Palm Zire

[Andrew546]

I've had the Zire 71 for a couple of years before I started geocaching, and when I did, it turned out to be such a worth while investment for the hobby. I can do paperless geocaching, and take pictures all in the same unit. Does anyone else use this for geocaching?

[+pghlooking]

I got the Zire 72 for X-Mas this year. The newer model of the 71, but mainly wanted it for caching. Am sure i will use it for more as i continue but wanted to be able to leave my camera at home since it cost alot more. Love the paperless caching and can do pics when i see something i want. Still if i know i am going somewhere that there will be a great photo op i will take my regular camera.

[+The Leprechauns]

I used a Zire 71 for about 14 months... yeah, right past the warranty period. Maybe I just had a dud unit, but this one sucked. From day one, the unit would re-set and lose all of its data at random times... usually 2/3 of the way into a geocaching trip. Then, the hot sync button on the cradle stopped working. Then, it stopped hot syncing at all. I tried all the suggested fixes, bought a new cable, but nothing worked. Finally I chalked it up to experience and bought a different handheld.

 

The Zire 71 reinforced something that's often true of "combination" devices. If you buy a combination handheld and digital camera, you sacrifice the quality you'd gain from getting a better handheld and a better digital camera, for the convenience of having two crappy devices mushed together into one.

 

My understanding is that the camera quality on the Zire 72 is much better, so my negative review applies only to the 71. Your mileage may vary.

[+pghlooking]

The 72 pictures are pretty decent. Its 1.2 Megapixel which isnt bad for what i wanted. I notice it has a little more lag time so being steady (ie supported) when taking a pic is almost nessessary. I like it for the expansion slot also. Take pics and plug the card right into my printer to upload onto the computer. I dont even bother Hot Synch for that. This way is easier. And so far so good with everything else.

[+Vic303]

My husband & I use Zire 31's for paperless caching. Works great! Cellphone has a camera if we really want to take pics...

[+DiscGolfer]

I use a Zire 71 as well. It is handy to have the cam as part of the unit.

[+mrmnjewel]

We also use the zire 71 for paperless geocaching and photography purposes. Been using it for 6 months and have had very good success with it.

[+Konnarock Kid & Marge]

We use a Zire 21 and it has been great. Nothing fancy here except enough memory for all your caching needs. If we had to do it over again (hopefully soon) we would get the Zire 31 with the color screen. Much easier to view.

[+WalruZ]

I busted the screen on my 71 and had to buy a tungsten to replace it. What added value for me (besides cachemate) was a 64 meg SD card and a copy of Mapopolis with most of Northern California on the SD card.

[+Nurse Dave]

I have one of these for navigation. Don't think I'd take it out in the wild though.

[+Marky]

I have one of these for navigation. Don't think I'd take it out in the wild though.

I take mine into the wild all the time (as long as it's not raining). Hopefully, I won't regret it some day.

 

--Marky

[+Blufwatch]

Zire 31 has been great asset to my family for caching

Using in combo with Cachemate and GSAK..

if had not just bought a new digital camera over the holidays

the 71 would have been a good option