Pocket PC - any good? GPS?

demonboy

demonboy

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I've suddenly had this urge to look into pocket pcs, but I don't know what they can offer me. I'm looking for something that, in order of priority, can do the following:

a) Run GPS and plotting SW - would it have a GPS antena add-on or is it built in?
b) Run independantly - not need to be bluetoothed to a notebook or pc
c) May be charged by 12volt
d) Can also run basic word processor and other windows based programs
e) Allows me to play/store other data including music
f) Talks to other hardware like notebook, tv, RCA inputs etc etc

I'm really just interested in people's opinions and experiences (not whether I should waste my money on one, just what they could offer me). Is there anything else really obvious that they could be used for? What kind of software can I get for them?

As usual, any help greatly appreciated.
 
Hi,

I have a Mio 168 and it has all the above. I bought it after having a XDA II and a Bluetooth GPS receiver, because this unit has a built in receiver. MS Word and Excel all run on it too. I have a 1 gig MMC card in it allowing me to store music, movies and software.
The only link I use is MS Activesync to link it to my laptop and update software of contacts etc.

Mio 168 - Summary!!

a) GPS antanea is a small flap on the back of the unit.
b) Yes, is a standalone Pocket PC.
c) I use a car cigarette lighter lead to charge it.
d) Runs MS programs such as Word, Excel and Outlook, as well as Media Player etc
e) Yes, use the MMC card to store such data.
f) Talks to my laptop using MS ActiveSync.

I hope this helps
Mike
 
Yes, Mike, that does help! I forgot to ask a couple more questions:

1) Does it run normal windows software or does it have to be Microsoft Windows Mobile specific?
2) Can you get comprehensive mapping software that's good enough to navigate with?

Why did you opt for the Mio, Mike? Was it the built-in antena? I spotted the Garmin iQue M5 but CNET wasn't too kind about its price and its screen. Does yours have wi-fi?
 
Last year I bought one from Aldi for £250 with a three year guarantee, road software and four discs of maps of western europe. I think the charts would be ok from examination at the LBS but the screen would be too dim to use in a cockpit in sunlight. And it is not waterproof. I'll keep it for the car and bike.
 
Hi,

1) I think they need specific software to run on the windows mobile OS, but you can download these from any newsgroup.
2) I must admit, I do not use it to navigate with (well only on roads, for which I use Tom Tom) but I am sure the software must be available.

Yes, I must admit that it was the built in antana that did it for me, I just got fed up with activated and connecting on bluetooth, plus it was 2 units to keep charged.
Nope, sorry, no WiFi. You could go for the XDA IIs (or is it the i) and a bluetooth GPS receiver (£90), that has WiFi and is also a pocket PC/Mobile phone.

Thanks
Mike
 
bought an ipaq 3630 for £100, then a navman gps jacket for £98. the navman comes with all singing and talking maps for uk and europe so works great in the car, i use maptech charts on my laptop and bought software for £39 off them which allows it to read the maptech charts. it has a 12v cigar lighter supply, it runs windows 2000 ce with pocket word excel etc. it is great, gives a running track of where you are, i bought the hardware off ebay, there are loads of these there so go and have a look and bid on them!!
stu
 
Hi, If you are due a phone upgrade, depending on what tariff you are on you could go for an o2 XDA2i, I use it for car nav, boat nav,mobile phone, excel, word, etc it has wi-fi and gprs so you can check emails & internet access, I use a bluetooth GPS gives about 10 hrs, and memory map charts works well Paid £49.99 on an upgrade for it, but have since seen them for £9.99 on a one year contract.
Hope this helps
 
Another one to look at is the I-mate PDA2K. You can buy a bluetooth GPS for it. It has a WIFI link so when you are in the marina in a wireless zone you can get the news, weather forecast, pick up emails etc as well. I have had one for 6 months, only complaint is that the battery life is not what a Palm pilot gives you - but the same as an IPAQ. If you search the web you can get quite good deals.

They are functionally v rich - you even get pocket SKYPE so in the marina you can use VOIP for free calls - not bad. Or you can use it as a modem to pick up emails if you want them on a bigger screen.
 
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