New PDA

[AAXD]

I'm in the market for a new PDA and was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on their good points and bad points. I'd like to spend around $450 tops. I'll mainly be using it for wireless web browsing as well as using it as a handheld gps unit while flying. I have seen several programs that use aircraft sectional charts on the pdas to transpose location etc. Do any have USB ports? I have a USB gps for my laptop and was wondering if I could use it with a PDA as well.
Thanks.

[LRArt]

I have a PDA that I CAN'T Find .

But I do have a GSP unit for it that gouse into the Memory slot ( it think it's the compact flash ) . it's the one that looks simular to the laptop PCMCP<- what ever the name is .

I paid only $75 fot that GPS Unit 3 years ago . Now they are $150 . Posibly because of all the softwere that came out onto the market like Tom Tom .

Here is how I would do it .

Get a PDA like Tohiba that has two flash card ports . internal Wireless network card . look also for 64mb of memory or more cause the maps for tom tom will take up that much for one state . and ofcourse more flash cards so you can have the maps on them .

I forgot the model of my Toshiba , but you don't have to get it . you can get anything that's a better PDA for the price if there is one .

[imag]

AAXD,
PocketPC's or Palm PDA's are a lot of fun with GPS systems. Here are some ideas for your future PDA/PocketPC.

HP makes really good PocketPC's called the iPaq. Current new models are the hx2000 series types. The top of the range unit has lots of internal memory, fastest CPU, biometric finger reader, but no VGA screen.

Dell makes great also great PocketPC's, called Axim. Their top range model is a unit with a VGA screen.
VGA screens are great, but consume more power and are slower in update time, compared to traditional PocketPC screens of 320x240 (QVGA).
All top range units come equipped with Wifi (Wireless Ethernet interface) and Bluetooth.
Check out ideas at www.ipaqhq.com and www.aximsite.com where you can browse the forums.
Probably most GPS mapping software manufacturers offer aviation maps. I know this for the company who's product I use. www.Teletype.com.

Your current GPS, you may have to get a serial cable for the PocketPC that you ultimately buy. Check the Navigation software manufacturers websites for GPS compatibility charts before you buy their software and/or hardware. Not required if you use a Bluetooth enable configuration -> no messy cables.

Lastly, typically PocketPC's do not have USB ports. There are SD cards with USB ports on them that you may interface to.

Hope it helps.

[dnc]

Originally Posted by imag

Lastly, typically PocketPC's do not have USB ports. There are SD cards with USB ports on them that you may interface to.

Really? Could you point me in the right direction?

I have an iPaq 1940 and had one of the first iPaqs before that, HP (well, they are technically Compaq's) make VERY good, sturdy PDA's that are almost faultless. If you need one that will last, go HP. My first one still works (except the battery is dead) and my current one is still at 100%...no scratches or problems either!

[OneofaKind]

I got T-Mobile's MDA pda phone.

Provides all the regular PDA function including wireless web browsing together with mobile phone functionality

[hokeshel]

Maybe you can find one at an online auction. I wouldn't buy it from just anyone but, there are manufacturer auctions sometimes. I would try that.

[jackd]

Originally Posted by OneofaKind

I got T-Mobile's MDA pda phone.

Provides all the regular PDA function including wireless web browsing together with mobile phone functionality

is that the compact or the compact II model I was looking at it a product you would recomend for accessing email facilities and especially abroad(mainland europe)?