XDA II CF/VGA Backpack Reviewed

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1916' target='_blank'>http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1916</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040514_xdabackpack.jpg" /> <br /><br />"I've tested this 3-in-1 Backpack with an additional battery, Type II CF slot and VGA output for projection to projector during the past weeks with my PPCW.Net i-Mate (which is an HTC Himalaya). Features:<li>Support normal CF Type I and II expansion cards. <br /><li>Support VGA/TV output. <br /><li>It allows you to play video and presentations stored on your device through a PC monitor/Projector via VGA jack, TV via video or s-video jack. <br /><li>Additional 600mAh Li-ion battery"Holy Super-Sized-Sleeve, Batman! Pardon my invective, but this thing looks like it'd give Arnold Schwarzenegger a hernia. 8O The inestimable Arne Hess over at PPCW.net has been testing this unit, and not surprisingly, he has some things to say about it. Let's just say that it's not all roses, unless the roses are dead and the thorns are dipped in poison. Check out the review to find out what Arne thinks. There are also quite a few hi-res pictures for your viewing pleasure. Does this appeal to any of you XDA II users out there?

[DaleReeck]

Unfortunately, this backpack is impossible to get. Othe accessories aren't much eaiser to find. The backpack has been on backorder since an initial delivery in February. Apparently, HTC's assembly line is powered by a few monkeys on a treadmill. I can't think of any other explanation for HTC's incompetence in getting accessories out for the XDA II.

[mmarlor]

Agreed that it's difficult to get. I've been patiently awaiting general availability in Australia since December :-) My backpack now doesn't look like arriving until June.

I think I will use it - it has some great functionality - but there's no way I'd have it permanently attached. For starters, I killed one XDA II already, so my Piel Frama case is never far away....

[Monty Gibson]

For one, who uses still uses a microdrive? Even if some of you still do then the whole purpose of this "external attachment" is clearly for video presentations. Next, the extra battery supplies the necessary power to complete the presentation; the video and audio out jacks enable the presentation to be displayed. This does not seem to be an everyday; permanently fixed attachment. No, it's simply to give presentations.

If you desire the extra storage capacity or GPS then again you have other options rather than being left with this bulky attachment. The only other reason I would want to use this would maybe (and that's probably a very definite negative) be for a T.V. tuner card or radio tuner card (I heard that the radio format may be in SDIO form soon). If television is what you desire then you could probably just purchase a small portable handheld T.V. cheaper! If extra battery life is what you require then just purchase another battery.

Simple. You need this if you plan to give PowerPoint presentations or want to share and show video and other types of multimedia presentations.

[bjornkeizers]

Bloody hell that thing's huge! 8O

That looks even bigger then a sleeved 3630

[nosmohtac]

I think it's awesome. Makes me wish there was better GSM Coverage in my area.

One of main things I would use it for is a storage brick. Provided, that a PC to CF adapter would work with it. I can't see why it wouldn't.

I use my iPAQ, with PC to CF adapter, 20GB ext. HDD, Voyager VGA card, and PI dual CF sleeve to carry my movie collection with me in the car. I have a portable DVD player in the car, but who wants to bring their DVD collection along in the car? I use the VGA to ouput the video to the portable DVD Player.

Thanks to "DVD2PPC" I always have about 50 full length movies in the car.

With this XDAII sleeve, I could do the same thing, with less bulk.
Simply Awesome :rock on dude!:

[Monty Gibson]

I think it's awesome.

Forgot to mention in my post: I think it's awesome too! My previous post was in no way a degrading message it was just stating that those who think this is bulky is because it is; but it's not a permanent piece of equipment for everyday use. On trips, in a lonely hotel (where movies are $5-10.00 a piece) this would be great for those who use extremely large capacity microdrives and have just a plethora of movies and music at their disposal.

[kzemach]

I think it's awesome. Makes me wish there was better GSM Coverage in my area.

One of main things I would use it for is a storage brick. Provided, that a PC to CF adapter would work with it. I can't see why it wouldn't.

I use my iPAQ, with PC to CF adapter, 20GB ext. HDD, Voyager VGA card, and PI dual CF sleeve to carry my movie collection with me in the car. I have a portable DVD player in the car, but who wants to bring their DVD collection along in the car? I use the VGA to ouput the video to the portable DVD Player.

Thanks to "DVD2PPC" I always have about 50 full length movies in the car.

With this XDAII sleeve, I could do the same thing, with less bulk.
Simply Awesome :rock on dude!:

Dude, you are my hero! I love it.

I have the iMate (just got it) and plan to use the sleeve (on backorder...) to connect to larger screens on the road, for presentations, and hopefully with that same CF to PCMCIA adapater slot to.... connect to a ViaSat data card for satcom transmissions, as well as use several other CF flavors out there. With the folding keyboard, it'll be a great, small, roadwarrior laptop replacement for us doing field work. We'll also load Satallite imagery maps on it, hook to the GPS, and get realtime location information where we are, which is a good thing!

Enjoying the crap out of my iMate....

Ken

[brianworkman]

I wish that Verizon would release a CDMA/EVDO version of this phone tommorrow. I would get it and the backpack in a heartbeat. GSM in my area is terrible and my company uses Verizon anyway. So I will have to stay with my I700.

[daS]

Yes it looks big and heavy compaired to a bare Pocket PC. But put it along side the laptop that a saleman would have to carry in order to do the same presentation, and it starts to look quite small and light. :wink:

As others here have pointed out, this is not for everyone - or all the time. But for people who have to carry a bigger computer just because they are giving a PowerPoint presentation, it's would seem to be just the ticket.

[onepieceman]

Thanks to "DVD2PPC" I always have about 50 full length movies in the car.

With this XDAII sleeve, I could do the same thing, with less bulk.
Simply Awesome :rock on dude!:

But I heard somewhere that this backpack can't display full frame rate video. It's ok for powerpoint presentations, but not video. Anyone in a position to definitively confirm or deny this?

[nosmohtac]

As others here have pointed out, this is not for everyone - or all the time. But for people who have to carry a bigger computer just because they are giving a PowerPoint presentation, it's would seem to be just the ticket.

My point exactly. But don't stop at just putting on presentations. Having VGA out, and a CF I,II slot opens up far more expansion capabilities than just doing a powerpoint presentation.

[enemy2k2]

"Let's just say that it's not all roses, unless the roses are dead and the thorns are dipped in poison."

:rofl: :lol:

[nosmohtac]

I wish that Verizon would release a CDMA/EVDO version of this phone tommorrow. I would get it and the backpack in a heartbeat. GSM in my area is terrible and my company uses Verizon anyway. So I will have to stay with my I700.

I too, have been waiting for this. We've seen two generations of the XDA phone, and I thought with the popularity of this form factor, that we would have a CDMA counterpart. I know that CDMA has some PPC phone options, but I always knew if one of these PPCPE devices was going to offer expansion capabilities, it would be the i-mate/XDAII.

[daS]

I wish that Verizon would release a CDMA/EVDO version of this phone tommorrow. I would get it and the backpack in a heartbeat. GSM in my area is terrible and my company uses Verizon anyway. So I will have to stay with my I700.
Audiovox will be selling a version of the XDA II for CDMA with 1xEVDO/1xRTT, but I think it's going to be through Sprint and not Verizon.

Unfortunately, once again, the CDMA carriers have elected to dumb down the device by removing the Bluetooth capability :roll: , so you'll be stuck with a tangled mess of a headset and no wireless means of connecting your laptop to the Internet (except for the line-of-sight IrDA.) :evil: