which PDA would you get

[5489]

Palm Tungsten E - 199.00
-or-
Axim X30 312MHz With Integrated Wireless. - 279.00
(im sure i can find better prices, but just for comparing)

things i would like to do:
- keep appointments obviously
- save text files with information that i would need (username/passwords, directions?, etc...)
- mp3's, movies
- i would like to somehow get some sort of GPS in the future for trips.

out of these, which one would be the better choice, and more reliable (if that's a factor)
how much would a GPS setup go for

i noticed there is a download to PDA link on mapquest. do people use that, or is it easier to print it out on paper?

any help or suggestions would be appreciated, or if anyone wants to suggest any other PDA's

EDIT: how useful is integrated wireless and bluetooth? not sure if the tungsten E has those, and lastly, how do you sync your PDA with outlook. would you connect it through a cable/dock or could it be wireless also.

 

[SearchMaster]

I have an Axim X5 (the original Axim)....I know nothing about Palms, so I'll try to answer some of your other questions.

i noticed there is a download to PDA link on mapquest. do people use that, or is it easier to print it out on paper?

I do it from time to time - basically it just sends turn-by-turn directions to your Avantgo account.

how useful is integrated wireless and bluetooth?

Bluetooth is perfect if you're looking to use a GPS in the future. The X30 only has an SD slot, so you couldn't use a compact flash GPS - Bluetooth would be about your only choice. Plus it eliminates the need for a wire running from your PDA to the dashboard. Integrated wireless has many useful applications. I personally don't generally surf the web from mine because it's just too small, but my buddy has an X30 which can go landscape mode and he finds surfing pretty useful. One cool thing I do is have my PC broadcast what is coming in on the TV tuner via Windows Media Encoder (free from MS), then I can watch TV on the Axim.

would you connect it through a cable/dock or could it be wireless also.

Yes, and yes.

Other cool things - you can often find the X30 624 MHz for around $260-$270. I would recommend waiting for that price if you're willing to pay the $279 you listed above. It will allow you to run a Playstation emulator at full 30fps. Otherwise, the base X30 will run emulators for all the old game systems (NES, Atari, SuperNES, Genesis, etc.) Not sure if the Palms can do that type of thing (though I wouldn't be surprised if they can). Also, I bought a program for about $30 that will convert a DVD to a Pocket DivX file, so the kids often watch their movies. They run about 100MB/hour.

Hope that helps.

 

[CombatChuk]

I like the tungsten E. It's pretty light and easy to use. And with an SD card you'll be able to play MP3's...

 

[AnyMal]

Axim. Better mulimedia, more PC-like feel. With Bluetooth you can get a wireless GPS unit, they are dropping in prices and you can get one for around $150.00

 

[Scarpozzi]

Axim....

 

[FrustratedUser]

Sharp Zaurus 6000

 

[RossMAN]

Axim X30 hands down but $279 is a high price I've seen it for around $229-ish after coupons.

 

[GoingUp]

I have the X30 624mhz and its simply amazing.

 

[5489]

Other cool things - you can often find the X30 624 MHz for around $260-$270. I would recommend waiting for that price if you're willing to pay the $279 you listed above. It will allow you to run a Playstation emulator at full 30fps. Otherwise, the base X30 will run emulators for all the old game systems (NES, Atari, SuperNES, Genesis, etc.) Not sure if the Palms can do that type of thing (though I wouldn't be surprised if they can). Also, I bought a program for about $30 that will convert a DVD to a Pocket DivX file, so the kids often watch their movies. They run about 100MB/hour.

Other than the 624MHz being useful for games, are there any other reasons to get the 624MHz over the 312? Would the 624MHz be better for any of the GPS programs. I was reading the forums, and someone had problems with lag on his PDA.

Axim. Better mulimedia, more PC-like feel. With Bluetooth you can get a wireless GPS unit, they are dropping in prices and you can get one for around $150.00

can someone give me links to some popular GPS units that would work with bluetooth?

 

[Doggiedog]

GPS on PDAs is not ready IMO.

I thought I could replace my Garmin GPS with my Axim X5 and GPS. Unfortunately, there are a lot of drawbacks to GPS most notably with the software.

I have not found a program that dynamically loads maps from the flash card to the PDA. I live in the NYC tri-state area and cannot have too many maps loaded because of the large of amount of data. If I wanted to map out a trip to Boston, I would need to manually load the county maps into the PDA which is a real PITA. If you don't mind some preparation work, then the GPS will be ok but if you expect to turn it on and go, then you will probably not be happy.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: 5489

Axim. Better mulimedia, more PC-like feel. With Bluetooth you can get a wireless GPS unit, they are dropping in prices and you can get one for around $150.00

can someone give me links to some popular GPS units that would work with bluetooth?

I've seen a few mentioned on AximSite.com in their GPS Talk forum.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
GPS on PDAs is not ready IMO.

I thought I could replace my Garmin GPS with my Axim X5 and GPS. Unfortunately, there are a lot of drawbacks to GPS most notably with the software.

I have not found a program that dynamically loads maps from the flash card to the PDA. I live in the NYC tri-state area and cannot have too many maps loaded because of the large of amount of data. If I wanted to map out a trip to Boston, I would need to manually load the county maps into the PDA which is a real PITA. If you don't mind some preparation work, then the GPS will be ok but if you expect to turn it on and go, then you will probably not be happy.

Uhh, don't make brash generalizations

I use an iPAQ 4150 and a Belkin Bluetooth GPS (Routis based). Maps are on a state by state basis. I have maps loaded of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, DC and Maryland loaded onto my 512MB Secure Digital card.

As long as I'm within those states, I'm fine with the GPS software. It will do point to point, turn by turn directions from South Carolina all the way to Maryland without so much as a hiccup along the way.

 

[HiTek21]

i have the older X3i and I love it, I wish I would of waited to get the new X30 with the 624mhz processor bluetooth and wifi.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
GPS on PDAs is not ready IMO.

I thought I could replace my Garmin GPS with my Axim X5 and GPS. Unfortunately, there are a lot of drawbacks to GPS most notably with the software.

I have not found a program that dynamically loads maps from the flash card to the PDA. I live in the NYC tri-state area and cannot have too many maps loaded because of the large of amount of data. If I wanted to map out a trip to Boston, I would need to manually load the county maps into the PDA which is a real PITA. If you don't mind some preparation work, then the GPS will be ok but if you expect to turn it on and go, then you will probably not be happy.

Uhh, don't make brash generalizations

I use an iPAQ 4150 and a Belkin Bluetooth GPS (Routis based). Maps are on a state by state basis. I have maps loaded of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, DC and Maryland loaded onto my 512MB Secure Digital card.

As long as I'm within those states, I'm fine with the GPS software. It will do point to point, turn by turn directions from South Carolina all the way to Maryland without so much as a hiccup along the way.

What software do you use?

I've been using Mapopolis and can tell you it stinks even though people regard it highly. I have all my maps loaded into my 256MB SD card too but I can't have all my county maps loaded into the PDA because of the internal memory limit. Try loading in all the counties of NYC and Northern NJ. You can't do it. Now if someone could come up with a program that can dynamically load maps into the program as you get closer to county or state borders, I will buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[Mr N8]

I just had to make that choice, and I went with the X30. Actually, it was between the X30, Tungsten E and Tungsten C.

I decided taht WiFi and Bluetooth would be used, so I dropped the Tungsten E. The Axim kills the Palm on price : performance, and I have been extremely happy with it. In fact, I got a GPS system for it, and it took me from Milwaukee, WI to Rochester NY flawlessly. Then from Rochester to Niagara and back to Milwaukee.

 

[5489]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
GPS on PDAs is not ready IMO.

I thought I could replace my Garmin GPS with my Axim X5 and GPS. Unfortunately, there are a lot of drawbacks to GPS most notably with the software.

I have not found a program that dynamically loads maps from the flash card to the PDA. I live in the NYC tri-state area and cannot have too many maps loaded because of the large of amount of data. If I wanted to map out a trip to Boston, I would need to manually load the county maps into the PDA which is a real PITA. If you don't mind some preparation work, then the GPS will be ok but if you expect to turn it on and go, then you will probably not be happy.

i dont mind loading in the starting and destination point at home or something before i leave. some preparation at home i dont mind. as long as it somehow tells me where to turn, and when to turn. are voice directions capable?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
GPS on PDAs is not ready IMO.

I thought I could replace my Garmin GPS with my Axim X5 and GPS. Unfortunately, there are a lot of drawbacks to GPS most notably with the software.

I have not found a program that dynamically loads maps from the flash card to the PDA. I live in the NYC tri-state area and cannot have too many maps loaded because of the large of amount of data. If I wanted to map out a trip to Boston, I would need to manually load the county maps into the PDA which is a real PITA. If you don't mind some preparation work, then the GPS will be ok but if you expect to turn it on and go, then you will probably not be happy.

Uhh, don't make brash generalizations

I use an iPAQ 4150 and a Belkin Bluetooth GPS (Routis based). Maps are on a state by state basis. I have maps loaded of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, DC and Maryland loaded onto my 512MB Secure Digital card.

As long as I'm within those states, I'm fine with the GPS software. It will do point to point, turn by turn directions from South Carolina all the way to Maryland without so much as a hiccup along the way.

What software do you use?

I've been using Mapopolis and can tell you it stinks even though people regard it highly. I have all my maps loaded into my 256MB SD card too but I can't have all my county maps loaded into the PDA because of the internal memory limit. Try loading in all the counties of NYC and Northern NJ. You can't do it. Now if someone could come up with a program that can dynamically load maps into the program as you get closer to county or state borders, I will buy it in a heartbeat.

http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/deluoroutis.php

Even when traveling in downtown Baltimore, I've never had a problem

 

[ironcrotch]

teh polls? they do not work?

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: 5489

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
GPS on PDAs is not ready IMO.

I thought I could replace my Garmin GPS with my Axim X5 and GPS. Unfortunately, there are a lot of drawbacks to GPS most notably with the software.

I have not found a program that dynamically loads maps from the flash card to the PDA. I live in the NYC tri-state area and cannot have too many maps loaded because of the large of amount of data. If I wanted to map out a trip to Boston, I would need to manually load the county maps into the PDA which is a real PITA. If you don't mind some preparation work, then the GPS will be ok but if you expect to turn it on and go, then you will probably not be happy.

i dont mind loading in the starting and destination point at home or something before i leave. some preparation at home i dont mind. as long as it somehow tells me where to turn, and when to turn. are voice directions capable?

If the maps are loaded, it works great. Its just sometimes I don't have time to prepare and just want to grab my GPS and go to say a park in Connecticut. I would need to know all the counties that I pass through on the way to the park because loading 2 states would be too much.

NFS4, I will check it out. It doesn't sound like it has dynamic map loading though.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: 5489

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
GPS on PDAs is not ready IMO.

I thought I could replace my Garmin GPS with my Axim X5 and GPS. Unfortunately, there are a lot of drawbacks to GPS most notably with the software.

I have not found a program that dynamically loads maps from the flash card to the PDA. I live in the NYC tri-state area and cannot have too many maps loaded because of the large of amount of data. If I wanted to map out a trip to Boston, I would need to manually load the county maps into the PDA which is a real PITA. If you don't mind some preparation work, then the GPS will be ok but if you expect to turn it on and go, then you will probably not be happy.

i dont mind loading in the starting and destination point at home or something before i leave. some preparation at home i dont mind. as long as it somehow tells me where to turn, and when to turn. are voice directions capable?

If the maps are loaded, it works great. Its just sometimes I don't have time to prepare and just want to grab my GPS and go to say a park in Connecticut. I would need to know all the counties that I pass through on the way to the park because loading 2 states would be too much.

NFS4, I will check it out. It doesn't sound like it has dynamic map loading though.

What I don't understand is all of this county loading stuff you're talking about. Routis does it by state, so you don't have to worry about loading county by county.

Also, if I chose to travel from say...Raleigh, NC to Baltimore, MD as I did last weekend, all I had to do was punch in my grandmother's address in Baltimore, MD and it automatically calculated my route and ETA. I followed it from US64 to I95 to I295 back to I95 to I395 back to I95 and then into Baltimore. No intervention was required from me other than to type in my destination

 

[Ketteringo]

I love my X30 I play Simcity 2000, Worms World Party, Age of Empires, etc. on it NES emulation = completely badass, as is the GBA emulation.

Plus, the Wifi is awesome. I chat on AIM during classes

The bluetooth/IR is perfect for sending files to/from my cell phone.

The calendar is invaluable for keeping track of assignments and setting reminders.

I have a 512MB card w/ 2 full length divx movies on it for when I travel.

The MP3 player is awesome, just make sure to turn off the backlight

Oh yeah, chicks dig it

 

[5489]

If i get one of the previously mentioned GPS systems, would i be able to use it on my laptop instead of an PDA?

 

[dighn]

i would get the axim. b/c that's what i ordered after considerable research and it should arrived today or tomorrow

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Doggiedog

Originally posted by: 5489

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
GPS on PDAs is not ready IMO.

I thought I could replace my Garmin GPS with my Axim X5 and GPS. Unfortunately, there are a lot of drawbacks to GPS most notably with the software.

I have not found a program that dynamically loads maps from the flash card to the PDA. I live in the NYC tri-state area and cannot have too many maps loaded because of the large of amount of data. If I wanted to map out a trip to Boston, I would need to manually load the county maps into the PDA which is a real PITA. If you don't mind some preparation work, then the GPS will be ok but if you expect to turn it on and go, then you will probably not be happy.

i dont mind loading in the starting and destination point at home or something before i leave. some preparation at home i dont mind. as long as it somehow tells me where to turn, and when to turn. are voice directions capable?

If the maps are loaded, it works great. Its just sometimes I don't have time to prepare and just want to grab my GPS and go to say a park in Connecticut. I would need to know all the counties that I pass through on the way to the park because loading 2 states would be too much.

NFS4, I will check it out. It doesn't sound like it has dynamic map loading though.

What I don't understand is all of this county loading stuff you're talking about. Routis does it by state, so you don't have to worry about loading county by county.

Also, if I chose to travel from say...Raleigh, NC to Baltimore, MD as I did last weekend, all I had to do was punch in my grandmother's address in Baltimore, MD and it automatically calculated my route and ETA. I followed it from US64 to I95 to I295 back to I95 to I395 back to I95 and then into Baltimore. No intervention was required from me other than to type in my destination

YGPM

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: 5489
If i get one of the previously mentioned GPS systems, would i be able to use it on my laptop instead of an PDA?

The hardware might work if you get an adapter but I doubt the software will unless your laptop understands PPC.