Hx4700 - to buy or not to buy?

[duraace]

I noticed that HP has discontinued the Hx4700; however, it's still in big demand with retailers (back orderd). Should I still get this, or wait for HP to come out with an updated equivalent?

[Nurhisham Hussein]

Any particular reason why you're only looking at HP? There are a lot of other VGA devices out there.

[duraace]

I looked at the Dell x51V, but was put off by the critical battery life, and the screen is a tad smaller than the 4700. Any others I should look at, in your opinion? The screen has to be hi res VGA, have 80211.b.

[Nurhisham Hussein]

There's the Loox 720 of course, which probably has the best specs, though it's not available in the US except as an import. There are a few new ones coming in - the Acer N311 looks very nice, and the Loox N560 is due in February. If you're looking at the same screen size as the 4700, then the Toshiba E830 is also an option and alot cheaper to boot, though getting support might be difficult. However, both the iPaq and the Toshiba are BIG, as in close to not being pocketable. I've found the Dell and Loox size pretty palatable.

[duraace]

Thanks. I'll check out the Loox N560. The Toshiba got a bad review regarding a "washed out screen" appearance.

[lesterm]

However, both the iPaq and the Toshiba are BIG, as in close to not being pocketable. I've found the Dell and Loox size pretty palatable.

Not arguing about the size of the Hx, but just wanted to mention its thin-ness. I mine lives in my jeans pocket day in day out and its really not an issue for me because its so thin.

Don't overlook all dimensions when weighing (sic) up devices!

Not just being 'i've got one, so its best'!

[Nurhisham Hussein]

@lestern

No worries, any input appreciated! I've held both in my hand, unfortunately being the small guy that I am (5'6" if that) neither will fit in my pockets! YMMV of course.

@duraace

From a screen perspective, then the Loox 720 and the 4700 are the best, with Sony LCDs. I might add that the Jasjar/Universal has the same screen as well, but that might be out of your budget.

[duraace]

After checking out the various suggestions, the 4700 is still looking like it leads the pack, ignoring price. I don't need/want a camera. Never really used the camera on my Clie UX50. The size/weight could be something to consider, but that's the tradeoff with a 4 inch screen and mag/alloy body.

[duraace]

@lestern

Do you have an Hx4700? If so, any downsides, if any? Is the touch pad usable? I use my PDA mainly for reading AvantGo news articles. Can it be used comfortably to scroll the screen?

[duraace]

@hishamh

I looked at the jasmar UNIVERSAL, and it is very compelling. Similar to my Clie UX50, in that the screen rotates and folds over a keyboard providing a closed, portrait or landscape with keyboard option. Problem is that the phone isn't compatible with my wireless operator, and the weight is considerable more than the Hx4700 even! I found I rarely had use for the keyboard in what I use the device for. Still leaning towards the 4700. I'm also considering using it with HP GPS navigation for in the car use. Would have to buy a bunch of stuff, but hey, you only live once, right?

[Nurhisham Hussein]

That's what makes the N560 a contender - it has onboard GPS (SirfStar III), or will when it's released. Also USB host is nothing to sneeze at, I've found it extremely useful. Though for your use, mainly reading as you say, there are distinct advantages to a 4" screen.

[duraace]

Mainly for reading, but also plan to record/view movies, TV Shows, etc., and the large screen will be a definate plus. Viewing GPS maps has also got to be big plus, considering my eyesight sucks.

[globaloffice]

I'm also considering using it with HP GPS navigation for in the car use. Would have to buy a bunch of stuff, but hey, you only live once, right?

I use my 4700 with a Garmin cfQue1620 and to be quite honest it does all my full blown Garmin Streetpilot does.

-Roger

[duraace]

I'm also considering using it with HP GPS navigation for in the car use. Would have to buy a bunch of stuff, but hey, you only live once, right?

I use my 4700 with a Garmin cfQue1620 and to be quite honest it does all my full blown Garmin Streetpilot does.

-Roger

Is the Garmin GPS bluetooth? I'm considering the HP one, as the maps include Canada.

[globaloffice]

Is the Garmin GPS bluetooth? I'm considering the HP one, as the maps include Canada.

The iQue 1620 is a CF card one. You might be interested in the GPS10 if you want Bluetooth ( http://www.garmin.com/products/gps10/ )

That includes NA and Canada mapping.

I show GPSCity selling it for $209 US.. http://www.gpscity.com/item-garmin-gps-10-bluetooth-deluxe-gps-system/10dlx.htm

Hope that helps! The Garmin (Navtech) Mapping is second to none IMHO

-Roger

[duraace]

Is the Garmin GPS bluetooth? I'm considering the HP one, as the maps include Canada.

The iQue 1620 is a CF card one. You might be interested in the GPS10 if you want Bluetooth ( http://www.garmin.com/products/gps10/ )

That includes NA and Canada mapping.

I show GPSCity selling it for $209 US.. http://www.gpscity.com/item-garmin-gps-10-bluetooth-deluxe-gps-system/10dlx.htm

Hope that helps! The Garmin (Navtech) Mapping is second to none IMHO

-Roger

Any advantage to the CF reciever over a bluetooth one? I figure since the PDA has bluetooth, might as well as take advantage of it with a separate reciever, which can be located optimally elsewhere? Your thoughts? Is Garmin the best way to go in your opinion? Is their app optimized for hi res VGA on the 4700?

[globaloffice]

Personally I think the CF versus BT is a personal choice. The iQue I use folds flat down against the case of my 4700 and really doesn't have to be removed if you don't want, albeit it does power draw. Insert it, and it launches the application, remaps the keys for use by the app for navigation and goes into sat acquire mode. Cold acquire can take some time.. when you've moved a substantial distance from where you were when powered off. Regular acquire takes less than 60 seconds on average.

Mapping is extremely accurate, optimized for VGA and has a myriad of options for display choices in changes so you can tailor it to your liking. Night/Day modes. If you've seen a Garmin StreetPilot in the store it's the display you'll have. I use mine in a Seidio car mount and literally have no complaints at all. And no, I'm not a Garmin employee :-) Just a happy user of their products. I have the I-95 corridor of the US east coast of the US on SD card and it uses 350mb of card. Voice prompting for directions, Points of interest, user defined routes, it's all there.

Hope that helps!
-Roger

[duraace]

Personally I think the CF versus BT is a personal choice. The iQue I use folds flat down against the case of my 4700 and r

Hope that helps!
-Roger

I appreciate the advice. Nothing like first hand experience. I'm swayed to the CF version, as it would have the added avantage of being able to use it conveniently outside the car. So...in the car...no problems with reception?

[globaloffice]

I appreciate the advice. Nothing like first hand experience. I'm swayed to the CF version, as it would have the added avantage of being able to use it conveniently outside the car. So...in the car...no problems with reception?

Like any GPS it has issues in inner cities with tall buildings, and as a handheld with dense tree cover, but it has less issues than a Vista handheld that I have and is about equal to the Streetpilot. Until you move to the high end of the mobile GPS market where they're integrated into the vehicle electronics that's about the same across the board. You're also talking the difference between what several thousand $ versus several hundred $ gets you. I'd buy what I have again with no qualms. The single issue I had was solved by the Seidio mount in that the voice prompting was hard to hear in a noisy vehicle, but the vehicle was a Jeep Wrangler with 35" heavily lugged tires, and you couldn't hear the radio nor barely hear on a cell phone @ highway speeds either. The Seidio has a built in speaker with amplifier so that cured that.

Regards,
Roger