Palm Zire 31 Handheld PDA

Now available in GPS bundle!

Strengths: Fast startup time, 'bullet-proof' Palm OS, Excellent as a routefinder for the car.

Weakness: With the routemapping software installed 16Mb internal memory is cutting it fine.

I have just bought the version bundled with a GPS and ViaMichelin route mapping software. The software comes on a 128Mb SD card and uses it all up with a complete UK and Ireland street map. It also includes Points-Of-Interest, like petrol stations, car parks, museums, restaurants etc. and you can add your own. It is truly excellent, and half the price of most integrated GPS route finding...
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I have just bought the version bundled with a GPS and ViaMichelin route mapping software. The software comes on a 128Mb SD card and uses it all up with a complete UK and Ireland street map. It also includes Points-Of-Interest, like petrol stations, car parks, museums, restaurants etc. and you can add your own.

It is truly excellent, and half the price of most integrated GPS route finding computers (e.g. Tom Tom). You can search right down to the house number on any street. You can purchase further maps to cover the rest of Europe too. The voice is very clear and loud and gives precise and good instructions on when to turn and which exits to use. You can view your route as you travel in 3D or standard overhead 2D mode. If a road is blocked or you miss a turn it quickly recalculates an alternate route and keeps you on track.

The only bad points I have found really is that the 16Mb of internal memory isn't really enough for route finding as quite a bit of info has to be stored internally rather than on the SD card. If you start filling it up with photos and such you can get warnings about it not being able to save your routes. Another point worth noting is that the tiny GPS unit can take several minutes before locating enough satellites to zero in on your position. This may be true of most GPS devices though. Plus, I have had the USB port lock up and refuse to see the GPS a couple of times, needing a hard reset to fix it.

I am still incredibly impressed by the bundle though and it is well worth the price. I am just about to download and install a free database of UK Speed Cameras too but I may have to install the whole thing on a 256Mb SD card first.

By anonymous; - Aug 10, 2005

I upgraded to a Palm Zire 31 from...

Strengths: Compact, power button on front, upgraded OS5, SD/MMC card slot, fast processor, strong IR, easily connects to internet

Weakness: Not all available apps support OS5 - not Palms fault really. Non-TFT screen - can't see it well outdoors on sunny days. MP3/Video playback drains battery. Non-user replacable battery. Rubber cover

I upgraded to a Palm Zire 31 from a Palm IIIc (which I loved BTW) merely for the extra memory and expansion capabilities. PZ31 runs on the upgraded Palm OS v5.2.8 which supports some of the best apps on the web, however a lot of apps do not run at all, or will cause the device to hang due to the OS upgrade which is not supported in all apps. It's a trial and error process, but one worth going...
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I upgraded to a Palm Zire 31 from a Palm IIIc (which I loved BTW) merely for the extra memory and expansion capabilities.
PZ31 runs on the upgraded Palm OS v5.2.8 which supports some of the best apps on the web, however a lot of apps do not run at all, or will cause the device to hang due to the OS upgrade which is not supported in all apps. It's a trial and error process, but one worth going through. PalmGear.com is great for getting apps for Palm OS5 and will list the compatability with each of its products.

I am happy to have the blue rubber flip-cover on the device to cover the screen but I really wish the device had have come with a protective case that was a little more substantial. Easily rectified by investing in a proper case though - and well worth the money, especially for women who carry their palm in a handbag with 100 other things inc. keys etc that can scratch or crack the screen.

The processor in the unit is quite fast, and apps open quickly and photo's are displayed nicely - although up-close photo's will display better than distant ones. The pixels are evident when looking at the screen, but it doesn't really detract from visibility for most things I've found.

I found it incredibly easy to hook up to the internet via the IR port and my mobile phone using GPRS. I use Agendus Mail and Web Pro 3.0 which give me access to email and fast access to webpages and supports a few more internet pages than other apps that are rated highly in the Palm user community.

There are a range of accessories out there for the palm Zire 31. Cases, battery extenders, screen protectors, game cards, education cards (check out www.minidigital.com.au), IR keyboards, travel chargers and sync cables.

One of the handiest things I found with the PZ31 is that it connects to my PC via a mini USB which is what my Sony Cybershot digital camera uses. Thus, I minimise desk clutter by using the one cable for both my camera and my PDA. On the other hand, without the universal connection that other palms use, the range of peripheral products is limited to those made specifically for the Zire 31 or to products that work via communication with the palm's IR port (like some of the more expensive keyboards).

If you want to take advantage of the MP3 and video playback capabilities, you'll need to invest in an MMC/SD card. The palm, probably for memory reasons, doesn't allow you to put these things on its HDD. SD and MMC cards are not too expensive these days, and do come in handy for a range of other devices such as digital cameras etc. My 4 year old daughter can watch Stargate SG-1 on my palm Zire 31 or listen to The Wiggles, which keeps her happy on plane flights and long car trips. Even a small capacity SD card (64Mb would be the smallest I'd go) will hold a fair number of MP3's and video's, depending on how you encode them.

Sound on the Zire 31 can be heard via the device speakers, or via standard 3.5m headphones. It is loud and clear and exceptional for such an entry-level PDA.

The additonal software is ok. The only thing I added was Solitaire from the CD. For most other things I have preferred apps that I use. For a new PDA user however, I can definitely see the the software CD providing some useful applications for getting them started.

One other thing that I will mention, is that when you first begin to charge the unit after taking it out of the pack, you will not be able to turn it on. After about 20-30 minutes, the unit will switch on itself and you can start to play whilst it is hooked up via its AC adapter/charger (this is mainly for people who can't wait to start playing with a new device). It is recommended that you leave it to charge for the initial 4 hours, but if you can't wait, start playing after 30 mins and let it charge to full capacity over night.

I would highly recommend this PDA to most new and experienced PDA users. It is cheap (AUD$247 ($233 at minidigital), expandable (not expendable!), fast, and reliable. Definitely a PDA that I would buy again and again.

By javajunkie80 - Dec 29, 2004

I was looking for an inexpensive...

Strengths: Compact design, easy-to read color screen, good battery life

Weakness: Poorly-written documentation. Not too hip on the concept of non-replaceable internal batteries.

I was looking for an inexpensive way to manage my calendar, tasks and contacts and so far this little guy does just what I was looking for. The display is not a TFT like the pricier models but it is just fine for day-to-day activities. I’ve used the bundled Palm Desktop software and transferred pictures to the Zire 31 and they show up fine. Apparently this can be used as an MP3 player as well....
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I was looking for an inexpensive way to manage my calendar, tasks and contacts and so far this little guy does just what I was looking for.

The display is not a TFT like the pricier models but it is just fine for day-to-day activities. I’ve used the bundled Palm Desktop software and transferred pictures to the Zire 31 and they show up fine.

Apparently this can be used as an MP3 player as well. The documentation is very week in this regard and only states “Expansion card required, stereo headphones optional, both sold separately.” I am assuming it is just a memory card and not some proprietary card.


The warranty is ONLY 90 DAYS!

All in all, this is a great little PDA for those needing to take their contacts, tasks and calendar. However, if you're into bells and whistles - then this is not the device for you and you should cough up the extra $.

By kyzersosie - May 26, 2004

It is extremely handy. It turns on...

Strengths: Very small. Extremely user friendly. Nice color screen. The photograph slide show looks great.

Weakness: Protective lid is not enough. It is necessary to buy a hard or leather case. MP3 is only available with extension card.

It is extremely handy. It turns on immediately, I add a task or appointment and I switch it off: total less than 60 seconds.
That is the first time I use Graffiti writing and it is very easy. In case I have difficulty with a letter, I can still use the digital keyboard.
I definitively would recommend the PalmOne Zire 31.

By sbrun1663 - Oct 22, 2004

This is my first Palm Pilot,...

Strengths: Nice color screen,MP3 music, Games

Weakness: Low Resolution 160x160, Battery Life, 90 day warranty, Doesn't support OS5 games

This is my first Palm Pilot, before I was using LCD screen organizers because Palm was so expensive. I really bought the Palm for gaming, the best game Ive found (Internet Demo) was MicroQuad. Its like a Mario Kart racing game. The only problem is finding a good game I can stick with and trying to buy a game outside the Internet.

By N_Fizey - Jun 3, 2005