Rouge Star

I have re-done this and hopefully included some usefull information and observations.
Ok I have only seen these at Frys thus far. (Please note, the box is not the usual HP Blue & White, it's mainly Black & Red)
I will break this up in to four parts, Now on to my 2 cent's.

The Unwrap:
The box is loaded, iPAQ, Charger, Car Charger, Car Cradle w/suction cup mount, 2 USB Sync/Charge cables
(can be used for Sync and with included charger/car chargers) Slip Case & Documentation Pack.

Hardware:
Wireless - I have done basic testing of all the wireless & GPS functions and all worked well
(GPS seems to take a while from a cold start) WiFi connected right up to my "G" gateway,
Bluetooth paired up with my Moto v195 no problem.
(One note on the BT Phone Manager, I had a problem at first, this was caused by
its autodetect configuring my gprs internet for Cingular when I have
T-Mobile, I manually corrected this and no further issues).

IR - This device has no IR port, Not a deal breaker but I wish it had one.

Screen - The screen is a good size for a non VGA device and has very good color. Viewability was ok both Indoors & Outdoors. The screen did seem a bit slow to respond at times but to me not as bat as some have claimed (find one, play with it and judge for yourself).


The Case - I am not a big fan of gloss finish cases, aside from that it's has a very clean look and
aside from a slightly slipery feel is easy to work with, Also of note is the top & right side being a
kind of rust color with a rubber like feel. The SD slot also on the top next to the record button, The Stylus is
on the bottom Left and it's very flush with the already smooth case and a bit hard to get at for me anyway

Buttons - The buttons are mostly along the side (there are two on the front below the D-Pad, ok/close & Windows.
these two cant't be re-mapped) The remaining four along the side and one on top can be re-mappedand
(top - record, side - HP Launcher, Navigation, Windows Media, Screen Rotate) I am still un-decided on
the whole LandScape PDA thing. The D-Pad is one peice and supports nine way movement but seems a
bit mushy as noted in the big reviews (Kinda reminds me of some early Tohsiba PDAs
*works well but takes some getting used to*)

Battery - I have not done any real testing here but base performance seems good so far.

The Protective Case - A very basic slip case very similar to the case that came with the iPAQ 22xx.

Software/OS:
This PocketPC has WM5.1 with the Security Feature Pack, all the standard apps are there plus the
aditional bundled apps, WorldMate 2006 Std(A must have app for me), RhinoCode Today Panel Lite
(I bought the Pro Upgrade), HP Photo Smart Mobile foe picture support(Good image support), The new HP Launcher
(I usually do not use big launchers, I prefer a Today plugin that I can have my most used apps in)
Tom Tom Nav 6 comes pre installed and uses about 1.50 GB of the file store
(I like it, it can display 2d & 3d I prefer 2d display) there is not the online activation that seems to be common with
Tom Tom but You may want to be careful with these files because I have not found any provision to reinstall
them if deleted. I have also tested the GPS with Navio & Pocket Streets 2006 and there were no issues.

Overall Performance:
I have had this iPAQ for just over a day and I think the unit performes well, it has a Samsung 400mhz
processor and this device has kept pace with my usage so far (no real stress tests here but base performance is good).

Pros:
Good Screen
2GB File store (500mb user available) & 70mb of base user storage
Fully Equipped
GPS uses SIRFstarIII


Cons:
Glossy Case is a fingerprint magnet
Would have prefered stylus on top right (is on bottom left)
Rather Expensive $599 list

Overall I think Some will like it, Some will Hate it & Some will be on the fence like me with likes & dislikes. Perhaps I will keep this one...My Advice is if you are thinking about this device, think about what you want your PDA to do and then get some hands on with one and judge for yourself if it's the device for you.

__________________
Mobility! Current PDA hx4700 WM5 2GB MiniSD

rao5538

Hello,
I just want one basic fact that seems to be missing from product reviews on the web. Does this product give street names? For example will it say trun right on Elm Street, approaching interstate 80 etc.
thanks
rao

aawil

I just got mine yesterday. I wonder if a mini-usb headset will work with skype's new beta? I thought I had a motorola one laying around from my phone but I can't seem to find it. Too bad the bluetooth headsets don't work.

mjones5970

Skype works with my config. I have a rx5915 and installed skype on it using usb synch. I use the built in mic. and the stereo mini connection to portable earbuds. Works well. I still dontget all my incoming calls, but its handy. Better than spending 30-50 a month just for voice... Ouch. I was spending 96.00 with Cingular with a data plan and voice. Now I use T-Mobile hotspot and Skype. It cost me 15.00 for the year for a Skype number, and 29.99/month unlimited hotspot usage and its everywhere I need it. I even travel all over the U.S.

Tom Tom is great, no it does not voice the street only says turn up ahead, turn left... that sort of thing. The street names you can have displayed in various forms. I like having the upcoming street under the directions. And yes the 2d mapping is much clearer.

Only drawback so far has been the power and range of the wireless G. I lost connection while going out to my car about 30 ft. away. I get clear reception on my laptop card. Its good though, maybe where I have my router I'll try a few other locations to see if I can get a stronger signal. Out inthe living room (8 ft. and 2 walls) I get 93%. It might be signal dispersion outside don't know yet. Inside it's bouncing off walls, so you normally get better recept indoors.

Battery lasts nearly 24 hours in sleep mode. Wireless and max memory load take the battery in about 2 hours. Not to worry almost never use the wireless for more than an hour at a time. And if I needed to would just plug into my car.

I tested a few SD cards and shrunk a version of Christmas Story on a Sandisk 2GB. It looked great and ran well. Battery lasted the whole movie got down to 38%. That was the only thing running. Speaker output was through headphones.

Anyone test a bigger card yet. There are 4 GB SD cards now. would they work with the Ipaq's? I have only heard that 1 GB would work but I use a 2GB fine. Also the High speed SD or ultra II. Would these be supported?