alternative to HP rx9500 seems perfect except for battery

[dellybeanhead]

I am looking for a satnav device pda, pna or whatever.
All I need is a system that can run memmory map and/or oziexplorer so a win ce .net device will not work (like the medion pna that I currently have).
It needs to have a proper op sys.

to come with a satnav software that includes Uk and europe deatiled maps.

readable in daylight

and have a very good battery life.

It's for use whilst paragliding and driving so a system with only a few buttons and lots of screen. Also I woudl prefer it to be a lanscape type screen, like on in car sat nav systems.

The HP rx9500 looked perfect but it only has a 4hour battery life and no battery upgarde is available.

I am very frustrated now as trying to find a site that compares models and includes operating system and battery life does not seem to exist.

PLEASE HELP. I AM NOW SICK OF LOOKING!!!

Thanks.

[philpugh]

Battery life is always a problem with PDA / Phone based systems - and never believe the manufacturers' figures - they use conditions that are not really representative of real life.

What you could do is to build your own extended battery pack for a PDA. Search these forums as there have been several discussions about how to do it.

I made one for an iPaq 3660 for use on my cycle - it involved a 6v 9.6AHr sealed lead-acid (SLA) unit which would keep it powered for longer than I cared to ride each day - did the Workington to Sunderland cycle route (C2C) over three days using it for about 10hrs/day with recharge overnight - worked well. The battery fitted very nicely into a drink holder on the frame. You should be able to rig up something similar which would mount to the frame of your micro-light. You could use multiple AA rechargeables instead of SLA to extend the life to several hours.

Silly as it may seem you could investigate headlamp units for cycles - there are some very high capacity systems out there delivering 6V - which would be usable by many PDAs out there today. Just need to change the plug on the end.

As for PDA - choice is up to you. I have DELL AXIM X51v - very nice screen 640*480 - readable in daylight without backlight on - but it does like use power. Runs WM5 so you can switch between portrait and landscape. I have OziExplorer and MemoryMap on it - very nice to use.

Other option could be a hand-held mapping GPS unit - these have very good battery life (~18hrs on 2 AAs quoted - assume 12hrs for normal use!) but limited in mapping and usually small screen. Check-out the GARMIN website www.garmin.com for info. They do have aero specific models - at a price.
_________________
Phil

[mikealder]

You could consider one of These I use a slightly smaller capacity one and find its great in use. There is one entered as a prize in the Saturday Expo draw. Great product but you will need to make sure the connector will fit the device - Mike

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