oakleaf7

...but have no clue how to customize it. I am a newbie to these handheld units.

I need PDA, Outlook stuff for sure. Am a Word, Excel power user and Access application developer at work. Enjoy the occasional MP3 so that seems like a cool option. (Not having to bring CDROM player when traveling).

I'm thinking extra sync cable, one for home other for work, extra battery for travel. SD Memory card will find cheaper on pricewatch.com so will skip for now.

Thoughts? Any thing I should also consider? Thanks muchly!

__________________
There are 10 types of people. Those who understand binary, and
those who don't.

falgun

I would say go for the axim 400. It comes with a copy of outlook 2000 i think although i have not tried it yet. Also comes with the word and excel. it comes with a cradle and power, and if you think u will be using both at work and at home then would recommend you get another cradle or sync cable and another charger. Of course you need to get a SD card or CF card (or both) mainly for your programs and the MP3s. But i would recommend you get those elsewhere because you can find them WAY CHEAPER other places then on DELL. of course if you have the need get the WIRELESS CF card, this thing is very handy. I use it for syncing, and at work we have WAP there and i can catch the internet and sync work files on it. I think that is all i can think of, get a program list ready and download as much as you can to test that way it saves you time. Make sure you get screen protectors, ones i got and most people would tell u to get is the WRITESHILEDS, 3 pack is around 27 bucks i think. One thing i regret not getting is any extra pack if the dell styli, mail because the one it comes with looks somewhat flimsy and i get afraid i will break it if i apply some pressure, so i am ordering a new 3 pack. I think what i wrote made somewhat sense.

JakeRich

I travel a lot, and I haven't seen a need for an extra battery. My flights are usually in the 1-3 hour range, so the battery lasts just fine for those. I do have an extra power supply, and I take one with me in my case, so I can charge the Ax in the hotel room each evening. I have the cradle for home, permanently attached to my desktop machine, and a USB sync cable for the road, plus a serial sync cable for my GPS unit.

You might also look for a case to protect the Ax. I have an iHolster, and have a Sena Case on order.

Welcome to the club!

regibeau

JakeR,

What GPS system do you have? I've been thinking of purchasing but still doing DD. Do you like the one you have? What do you wish it would do that it doesn't.

TIA

Reg

bigdave240

Quote:

Originally posted by JakeRich I have the cradle for home, permanently attached to my desktop machine, and a USB sync cable for the road, plus a serial sync cable for my GPS unit. You might also look for a case to protect the Ax. I have an iHolster, and have a Sena Case on order. Welcome to the club!

I have the serial cable, a etrex legend and an Axim. Had this working with my old Casio but so far no luck with the Axim. I have a null modem cable to connect the dell cable to the GPS. Have you actually gotten this working? Hints plz
Dave Flagg

JakeRich

regibeau, I have a Magellan Meridian Gold. I like it very much. On my "want" list is the compass of the Meridian Platinum, but that was just a few $$ too much. It works well for me. For driving I throw it in the windshield area, connect to the Ax and use Mapopolis for directions. I prefer this to a CF card GPS because I can take the Meridian out in the weather and not worry about it. IF I used a CF card, I think I would go with Holux. Low power consumption and fast locks.

Dave, I think I posted that somewhere here. The only difference I would make to the suggested steps is that I would start Mapopolis before connecting the cable. Activsync looks at the serial port, and if any data appears, it kicks in and tries to sync. That locks up the com port. So, start your mapping software first, let it lock up the port, then connect the serial cable with the GPS running.

If your software doesn't start the com port, use Holux' GPSViewer to initiate the communications with the GPS, then shut it down and start your nav software.

If that doesn't work, PM me and we can talk offline.

oakleaf7

Thanks for the help everyone! I made my purchase as follows:

Intel® X-Scale™ Processor 400Mhz, 48/64MB, 3.5 QVGA Display
64MB Secure Digital Memory Card
Cable USB Cradle and USB Travel Synch Cable
Stylus 3-Pak
Axim X5Screen Protector 12-Pak

Got the Dell 10% off and got an additional 5% off with a coupon code I found at www.fatwallet.com.

Went with the smaller SD memory for now. Thought I needed some, and with the 15% off looked like a reasonable deal. If I find I need more, I'll visit pricewatch.com for best price.

The cradle stays at work, the cable for home and road. Also took the suggestion for additional styli and screen protectors.

Thanks again! Can't wait to get it...

__________________
There are 10 types of people. Those who understand binary, and
those who don't.