Help - What to buy - confused - I am.

[alfaman]

Ok,

sorry for the length of this I've had my last PDA for nearly 3 years and
things seem just a littl different in the market. I've posted in the IPAQ
forum as I'm leaning that way atteh moment.

So my Jornada has gone on ebay (with the satnav) I've been saving a
little and having a clearout. I've got about 600quid to spend on a new
PDA + satnav.

Thining of the SysOnChip CF card for GPS - don't like the idea of
bluetooth as it's yet another thing that needs chargin. I already have
tomtom3 so don't want a bundle.

PDA wise I'm coming from a Jornada 568, it's been great it's just
getting on - you know time to upgrade. I **cannot** have an device
with a phone or a camera integrated because of work/customer
restrictions.

I'd like CF and SDIO. Bluetooth is a must - wireless as far as I'm
concerned (in the UK, and working in the defence business is a toy
for home, or when I'm sat in starbucks) i.e. nice but not a deal breaker.

I'm thinking of the 4700 (future proof and all that) the X50v has to be
on the list but doesn't appear to be hitting the UK realistically until
decembe. What bothers me about the 4700 is the bad news I'm seeing
plus I wonder how you'd cope with the screen guard whilst driving and
using tomtom ?

The 5550 interests me with the security plus If I could use a jacket for
the GPS (either emtec or just a CF one).

Failing that it's a 2210 - seems to tick al the boxes - but what's missing
and why the huge price differnce between that and the 5550?

Oh and where do the older 4xxx models sit in the range?

I'd apprecaiet peoples thoughts to help me clarify mine...

Thanks,

Simon.

[Darius Wey]

Okay.

With the amount of money you're willing to spend, you're ultimately able to look at high-end devices out there.

The Dell Axim X50v, the Asus MyPal A730, the Fujitsu Loox 720, and the HP iPAQ hx4700 may all tickle your taste buds. It just depends on what specifications you're after.

Personally, I prefer the Axim X50v, but it's really left to personal preference.

The h2210 is a part of HP's previous generation of devices and so you don't get the additional upgrade to Windows Mobile 2003SE that all the devices I have mentioned above have. In addition, the previous h4xxx series do not have CF support which you may be interested in.

[Fishie]

Hows about a Toshiba e800/805?

Its VGA and has SE, lots cheaper then the Ipaq 4700 as well now.

[Kati Compton]

The Dell Axim X50v, the Asus MyPal A730, the Fujitsu Loox 720, and the HP iPAQ hx4700 may all tickle your taste buds. It just depends on what specifications you're after.

The Asus 730 and Fujitsu 720 are out, as cameras are not allowed.

I might suggest the Asus 716 over the 22xx if you want something currently available that isn't the 4700.

One thing you should keep in mind with the 4700 is that I *think* that cover can be removed. With the 4700 the real question is whether or not the touchpad will work for you - that'll depend on what apps you use. For example, if you want to play a lot of action games, then the touchpad won't be nearly as nice as a d-pad. If, on the other hand, you almost always use stylus input instead of directional-input, the touchpad might be just fine, and useful for the times that you want that protector flap on.

[Darius Wey]

The Asus 730 and Fujitsu 720 are out, as cameras are not allowed.

Oh! I didn't see that point about "no cameras". I tend to be doing this a lot these days. :roll:

[alfaman]

Thanks folks,

Yeah the no cameras thing is a biggy!.

The x50v looks like a good device but I reckon we're 6 weeks or so off
seeing it in peoples hands in the UK (given US delivery dates are looking
around end novemeber.).

Kati I'd wondered about the ASUS 716 looks like a good device , it's not
2003SE though - but what that really means to me I don't know.

I'm not a gamer, I'm using it for tomtom, MP3, e-mail and a general
laptop replacement when I'm on day trips - I hate having to lug it
around when I don't have to - this is why the VGA interests me as it
gives me yet more reasons to leave the laptop at home especially with
VGA out.

I can get the 4700 for £399
5550 for £379
x30high for £270
asus716 for £285
2210 for £228

The best bang for the buck there is probably the x30high, but it has no
CF, it's not VGA so it's either bluetooth for GPS or a wired thingy and
without CF/VGA I can't get VGA out....

The asus or 2210 are cheap enough for me to get a VGA CF card, but they as DJ Apod says are last years models - I'm looking for another 2-3 years life, but it's worth thinking about...

Fishie - no signs of the toshiba 805 the 800 n th other hand is £399 for
less than the 4700, and with toshiba rumoured to be rethinking their PPC
strategy a slightly risky proposition.

The X50v looks like the right machine if I could get it....

Oh well thanks for your time.....