I'm glad to have stumbled across this forum. I've been wanting a new pda for a while and am finally ready to get one. I'm now certain that I'm getting the Axim X30 624 mhz (already purchased). For me the question is now, what accessories do I need to get with it? Below is a list of accessories that I think I either need or would like to have. I'd like to buy them all together off the Dell site but if significantly better deals exist elsewhere I might buy seperately. If you have any comments(positive or negative) or suggestions (for or against) about what I'm getting it would help immensely. The lists are in no particular order.
(All products and prices are from Dell.com)
1. Want GPS capability
Considering PHAROS Pocket GPS Navigator ($179.10)
(also is this all I would need for GPS?)
2. Want (probably need) extra memory
Considering SANDISK 256 MB Secure Digital Card ($58.46)
3. Want protective case
Considering RhinoSkin Aluminum Hard Case ($31.46)
4. Want (probably need) extra battery
Considering 950 mAh Secondary Battery ($49.46)
5. Want sync cable/car&AC charger (already comes with cradle which I don't like (not very portable))
Considering 3-in-1 Sync/Charger Travel Kit ($35.99)
6. Want screen protection from scratches
Considering DELL Screen Protector 12-Pack ($17.10)
Anything else you would recommend (ie better deals, alternate or additional solutions)?
Oh, I should probably tell you what I'm looking for out of my Axim.
A. Want it to last me for several years.
B. Want it to be fast.
C. Want to be able to play games (such as Age of Empires).
D. Want to be able to take it anywhere I go.
E. Want enough battery power to last a day of moderate use.
F. Want a GPS.
In commenting, please state if you have the product you are commenting on. Else I'll assume your comments are based on what you have read or heard. Thanks.
1- Get the belkin Bluetooth GPS instead, it is better and is BT, so it is compatible with more than jus tthe x30...link: http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...0&loc=101&sp=1
2- DO NOT buy sandisk sd cards, they are not very compatible with the x30. Just about any other brand will do.
3- Good Choice
4- Good Choice
5- I wouldn't, but if you think you'll use it, go for it
6- Don't get the dell protectors, go with boxwave. I don't have a link, but if you do a search you should find what you need.
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Originally posted by mAXIMum
1. Want GPS capability
Considering PHAROS Pocket GPS Navigator ($179.10)
(also is this all I would need for GPS?)
2. Want (probably need) extra memory
Considering SANDISK 256 MB Secure Digital Card ($58.46)
3. Want protective case
Considering RhinoSkin Aluminum Hard Case ($31.46)
4. Want (probably need) extra battery
Considering 950 mAh Secondary Battery ($49.46)
5. Want sync cable/car&AC charger (already comes with cradle which I don't like (not very portable))
Considering 3-in-1 Sync/Charger Travel Kit ($35.99)
6. Want screen protection from scratches
Considering DELL Screen Protector 12-Pack ($17.10)
1. Belkin is not the only vendor of BT GPS receivers. Although users seem to be happy with it, you should also check out others. Take a look at our review section for more suggestions.
2. Sandisk IS compatible with the X30 (I have two of them.); however, there were initially many reports of problems, especially with the X5. Check out happycheesecake's guide for more details.
4. If you are looking for an extra battery, make sure you check out the ones by Mugen. They are cheaper and have a higher capacity. They are also well liked by the members.
6. There have been many complaints about the Dell protectors. Go with the Boxwaves, as wmcjhi suggested, or with Brando or Writeshields. Check out their reviews here.
Originally posted by wmcjhi 1- Get the belkin Bluetooth GPS instead, it is better and is BT, so it is compatible with more than jus tthe x30...link: http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...0&loc=101&sp=1
2- DO NOT buy sandisk sd cards, they are not very compatible with the x30. Just about any other brand will do.
3- Good Choice
4- Good Choice
5- I wouldn't, but if you think you'll use it, go for it
6- Don't get the dell protectors, go with boxwave. I don't have a link, but if you do a search you should find what you need.
Ok, I'd just like to update everyone on where I currently stand. The information I have gotten from wmcjhi and Gigi has helped lead me towards better or more affordable products.
Here is where I currently stand:
1 - (60/40) Still debating this one. In some aspects I like the Belkin Bluetooth GPS Reciever over the Pharos Serial/USB GPS Navigator, and vise versa. I need to do more research on these two before I can make a decision. They are both priced the same ($180) and I have read good reviews of each. If I had to pick one now I'd probably go with the Belkin as it seems to be more popular by this crowd. I'm looking for the cheapest GPS for what you get. I'm not really considering any of the products that are >$200.
2 - (40/40/20) After exploring these forums I know now that SanDisk is not the way to go. Buy.com has many SD cards and I've narrowed my search down to a few. I'm cosidering 40% Kingston 512 MB ($70 after rebate), 40% Lexar 256 MB 32x ($65), and 20% Kingston 256 MB ($28 after rebate). I like the Kingston 512 because of it's higher storage capacity, but don't like what I've heard about read/write speed. I like the Lexar 256 32x because of it's read/write speed and moderate storage cap. I like the Kingston 256 because it is dirt cheep and I could buy another 256 in the future if I liked it, but again I'm worried about speed.
3 - Almost certain of getting a RhinoSkin. I've read only good things about this case. The only thing now is to find where I can get it for the cheapest. Dell has it for $32.
4 - Decided against the 950 mAh Dell Secondary Battery and have already purchased off Ebay the 1100 mAh Mugen from MEF38 ($38) as recommended by Gigi. I also considered the 2000 mAh but when I found out that it wouldn't fit in my RhinoSkin and would make my pda heavier, I had to say goodbye to that idea for now.
5 - Still considering Belkin 3 in 1 Sync/Charger. I think I will need it. Dell sells for $36. If you know of somewhere cheaper I'd like to know.
6 - (60/20/20) I now know not to get the Dell screen protectors after research and reviews. I now stand at 60% Boxwave, 20% WriteShield, and 20% Brando. More than likely going to go with the Boxwave because it seems to be the most popular with this crowd.
Once I've made all my decisions I'll post an update on what I got and then eventually a review of how I like them. If there is any other accessory that you think I might want to look into, please tell me. Also any comments regarding the one's I'm still thinking about would be greatly appreciated.
Just found a "Now or Never" deal that I just couldn't pass up. Hope the hasty decision doesn't backfire when I actually get and use the product. I just hope the SD Card will satisfy me speed wise.
I bought a Kingston 512 MB SD Card and added a 7-in-1 Card Reader for $89.00+$14.99+$5.95(handling)= $106.94 The mail in rebates are what make it such a great deal. I get a $25 MIR for the SD card and a $14.99 MIR for the Card Reader. So all in all I'll be getting back ~$40. Great deal, for reasonably good products (maybe not the best but hopefully best for the buck). Oh, and I bought it all at ecost.com.
def. go with the mugen, i'm happy as a clam with mine!
with the car charger, i've heard that charging your battery via a car chager tends to deteriorate the quality of the battery, but i don't know how true that is, just thought i'd mention it to see if anyone else has any info about that.
but with the gps, i'd go with the belkin as well, it's on sale now, so if you are thinking about, better make your mind up quick, cause it's actually about a $100 more than that usually. i don't know much about the pharos, so i can't help you, but from the research i've done about the belkin, people are very pleased. good luck!
I just ordered the 3in1 travel kit from Amazon for $27 with free shipping. Wish I had seen this site before I also ordered the 12 pack of Belkin screen protectors ($14 on Amazon), but thats how it goes.
I really needed the kit.. I sort of live in two locations and dont want to have to carry charging gear around. I also wanted to be able to use my PDA on long car trips (or let our son use it) without worrying about battery life. The kit solved both problems.
I ordered the sandisk ultra 512MB, but accidentally ordered the CF card version so I have to send it back anyway. Before I reorder I will rethink that choice. I definitely want a high speed card, but the sandisk ultra is a little pricey compared to others.
Now if my PDA would just arrive, life would start getting better.
Originally posted by Artuk I just ordered the 3in1 travel kit from Amazon for $27 with free shipping. Wish I had seen this site before I also ordered the 12 pack of Belkin screen protectors ($14 on Amazon), but thats how it goes.
Use the Belkin protectors for other things like your cell phone, camera or other small items with a face you want protected. Get the Boxwave. I used Belkin for about 6 months and they are worthless on the PDA. You'll know what I mean when you go to replace it in 3 months. Boxwave is definately worth paying the extra $. And the Belkins do still have a use.
Also, mAXIMum, Check out PPX, Pocket Informant, and Hot Death Uno (Family version).
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Originally posted by CBombC Use the Belkin protectors for other things like your cell phone, camera or other small items with a face you want protected. Get the Boxwave. I used Belkin for about 6 months and they are worthless on the PDA. You'll know what I mean when you go to replace it in 3 months. Boxwave is definately worth paying the extra $. And the Belkins do still have a use.
Also, mAXIMum, Check out PPX, Pocket Informant, and Hot Death Uno (Family version).
Thanks CbombC and Artuk. I definately will go with a Boxwave screen protector. I've also added to the list of things to get. I now figure I need a car mounting kit, and am looking at the Seidio. It looks awesome, but man it is expensive ($75). I guess you get what you pay for though. Check my sig for what I'm currently looking at getting or have already purchased.
Turns out I ordered the wrong 3in1 kit and I will be sending it back with everything else I mis-ordered. I am going to wait until I actually have the thing before I order any more stuff.
PHEW! Just got finished buying all my accessories. Thanks to the help of this thread, coupled with price and product research I finally think I got what I need for my Axim x30. Only problem is now I'm going to be getting all my accessories within the next week or 2 and I still won't have my Axim yet!
I didn't realize coming in that accessories would be so expensive. All in all I spent $485.28 ($445.29 after rebates) on accessories, after only spenting $314 on my Axim X30. That's $800 total which seems like a lot for a pda but I've been wanting one for a while and I know I will get good use out of it. Many of the accessories I bought are almost necessary, but I also threw in some optional "cool" items (mainly GPS and mount). At the original time of the post I planned on buying everything directly from Dell. Well it turns out that none of my accessories are coming from Dell. In fact most of it was purchased from separate sites. Here is a list of the accessories I bought, where I got them from, and how much it cost:
AximCases.com ($32.00 + $6.00 S&H = $38.00)
RhinoSkin Aluminum Hard Case
eCost.com ($89.00 - $25.00 MIR + $14.99 - $14.99 MIR + $5.95 H = $106.94 - $39.99 MIR = $66.95)
Kingston 512 MB SD Memory Card
Syntax 7-in-1 Card Reader
Ebay.com from seller MEF38 ($37.95 + $0.00 S&H = $37.95)
Mugen 1100 mAh Secondary Battery
Semsons.com ($59.99 + $10.99 + $5.99 + $5.99 + $5.99 + $4.99 S&H = $93.94)
Seidio G2500 GPS Ready Car Mount
ZIP-LINQ Retractable Sync-N-Charge Cable
12V DC Auto Plug to 5V USB Adapter
AC Wall Plug to 5V USB Adapter
Bluetooth DC Charging Cable
Of course I'm not done buying, I still need software. But I'll get software after I get my PPC. Thanks again to everyone who has posted in this thread.
Any idea if that "free" card reader is USB 2.0 or 1? On ecost's site it says compatible with USB 1.0 but on syntax's site they only list one model which is 2.0...just curious if someone knows for certain on that...
Any idea if that "free" card reader is USB 2.0 or 1? On ecost's site it says compatible with USB 1.0 but on syntax's site they only list one model which is 2.0...just curious if someone knows for certain on that...
Don't know for certain but if you get it for "free" at eCost.com then it is probably USB 1.1. I imagine that eCost is giving it away free because it is an outdated model. I got it because I don't have one and for "free w/ rebate" it's worth a try even if it isn't USB 2.0.
Originally posted by mAXIMum Don't know for certain but if you get it for "free" at eCost.com then it is probably USB 1.1. I imagine that eCost is giving it away free because it is an outdated model. I got it because I don't have one and for "free w/ rebate" it's worth a try even if it isn't USB 2.0.
I just received my 7-in-1 card reader (mentioned above) today and it in fact "Supports USB specification revision 2.0". I haven't tried it out yet to see how it works. Today I got most of my accessories which I ordered either Thursday or Friday last week (3 or 4 days incl. weekend) from numerous online stores. Now that's fast! If only Dell could get a move on on my Axim!
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