GpsPassion.com Reviews the rx5900

[Nurhisham Hussein]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/articles.asp?id=205' target='_blank'>http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/articles.asp?id=205</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The HP rx5900 is HP's first GPS PDA and unlike the hw6500 and hw6900 GPS PDAPhones that relied on a Globallocate A-GPS enabled chipset, it uses a standard SiRFstarIII platform without Assisted GPS but with more correlation power. The rx5915 adds WiFi to the rx5900 that is already Bluetooth. This review is based on a late prototype so it is possible that performance will be tweaked by the time it is released, something we will revisit if need be."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/hisham-20061005-5900.jpg" /><br /><br />Here comes another rx5900 review, this time from GpsPassion.com. The long initial fix time found in the <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,51679&">CNet review</a> is confirmed, mainly due to having an internal antenna (an external antenna can be attached for better signal reception if necessary). GpsPassion also found that Static Navigation has been enabled by default (like in the Fujitsu-Siemens N100), which makes pedestrian use problematic - a workaround is available however. All-in-all they liked the device, especially since their battery test indicated record running times for a GPS/PDA combo, a finding that is at odds with the CNet review.

[Phillip Dyson]

The long initial fix time found in the CNet review (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,51679&) is confirmed, mainly due to having an internal antenna (an external antenna can be attached for better signal reception if necessary).

I think that even my GlobalSat BT-338 often has a long fix time. I thought that I read that this was characteristic or Sirf III. Long fix time but overall better accuracy?

Speaking from memory, certainly open for correction.

[Darius Wey]

I think that even my GlobalSat BT-338 often has a long fix time.

Are you talking about cold boot times, or just general fix times while the receiver has been running for a while?

[Nurhisham Hussein]

The review was talking very specifically about cold fixes - hot fixes are really fast.

[TOCA]

Why all the talking about its GPS? How about the 2GB internal storrage 8O

That is the real news here 8)

[Phillip Dyson]

I think that even my GlobalSat BT-338 often has a long fix time.

Are you talking about cold boot times, or just general fix times while the receiver has been running for a while?

Definitely the Cold boot

[Nurhisham Hussein]

Why all the talking about its GPS? How about the 2GB internal storrage 8O

That is the real news here 8)

Not when 75% of it is gobbled up in pre-installed maps :|

[Darius Wey]

Definitely the Cold boot

Right. So SiRFs in typical Bluetooth receivers (like the one you have) usually possess a 40-50 second cold boot fix time. Would you call that lengthy? That depends on your patience level. :P

I find it reasonable, especially when you put it against the rx5900's supposed five minute fix time. 8O

[Phillip Dyson]

Definitely the Cold boot

Right. So SiRFs in typical Bluetooth receivers (like the one you have) usually possess a 40-50 second cold boot fix time. Would you call that lengthy? That depends on your patience level. :P

I find it reasonable, especially when you put it against the rx5900's supposed five minute fix time. 8O

40-50 seconds seems reasonable. I'm pretty sure that I've had times when its been longer. But a consistent 5 minutes is ridiculous.

[yeaidid]

I've used my GPS heavily over the last 3 days, and nothing near 5 minutes.