PDA with 802.11b

Jack155Q4 · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:10 pm Post subject: PDA with 802.11b

Hi all, another newbie, was not quite sure where to put this as its not striclty a GPS question but im sure a lot of you wil have answers.

I am looking to buy a PDA to replace my iPaq 3950 - I want one with built in wireless/bluetooth etc and a 640 x 480 res, I like te Dell Axim X50V

My question is, how good is the wireless 802.11b capabilities? Can I connect to access points and use the web and email easily? what are download speeds like? Is it reliable?

I mainly want this so that I can take it on holiday and have web access etc.

The 640 x 480 should allow good page viewing I believe.

Any comments would be appreciated :D

Cheers
Jack

StevenGourlay · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:29 pm Post subject:

as long as the wifi router is set to mixed mode then it will work fine.
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mikealder · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:07 pm Post subject:

my mate has a dell x50v - my only concern it the battery life, not on par with the ipaq4700 - still its a great unit for the price - personally i find the vga only partially useful on the ipaq - there isn't too much difference between the 4700 and the xda i am using at the moment - spec wise the dell also only equipped with 64mb memory - this could be an issue 128mb is a better bet these days if you want to future proof you purchase - mike

Jack155Q4 · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:38 pm Post subject:

8) Thanks guys, Another quick Q, roughly how long from a full charge will the Dell last for when using TOMTOM navigator and a CF GPS card?

Thanks

mikealder · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 8:20 pm Post subject:

with the WIFI on and powered by the battery expect no more than 1,5 hours - you could get a second battery and "hot swap" but thats not ideal, the ipaq I use lasts for around 2,5 hours off a full charge with the WIFI enabled, maybe some one knows of a larger capacity battery that will fit the Dell unit???

gw · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 15, 2005 Posts: 28

There is a larger battery with a modified cover which doubles capacity.

Jack155Q4 · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 9:51 pm Post subject:

Not too bad for me - does the same to for using a CF GPS card as it does for having WIFI enabled?

It seems an in-car charger is only £10 for longer journeys :D

Jack155Q4 · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:19 pm Post subject:

also in addition to the above, how do I go about connecting up to access points in other countries and does it cost very much - say for 1 hour a day - what would I pay - do I need a service provider?

I know the obvious is to find a non-encrypted/WEP router and connect to it and use the broadband - but this is naughty and wants to be done the correct way ;) ;)

mtvib · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 2:47 pm Post subject:

i have a 4700 and an account with BT openzone but found the overseas roaming costs quite high. Sad

to check email is cheaper and as easy to dial up with gprs via my mobile.
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Ipaq 4700 with TTN5 BT 1gb sd

Darren · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 4:00 pm Post subject:

Jack155Q4 · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 4:06 pm Post subject:

Many thanks, I am going to America in Oct, I hear the hotel wi-fi rates can be quite cheap there.

Thanks for the advice - just wish blooody TT5 would show up at me door! :D :D

mikealder · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 5:32 pm Post subject:

jack - read the link below for some useful info on cf gps
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=24271&start=0
the XDAIIs I use most of the time hasn't got the vga but i don't miss it - it has bt, wifi and via gprs internet access all the time you need it (and its free) - sat in local pub typing this on gprs as the wifi is down at the moment - for 99 quid its a bargain and comes with 128mb memory - only down side is no cf slot - only a single sdio slot - i only went this way to avoid carrying a phone and pda - all eggs in one basket but worth considering at the price - mike
ps you got the vs3 working yet?

Darren · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 5:59 pm Post subject:

Jack155Q4 · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 6:04 pm Post subject:

mikealder · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 7:29 pm Post subject:

Hi chaps, back using the main PC so no longer on GPRS, have a read at the following link, O2 "reserve the right to charge" but as yet are not implementing it - I have been using my XDA on the internet for around two and a bit months, and so far I have never been charged for what I have done, I enjoy the freedom delivered by the device.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=23384&highlight=free+gprs

The free WIFI spot is in my local pub and not just a "hijack" of an existing system, some of us that use PPC / PC had a word with the landlord, and installed a wifi switch router onto the back of his ADSL modem - similar set-up to the one I use at home, the time I spent in there earlier today the WIFI was down so I just used the GPRS - I know O2 quote £2.51 per MB or part of but so far I have received nothng on my last two bills.

Off camping with missus and kids next week so if I am on line it will be via gprs - drives HID (her in doors) mad still having the internet avail when on holiday where ever we are (within reason/ range of mobile phone) but there you go - Mike

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