Need some help with buying a PDA for GPS+navigation software

[davidstone28]

Not sure where to post this but I'm planning on buying a GPS system based on a PDA. I have the navigation software sorted out (TomTom) and I will track down a bluetooth GPS receiver. Example

Unfortunately, I know very little about PDAs! From what I can gather, I need a Pocket PC with Windows 2003 thats reasonably modern (memory, bluetooth etc) and a GPS receiver/software. I have read quite a few reviews, but they all seem about the same to me. I was thinking about getting an Ipaq but some people said there were a bit unreliable.

Can anyone recommend a good model for a PDA with a suggested 'modern' spec? Also is worth getting a slightly older model eg. Ipaq 1940 or do I need to stick to something up to date / modern?

Thanks

[Nox]

Ran fine on my XDA2. Not the latest version of Tom Tom though - mine is around a year old.

Nox

[Nemeliza]

Just tink i should let you know that the XDA2i and the XDA2s has current issues with the tom tom and does not work. O2 are currently working on getting the problem solved as i think its down to differences in software. (Win 2003 Mob)

Despite this the XDA2's are very good, not sure if its affected other networks equivalents but i advise you check before jumping into anything



Nemz.

[Flibb]

Its difficult to rate the various PDAs as they are very similar, build quality and support may distinguish one from another. Its worth mentioning support as some companys have a better history of releasing updates and upgrades. I currently have a 2nd hand toshiba, it was very cheap to buy due to Toshibas crap support. But despite this it still does all that I want, including running TT, wifi access, etc. If I was buying new, I would probably aim at a the blatest IPAQ I could afford, they seem to have carrying on supporting their PDAs longer than other makers. Try and get something with compactflash and smartmedia slots (just gives a wider range of add on options) wifi and bluetooth onboard. Somem akers bundle extra software, but thers so mutch 3rd party stuff out there I wouldnt be to bothered to single one out due to software.

[nichomach]

One of my users has TomTom w/Bluetooth running on a Qtek 9090 (SIM-free XDAIIs, basically) and that seems to work fine. That said TomTom 5 is supposed to be out "soon" and that looks like it'll be easier to set up (just drop in the SD card and activate), but the current version works OK so long as it's patched. A couple of my guys bought the Dell Axim X50 & X50v, but they went with Dell's bundled software. They're good devices with CF and SD slots.