Since My Garmin M3 Pocket PC was stolen, I decided to upgrade. The M3 was a great unit, but today's technology will allow me to do a lot more. I decided to get a Pocket PC and then add a GPS receiver separately. This will reduce the proprietary issues associated with the Garmin or another standalone products and allow me to have the latest technology with more functonality.
After a lot of research, I narrowed the choice down to two similar units; HP Ipaq 2495 and the Dell Axim v51. Both units met my criteria of having integrated wifi and bluetooth. Both, also take a CF AND SD memory cards.
I read a lot of reviews and people either loved them or hated them; "Best PDA ever" or "don't buy this Junk".
In my research, I found a lot of forums like this one that provided a lot of information. I came to the conclusion that most of the issues were operating system related. Some of the Dells in particular shipped with the Windows 2003 mobile and they were being converted to the new Windows Mobile 5.0. There were a few hardware issues on both models and both seem to have great customer service.
I ended up selecting the Dell Axim 51V
Microsoft® Windows MobileTM 5.0 software with Windows Media Player 10 Mobile
Powered by the Intel® XScaleTM PXA270 Processor at 624MHz
Brilliant 3.7" color TFT VGA display with 640x480 resolution Integrated Intel® 2700G multimedia accelerator with 16MB video memory
Integrated 802.11b and BluetoothTM Wireless Technologies
Packed with 64MB SDRAM and 256MB Flash ROM
Integrated CompactFlash Type II and Secure Digital / SDIO Now! / MMC card slots provide flexible expansion
VGA-Out Support with optional VGA Presentation Bundle
Removable Primary Battery with optional High Capacity Battery
3.5mm Headphone / Headset Jack for Headsets to support VoIP and voice recognition applications
Built-in microphone and speaker for easy recording on the go
USB Cradle including Battery Charging Slot
Sleek, stylish design
The reasons I selected this one is it met my criteria of the integrated wifi, bluetooth and SD and CF memory cards. It also has a faster processor, a video co-processor and it has a 640x480 VGA resolution, while the HP has CVGA at lower resolution. In addition, it had more onboard memory to store programs and run multiple things at once.
People use these for watching movies, TV, Gaming, MP3, Business applications (Much improved in Mobile 5.0) and lots more.
The forum I found http://www.aximsite.com/boards/index.php being like this one and the Dell replacement policy of sending you the replacement before you ship the old one back also were pluses in Dell Column. I figured the forum would offset having to talk to Mujabar in India when I call. In other words, I am going into it with low expectations of their technical support. They always answer the phone and are polite, but the outsourced folks tend to follow flow charts without really knowing the product.
Dell is always running deals on the web site. Through the axim forum, I found out the best deals are through the small business portal rather than from the Home portal on Dell.com.
I found a great deal for $369 that included $119 of other stuff; larger spare battery and 3-1 cable set. http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/hot_offers_axim?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
I am now a small business named "Romer Associates". Use the web site, the phone guy wanted to create an account. The web site doesn't make you and allows you to pay with paypal.
Now that I have my base system selected, I bought an 8GB Compact Flash Card with the intent of using it for MP3's, Video, etc. I also bought a 4GB SD card at an amazing deal for $69 before the $17 rebate. http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4962201 Awesome deal.
I had almost 25 Hours of MP3's on 1.7GB in my Garmin M3, this should allow at least 100 hours.
Now to decide on which GPS Receiver and software package. I wanted to make sure what I bought used the newest SIRF 3 chipset for more sensitivity. I also wanted blue tooth so I could carry it in my pocket if I wanted to while out walking or traveling. I selected the Globalsat 338 Bluetooth receiver.
The next key item is the software package. After a lot of research, iGuidance and TomTom seem to be the two best. I selected the iGuidance based on the reviews making it seem a better fit for me. This will take care of all the road driving. http://www.inavcorp.com/products/iguidance21.html
The reviews on the site say that backcountry navigator http://www.backcountrynavigator.com/content/blogcategory/67/46/ seems like a good product to try. There are others listed that can be tried, some for free. They give you up to date topo maps and aloow more views than the Garmin topo products did.
I bought the GPS receiver and software as a bundle, and going through the Axim forum, received a discount. Start with this link to evaluate all kinds of bundles or separate GPS items:
http://www.buygpsnow.com/aximsite_discounts_for_members.asp
Remember the coupon code for checkout. I didn't care for the deals on that page, but the prices once you move past are pretty good.
So, I should be getting all this stuff this week and hooking it up next week to test it out.
After a lot of research, I narrowed the choice down to two similar units; HP Ipaq 2495 and the Dell Axim v51. Both units met my criteria of having integrated wifi and bluetooth. Both, also take a CF AND SD memory cards.
I read a lot of reviews and people either loved them or hated them; "Best PDA ever" or "don't buy this Junk".
In my research, I found a lot of forums like this one that provided a lot of information. I came to the conclusion that most of the issues were operating system related. Some of the Dells in particular shipped with the Windows 2003 mobile and they were being converted to the new Windows Mobile 5.0. There were a few hardware issues on both models and both seem to have great customer service.
I ended up selecting the Dell Axim 51V

Microsoft® Windows MobileTM 5.0 software with Windows Media Player 10 Mobile
Powered by the Intel® XScaleTM PXA270 Processor at 624MHz
Brilliant 3.7" color TFT VGA display with 640x480 resolution Integrated Intel® 2700G multimedia accelerator with 16MB video memory
Integrated 802.11b and BluetoothTM Wireless Technologies
Packed with 64MB SDRAM and 256MB Flash ROM
Integrated CompactFlash Type II and Secure Digital / SDIO Now! / MMC card slots provide flexible expansion
VGA-Out Support with optional VGA Presentation Bundle
Removable Primary Battery with optional High Capacity Battery
3.5mm Headphone / Headset Jack for Headsets to support VoIP and voice recognition applications
Built-in microphone and speaker for easy recording on the go
USB Cradle including Battery Charging Slot
Sleek, stylish design
The reasons I selected this one is it met my criteria of the integrated wifi, bluetooth and SD and CF memory cards. It also has a faster processor, a video co-processor and it has a 640x480 VGA resolution, while the HP has CVGA at lower resolution. In addition, it had more onboard memory to store programs and run multiple things at once.
People use these for watching movies, TV, Gaming, MP3, Business applications (Much improved in Mobile 5.0) and lots more.
The forum I found http://www.aximsite.com/boards/index.php being like this one and the Dell replacement policy of sending you the replacement before you ship the old one back also were pluses in Dell Column. I figured the forum would offset having to talk to Mujabar in India when I call. In other words, I am going into it with low expectations of their technical support. They always answer the phone and are polite, but the outsourced folks tend to follow flow charts without really knowing the product.
Dell is always running deals on the web site. Through the axim forum, I found out the best deals are through the small business portal rather than from the Home portal on Dell.com.
I found a great deal for $369 that included $119 of other stuff; larger spare battery and 3-1 cable set. http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/hot_offers_axim?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
I am now a small business named "Romer Associates". Use the web site, the phone guy wanted to create an account. The web site doesn't make you and allows you to pay with paypal.
Now that I have my base system selected, I bought an 8GB Compact Flash Card with the intent of using it for MP3's, Video, etc. I also bought a 4GB SD card at an amazing deal for $69 before the $17 rebate. http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4962201 Awesome deal.
I had almost 25 Hours of MP3's on 1.7GB in my Garmin M3, this should allow at least 100 hours.
Now to decide on which GPS Receiver and software package. I wanted to make sure what I bought used the newest SIRF 3 chipset for more sensitivity. I also wanted blue tooth so I could carry it in my pocket if I wanted to while out walking or traveling. I selected the Globalsat 338 Bluetooth receiver.
The next key item is the software package. After a lot of research, iGuidance and TomTom seem to be the two best. I selected the iGuidance based on the reviews making it seem a better fit for me. This will take care of all the road driving. http://www.inavcorp.com/products/iguidance21.html
The reviews on the site say that backcountry navigator http://www.backcountrynavigator.com/content/blogcategory/67/46/ seems like a good product to try. There are others listed that can be tried, some for free. They give you up to date topo maps and aloow more views than the Garmin topo products did.
I bought the GPS receiver and software as a bundle, and going through the Axim forum, received a discount. Start with this link to evaluate all kinds of bundles or separate GPS items:
http://www.buygpsnow.com/aximsite_discounts_for_members.asp
Remember the coupon code for checkout. I didn't care for the deals on that page, but the prices once you move past are pretty good.
So, I should be getting all this stuff this week and hooking it up next week to test it out.
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