What PDA Advice.
Discussion
Hi folks,
Just reposted this as the original topic has disappeared (dunno why - Ted, if I'm doing anything wrong please tell me)
I'm due to upgrade my phone.
Now initially wasn't going to bother as the one I've got suits me fine.
However yesterday a work collegue brought in his new PDA (I think it was something like an xdIII running the windows software) and I was mightily impressed as it's features seemed to be seemed to be genuinely useful.
Now I've done a bit of research since then and have come up with a list of wants; which are:
It must be small (by PDA standards)
I'd like to check my emails on it and surf PH on it a bit
Play music on it
I'd like to be able to set it up to do sat nav.
Wifi would be nice
and as cheap as possible please!
The PDAs Ive seen that come close to this are the Orange SPV M500 and the iMate Jam - which I think may be the same thing. The size and the looks are good and I believe you can stick a card in them to do WiFi, but I don't know about sat nav.
I don't know the best place to get any of this kit or what deals are avialable. And after a couple of hours Googling my brains now starting to ache.
Help!
Bob.
Just reposted this as the original topic has disappeared (dunno why - Ted, if I'm doing anything wrong please tell me)
I'm due to upgrade my phone.
Now initially wasn't going to bother as the one I've got suits me fine.
However yesterday a work collegue brought in his new PDA (I think it was something like an xdIII running the windows software) and I was mightily impressed as it's features seemed to be seemed to be genuinely useful.
Now I've done a bit of research since then and have come up with a list of wants; which are:
It must be small (by PDA standards)
I'd like to check my emails on it and surf PH on it a bit
Play music on it
I'd like to be able to set it up to do sat nav.
Wifi would be nice
and as cheap as possible please!
The PDAs Ive seen that come close to this are the Orange SPV M500 and the iMate Jam - which I think may be the same thing. The size and the looks are good and I believe you can stick a card in them to do WiFi, but I don't know about sat nav.
I don't know the best place to get any of this kit or what deals are avialable. And after a couple of hours Googling my brains now starting to ache.
Help!
Bob.
This post? www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=213164&f=95&h=0
Ive been looking to get a new phone and have come across the imate devices being sold by www.expansys.com some nice mobile/pda's on there running windows
Ive been looking to get a new phone and have come across the imate devices being sold by www.expansys.com some nice mobile/pda's on there running windows
Update...
Today I had a look round the various mobile shops in the area.
T-Mobile seem to be doing a good deal on the MDA Compact, which as far as I can see is a re-badged i-Mate Jam.
Thie thing that is puxzzling me is the sat-nav. I can get MDA Compact for free with the contract and if I want it sat-nav enabled it will cost me £129.00 more.
Apparently if I wished to add the sat-nav later it would cost £250.00.
My question is.
If I wanted to add sat-nav at a later date could I do it far cheaper through ebay for example?
If so what would it entail? It appears to me that I would need an SD card with the map data on it and a GPS receiver. However the assistant in the shop assured me that I would only need the SD card and no receiver. Is the GPS receiver built into the MDA compact?
I'm confused!
Help!
Today I had a look round the various mobile shops in the area.
T-Mobile seem to be doing a good deal on the MDA Compact, which as far as I can see is a re-badged i-Mate Jam.
Thie thing that is puxzzling me is the sat-nav. I can get MDA Compact for free with the contract and if I want it sat-nav enabled it will cost me £129.00 more.
Apparently if I wished to add the sat-nav later it would cost £250.00.
My question is.
If I wanted to add sat-nav at a later date could I do it far cheaper through ebay for example?
If so what would it entail? It appears to me that I would need an SD card with the map data on it and a GPS receiver. However the assistant in the shop assured me that I would only need the SD card and no receiver. Is the GPS receiver built into the MDA compact?
I'm confused!
Help!
Bobfrance said:
Update...
Thie thing that is puxzzling me is the sat-nav. I can get MDA Compact for free with the contract and if I want it sat-nav enabled it will cost me £129.00 more.
Apparently if I wished to add the sat-nav later it would cost £250.00.
mmm sounds like a "plucked out of the air figure to me..
Bobfrance said:
My question is.
If I wanted to add sat-nav at a later date could I do it far cheaper through ebay for example?
Yes - fleabay will be your friend
Bobfrance said:
If so what would it entail? It appears to me that I would need an SD card with the map data on it and a GPS receiver. However the assistant in the shop assured me that I would only need the SD card and no receiver.
:cough: Bollocks.
Bobfrance said:
Is the GPS receiver built into the MDA compact?
Help!
No - you'll need a bluetooth GPS receiver (loads on ebay), then suitable navigation software (again loads of "backup" copies for sale on ebay....
Hope that helps
Chris
(I use a HP iPAQ 3640 bought on ebay - bluetooth, WiFi, plays MP3 / WMA's, videos, built in phone. Cost me £250 free of contract, sold my old phone (a V3 for £150 on fleabay), hence cost me £100 for this setup.
My GPS receiver I'va had for ages, again from ebay, and if you need a copy of TomTom5 drop me a mail.
Chris
Nice one Chris!
I did a little more research on the GPS subject and found out that their advice was, as you so rightly put it "b*llocks"
I would quite happily buy one outright as you did and gain the savings entailed if only I could get a cheaper contract buy not having to subsidise a new phone through it.
As it is, it appears I may as well get the PDA with a contract because I don't seem to be able to get a reduced deal for just having a contract and no new hardware. Crazy!
Unless anyone knows different??
Bob.
I did a little more research on the GPS subject and found out that their advice was, as you so rightly put it "b*llocks"
I would quite happily buy one outright as you did and gain the savings entailed if only I could get a cheaper contract buy not having to subsidise a new phone through it.
As it is, it appears I may as well get the PDA with a contract because I don't seem to be able to get a reduced deal for just having a contract and no new hardware. Crazy!
Unless anyone knows different??
Bob.
Hi Bob,
Long time no speak!
I just got a T-Mobile MDA Pro. Has Windows, big screen, WiFi, video phone, email, net etc etc, the lot. I will be getting a SatNav set up for it too, but I have so far skipped on the CoPilot stuff offered by them as I think its more than £200 extra. Bought mine for £329 inc VAT on a business contract which is £15 month and inlcudes 3000 daytime minutes (not a typo, it is 3000 - NOT 300!).
If you want to have a look at it - or even just hear more, drop me an email!
Cheers,
Bryan
Long time no speak!
I just got a T-Mobile MDA Pro. Has Windows, big screen, WiFi, video phone, email, net etc etc, the lot. I will be getting a SatNav set up for it too, but I have so far skipped on the CoPilot stuff offered by them as I think its more than £200 extra. Bought mine for £329 inc VAT on a business contract which is £15 month and inlcudes 3000 daytime minutes (not a typo, it is 3000 - NOT 300!).
If you want to have a look at it - or even just hear more, drop me an email!
Cheers,
Bryan
Bryan,
I would be SERIOUSLY interested in hearing more about your experience with the MDA.
I'm in the same boat - looking for a new PDA - relaly dunno what to do.
I was sold on the Nokia 9500 ....
But for personal reasons I should really go with T-Mobile, but they don't offer the 9500 - so the best of the rest (via T-mobile) is this MDA.
K
I would be SERIOUSLY interested in hearing more about your experience with the MDA.
I'm in the same boat - looking for a new PDA - relaly dunno what to do.
I was sold on the Nokia 9500 ....
But for personal reasons I should really go with T-Mobile, but they don't offer the 9500 - so the best of the rest (via T-mobile) is this MDA.
K
Hi,
I have been a long time Nokia fan, especially as my car has a dedicated handsfree Nokia kit. Unfortunately Nokia don't seem to be inclined to launch new phones that fit this size cradle anymore despite alot of pressure to do so.
So, I am on the T-Mobile MDA Pro - same as the iMATE Jasjar, Orange SPV5000. O2 and Vodafone also do their own branded versions too.
Its is a very neat device acting like a mini laptop computer and also a PDA with its flip around screen. It is not exactly light compared to other phones, but it does so much more I can forgive it that. The pack from T-Mobile comes with the device, a nice case, the latest version of ActiveSync (version 4, and I can only find older versions than that on Microsofts website), GPRS monitoring software, Pocket versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Money, Adbe pdf reader, a handsfree earphone set, mains charger, USB charger/sync lead.
I have never used one of these devices before - but so far it has been quite intuitive. I have not managed to set the WiFi on my home WiFi network to work to my liking because of all the security I have on - but if I just take that off, it has been easy to get on the net with the MDA.
The device has just about every feature going on it: 3G phone, WiFi, blue tooth, still and video cameras, infrared etc etc.
In summary, I am realy pleased with it and have only just about scratched the surface with what it can do. next step is to get a GPS receiver and then I will have SatNav on it too. I think this is going to be a very popular phone/device/gadget!
Any specific q's, let me know.
I have been a long time Nokia fan, especially as my car has a dedicated handsfree Nokia kit. Unfortunately Nokia don't seem to be inclined to launch new phones that fit this size cradle anymore despite alot of pressure to do so.
So, I am on the T-Mobile MDA Pro - same as the iMATE Jasjar, Orange SPV5000. O2 and Vodafone also do their own branded versions too.
Its is a very neat device acting like a mini laptop computer and also a PDA with its flip around screen. It is not exactly light compared to other phones, but it does so much more I can forgive it that. The pack from T-Mobile comes with the device, a nice case, the latest version of ActiveSync (version 4, and I can only find older versions than that on Microsofts website), GPRS monitoring software, Pocket versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Money, Adbe pdf reader, a handsfree earphone set, mains charger, USB charger/sync lead.
I have never used one of these devices before - but so far it has been quite intuitive. I have not managed to set the WiFi on my home WiFi network to work to my liking because of all the security I have on - but if I just take that off, it has been easy to get on the net with the MDA.
The device has just about every feature going on it: 3G phone, WiFi, blue tooth, still and video cameras, infrared etc etc.
In summary, I am realy pleased with it and have only just about scratched the surface with what it can do. next step is to get a GPS receiver and then I will have SatNav on it too. I think this is going to be a very popular phone/device/gadget!
Any specific q's, let me know.
Tus,
is the call quality good? Is there good coverage - or are you strugging to get a signal?
And finally - I assume you use it like a normal phone ..... if so - can you go into 'speaker' mode and then do things like check your diary, etc whilst on a call?
I assume if has full synching support for MS Outlook and Office 2003 apps.
Many thanks in advance,
K
is the call quality good? Is there good coverage - or are you strugging to get a signal?
And finally - I assume you use it like a normal phone ..... if so - can you go into 'speaker' mode and then do things like check your diary, etc whilst on a call?
I assume if has full synching support for MS Outlook and Office 2003 apps.
Many thanks in advance,
K
Hi,
Call quality is fine - no problems with that or signal coverage - just like my Nokia. It does switch between standard network and 3G network - but guess that is down to current 3G network coverage. Synch is for Outlook etc - contacts, email etc etc. Other files can sync by placing a folder on your desktop and clicking and dragging in and out.
Not used the diary function etc whilst on a call so cannot answer that one yet. Phone has built in speakers (yes, 2 of them) so can work as a speaker phone (with video calling) or traditional handset sytle.
Call quality is fine - no problems with that or signal coverage - just like my Nokia. It does switch between standard network and 3G network - but guess that is down to current 3G network coverage. Synch is for Outlook etc - contacts, email etc etc. Other files can sync by placing a folder on your desktop and clicking and dragging in and out.
Not used the diary function etc whilst on a call so cannot answer that one yet. Phone has built in speakers (yes, 2 of them) so can work as a speaker phone (with video calling) or traditional handset sytle.
Hi
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the multi-functional HP hw6510 and hw6515. I know it isn't the smallest PDA but it is probably the most functional:
Quad-band GSM (Voice, EDGE, GPRS)
Integrated TomTom GPS (No need for separate receiver)
Bluetooth
Infrared
Integrated Keyboard
Windows Mobile 2003
Microsoft Pocket Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, IE)
The hw6515 also has an integrated 1.3MP digital camera and you can add WiFi via the SD slot. Although they aren't as small as some they do practically everything you could wish for. Having said that, my company is waiting for the hw6710/15 which includes the same spec but with more ROM and Windows Mobile 5.0 (the latter supporting 3G) and is due for release in the next few months.
See here for HP's full range of PDAs.
Cheers.
roadie.
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the multi-functional HP hw6510 and hw6515. I know it isn't the smallest PDA but it is probably the most functional:
Quad-band GSM (Voice, EDGE, GPRS)
Integrated TomTom GPS (No need for separate receiver)
Bluetooth
Infrared
Integrated Keyboard
Windows Mobile 2003
Microsoft Pocket Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, IE)
The hw6515 also has an integrated 1.3MP digital camera and you can add WiFi via the SD slot. Although they aren't as small as some they do practically everything you could wish for. Having said that, my company is waiting for the hw6710/15 which includes the same spec but with more ROM and Windows Mobile 5.0 (the latter supporting 3G) and is due for release in the next few months.
See here for HP's full range of PDAs.
Cheers.
roadie.
MDAIII & MDA Compact user here........
MDAIII is quite simply the worst designed piece of electronics I have ever come across. 8 yes 8 replacements later they've sent me an MDA Compact....
Which is simpler & better, but its now started switching itself off at the slightest touch. Not impressed at all. The functions are OK when it works though.
MDAIII is quite simply the worst designed piece of electronics I have ever come across. 8 yes 8 replacements later they've sent me an MDA Compact....
Which is simpler & better, but its now started switching itself off at the slightest touch. Not impressed at all. The functions are OK when it works though.
roadsweeper said:
Hi
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the multi-functional HP hw6510 and hw6515. I know it isn't the smallest PDA but it is probably the most functional:
Got one, not overly impressed. Reasons:
battery life sucks. Lots. You might manage a working day without too many calls...
Memory sucks monkeys. Not enough, full stop. COnstant balanace between storage and program, resulting in a once every couple of days reboot.
My BT headset is knackered, which isnt the fault of the 6515, but narks me anyway, and I have better things to spend £50 on.
No effing wireless (802.11). I will admit to buying the device thinking it had it, and being annoyed at HP. No change there then...
SatNav. Comes with TomTom 5. One measly city map, then they want you to shell out £130 for the rest of the maps. humph....
Apart from that, yes, its a nice phone, and if you have Exchange 2003 inhouse, and visible from t'internet then its a killer. Aside from that, its the same old story of convergence is the way forward, but not right now, thanks,
Marcus
randlemarcus said:
Hi
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the multi-functional HP hw6510 and hw6515. I know it isn't the smallest PDA but it is probably the most functional:
Got one, not overly impressed. Reasons:
battery life sucks. Lots. You might manage a working day without too many calls...
Memory sucks monkeys. Not enough, full stop. COnstant balanace between storage and program, resulting in a once every couple of days reboot.
My BT headset is knackered, which isnt the fault of the 6515, but narks me anyway, and I have better things to spend £50 on.
No effing wireless (802.11). I will admit to buying the device thinking it had it, and being annoyed at HP. No change there then...
SatNav. Comes with TomTom 5. One measly city map, then they want you to shell out £130 for the rest of the maps. humph....
Apart from that, yes, its a nice phone, and if you have Exchange 2003 inhouse, and visible from t'internet then its a killer. Aside from that, its the same old story of convergence is the way forward, but not right now, thanks,
Marcus
Have you checked out the upcoming hw6710/15 PDAs? They are essentially the same as the hw65xx series but with more ROM, Windows Mobile 5.0, integrated Wireless g (yes g, very unusual) and possibly a slightly faster processer.
Regarding the points you raise:
1. Power Management. Have you tried switching of Bluetooth when you're not using it - it can be quite draining?
2. Interesting. Would the addition of a 1GB SD card solve this problem?
3. BT headset. As you say, not really the PDAs fault!
4. Indeed it does not come with WiFi. However, you can add it via the SD slot if you need it badly.
5. Interesting about the SatNav. Are there any other hidden costs - for example once you've bought the maps what is the annual subscription/update cost?
Cheers.
roadie.
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