Product Details

• Size: Small Palm Size
• Brand: Sharp
• Model: YO-520P
• Platforms: Windows 98, Windows 95
• Dimensions: .80" h x 3.10" w x 5.90" l, .64 pounds
• Memory: 1MB
• Native resolution: 60 x 30

Features

• Compact organizer with 1 MB of memory
• PC-Link cable and software
• Accepts data downloads from MyWizard.com
• Full keyboard plus number pad
• Backlit LCD screen--20 characters x 5 lines

Amazon.com Review
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

• Tiny display
• Serial connection

Amazon.com Product Description
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.

Customer Reviews

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!

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.

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!