to say the SP6700 wouldn't be fine. You would just have to look up some difficult words in the J-J that you can't find in the J-E.

[katafei]

^_^,
Yes, Clay, I've been reading your comments on the GP9700 and I have to admit I'm only a foot away from convincing myself it's only tiwce as expensive (well, about that, I'm very creative with numbers) with a lot more content. Of course, it's not available in pink...

But some of the reviews on amazon.co.jp seem less enthusiastic....so I'm still hesitating about digging into my savings...

[katafei]

Gee Clay, the GP9700 weighs a lot more, doesn't it?
Is it still a good dict to be carrying around?

[clay]

Gee Clay, the GP9700 weighs a lot more, doesn't it?
Is it still a good dict to be carrying around?

It is more hefty than other older models--but the SP line may be about the same weight (I don't know for sure). I don't carry mine around much, but if you use a backpack there shouldn't be any problem. It won't fit in a regular sized pocket, but it would fit in a large jacket pocket for example.

EDIT: I just read (skimmed) the reviews at Amazon. The biggest complaint seems to be about the English dictionaries not being best for learning English. I'm sure that is not a problem with you.

The Oxford Dictionary of English which I use as often as the Kenkyusha J-E is included. (See here for adding it to your favorites since it isn't accessible from the menu buttons).

Another complaint was the slow start and shutdown. That doesn't bother me at all. Compared to other models (and especially the early Canon models) the start is snappy. Also you don't have to use the on/off button at all. Just open the shell to start it (I can almost start typing by the time it fully opens) and close it to shut it off (however long this takes makes not matter to me).

[two_heads_talking]

Clay, do you sell the Casio GP9700 on TheJapanShop.com?

[Joip]

I'm thinking of buying this casio, as the pink one is very affordable on amazon.co.jp at the moment.....
But I would really like some feedback from people who use electronic dicts. Does this sound like a useful dict to you guys?

Looking forward to your answers, 'cause it's taking a lot of restraint not to go and buy it straight away

I too have been recently considering buying the sp600 or the gp9700. I was wondering which one did you ultimately end up going with and if you were happy with your decision.