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19 Reviews
iPAQ 2 wk review
I've been a Garmin III+ user for over 3 years and a Palm PDA user for 7 years. It was time to combine the two. After looking at Garmin, Mio, HP, and a host of others I choose the HP rx5915. In changing from any software to another there will be things you have to get used to, but so far I've not found much that I can't work around with the HP and there are many enhancements not found on my older Garmin and Palm.
The GPS acquires location much faster than my old Garmin III+ but unfortunately there is no way to download my over 250 waypoints into the Tomtom "favorites" or "POI" so I'll have to manually type the long/lat. I was told by Tomtom support that you could not navigate to a favorite or POI, but that is not true.
The documentation is weak and it took me a while to figure out how to connect to my home wireless network. I've got a secure network and only allow assigned IP addresses and had to enter all that manually. After some trial and error, it is now working, but the range is not as good as my laptop.
I'm still working on the handwriting recognition which is not the same as the Palm Graffiti so I'm using the pop-up keyboard which can sometimes be over top of the field you are typing into.
Windows mobile 5 is slower than Palm, I miss some of my Palm applications which I will have to figure out how to replace. I'm not proficient in the use of the storage card so I can't write about that yet.
Synchronization happens automatically when plugged in. That's different from Palm which you had to manually initialize. That makes me a bit uneasy. I want to have control over the synchronization process. I'm sure there is a way to control that, though.
The GPS seems to give preference to Interstates when some of the back roads are indeed quicker. The TV commercial I've seen recently doesn't seem accurate. It does recalculate quickly and give an alternate plan. It also has an icon for calculating alternate routes. It nailed my house to within several feet although some roads are not up to date. That is to be expected as time goes by.
I hope to be able to give a more detailed write-up after my experience level grows and I learn how to do things the Garmin III+ and Palm Tungsten used to do.Read full review...
HP RX5910 travel companion - very powerful device
I purchased this device to use as a GPS speedometer in a vintage car I restored. All the other features are icing on the cake. Purchasing a used RX5910 is about the same price as a new entry level GPS, but the RX5910 has features that I like in addition to the GPS unit.
PROS; Stand alone GPS, ability to use an external GPS antenna (so the unit can operate reliably while sitting in the glove compartment), MP3 player, voice recorder, WIFI (quite slow internet access, but OK for Email and checking news, stock, etc if there is a WIFI hot spot available), Microsoft outlook, contacts, and the ability to download and run programs such as BING. It also has bluetooth capability, but I have not needed this functionality.
CONS: GPS maps are 3 or 4 years old and CANNOT be updated. If you are driving using the GPS and running MP3 tunes through your car stereo (like me) forget about using the touchscreen to make changes while driving. Too complicated. You have to select your tunes and set to repeat while stopped. Plug in storage card is limited to 2GB SD memory, or about 40 - 50 albums of MP3 tunes. Runs Windows Mobile 5.0, newer devices are up to Windows Mobile 6.1, and there is no upgrade path. New Smartphones that run Windows Mobile have a similar feature set plus a camera and a phone at a similar price (sometimes), but they are not as good of a stand alone GPS unit (my main reason for purchasing this unit).
If you can pick a used one up for $100 to $150, they come with a lot of features for the price.
Stay away from units that display an HPLauncher error message. My first unit did this and it seems to be a hardware memory error that causes programs to run erratically. My unit eventually corrupted the safe store, so even a hard reset would not get it to work again. I just gave up an bought a second unit.Read full review...
Great Features. No Problems. Works well.
I read reviews throughout the internet about this model before purchase. The reviews are mixed with some that love this model and others that complain about the need for hard resets. I also noticed the large number of refurbs available and I was more than a little concerned. What made the decision was I was able to get a new machine at a price I couldn't refuse. In summary, I guess I'm one of the lucky ones because this machine is performing great using the preloaded software. I chose this machine because of the features (it has pretty much everything except a camera, cell phone, swiss army knife or flashlight), and I'm not trying to change it into something else by switching or adding programs. Perhaps letting it do the basics is the secret. Maybe there are an inordinate number of lemons with this model--I've only got this one and I'm not finding any problems. The features I wanted was a usable GPS, Microsoft Office, MP3 player, voice recorder, hand writing transcriber, Bluetooth, 802.11g for internet hotspots, removable batteries, charging using standard USB plugs, and anything else would be lagniappe. No lockups, works smooth and easy and any glitches have been minor and easily fixed. I've owned a number of PDA's over the years and some have been very good, but this is easily the best one I've ever used and surpasses any that I've seen operated by my peers. I hope this review is helpful.Read full review...
A Great Tool
This is my second Ipaq travel companion and my fifth Ipaq. I use it for work all the time, keeping client notes, mileage claims, running spreadsheets, it has a very easy to use calendar and contact list and email functions. Now with the travel companion I use the GPS almost daily too. The only downside I found was that listening to recorded books on it for two hours or more at one sitting lead to it crashing. I'm not quite sure why it happened and once it rebooted it was fine.
It backs up to my computer automatically every time I hook them up and syncronises its calendar and contacts and email with the computer.
A great tool that keeps all my information in one useful place. It is great to have little tool that can do so much of what I used to have to boot up my laptop for. Those spare moments waiting for it to boot up are no longer wasted.
One word of caution though: If the battery dies on you, spend the money and get a genuine replacement - I have wasted a lot of time and effort messing around with non genuine cheap batteries from Ebay, being tempted by the low price and thinking - maybe this time it will be a good one. They are never as good as the genuine ones.Read full review...
Solid PDA, GPS, MP3, & More for below $200
Pros -
1. Has all PDA functions that you need
2. GPS - uses TomTom 2006 map (North America + Hawaii & Alaska). used it in Hawaii and it really saved from getting lost and wasting my time and money
3. MP3 player - plays music and also videos
4. Application - buy or download freeware to fit your needs
5. Bluethbooth - listen to music using bluetooth and everything else
6. Wireless LAN - wherever there is wireless internet available you can get connected. Browse the web, it is awesome. I downloaded skype and use it like a phone.
7. Voice recorder and Notes - voice recording on this device is better than other PDAs or voice recorders i used before. it is clear when you play it back. Very nice.
8. Over 2 GBs internal hard drive and SD card- You have the IPAQ drive which is about GBs itself and my device drive which is about 70mbs. if you use the GPS and have the MAP on your internal drive you would have about 400-500 mbs left for use. But you can use SD cards to mitigate the storage capacity.
Cons -
1. Restart - you will find yourself restarting a lot by pressing the hidden button with your stylus b/c the device will freeze up for time to time.
2. GPS Map - is outdated and there is no more updates available from TomTom
3. OS - use Window Mobile 5.0 which is outdated
4. No Button Lock - sometimes your device might get turned on accidently in your pocket draining all your battery without you knowing.
5. Not everything is perfect but it is a solid deviceRead full review...
Great little unit 1 flaw GRR HP/Microsux
The gps is a little stalled on starting but great once its up powerfull antenna withought an addon
Fast and stable no crashes.
Poor internal memory but SD cards make up for it.
The really only bad point is the fact its windows mobile 5 and no easy way to update or even hack up to windows mobile 6.
If anyone has a way to backup the OEM firmware please let me know so i can begin updating to WM6 need the WM6 for wpa2 support and better browsing.
Other than this as i said great unis even as a media player battery lasts hours and hours.Read full review...
HP iPAQ Travel Companion
A lot of value for a little money. The GPS is very accurate and uses TomTom software. (highly available options) I also like the WorldMate software as well as it syncs with my work PC for reading the deluge of e-mails and calendar events at home without having to VPN in. I don't use the wireless card much other than to update items and I haven't been using the bluetooth although I will ultimately pair it up with my phone. Very nice device for what you would pay to buy just a GPS or MS Mobile software without the $60 base package per month for the phone service.Read full review...
WOW!!
This is a very nice unit. The iPaq RX5915 is my first Windows based PDA and it is great. The screen is very bright and crisp. Battery life is adequate and with the car and AC adaptor it can be charged anywhere. The Wifi, GPS, and Bluetooth all work as advertised. In short, I have yet to find a fault with this unit. I also recommend the case made by Covertec.Read full review...
HP iPAQ Rx5915 Travel Companion-A Collector's item.
I love the compact feature of the unit and the included GPS navigation system. It would have been the best if it is able to read a high capacity secure digital card like other portable gadgets out there.
Why I bought it, it is out of my curiosity to see how good the unit would perform.
In the end, it became a collector's item among my other HP gadgets.Read full review...
HP iPAQ Rx5915
Great little unit. Very user friendly and easy to learn. Will make any job easier. Comes pre-loaded with everything required to travel and keep track of any and all appointments you'll have.