Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)It's a GPS with all the pocket PC features, not a PPC with GPS features. This is a GPS first! It's basically the same as a TomTom One navigation system, but with the added PPC functions. I've had other GPS/PDA/PPC combos in the past and they don't stack up to this one at all!
Lets look at the GPS first:
The map issue that others are having is going to depend on where you live or where you will be using this unit. Try different GPS's software, as they aren't all the same.
Personally, I like the Magellan software for it's "Dings" when approaching a turn, as well as it's "Approaching destination on the left" notifications. TomTom doesn't tell you what side of the street your destination is on, except for the location on the screen (no verbal prompt.)TomTom however has a much better itinerary planning capability than the Magellan, one feature I liked more.
You can load your own custom POI's if you want, but the TomTom POI's are a little lacking. It's not like I found everything in my Magellan either though. It depends on how much you want to rely on the POI's. As an advantage, since this is wifi enabled and has pocket internet explorer, you can always use the internet to find the POI you are looking for.
The biggest negative I have is with the GPS fix time. It's slow. I mean really slow. Sometimes it can take a few minutes, and if you are already moving it seems to take even longer. Up to several minutes.
I wish one of the buttons was a mute/un-mute button, but it's something I can live without.
The car cradle is the best one I've ever used. It's very easy to mount, and it's even easier to insert the GPS and remove it. Takes no time at all. Since it's powered by mini-usb, this is an added bonus for me, as my cell phone charges on the same connection.
Battery life is excellent, it lasts about 5 hours for my use so far. Enabling wifi or bluetooth will of course lower the battery performance.
Onto the PocketPC functions:
As a PPC, this thing rocks! With wifi and bluetooth you have every connection you could need. I use the internet on this more than I thought I would. I check my web based email, browse the news headlines, watch streaming video and listen to online music. It's got a few hundred megs of extra space for MP3's if you want, but I use my ipod for my mp3 listening. I also use this to store my photos. I have a phone that runs pocket windows as well, and with it's camera I can take a photo and send it via bluetooth to the PPC and add a contact in no time!
Pocket Internet Explorer doesn't always work for me. I like the Opera browser more (free 30 day trial) but I've found a few sites that wouldn't work in Opera, or looked better in Pocket IE.
It came down to this or a Magellan 3050T GPS system. I chose this because it's smaller, lighter, and has a ton of options over a stand-alone GPS. You can't compare this to a stand alone GPS because it's not. It has many more options that you may or may not use. If you are considering buying a TomTom One GPS, then get this instead. It's about the same price, runs the exact same software (TomTom 6.0) and has all the PDA features in a smaller package.
I hope this was helpful, but in the end it depends on what your looking for. I travel a lot, and needed something that had all the maps built in, was small enough to take on my carry on, could travel with me and was easy to use. I think I've found it in this unit. Just try and take one of the stand alone GPS's and casually put it in your pocket, good luck getting it out!
Additional Information:
TomTom and HP are currently working on an updated map release for this product and will (hopefully) have it available on the HP support website by the end of January. TomTom is hailing this update as "The most detailed and accurate maps of the US and Canada ever produced.."This update will also be free to owners of the RX5900 series Travel Companions.
Update 02/08/07:
HP Hasn't released an updated map pack yet, however they did release a firmware update for the unit. This update improves the GPS functionality and accuracy. I now get GPS locks in seconds, where it used to take minutes. While driving, I get a lock in 10 seconds. I get a lock faster if I'm stopped. It is definitely a significant improvement and I recommend everyone that owns one of these updates the firmware.
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HP iPAQ rx5915 Travel CompanionProduct Description: Whether for business, for pleasure, or a little of both, the HP iPAQ rx5915 Travel Companion helps you make the most of your travels whether they take you around town or around the world. The premier GPS navigation system guides you to virtually anywhere with ease. Everything is pre-installed and ready to use. Just turn it on and go. The thin, stylish design fits simply in the car and is easy to take with you wherever you travel. Plus, your HP iPAQ Travel Companion is full-function Windows Mobile 5.0 handheld.
The HP iPAQ Travel Companion is a full-function Windows Mobile 5.0 handheld with built-in GPS. View larger. Check out some of the iPAQ's key features. View larger. Check out some of the iPAQ's key interface features. View larger. Take your office with you and stay connected with integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN and Bluetooth wireless technologies to the people and information that is important to you. When you want to relax you can listen to your favorite music, view your photos and videos, surf the web, or play games. Navigate, stay connected, and be entertained wherever you travel with the HP iPAQ Travel Companion.
The HP iPAQ rx5915 Travel Companion helps you make the most of travels ranging from walks around the block to jaunts around the world. This thin, stylish GPS navigation system guides you virtually anywhere with ease.
Navigate
Be guided virtually anywhere with the rx5915's premier GPS navigation system and maps1 (no SD cards or activation required), follow voice-guided navigation and on-screen prompts
Plug and play: the installed GPS navigation software and maps allow you to get going fast; no SD cards or activation required!
Navigate fast with the HP Quick Launch feature, and convenient buttons
Simplify your trips by accessing weather, current times, currencies, measurement conversions, and a packing organizer
Includes the TomTom Navigator 6 navigation software and complete maps of United States and Canada pre-installed (Feature available in North America).
Stay connected
Ensure a strong connection without flip-up or external antennas with the integrated SiRFstarIII GPS receiver
Take your office with you: stay connected via the latest Windows Mobile 5.0,802.11b/g wireless2 LAN, and Bluetooth
Connect to a variety of Bluetooth-enabled devices, including Internet-enabled Bluetooth phones
Keep it with you in your pocket, purse, or car; it's super compact
Be entertained
Relax: listen to your favorite music, view photos and videos, surf the Web, play games
See everything clearly on the large, antiglare, touchscreen
View and share photos and create slide shows with HP Photosmart Mobile
Play games including Solitaire and Bubble Breaker
What's in the box? HP iPAQ rx5915 Travel Companion, Lithium-ion 1700 mAh removable battery, AC adapter, Mini-USB, Synchronization/charge cable, Car charger, Car holder, Windshield mount,Slip case, Documentation kit
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