electronic dictionay (again) - not PDA!

[Jikolp]

Hi there!

I´ve read many of you had experience with electronic dictionaries. I have browsed through several websites, but it´s really hard to decide what and where to look for. I´m thinking of buying one if - hopefully- I can go to BJ in the summer.

I would be interested, whether you know a dictionary that has these features. Price cca. max. 2000 RMB (if cheaper, just better).

Should include:

- handwriting input

- simplified/traditional

- VERY BIG ENG-CH, CH-ENG dictionary

- Japanese-English or Jp-Ch dictionaries

- Chengyu dictionary

- professional (business, law etc.) dictionaries

- built-in batteries (not that necessary, but I prefer that)

- the possibility to install more dictionaries somehow, or tu buy them on SD cards, anything, I don´t know how it works (especially French, Spanish, Russian, German)

- Cantonese (and Korean) is a huge plus!

- player etc. functions not necessary, I need a dictionary - but of course it is OK if it plays mp3 etc.

-color display, nicely readable display (I have glasses)

I´ve seen similar on Casio´s page (EW-V.... series) if anybody has of those, I would be interested in their opinion.

Also, where I could busy such dictionaries in Beijing? And where I could buy e.g. Casio ones (which are probably not sold in Silk Street or something)? Bookshop? Electro-shops? So far, I´m most interested in the Casio ones, but if anybody can recommend better, you´re welcome! ;)

I know I may listed too many features etc.etc., but just to give an idea about what I would like to find. Overally, I would be especially glad to buy a very good CH-ENG dictionary with if possible multiple languages of good quality for a reasonable price.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[L-F-J]

dont know about buying in china, but i've been doing a little shopping online too. have a look around. there are lots to choose from. find the best one that suits you and try it out.

powerdictionary.com -and- chinesemall.com are a couple i've looked through.

http://www.powerdictionary.com/cgi-bin/dictionary/scan/fi=products/st=db/co=1/sf=prod_group/se=Chinese/op=rm/nu=0/tf=price/to=r/tf=sku/to=x/ml=50.html

http://chinesemall.com/eldic.html

[ipsi()]

EDIT: Missed line saying 'NOT PDA!'. My bad

I'll be the first to recommend PlecoDict. It only supports Chinese/English, but has good HWR support, the 21st Century English -> Chinese Dictionary (very, very large but mostly in Chinese), and the ABC Chinese -> English dictionary (also very large). If you prefer, you could purchase the Chinese -> Chinese dictionary, which is reasonably large. Oh, and the free HanDeDict for Chinese -> German.

Some of the above are Pleco 2.0 only, but that should be released fairly soon.

Doesn't contain a dictionary specifically for Chengyu, but the ABC dictionary has a reasonably large number. No examples though, just a translation.

Currently has the Cheng & Tsui Business dictionary as the only 'specialist' one.

If support for multiple foreign languages is important, Pleco may not be what you're looking for, but if you want Chinese dictionary/learning software designed by English speakers *for* English Speakers, there's nothing better.

Edited October 31, 2008 at 01:11 AM by ipsi()
Missed important info from OP

[imron]

but if you want Chinese dictionary/learning software designed by English speakers *for* English Speakers,

But what if you're Hungarian?

I would also throw my vote for Pleco except that 1) the OP said not a PDA and based on the OP's budget, buying both a PDA and Pleco might be a stretch 2) it's really only for Chinese and English, and Mike Love has said on several occasions it's not likely to ever have great support for a large number of other languages.

As for Beijing, Zhongguancun is usually the best place to get electronics.

[ipsi()]

Ah, I totally missed that. My bad. I should get more sleep.