mikeposh

I'm new to PDA's, but on the point of buying an Axim X50v (from Dell UK/India) after reading the reviews. But the optional accessories are expensive and I'm not sure what is essential. Do I need the spare battery - and if so, do I need the double-price double-life version - and what extra memory card should I buy? I have been told by the Dell India lady that 1GB Secure Digital card is recommended for their GPS - I was hoping to buy a GPS solution, so is that what I need? And is anything else an "essential" extra?

psionandy

The essentials are a nice screen protector (not Dell), a proper case (not the dell slip one) and some kind of SD/CF card (A USB2 Cardreader would be good as well)

I bought my axim from Dell UK.. and accessories from proporta.com or expansys.com

Got my memory from ebuyer.com and CEX

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rdiver

A car charger if using gps while driving.

bearw

Originally Posted by psionandy

The essentials are a nice screen protector (not Dell),

Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is the problem with Dell screen protectors? I ordered a pack with my Axim since they are reasonably priced in comparison with other brands for what they essentially are, small, pre-cut sheets of clear plastic, and after about two weeks of active tapping on the screen, I haven't encountered problems and I believe that my screen is protected.

rwyatt

Originally Posted by bearw

Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is the problem with Dell screen protectors? I ordered a pack with my Axim since they are reasonably priced in comparison with other brands for what they essentially are, small, pre-cut sheets of clear plastic, and after about two weeks of active tapping on the screen, I haven't encountered problems and I believe that my screen is protected.

I have not used the Dell protectors but have used other cheap protectors. The compairison is like night and day between the cheap ones and the quaility ones. Try one out and you'll see the difference.

Don't Panic!

I agree with psionandy but if you are very careful while putting them on, and If you don't mind chhanging them frequentlt Dell protecters aren't that bad. Those are the things I don't like about Dell screen protectors; They're hard to put on and they need to be changed fequently. Of course your mileage may vary.

Welcome to Aximsite!

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Bobby
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Frenchy

I would invest some money to buy Sprite Backup. I have the Magnum case and it is very durable and it protects the Axim extremely well.

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ultimate_pda

"Good" screen protector brands are Boxwave, Brando, and JavoEdge. There are others, but those are some of the well-known brands.

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lvgdgts

You really don't need anything else. I would strongly reccomend a good memory card(a 1GB SD card will go along way). I also can't say enough good things about high quality screen protectors and a good case. Look around on this site and you'll find some excellent reviews.

If you want GPS, there are some excellent prces right now on units with the newest SirfIII chipset. Do some more searching and you'' find lots of good mapping software reviews.

Don't Panic!

What no WriteSHIELDS. I'm shocked!

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bearw

Originally Posted by ultimate_pda

"Good" screen protector brands are Boxwave, Brando, and JavoEdge. There are others, but those are some of the well-known brands.

I am still puzzled why more expensive screen protectors would be better than those sold by Dell? I checked Javoedge and if I got it right, their sheets of clear plastic to protect Axim screen cost about 8 times as much a piece as Dell protectors.

I have now used a Dell protector for 2 weeks and it will probably be ok for another week or two. Does a Javoedge protector last 8 times as long then? Like if I buy one, can I expect it to be ok for 6 - 8 months when using Axim on daily basis?

Apart from durability, it is hard to see what other important differences justifying such huge differences in price there can be between screen protectors since an ideal screen protector is supposed to be invisible and Dell protector seems to fit the bill perfectly in that respect.

psionandy

Originally Posted by bearw

Apart from durability, it is hard to see what other important differences justifying such huge differences in price there can be between screen protectors since an ideal screen protector is supposed to be invisible and Dell protector seems to fit the bill perfectly in that respect.

Well there's invisible, invisible and invisible. Some screen protectors are better than others when it comes to clarity. Some you can tell are there... some really are invisible.

Quality of the writing surface is another factor. Some make the stylus feel slow... others let the stylus glide in a much more enjoyable manner.

my writeshield has been on since feb.. and still has plenty of life in it. On my palm i was going through a screen protector a month

If your happy with what you've got then fine. It will do it's job of protecting the screen. But it's one of those things. Once you've used a better one, you won't want to go back

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bearw

Originally Posted by psionandy

Well there's invisible, invisible and invisible. Some screen protectors are better than others when it comes to clarity. Some you can tell are there... some really are invisible. Quality of the writing surface is another factor. Some make the stylus feel slow... others let the stylus glide in a much more enjoyable manner. my writeshield has been on since feb.. and still has plenty of life in it. On my palm i was going through a screen protector a month

One month seems to be a realistic life expectancy for a Dell protector here too. I have used Palms since 1995 and most of the time without a screen protector, but tried once in a while with. But always went back to 'naked' screen. In my Axim I put a protector on right away and so far so good. The only issue is that it needs to be replaced once a month obviously.

If one of those "better" protectors can survive half a year like you suggest, it would certainly be a reason to try a more expensive variety next time, but I am rather sceptical since at the end of the day, it is just a thin sheet of clear plastic film.

mikeposh

Thanks for all the very useful comments and discussions, but has anyone got a suggestion for the battery - do I need a spare, and is the double-life one worth getting?

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