Ricco

Hello.

(I apologize in advance for the length of this thread and I am very grateful for any assistance.)

I am a new comer to the PDA community, and I have some questions. I recently purchased an Axim X50v (obviously) with only the following options:

Pharos GPS – serial not Bluetooth or compact flash
Additional 256 MB Secure Digital memory
(no screen protectors, which seem to be recommended, and no additional case)

I plan on using the PDA for organization, travel expenses, and entertainment, and am only now learning what it can do (in some cases with additional software and attachments) including viewing DVD movies, listening to music, taking pictures, voice over IP (eventually), etc.

My thoughts and questions follow.

Although not at first, the serial GPS seems to be the most flexible option. It was $50 less than the Bluetooth model, and according to Pharos, this model is convertible (i.e. CF, USB, Bluetooth with optional accessories). Also, when using the Bluetooth GPS receiver with the charger, not its internal battery, you wind up with the same amount of cables in the front seat of your car and dashboard. Lastly, I imagine that if the Bluetooth “port”, if that is how you refer to it, is busy with the GPS, it cannot handle any other simultaneous Bluetooth device communication, like a BT keyboard for changing or adding waypoints, etc. The only drawback of the serial vs. the BT is that you must be connected to a power source for the GPS receiver, so you can’t walk around (without getting the BT converter).

Am I on track with these thought processes, and what have I not considered?

Next topic is memory. I purchased Secure Digital (more expensive) instead of CompactFlash because at the time, I had only seen devices that used the CF slot, and I wanted to give myself the most flexibility for the future. Since then, if I have read the literature correctly, I have seen one or two devices that use the SD slot as well.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing one type of memory over the other?

Finally, I have a $50 credit to spend at the Dell website. I am trying to decide between additional memory and an additional battery, probably the 2200mAh extended life battery. I will most likely add a wireless keyboard, but I need to research them more, as I see that the BT keyboard that some members of this group have purchased is having problems. I am leaning toward the battery because I believe the price of memory will come down much faster than that of a battery, so I’ll get the most bang for the ($50) buck. To reiterate, I will probably view an occasional movie, which will definitely require memory, but not necessarily a battery if I can use AC/DC chargers.

How is the performance of the default battery shipped with the unit? Is the extended life battery much larger than the default?

If you recommend more memory, how much and what type (SD vs. CF)?

And what are your experiences with wireless keyboards?

Thank you all again in advance and sorry for the length of this thread,

Tony

Martin

Welcome to Aximsite, Tony!

I'm moving your (epic!) thread to the x50 accessories forum as just about all your questions seem to relate to accessories and the like.
I'll try and answer some of it:

1) You can only have one BT device of the SAME TYPE connected to your x50v simultaneously. So I can use my GPS, keyboard and BT headset all at once no problems...but I couldn't connect, e.g. two keyboards. As to your particular GPS system, I'm not familiar with it so other people may be better placed to answer.

2) Do a site search along the lines of "SD versus CF". There have been numerous threads on the advantages and disadvantages of both...remember that the chances are your questions has already been asked so it is worth having a peek through the fantastic info already on Aximsite.

3) I get 3-4 hours of good use on the default battery...and that means wifi, playing a movie, editing textmaker docs, powerpoint presentations, checking email via a BT phone, etc. The extended battery, having double the capacity, would presumably give around double this (although people who have it are, again, better placed to answer than me.)

4) I have absolutely no trouble using my think outside BT keyboard with my x50...so the drivers, etc, are fine. The problems people are having may then be due to a fault in one of the devices, or in the setup...

Hope this helps!

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Ricco

Martin,
Thanks so much for the quick reply, and I will certainly perform the search you suggested.

Merry Christmas to you as well,

Tony