The Gadgeteer Reviews HP's iPAQ hw6945

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/hp_ipaq_hw6945_mobile_messenger' target='_blank'>http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review...obile_messenger</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Trying to find my perfect smartphone has been causing me the same frustration as trying to find my perfect gear bag. The quest just never ends because I've come to realize that there isn't any one perfect phone (or gear bag) out there for me. The whole trick is to find one that comes as close as possible. This review is for the Hewlett Packard iPAQ hw6945 Mobile Messenger; a Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC phone. The question is, will it become my new "perfect" smartphone?"</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20061114-GadgeteeriPAQ6945.jpg" /><br /><br />Yesterday, I posted on <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=52438">Jack Cook's review</a> of the iPAQ 6925, which has the same hardware as the 6945. Julie, though, came up with a completely different conclusion. Take a look and see which review you think applies more. (I've got to add: the iPAQ is quite a bit bigger than Palm's Treos. 8O)

[mv]

240x240 is a joke. Why can´t we have 480x480?

[IpaqMan2]

I'm all for bigger screens and would love to see more pixals, or even a landscape set up much like how Motorola's Q is, but it the defense of the 240by240, it sounds a whole alot worse than it really is to use. I went from a PPC6700 to a Treo 700wx, and though it is noticable at first, after a while I really can't tell. Granted i don't play games on my Treo or watch video, but for about everything else it manages well.

I can tolorate the "smaller" screen for now, but do hope Palm and other OEMs will get it through thier heads and add more pixals.

Also... I can't stand HP's design here..IMO it just seems to come short of being a usuable smartphone. The Keyboad loks to little to be really functional, but than again.. HP hasn't actually be innovaing anything for the last several years so again, no surprise here.

[Janak Parekh]

I'm all for bigger screens and would love to see more pixals, or even a landscape set up much like how Motorola's Q is, but it the defense of the 240by240, it sounds a whole alot worse than it really is to use. I went from a PPC6700 to a Treo 700wx, and though it is noticable at first, after a while I really can't tell. Granted i don't play games on my Treo or watch video, but for about everything else it manages well.
Agreed. Although, do note the iPAQ has a significantly larger screen. I'm not sure I'd like 240x240 so much on it as opposed to the Treo's smaller, denser screen.

--janak

[Silver5]

There are quite a few inaccuracies in this review. The writer states that the "start and end buttons are backlit, but unfortunately the keyboard is not," when the keyboard is, in fact, brightly backlit.

Just a few lines later he says "One big problem that I have with this phone is the fact that the power button is the only way to power this device on. Pressing any of the other buttons including the green talk button has no effect. As a result, if you want to make an outgoing call when the device is turned off, you will have to press a minimum of 3 buttons."

That is also inaccurate. There is a setting in the "Buttons" applet that allows you to disable all keys aside from the Power button when in standby. By default this option is NOT selected. He would have had to have done that himself.

The reception with this phone is something everyone who has one seems to be thrilled with except this reviewer. I can't explain his results but I can say that mine have been quite impressive. With the iPAQ I now have good reception in places I could not get a signal with both my Universal and Qtek 9100.

I don't know why he has GPS trouble either. I use TomTom, which came with mine, a few times per week now and I love it. It gets very good reception and the turn by turn directions are almost always spot-on.

Yeah, everyone has preferences, but I think when someone reviews a device they should spend a bit more time getting their information correct. I prefer the reviews here at PPCThoughts truthfully. They are definitely more in depth and are much better overall.

[rdrose61]

There are quite a few inaccuracies in this review

I too was going to post the above, but gave Julie a little slack. On second thought though, like Silver5, I think readers should know most of Julie's concerns were oversights on her part.

She also had trouble downloading maps from the HP navigation app. Hopefully she discovers the best way to transfer maps is to save on harddrive and transfer to mini-sd by reader rather than AS...

I personally tried out the 60 day trial of HP's version of iGuidance (and it worked fine) but ended up buying iGuidance 3.0 I like the UI of iGuidance (I had the previous version with my Belkin/Fortuna BT GPS). The HP version is similar but I found the UI used too much screen real estate for buttons and controls. The iGuidance version was also 30% cheaper.

She also had concerns with the size of the device but I find it just right. Her concerns with the screen probably would be abated after she used the device a little longer. I too had concerns at first but it has turned out to be fine. I am really impressed that my avi's (encoded in PocketDivx Encoder at 640x480 or 640x 360) play and look great.

Adding Voice Command also adds to usability.

The review's most telling comment is "To wrap up the hardware section of this review, I would say that this device is more of a PDA, than a phone." She probably will find her "search for my perfect smartphone...
" in a SmartPhone device rather than a PPC Phone Edition.

[dynamicfigure]

Silver5,

Let me flaunt my PDA ignorance here. This is my first purchase, so I’m in the learning mode.

I am getting ready to purchase the iPAQ 6945. I am very confused about the GPS. You mentioned that you use the tomtom that came with the unit. Is it just a limited trial offering that comes with the new unit that you have to purchase after the fact? I have not been able to get a clear answer from anyone.

What about the phone option? I have been told that I can simply remove my sim card from my existing phone (T-Mobile) and insert it into the iPAQ and I'm ready to go! Is this true?

Much to my surprise I have had a difficult time getting simple questions answered, even from manufactures. I typically get two to three different answers. I have learned much more from these types of forums.

My thanks to everyone for taking time to share their knowledge!

[Jason Lee]

Silver5,

Let me flaunt my PDA ignorance here. This is my first purchase, so I’m in the learning mode.

I am getting ready to purchase the iPAQ 6945. I am very confused about the GPS. You mentioned that you use the tomtom that came with the unit. Is it just a limited trial offering that comes with the new unit that you have to purchase after the fact? I have not been able to get a clear answer from anyone.

What about the phone option? I have been told that I can simply remove my sim card from my existing phone (T-Mobile) and insert it into the iPAQ and I'm ready to go! Is this true?

Much to my surprise I have had a difficult time getting simple questions answered, even from manufactures. I typically get two to three different answers. I have learned much more from these types of forums.

My thanks to everyone for taking time to share their knowledge!

Yes, you will be able to take the sim card from your old phone and put it in the iPAQ 6945 &amp; 6940 models with no problem. :) They are unlocked.

As for the GPS i am not sure. It may depend on where you buy it. Strait from HP it might come with a rebranded iGuidance. But again i am not sure.

Edit: Upon further investigation it does not appear to come with any GPS software. At least according to HP.
Has anyone here purchased one directly from HP? Did it have GPS software?

[dh]

Edit: Upon further investigation it does not appear to come with any GPS software. At least according to HP.
Has anyone here purchased one directly from HP? Did it have GPS software?

I bought my 6940 directly from HP and yes it does come with GPS software. The app isn't pre-loaded to the phone, it's on the CD that comes in the box. Actually it's on 3 or 4 CDs which include the maps.

Because I have GPS in my car I've not really done much with the HP version. The GPS is branded as an HP product, I have no idea what it really is.

[Silver5]

If you buy the 6915 version of the phone it will include TomTom 5 on the phone. You don't have to load it from the CD or do anything extra for it to be there. You will get one free city map along with it, which you download right to the device, and you are ready to go on your way.

I have been using the navigation quite often since getting it and I really wish I had purchased something similar a long time ago. It is really convenient and it works very well. HP should include the GPS nav. software on all versions of this phone because it really make everything easier. I can look up pretty much any business in my area, by searching the Points of Interest in TomTom, and call as well as navigate right there. I don't need 411 or to look the place up online. It is all right in my hand. It is useful for much more than just telling me how to get somewhere (as if that wasn't enough already.).

I think that the US versions of the phone do not include navigation software so I suggest buying whichever one is the best for you.

The ease of setting up this phone is great. I wish they were all this simple. I simply plugged in the SIM card and it was set up for T-Mobile. I did have to edit the connection settings because it assumed T-Mobile was still using the internet3.voicestream.com setting and they now only seem to use internet2.voicestream.com. No big deal, I just changed the three into a two, and it has been good.

[nannnygoat]

I have been using my new iPAQ HW6945 for a couple of weeks now. It was easy to pop out my SIM card from my regular Nokia Cell and put it in the iPAQ... HOWEVER..... being used to a regular "width" cell phone the HW6945 is way too wide to be comfortable holding and talking. I have purchased the Motorola H700 DG (Gold Dolce and Gabanna) wireless headset BUT.... And I must [/img]SCREAM for HELP here.....

It has been a bear to "pair" it up with the iPAQ and then.... once I get it to work for a bit when they both sit a while, it just turns it off. I have to keep going through the whole process again each time I try to use this H700 Headset.

Does ANYONE know of a great headset comparable to this one that I could purchase that would work better? I like the look and feel of this metallic gold headset but if if it won't just automatically go to headset when I am wearing it in the "on" position... what good is it????

ALSO... one more thing... I have a 512k mini memory card but I was wondering if I could purchase a 2GB or 1GB memory card that would work in it. I talked to HP and they said that they don't """"KNOW""" if it will work with a larger than 512k card.

I like many of you have had a HARD time trying to get support for this device.

All that aside.... I do love it... if I could just get the wireless headset to work and buy about $500.00 more in accessories... i think I would be happy. I purchased my brand new from a place on line called PAGE COMPUTERS for $502.00.

Any answers to the above quetions would be greatly appreciated. I don't know if I should send this headset back and get another one or not.

[rdrose61]

nannnygoat...

Yes, a 2GB mini-SD works fine. I have the Kingston in mine. As for a recommendation on BT headset, I'll have to let someone else with more experience make a suggestion.

To clarify my comments above, I have the U.S. Cingular hw6925 version. It comes with 60 day trial of HP Navigation on disk which is a rebranded/skinned version of iGuidance.

[nannnygoat]

nannnygoat...

Yes, a 2GB mini-SD works fine. I have the Kingston in mine. As for a recommendation on BT headset, I'll have to let someone else with more experience make a suggestion.

To clarify my comments above, I have the U.S. Cingular hw6925 version. It comes with 60 day trial of HP Navigation on disk which is a rebranded/skinned version of iGuidance.

Thanks rdrose61! I will go out and get one pronto! If ANYONE can tell me the VERY BEST POSSIBLE wireless headset to get I would appreciate it. This Motorola H700 (The gold dolce and gabbana version) won't stay "loaded" or "active" on this unit. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if there is a BETTER one out there that I can buy. Each time I use this I have to go through hoops to reset it and all that. It shouldn't be that way RIGHT PEOPLE???

What should I buy... Money is no issue. My Boss wants me to get this all right from the start so I can get whatever I need. I will be sending this unit back if I don't get better "every time I turn it on" performance. HELP???? :!: :!: :!: :!: :)

[dh]

Thanks rdrose61! I will go out and get one pronto! If ANYONE can tell me the VERY BEST POSSIBLE wireless headset to get I would appreciate it.
I don't know if it's the best. but I use the Plantronics 655 with my 6940 and I've been pleased so far.

Combined with the latest version of Voice Command the headset means I very rarely have to hold the big old phone up to my ear.