Job Discussion Forums

Genkikiwi · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 41 Location: Sapporo

hi , about to take level 3 proficiency in Dec and wondering if anyone can give a good recommendation re an electronic dictionary to buy..ie reasonably priced with Kanji

cheers GK

West Brom · Joined: 20 May 2003 Posts: 28

The Casio Intelligent 310.

It's small, very easy to use and has everything you'll need. It has a two-way dictionary, a kanji look-up function and a memory for testing yourself (which can be done from the kanji, the reading or the English translation).

Looking up compounds (ie words comprosing several kanji) takes a little bit longer than on some more expensive dictionaries, but not much.

Best of all, it costs less than 5000yen.

Don't get the 300. It doesn't have a kanji look-up function.

Genkikiwi · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 41 Location: Sapporo

Hi West Brom thanks for your reply.. i read ( probably from you ) a month or so ago re the Canon 310 . Have been keeping an eye out for it but haven:t spotted it...so by chance do u know where i can get one..

thanks for your help , cheers GK

West Brom · Joined: 20 May 2003 Posts: 28

I got mine from Bic Camera in Shinjuku. Any branch of theirs, or Yodobashi Camera will probably have it.

Genkikiwi · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 41 Location: Sapporo

cheers for that GK

rcn · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 38 Location: Japan

I was searching for one last week in Akihabara and was told that Canon has a model with the furigana(for kanji). I guess no other makers have one yet with this function. Good luck!

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

West Brom · Joined: 20 May 2003 Posts: 28

No it doesn't. But for 5000yen, that's too much to expect.

It needs a certain ability to work out how many strokes are in a kanji.

Munchen · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 76

On the more pricey level, does anyone have any recommendations for either the IDF-4600, the newest and most complete electronic dictionary from what I gather from the info. from Aiko Trading Co., Williamsville, NY.
Also reports that the IDF-4100 is also excellent.
Studying Japanese on my own here in the US and am able to put out a little cash on one of these.
Any opinions for either one of these? Am game for the "ultimate"!

J-Pop · Joined: 07 Oct 2003 Posts: 215 Location: USA

I've been considering one of these gadgets, so I have read the posts closely. Thus, clear this up for me, please:

West Brom wrote:

Munchen · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 76

3-Pop. The main source I've been looking at is the Aiko Trading Co. which I mentioned. Just key in that name and sites will come up. They give a good rundown on all the Canon and some other wordtank models, specifications, prices (Some on sale) etc. They sound like a reliable company.

However, like you, I would like to hear from anyone having recommendations, opinions, i.e., users.

I live in the DC area but don't know of any establishments that sell any of these here. The Sharper Image sells a 10-language portable translator which includes Japanese as one of the languages, but my impression of that is it's too small for $199 price.

J-Pop · Joined: 07 Oct 2003 Posts: 215 Location: USA

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

I picked up a Sharp PW 9500 after spending three hours testing every model in the shop. Now this was a year ago and it cost me 30000. The price has dropped dramatically since then and the model is now no longer on the shelves. Shame. Newer models have more functions though not as many dictionaries that are useful to the gaijin.

If you are a teacher, I would recommend a Sharp or any that come with either the Longman or Oxford Learner's Dictionaries (English English). These are very useful for class time.

Anyway, I lurrrvvve my Sharp PW9500 and would recommend it primarily for the screen size, font size changing capability and the jump function between dictionaries which utilizes a pop up window so you don't lose the original place you are jumping from.

You get what you pay for and I have never regretted spending as much as 30000.

West Brom · Joined: 20 May 2003 Posts: 28

J-Pop, it's made by CANON.

Don't be put off by the price at all. It does everything you will need.

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

I don't mind paying the price as long as it has that little pen where you can write(draw) an unknown kanji on the screen, and it will give you the yomikata. Does it have this feature? I saw one once that did, but I never took the time to noticet the name.