VTech Helio Handheld PDA (Metallic Blue)

Don't let the low price tag of VTech's Helio fool you. Even though the lower-end of the handheld price spectrum often seems to overlap with those $40 organizers available in the electronics department of your local superstore, the Helio is a respectable PDA with as much power and more memory (2 MB of flash memory, 8 MB of internal storage) than the low-cost options from Palm and Handspring.

VTech seems to be going for a slightly different audience, judging by the some of its color choices (among others, it's available colors include Pearlized Pink, Metallic Charcoal, and Translucent Lime). But other than that, the Helio looks quite similar your average handheld. It also offers a syncing cradle, desktop software, and the basic scheduling, e-mail, and notation applications of other PDAs.

Inside is where you'll find the differences. The Helio offers voice recording (up to 50 minutes with its current storage), memory upgradability (up to 16 MB--although you'll have to remove the current 8MB), and character recognition superior to Palm's Graffiti (the Helio uses CIC's Jot). Instead of having to memorize slightly-off gestures (the "7" for "t", for example), you write the letters and numbers just as you would on paper, which can lead to an impressive input rate.

In addition to three buttons for voice recording and playback, the Helio features three programmable application buttons on the front, and two scroll buttons that are conveniently placed on the side of the device.

However--there are no Internet connectivity options available for the Helio yet, although VTech says a 19.2K or 28.8K modem is currently in development. And since the Helio uses the VT-OS proprietary operating system, the number of third-party applications is much more limited than with a Palm OS-based handheld.

If you're looking for a gift that's a little outside the normal PDA box or just looking for a powerful handheld for general on-the-road tasks, the Helio shines. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• 8 MB of internal memory, 2 MB of flash memory
• Voice recorder

Cons:

• No Internet options
• Lack of third-party software

The VTech Helio handheld PDA allows you to express yourself with a color that best suits you while the 8 MB memory keeps your personal data close at hand. The Helio features an expense manager, a scheduler, a phone book, a to-do list, a calculator, a memo function, and a sketch pad. You can also download e-mail from your PC and write new e-mail drafts to be sent after you synchronize with the desktop. For added convenience, the Helio has three shortcut keys to access applications, two scroll keys, and three voice recording/playback keys. The CompanionLink synchronization software makes the Helio compatible with Lotus Organizer, Microsoft Outlook and Schedule+, Symantec ACT!, Goldmine, and Palm Desktop. You can back up Helio data on a personal computer or transfer information from your PC onto the Helio.

The Helio comes with everything you need to get started: a stylus, synchronization cradle with cable, CD-ROM with desktop software, CompanionLink software, 2 AAA batteries, and a quick-start guide.

It is backed by a one-year warranty.