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(More customer reviews)Since I just purchased this item, I will update this review in the future. However, I hope sharing my thinking on how I bought this PDA might save someone hours of research.
I basically broke the process down into a flowchart, with branch points at each major decision. For example, the first branch point was to decide if I wanted a "pure" PDA, a Blackberry type item, a sat/nav device with PDA aspects, or smart phone. I eliminated the Blackberry and smart phone options right away. The next major decision was whether to get a Palm or a Pocket PC. Palm hasn't come out with any new offerings in three years and the reviews for the E2, Life Drive, and TX were decidedly mixed. I currently have a Pocket PC which I enjoy, so this was easy.
Focusing on Pocket PC-type PDAs, HP was a major player but they have a gazillion models. The Wikipedia entry on HP iPaq was invaluable in wading through the descriptions of each of series. I then began to winnow out various models based on operating system (nothing earlier than Win Mobile 5), expansion card slots, connectivity (had to have WiFi and Bluetooth), screen, and memory. I also branched out into Axim and Asus models. Once I had a list of candidates, I looked at Amazon.com's ratings since I found them to be more thorough and balanced compared to CNET or ZDNet. I also crosschecked the support forums for Axim, Asus, and HP, which were invaluable. So, for example, iPaq 4155 was crossed off due to problems with screen cracking, iPaq hx4700 was flimsy, etc. I liked the biometric scanners on the iPaq hx2795, but it still uses Windows Mobile 2003 SE, the scanner was problematic in some models, and some users reported they were unreliable.
Customer service was not an issue since based on my research it was uniformly poor for each of these companies; HP was slightly better but you are pretty much on your own.
In the end, I had four choices that I placed on a grid to compare: Axim X51v, Asus MyPal A696, HP iPAQ hx2495/hx2490, and the HP iPAQ 111 Classic. The Axim had the best screen, two expansion slots, and great power. But in going to Aximsite.com I found that there were problems that required tweaking and I was concerned that the model was discontinued so customer service would be non-existent. The iPaq 111 had a great form factor, good power, the latest Windows Mobile 6.0, SDHC flash memory support and good memory. But it was a fairly basic model with no infrared port and some reported screen problems. The iPaq hx2495 got good reviews, had both a Compact Flash and SD memory port, and good battery life, but it had an older operating system, reported "yellowish" screen issues, and some CF card issues.
In the end, I chose the Asus MyPal A696 because it had both a good selection of PDA features as well as GPS options. I am aware that the GPS is not great, customer service is poor, getting accessories may be more difficult than with an iPaq, and that it doesn't have a cradle, which bugs me. But it has good power, good memory, good anti-glare screen, great connectivity (Bluetooth 2.0; IEEE 802.11b and g) and it looks and feels great.
If I hadn't chosen the Asus A696, I would have gone with the Axim X51v. If price was the main concern, I would have gone with the iPaq 111 or the Asus A626.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Mypal A696 Sport GPS
To answer the needs of discerning consumers who require a highly versatile and functional PDA ASUS has launched the A696 ultra-slim GPS PDA. This palm-sized wonder is of a high standard of design and quality and cater to the user's expectations for personal accessories Primary InformationProduct Type:HandheldProcessor Type:Intel XScaleProcessor Clock Speed:416 MHzInput Device Type:Touch-screen stylus 4-way navigation buttonWireless Connectivity:IrDA; Bluetooth; IEEE 802.11b; IEEE 802.11gDimensions&MiscellaneousWidth:2.8 InchDepth:0.6 InchHeight:4.6 InchMemoryRAM Installed Size:64 MBROM Installed Size:256 MBDisplayDisplay Technology:TFT active matrixDisplay Resolution:240 x 320Display Diagonal Size:3.5 InchPowerBattery Technology:Lithium ionVoltage Required:AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )UNSPSC CodeUNSPSC Code:43211504Product IDUPC:610839914456Manufacturer Part:MYPAL-A696
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