Palm M515

Palm really got it right with this PDA. Color screen, easy to use, expansion slot, vibrate feature and commendable battery life. If all you need is a quality, no frills PDA this is it. I have been using mine now for almost 3 years and have no plans to replace it with a new model.

One of the main reasons for this purchase is that there are many medical programs available for this PDA. With the SD memory card, you can put many medical applications on this unit and the cost of this PDA now is so cheap compared to the original $449.00,(See CNET webpage) when the device first came out that the purchase is a no brainer. Many E-bayer's are buying PDAs with gray scale displays and are paying more than if they purchased a Palm M5515.

I have 3 of these PDAs and are they are mostly used for medical research. The following are the specs for this pda and I have reviewed many types of PDAs if you are interested in other devices. Please be honest if this review has helped you in any way. Thank you for your time and consideration.

SPECS:
OS provided Palm OS 4.1
Software included Mail , Clock , Expense , Memo Pad , Note Pad , Date Book , Calculator , To Do List , Palm Reader , Address Book , Palm Desktop Software , DataViz Documents To Go , AvantGo Web Channel Manager , MGI PhotoSuite Mobile Edition
Min Operating system Apple MacOS 9.x , Microsoft Windows XP , Microsoft Windows 95/98 , Apple MacOS 8.6 or later , Microsoft Windows 2000 / NT4.0 , Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
Memory Installed RAM 16 MB DRAM
Flash memory installed None
Processor Motorola 33 MHzMC68VZ328
Input device type Stylus , Touch-screen
Audio input type None
Audio output type None
Telecom Modem None
Display type TFT active matrix (Integrated)
Display (projector) type LCD display
Color support 16-bit (64K colors)
Max resolution 160 x 160
Expansion / Connectivity
Wireless connectivity IrDA
Connectivity device(s) included Docking cradle
Port / Connector Type:Interface Infrared , 1InfraredUSB , 1Serial , 1Peripheral
Port(s) Total (Free) / Connector Type:Free Qty 1
Connector Provided IrDA , 1 , 1
Expansion slot(s) total (free) 1 SD Memory Card

For an older palm, this unit still works great. I use it for geocaching and run cachemate software to keep track of all the caches that I seek. The unit battery lasts for a while, and the only negative about the unit is that I haven't been able to get it to hotsync with my newer Windows Vista machine. Palm claims to have software to make this work, but I haven't gotten it to work yet. Soooo, I just hook it up to my older laptop still running XP and it is fine.

I recently found myself inundated with piling up tasks and stuff to do, short term and long term. I discovered the Getting Things Done - GTD method and tried computer software and paper based systems.

I found that paper based systems are just too slow, too messy, and honestly, such methods with Moleskines eat up trees and are too expensive and tend to give off this hipster, cool factor that has NOTHING to do with getting things done.

I found an old low end Palm m105 at a second hand store, fairly cheap, I popped in batteries the same night and found myself inputing all the GTD @ lists with categories in the Tasks/ToDos app. But the battery changing thing was an issue, you could lose your stuff in a change.

In comes the M515 after using an m505. Brilliant. Its fast, buttons make more sense. The color was something I had to get used to but I learned to love it very fast.

I dont think tools for GTD should be complicated. I found the iPhone a complete distraction and just an overbloated system. That OS should be left for big computers. I dont need so much color and graphics and ooh this ooh that. Its pointless.

The somewhat astonishing thing is how old the Palms are, these 500 series. Made in 2000 and nearly 10 years later STILL usable and near perfect! Graffiti is actually pretty easy once you practice. The built in apps totally focused. Not bloated, over done, over hyped iPhone like apps, just to the point - a calendar - a clock - a todo's app - a memopad - a notepad where you can scribble little things almost instantly. Plus if fits in your pocket - the m515 backlighting is superb, just a great little tool.

I do NOT do any GTD-ing on a computer as I find it complicated learning productivity software. All the time and effort to compute on the computer. Again, with that GTD system and even if you follow Palms system of organization, which is focused on YOU and your tasks, you can do all that productivity without ever using a computer.

Palms expose the complicated time consuming ways of the computer and internet and iPhones and even Moleskines.

If you want to get organized - GET ANY CLASSIC PALM! ANd get a backup for your vault!

The Palm M515 PDA is an impressive device which may or may not serve you well.

If you are looking to use the PDA to operate Palm OS software, then it may be the perfect lower-cost solution for you. But the software supplied by Palm on the original unit isn't fully functional synchronizing with MS Outlook 2003 and relies (even in the boxed Palm original) on third-party bundled software. If you want to use the M515 with Outlook Professional with Business Contact Manager, you will have problems.

Beware, as I found out from painful experience: DO NOT follow the links on the software to the manufacturers site(s) and then start downloading new free upgrades. They do NOT work, will cause your computer to hang-up and you will spend days trying to return your computer to its previous, non-PALM, status. ALWAYS back up your entire hard drive with a reputable backup software system first, to a separate recovery drive, before you try anything like loading Palm or other PDA software which will implant routines to help it synchronize files between itself and the PDA. In the case of the M515, I had real problems "uninstalling" them and had to completely "recover" my computer to a previous configuration using Norton Ghost. This was nerve-wracking to say the least, and wasted four days of my time in the end!

There are, apparently, some software fixes for the M515 which might allow them to be useful for even Windows Vista and (limited functionality with) Outlook 2007--Except synchronizing your email! These will cost you well into the $100 to $200 range, so perhaps save your money and get an up-to-date PDA with some future to it.... Keep the M515 for some of those great Palm OS computer applications out there, though---it'll give great service AND you could afford to lose it if that ever happened....

The Palm M515 I ordered does not seem to work at all. It continually freezes and I cannot even get through the initial setup without the unit freezing, but I need it for work as a professional nurse.

I think the value of the PDA with medical information is excellent.
My daughter will get plenty of use out of this PDA.

Palm M515 it work ok and was quick shipping, Thanks
The information for this item was very accurate.

I really like my new Palm. Seller was good to communicate, package arrived quickly and they take refunds if there had been a problem. Other sellers of this Palm did not accept returns. The price was very competative.

It is a very sleek, slim, and is everything you need in a Handheld PC. I like how it is applicable with many Microsoft Office Products.

I am a previous owner of a Palm VX. I found it to be quite useful and enjoyed the ease of use. The addition of 3rd party applications made the unit ever better. The M515 is all of this plus, color and additional internal capacity as well as flash memory. The size of the unit is great, not so large that it will not fit in my pants pocket. Since it is an older Palm unit, today's price makes it even more attractive.

I purchased a used Palm m515 on eBay about 2 weeks ago now for ONE single purpose; to perform datalogging on my 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sypder (DSM). Unless you're a mechanic, you probably don't know what this is means or what purpose it serves.

However, for those interested, read on...

Datalogging is typically performed when you take your car in to check why the check engine light is on or to fine tune engine performance. This service runs anywhere from $75-$125 depending on who you know or where you are located. In any case, it can get expensive if you are constantly getting your car's computer checked.

Since my car wasn't running and towing was out of the question, I decided to research on how to make my own datalogger to figure out what was wrong with the car.

For this to work; I need (3) hardware items and (1) software program. Since the car is a 1998, it requires an OBDII interface ($80), hotsync cable ($10) and a Palm Pilot ($0-$75 depending on model). The software I'm using is FREE called "OBD Gauge". -------Note: for 1994 and older cars requires ONLY the OBDI cable($20); no interface. Much cheaper!--------

I purchased all the items on eBay except the interface. I received all the items, installed the software and plugged it into the car's data port. After 5 seconds, my Palm pilot got several readouts including the Diagnostic Trouble Code. The software also provides what the code means so I immediately ordered the part.

This investment cost a total of $150. Getting the car towed to a mechanic and plugging it in would have cost me $75 towing and $75 minimum to connect in addition to the consecutive trips to the mechanic. If you ask me, this setup paid for itself.

The software runs very fast on the Palm Pilot, I can graph, chart, and download the reading onto my computer. If I need more help, I can email these readings to a few friends and they can help diagnose.

If you're willing to make this investment; I can tell you that it worked for me and the device paid for itself. I have (2) people ready to use it. Great way to save yourself and your buddies. Just remember, the software is "USE AT YOUR OWN RISK".

Thanks for stopping by!
NEW:

Hello Jack,

The software I use for my Palm m515 is called OBD Gauge and works specifically for the Mutiplex-Engineering interface. The software can be found here and includes a user-guide: http://www.scantool.net/download/OBDGauge.zip

The items you will need to successfully use this setup are:
1. Palm Pilot (M100/M500) series or any Pocket PC. ($0-75)
2. Multiplex Engineering P/N: T16-003, HEX 25 ($80)
3. Hotsync Serial Data cable ($10) for your model Palm. I bought mine off eBay for m515.

Things you need to know.
1. Order hardware
2. Once you decide on a Palm unit; go to the Palm Pilot website and download the latest drivers. I use a Windows Vista computer and had to install the latest drivers. The disks that came with the Palm Pilot did not work. The updated software did.
3. Once installed, the Palm Pilot software will allow you to install additional software to the Palm Pilot. There are two files that will need to be used. The OBD Gauge software MANUAL will provide the files you need. The software will then inform you that it will install the files the next time you sync.

Added: I was worried that buying a Apple Mac computer would make dataloggin difficult since I did not know if the Palm would be supported. There is no need to worry. Palm has Mac OS X drivers!

Great seller! Very accurate product with lots of programs. Thank you for a great transaction........

Directions very vague, need better directions to sync palm pilot. very complicated. Probably will not order from this seller again.

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Very good used product, as advertised!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LIKE: Got exactly what was advertised.

DISLIKE: Not applicable.

WHY PURCHASED: Low Price of item I needed.

I ordered this for my husband. He is always complaining that he needs to get organized. I think this is a must for a busy business person needing to have orgainization in a small compact area instead of alot of large notebooks. I'll let you know what my husband thinks if he uses it.

I am currently using a the same device and see that Palm does not appear to be stayin in the PDA business. I bought this device as a back-up.

Great Product with only 1 draw back, I would of thought that the seller would of found down loaded and sent software with iteam enstead of just giving web address for someone else to do! shows lack of effort and not caring for buyer which is who pays there way!!!

I bought this to replace a much newer Palm (Zire 31) which died of unknown causes. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the m515 was able to accept all the important data files from the Zire.

Seller sent unit promptly, despite the Thanksgiving holiday. He/she included extras not even mentioned on the description such as a portable keyboard and multiple docking stations.

We have been testing it out today and so far it all works GREAT!

I received the unit as it was described in the auction. I took a bit to get unit but overall the seller was good and easy to deal with. The delay in receiving the unit could be because of the postal service.