Hi there! 8K Guy here.
In this article, we will be comparing the latest exam-approved Chinese e-dictionaries in Singapore. There are currently three of them: All Pass 3 from Besta, PX2131 from Creative HansVision and ZZ.New-01 by ZZ.Perfect10n.
I do not have a Besta All Pass 3 so I will be using the All Pass 2 in this comparison instead. Both are really similar, so I will bring up the improvements along the way.
The Creative HansVision PX2131 and Besta All Pass 2 featured in this comparison are both purchased by me. ZZ.Perfect10n was kind enough to lend me the ZZ.New-01 for a week. I am not paid to write this article.
Without further ado, lets begin.
Note that the ZZ.New-01 does not come with the stand shown in the photos unless you purchase the set.
Which E-Dictionary has Better Design & Build Quality?
Starting with the All Pass 2, we have a clamshell form factor, built with a combination of matte and glossy plastic. Pretty attractive.
Flipping the device open reveals a well-sized keyboard with a really eye catching red power button, only to be ruined by the checker box bezel design.
A critical flaw in the design is the lack of slot for the stylus in the device. Besta provides a case in the box with a slot for the stylus, but it is really easy to lose the stylus.
The All Pass 3’s design is identical to that of the All Pass 2, so the flaws mentioned above are also applicable on the new All Pass 3.
Moving on, we have the PX2131 with its unibody design. The housing is made of matte plastic and feels really sturdy.
This keyboard is significantly narrower than the All Pass 2’s, but the display’s bezels are much smaller. In my opinion, the PX2131 has the most attractive design out of the three.
The PX2131 also comes with a stylus, but we get a proper stylus slot in the device this time. The plastic stylus is retractable, to fit in the small body of the device. Nice!
Lastly, we have the new ZZ.New-01, with a design we have never seen on an e-dictionary before. But we have seen this design somewhere else...
From what I understand, the ZZ.New-01 is actually a car navigator reprogrammed to become an e-dictionary. On the front we have a 4.3" display, surrounded only by bezels. No keyboard. No stylus pad. Like a tablet.
Protecting the display is glass, which is a bit concerning for a device targeted at kids. I recommend getting a screen protector if you decide to get a ZZ.New-01 for your child.
The ZZ.New-01 is the heaviest of the bunch due to the built in battery. Yes, unlike the All Pass 2 and PX2131 which uses two AAA batteries, the ZZ.New-01 runs on a non-removable battery.
In my opinion, the PX2131 is the clear winner here, with its sleek, durable and compact design.
Which E-Dictionary has the Best Display?
ZZ.New-01 features a large 4.3” touchscreen display. The display can get uncomfortably bright but you can lower the brightness in the settings menu.
Touchscreen on an e-dictionary is a game changer. What used to require 10-20 presses on a traditional e-dictionary can now be done in a tap or two on the ZZ.New-01.
Creative's PX2131 is equipped with a 2.5" display, the smallest of the three. Despite that, font size is significantly larger here than on the All Pass 2, so words are actually easier to read on the PX2131. Backlight is present on the PX2131, but it is nowhere as bright as the ZZ.New-01.
With a 3.1” display, the All Pass 2 is the only e-dictionary in this comparison without a backlit display. Visibility is really poor on the All Pass 2 due to this, but Besta has addressed the issue on the All Pass 3.
Without personally seeing the All Pass 3’s display, I am unable to judge if it is better than the PX2131’s. But one thing for sure is that the ZZ.New-01 has the best display here.
Which E-Dictionary has the Best Keyboard Input?
As mentioned earlier, the All Pass 2’s keyboard is relatively large, so I had no issue typing accurately. However, for one handed usage, PX2131 is a lot more manageable due to the smaller width.
ZZ.New-01 does not have a physical keyboard. Instead, typing is done with an on-screen keyboard, just like you would do on a modern smartphone.
Keying the initial pinyin consonants of a word or a phrase will not yield you an results on the ZZ.New-01. This was done on purpose to encourage students to use proper pinyin.
e.g. if you want to search the word "乌龟" on the ZZ.New-01, you cannot type "wg".
Wildcard searching is available on the PX2131 and the All Pass 3. If you are unsure of a word in a phrase, just replace the word with * and you will be able to search the phrase.
The size of the keys on the All Pass 2 is excellent, but I prefer the PX2131's keyboard layout. ZZ.New-01's on-screen keyboard is a lot less lenient, but it is the easiest to use thanks to the familiar layout.
Which E-Dictionary has the Best Handwriting Input?
Moving on to handwriting input. The best implementation can be found on the ZZ.New-01. Due to the large touchscreen surface, writing is really comfortable, although a stylus would have been nice.
So which e-dictionary has the better stylus implementation? All Pass 2 or PX2131? Without a doubt, the PX2131 is the superior device in this aspect.
On the PX2131, you can write on the entire screen. The display is actually a resistive touchscreen, using pressure on the screen to register input. This also means that you do not actually need a stylus for handwriting input.
It is a pity that Creative did not make use of display's touchscreen capabilities for navigating through the UI.
The worst performer in handwriting input is the All Pass 2/3. On both devices, the stylus will only work in the handwriting region below the keyboard, which is just way too small.
If you lose the stylus like I did, handwriting input is basically unusable.
Vocabulary Count & Other Dictionary Features
According to their respective websites, Creative’s PX2131 has a vocabulary count of 43k, Besta’s All Pass 2 has over 72k and the ZZ.New-01 has almost 68k.
All three e-dictionaries come with pronunciation feature, but you will have to use a pair of earphones to use it on all of them. Earphones are included with all three e-dictionaries.
On the PX2131 and ZZ.New-01, only the searched word will be pronounced, while the description paragraph will also be read out on the All Pass 2 and 3.
Besta offers reference material like 百家姓 and 弟子规 on their e-dictionaries but having them here is really pointless. They are not useful during exam and you will strain your eyes reading them on such a small display.
How is the Battery Life of the ZZ.New-01?
Earlier, I mentioned about how the ZZ.New-01 is the heaviest exam e-dictionary because of its built in battery. So how long can the ZZ.New-01's battery last?
From my testing, screen-on time is approximately 4.5 hours on a single charge, at maximum brightness.
Of course, using it for 4.5 hours straight is not realistic and you will probably not use it on maximum brightness, so it should last longer. To be safe, always charge the device before the battery falls below 50%.
To top up juice, you have to use the cable provided in the box. From zero to full, it takes around 4 hours to charge. Once done, the indicator light will turn off. I wished that a more common cable like USB Type C or Micro USB was used as everyone should already have one of those lying around the house.
One thing really annoying is that the device will turn on whenever you plug it in to charge. Makes a lot of sense on a navigation device, but not for an e-dictionary.
Which E-Dictionary Boots Up Faster?
As a student, I can vouch that waiting for a device to boot up during exam, be it a graphic calculator or an e-dictionary, is extremely pressurizing. In the exam hall, every second counts. So how fast does each e-dictionary boot up?
The PX2131 and All Pass 2 requires just a short press on the power button and will turn on in about 5 seconds. ZZ.New-01 requires a long press on the power button, but boots up in almost the same time.
Pricing & Accessories
Right now, an All Pass 3 will cost you S$59.90, available at Challenger and Popular bookstores. Meanwhile, the ZZ.New-01 and PX2131 are both priced at S$59 in Popular bookstores.
See the adjustable stand attached to the ZZ.New-01 in the pictures above? It is not included in the box. To get it, you have to purchase the S$69 set from ZZ.Perfect10n's website, which also includes a protective pouch.
In my opinion, the stand is essential to the experience and should have been included in the box. I hope ZZ.Perfect10n will address this in the next iteration of their device.
Conclusion - Which Should You Get?
The most all-rounder exam e-dictionary is Creative HansVision's PX2131. While it is not the best in all areas, it does not have any major flaw. If you are unsure about which to get, just go for this.
Meanwhile, the device with the greatest wow factor has to be the ZZ.New-01. I had a lot of fun using it for a week and I am sure your child will too. Just remember to charge it regularly.
Unless your child is already using one of Besta's older e-dictionaries, I would not recommend the All Pass 2 or even the All Pass 3. While they really excel at some areas, their flaws are pretty significant as well.
If you are deciding between the All Pass 2 and All Pass 3, go for the latter. The lack of a backlit display on the All Pass 2 is a real deal breaker as it is barely visible even in the most well lit room.
In this article, we will be comparing the latest exam-approved Chinese e-dictionaries in Singapore. There are currently three of them: All Pass 3 from Besta, PX2131 from Creative HansVision and ZZ.New-01 by ZZ.Perfect10n.
I do not have a Besta All Pass 3 so I will be using the All Pass 2 in this comparison instead. Both are really similar, so I will bring up the improvements along the way.
The Creative HansVision PX2131 and Besta All Pass 2 featured in this comparison are both purchased by me. ZZ.Perfect10n was kind enough to lend me the ZZ.New-01 for a week. I am not paid to write this article.
Without further ado, lets begin.
Note that the ZZ.New-01 does not come with the stand shown in the photos unless you purchase the set.
Which E-Dictionary has Better Design & Build Quality?
Starting with the All Pass 2, we have a clamshell form factor, built with a combination of matte and glossy plastic. Pretty attractive.
Flipping the device open reveals a well-sized keyboard with a really eye catching red power button, only to be ruined by the checker box bezel design.
A critical flaw in the design is the lack of slot for the stylus in the device. Besta provides a case in the box with a slot for the stylus, but it is really easy to lose the stylus.
The All Pass 3’s design is identical to that of the All Pass 2, so the flaws mentioned above are also applicable on the new All Pass 3.
Moving on, we have the PX2131 with its unibody design. The housing is made of matte plastic and feels really sturdy.
This keyboard is significantly narrower than the All Pass 2’s, but the display’s bezels are much smaller. In my opinion, the PX2131 has the most attractive design out of the three.
The PX2131 also comes with a stylus, but we get a proper stylus slot in the device this time. The plastic stylus is retractable, to fit in the small body of the device. Nice!
Lastly, we have the new ZZ.New-01, with a design we have never seen on an e-dictionary before. But we have seen this design somewhere else...
From what I understand, the ZZ.New-01 is actually a car navigator reprogrammed to become an e-dictionary. On the front we have a 4.3" display, surrounded only by bezels. No keyboard. No stylus pad. Like a tablet.
Protecting the display is glass, which is a bit concerning for a device targeted at kids. I recommend getting a screen protector if you decide to get a ZZ.New-01 for your child.
The ZZ.New-01 is the heaviest of the bunch due to the built in battery. Yes, unlike the All Pass 2 and PX2131 which uses two AAA batteries, the ZZ.New-01 runs on a non-removable battery.
In my opinion, the PX2131 is the clear winner here, with its sleek, durable and compact design.
Which E-Dictionary has the Best Display?
ZZ.New-01 features a large 4.3” touchscreen display. The display can get uncomfortably bright but you can lower the brightness in the settings menu.
Touchscreen on an e-dictionary is a game changer. What used to require 10-20 presses on a traditional e-dictionary can now be done in a tap or two on the ZZ.New-01.
Creative's PX2131 is equipped with a 2.5" display, the smallest of the three. Despite that, font size is significantly larger here than on the All Pass 2, so words are actually easier to read on the PX2131. Backlight is present on the PX2131, but it is nowhere as bright as the ZZ.New-01.
With a 3.1” display, the All Pass 2 is the only e-dictionary in this comparison without a backlit display. Visibility is really poor on the All Pass 2 due to this, but Besta has addressed the issue on the All Pass 3.
Without personally seeing the All Pass 3’s display, I am unable to judge if it is better than the PX2131’s. But one thing for sure is that the ZZ.New-01 has the best display here.
Which E-Dictionary has the Best Keyboard Input?
As mentioned earlier, the All Pass 2’s keyboard is relatively large, so I had no issue typing accurately. However, for one handed usage, PX2131 is a lot more manageable due to the smaller width.
ZZ.New-01 does not have a physical keyboard. Instead, typing is done with an on-screen keyboard, just like you would do on a modern smartphone.
Keying the initial pinyin consonants of a word or a phrase will not yield you an results on the ZZ.New-01. This was done on purpose to encourage students to use proper pinyin.
e.g. if you want to search the word "乌龟" on the ZZ.New-01, you cannot type "wg".
Wildcard searching is available on the PX2131 and the All Pass 3. If you are unsure of a word in a phrase, just replace the word with * and you will be able to search the phrase.
The size of the keys on the All Pass 2 is excellent, but I prefer the PX2131's keyboard layout. ZZ.New-01's on-screen keyboard is a lot less lenient, but it is the easiest to use thanks to the familiar layout.
Which E-Dictionary has the Best Handwriting Input?
Moving on to handwriting input. The best implementation can be found on the ZZ.New-01. Due to the large touchscreen surface, writing is really comfortable, although a stylus would have been nice.
So which e-dictionary has the better stylus implementation? All Pass 2 or PX2131? Without a doubt, the PX2131 is the superior device in this aspect.
On the PX2131, you can write on the entire screen. The display is actually a resistive touchscreen, using pressure on the screen to register input. This also means that you do not actually need a stylus for handwriting input.
It is a pity that Creative did not make use of display's touchscreen capabilities for navigating through the UI.
The worst performer in handwriting input is the All Pass 2/3. On both devices, the stylus will only work in the handwriting region below the keyboard, which is just way too small.
If you lose the stylus like I did, handwriting input is basically unusable.
Vocabulary Count & Other Dictionary Features
According to their respective websites, Creative’s PX2131 has a vocabulary count of 43k, Besta’s All Pass 2 has over 72k and the ZZ.New-01 has almost 68k.
All three e-dictionaries come with pronunciation feature, but you will have to use a pair of earphones to use it on all of them. Earphones are included with all three e-dictionaries.
On the PX2131 and ZZ.New-01, only the searched word will be pronounced, while the description paragraph will also be read out on the All Pass 2 and 3.
Besta offers reference material like 百家姓 and 弟子规 on their e-dictionaries but having them here is really pointless. They are not useful during exam and you will strain your eyes reading them on such a small display.
How is the Battery Life of the ZZ.New-01?
Earlier, I mentioned about how the ZZ.New-01 is the heaviest exam e-dictionary because of its built in battery. So how long can the ZZ.New-01's battery last?
From my testing, screen-on time is approximately 4.5 hours on a single charge, at maximum brightness.
Of course, using it for 4.5 hours straight is not realistic and you will probably not use it on maximum brightness, so it should last longer. To be safe, always charge the device before the battery falls below 50%.
To top up juice, you have to use the cable provided in the box. From zero to full, it takes around 4 hours to charge. Once done, the indicator light will turn off. I wished that a more common cable like USB Type C or Micro USB was used as everyone should already have one of those lying around the house.
One thing really annoying is that the device will turn on whenever you plug it in to charge. Makes a lot of sense on a navigation device, but not for an e-dictionary.
Which E-Dictionary Boots Up Faster?
As a student, I can vouch that waiting for a device to boot up during exam, be it a graphic calculator or an e-dictionary, is extremely pressurizing. In the exam hall, every second counts. So how fast does each e-dictionary boot up?
The PX2131 and All Pass 2 requires just a short press on the power button and will turn on in about 5 seconds. ZZ.New-01 requires a long press on the power button, but boots up in almost the same time.
Pricing & Accessories
Right now, an All Pass 3 will cost you S$59.90, available at Challenger and Popular bookstores. Meanwhile, the ZZ.New-01 and PX2131 are both priced at S$59 in Popular bookstores.
See the adjustable stand attached to the ZZ.New-01 in the pictures above? It is not included in the box. To get it, you have to purchase the S$69 set from ZZ.Perfect10n's website, which also includes a protective pouch.
In my opinion, the stand is essential to the experience and should have been included in the box. I hope ZZ.Perfect10n will address this in the next iteration of their device.
Conclusion - Which Should You Get?
The most all-rounder exam e-dictionary is Creative HansVision's PX2131. While it is not the best in all areas, it does not have any major flaw. If you are unsure about which to get, just go for this.
Meanwhile, the device with the greatest wow factor has to be the ZZ.New-01. I had a lot of fun using it for a week and I am sure your child will too. Just remember to charge it regularly.
Unless your child is already using one of Besta's older e-dictionaries, I would not recommend the All Pass 2 or even the All Pass 3. While they really excel at some areas, their flaws are pretty significant as well.
If you are deciding between the All Pass 2 and All Pass 3, go for the latter. The lack of a backlit display on the All Pass 2 is a real deal breaker as it is barely visible even in the most well lit room.
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