PDA Buyer's Guide Reviews HP's iPAQ rx3715

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/iPAQ_rx3715.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/iPAQ_rx3715.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The rx3715 is an excellent offering in the $500 price range. It runs Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition (SE) with native support for both portrait and landscape modes and has a fast 400MHz processor that benchmarks well. It has 56 megs of RAM and 96.5 megs of NAND memory available as the File Store, an SD slot supporting SDIO, a 1.2 megapixel digital camera, large capacity removable battery, Bluetooth and WiFi. That's a lot of features to pack into a compact device!"</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040924-PDABiPAQ3715.jpg" /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040924-PDABiPAQ3715-Back.jpg" /><br /><br />As always, Lisa does a great job with the review. The rx3715 looks like it's a pretty solid device, with a surprisingly good camera.

[Jonathan1]

That's a lot of features to pack into a compact device!"


And yet I can’t get excited about that device and I don’t know why. The only reason I can think of is the form factor. I don’t understand why its such a big deal to me because I’ve never cared what my desktop or laptop looks like. Possibly because the device is more in hand then the other PC’s. :confused totally:
Not to continue to beat a dead horse but the Dell’s X50 really is looking sweeter and sweeter all the time. If they can get it at or possibly UNDER this units price. (Would be hard considering VGA screen.) they could have a major iPaq killer on their hands. *shrugs* YMMV on that opinion though. Too each their own of course.

[Stephen Beesley]

I think this really has a pretty good set of features and unlike many others I like the look of the new HP offerings (including this one), but for me I think the lure of VGA will be just too much.

[Dolphin]

I bought the rx3715 the first day it came out. I am one of those persons that really want a camera in my PPC and the rx3715 has one of the best!

I love 2003 2nd edition even if it's not anything close to perfection... I don't know why Microsoft can't incorporate some of the features that have been available for years now from other applications. Come on Microsoft... four taps to get to major things like "screen brightness" and other items found by going to Start>Settings>System>Really! Use the today screen... all that wasted space! Sometimes, one wonders if they even use these devices. If they did would we have stupidity like this... I don't get it!

I really miss the form factor of my 4155 and would by the Dell x50 in a heartbeat. But... no camera! I know that it's not a big thing to many PPC users. But, it is to me! I have taken too many shots that I would never have been able to if I had no camera at all. I don't want to carry 3 devices and I can't wait to have an all-in-one with a decent camera w/flash that takes videos where the audio is in sync! AFAIK... the 3715 and Zire 72 fail with the audio sync problem.

BTW... if anyone is hoping to dial to their bluetooth cell phone from the rx3715, forget about it for now. The drivers are missing! H.P. (non)support say that they will try to get them to us ASAP, but they might not be available until the first rom update!

Overall... if you want a camera, this is the best thing out there for the moment. Someone correct me if I'm wrong... I have cash in my pocket for something better and I'm not partial to H.P. by any means!

[vmobilesoftware]

BTW... if anyone is hoping to dial to their bluetooth cell phone from the rx3715, forget about it for now. The drivers are missing! H.P. (non)support say that they will try to get them to us ASAP, but they might not be available until the first rom update!


Try that one. It is free.
http://www.vmobilesoftware.com/bluetooth_dialer.htm

[Dolphin]

BTW... if anyone is hoping to dial to their bluetooth cell phone from the rx3715, forget about it for now. The drivers are missing! H.P. (non)support say that they will try to get them to us ASAP, but they might not be available until the first rom update!


Try that one. It is free.
http://www.vmobilesoftware.com/bluetooth_dialer.htm

Thanks!

I downloaded it and will try it out today! Hope it works!

Thanks Again!

[KimVette]

Hasn't anyone noticed --- 56MB of RAM. 56 &lt; 64 &lt; 128. Also, no CF slot? A gimmicky camera?

Thanks, but no thanks, Carly.

[KimVette]

BTW... if anyone is hoping to dial to their bluetooth cell phone from the rx3715, forget about it for now. The drivers are missing! H.P. (non)support say that they will try to get them to us ASAP, but they might not be available until the first rom update!

When HP promises delivery of any updates to an existing product ASAP, the translation is "Buy it, we will promise to deliver you the software you need, just to get your money, but we will not deliver on it because it would cost carly a couple of thousandths of a point on her portfolio."

[cygy2k]

Which camera looks better this or the Asus a730, my a730 should arrive today but am wondering which would be better. I just tried the 3115 for a couple of weeks and missed a camera, wondering if the 3715 or a730 would be better, I really don't care about the vga screen that much on the a730.

[Jason Lee]

BTW... if anyone is hoping to dial to their bluetooth cell phone from the rx3715, forget about it for now. The drivers are missing! H.P. (non)support say that they will try to get them to us ASAP, but they might not be available until the first rom update!


:?: Eeeh?? how does that work? How can they leave something like that out. Dialup is supported by the OS, bluetooth by the widcom stack.. Unless the just don't give you the option to choose bluetooth modem while setting up a connection... That just ain't right. I connect through my phone All the time. Guess that removes this PPC from my choice list for now. I really kinda like this one too. :(

Can anyone else not get it to work?

[jnajera]

I had no problem dialing with mine right out of the box. Also I would like to say that metallion 2 works just fine :D In the review it said it did not run.

[Dolphin]

Which camera looks better this or the Asus a730, my a730 should arrive today but am wondering which would be better. I just tried the 3115 for a couple of weeks and missed a camera, wondering if the 3715 or a730 would be better, I really don't care about the vga screen that much on the a730.

The camera on the 3715 is much better... check out some reviews... the 3715 has the best camera yet! It's still not as good as a cheap ccd digital camera... but it sure beats not having one at all!

BTW... if anyone is hoping to dial to their bluetooth cell phone from the rx3715, forget about it for now. The drivers are missing! H.P. (non)support say that they will try to get them to us ASAP, but they might not be available until the first rom update!



:?: Eeeh?? how does that work? How can they leave something like that out. Dialup is supported by the OS, bluetooth by the widcom stack.. Unless the just don't give you the option to choose bluetooth modem while setting up a connection... That just ain't right. I connect through my phone All the time. Guess that removes this PPC from my choice list for now. I really kinda like this one too. :(

Can anyone else not get it to work?

I haven't tried to connect to an ISP with the 3715. I have a problem dialing contacts via bluetooth thru a bluetooth phone... just want to make sure that's clear.

H.P. says the problem is with the widcom stack. If anyone can get this working... please let me know. I might have to go back to a 4155.

[Dolphin]

I had no problem dialing with mine right out of the box. Also I would like to say that metallion 2 works just fine :D In the review it said it did not run.

Was that dialing an ISP or dialing contact's? What kind of phone are you using? I've tried both AT&T's Moto v600 and SE 637 with no luck. H.P. said they duplicated the problem, but then their support is less than perfect... to say the least!

[jnajera]

Dialing via contacts using a AT&T SE T616.

[Jason Lee]

hmm.. I have a V600 and I dial numbers from the contacts and dialup to get to the internet via my phone. So if either doesn't work I would still have a problem. :)

[Dolphin]

Dialing via contacts using a AT&T SE T616.

I'm curious... what shortcuts show up in Start>iPaq Wireless>Bluetooth Manager? I get only "Mototola Phone Dialup network..." and "Motorola Phone:OBX File Transfer". This is the first time I've tried to set up a bluetooth phone/PPC combo... am I missing something? H.P. said they duplicated the problem. But, if this can be done... I would love to be able to dial contacts from the 3715!

If you have time... could you do a step by step?

[Dolphin]

hmm.. I have a V600 and I dial numbers from the contacts and dialup to get to the internet via my phone. So if either doesn't work I would still have a problem. :)

Jason,

Have you tried the 3715/v600 combo yet. I'm wondering if H.P. was just giving me misinformation?

[Jason Lee]

Jason,

Have you tried the 3715/v600 combo yet. I'm wondering if H.P. was just giving me misinformation?

Nope.. I haven't even seen the 3715 yet.. :) But I'll check at a comp usa this weekend and see if they have one i can play with.

[mace]

I have the 3715 and v600 combo and I can not get the "dial via bluetooth" program to work in the Contacts application. I get this error: BTCePimCmdApp An unsupported operation was attempted. :evil:

[pdagal]

Having reviewed both the A730 and the iPAQ 3715, I'd say the iPAQ's camera definitely is better. Nicer camera software too.

Which camera looks better this or the Asus a730, my a730 should arrive today but am wondering which would be better. I just tried the 3115 for a couple of weeks and missed a camera, wondering if the 3715 or a730 would be better, I really don't care about the vga screen that much on the a730.

[cygy2k]

since you reviewed them both, which would you say is the all around better handheld. I am waiting to see tonight how much of an improvement for me VGA is but other than that I really think both machines are very identical,albeit the iPaq has better software/more accessories/and better support/not to mention you will be able to find them in stores for a while and the a730 may never make it into compusa and staples.
Thanks and please advise,
Jeremy

[pdagal]

That's pretty hard to answer because I actually like both units a lot. I do think the camera is the weak point on the ASUS-- at 1.2MP it should take better photos. But we may see 3rd party camera software for it which would improve things significantly. Also, the ASUS lacks WiFi, and that can be a selling point for the iPAQ.

I personally really like VGA, and if you do too, then the ASUS has a distinct advantage. While MS implementation of VGA is pretty, it really doesn't increase what you see on screen enough. If you have good eyes, install the free SE_VGA available at PalmGear to see true VGA.

The ASUS is very attractive and small-- it reminds me of the iPAQ 4150 in looks and overall design. For some folks, looks count :wink:.

[outdoor]

however, when ASUS introduces A730w, then the 3715 will be inferior :twisted:

personally i dont care alot about the camera function in pdas. As alot of people say, if you want to take serious photos, get a real digital camera. a 0.3mp camera is more than enough on a pda (like my old NX70v). I'd rather go for the extra CF slot and VGA than a better camera.

[pdagal]

But the ASUS A730W will cost more than the rx3715 too.

[outdoor]

but even with comparing a730 with 3715, i would choose the a730. i believe the VGA and CF is better than a camera and wifi, IMHO.

[Dolphin]

BTW... if anyone is hoping to dial to their bluetooth cell phone from the rx3715, forget about it for now. The drivers are missing! H.P. (non)support say that they will try to get them to us ASAP, but they might not be available until the first rom update!



[quote="Mace"]I have the 3715 and v600 combo and I can not get the "dial via bluetooth" program to work in the Contacts application. I get this error: BTCePimCmdApp An unsupported operation was attempted. :evil:

Exactly! That's the message I get also.

[quote=jnajera]I had no problem dialing with mine right out of the box. Also I would like to say that metallion 2 works just fine :D In the review it said it did not run.

Was that dialing an ISP or dialing contact's? What kind of phone are you using? I've tried both AT&T's Moto v600 and SE 637 with no luck. H.P. said they duplicated the problem, but then their support is less than perfect... to say the least!

Dialing via contacts using a AT&T SE T616.

inajera… are you using the bluetooth dialer that comes with 2003 2nd Edition on the rx3715 or another application… are you sure that it is working for you? If so, maybe this problem is unique to a certain production run. Could you clarify?

TIA

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Nice review on what appears to be a solid unit, but I'm with most other people, my next PPC will need to have VGA. I couldn't justify $500 for another QVGA PPC.

[Jason Lee]

I have the 3715 and v600 combo and I can not get the "dial via bluetooth" program to work in the Contacts application. I get this error: BTCePimCmdApp An unsupported operation was attempted. :evil:

Yep those were my results. I could connect to the internet through the phone via bluetooth but dialing a phone number from the contact list over bluetooth did not work. I got the same error as you.

[Dolphin]

BTW... if anyone is hoping to dial to their bluetooth cell phone from the rx3715, forget about it for now. The drivers are missing! H.P. (non)support say that they will try to get them to us ASAP, but they might not be available until the first rom update!



Well, I have to recant my statement about H.P. (non)support! Thanks to a great person in the upper echelons of H.P.s support... who provided me with a patch that is working great so far... I am now able to dial via bluetooth dialer to my v600!

[mkheraj]

BTW... if anyone is hoping to dial to their bluetooth cell phone from the rx3715, forget about it for now. The drivers are missing! H.P. (non)support say that they will try to get them to us ASAP, but they might not be available until the first rom update!



Well, I have to recant my statement about H.P. (non)support! Thanks to a great person in the upper echelons of H.P.s support... who provided me with a patch that is working great so far... I am now able to dial via bluetooth dialer to my v600!

Can you please provide the patch? I have the rx3715 and I can't dial my contacts via bluetooth, either.

Thanks,

Murad