What to do?

[Roofrat]

I am a very satisfied iQue 3600 user for the past year now. Now it's time to purchase a similar unit for my wife. Not sure that I want to get a second 3600 due to possible obsolescence of the 3600 and the simple fact that I am looking for something new and exciting. I'm leaning toward the Axim X50 with GPS10 & Seido car mount. Am I headed in a good direction? Any input would be appreciated.

[JMckie]

You can read my impressions here (http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=56636). I haven't updated in awhile, but I have formed some more conclusions that I'll post later.

Here is my comparison (http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=56966) of the two options as it relates to GPS usage only.

[0gopogo]

I do not use the x50v for GPS yet. The iQue is just fine for that. After much initial frustration I am now very happy with the PPC as a PDA. To get there I had to find and buy a bunch of software, though.

[JMckie]

I am somewhat happy with my Axim X50v as a PDA. There are some things about it that makes me wish waited a bit more. In six to 12 months I'll probably be in full-bore buyer's remorse mode.

I can make a long, long list of things that I like about it. When I have some time, I'll put together that list in the other thread.

I have a short list of major complaints, coming from the perspective of an iQue user.

1) Inadequate protection. The included case in unacceptable. What's the use of having a 625MHz CPU if you have to wait 5 seconds to pull it out of the case to look up an appointment? Look at spending $40 or so on a case. At the end you'll end up with a bigger device in your shirt pocket than the iQue, which is already uncomfortably large. I really miss the flip cover on the iQue.

2) Ergonomics. Reading e-books is my primary use for PDAs. Because of the small screen, you end up paging down a lot. This is true when reading emails, documents, and specially surfing the web. Trying to do this with one hand will give you cramps (I'm feeling it right now) and eventually carpal tunnel syndrome. I think it is silly to always need two hands when operating a PDA. I really miss the the scroll wheel (jog dial) on the iQue.

Because of the crisp VGA screen I was really looking forward to reading on the Axim. I've reverted back to using the iQue for reading.

3) Ergonomics Part 2. The Windows Mobile OS and applications written for it are way too dependent on stylus tapping. On Palm OS, there are more things you can do without the stylus. Again, I hate having to drop everything to use both hands to operate the PDA. I'm feeling some buyer's remorse for not getting the Treo.

4) Complexity and stability. In learning how to configure this thing, I've had to hard-reset several times. Admittedly the complexity is due to the fact that there are a lot more things you can do with it. SPB Pocket Plus is the best selling launcher replacement. It has default tiny icons that it puts on the Today screen to launch programs. It is interesting that the soft reset icon was preconfigured to be a large icon, and is very prominently placed on the system tab.

5) The battery life is truly pathetic. I should be used to to this, coming from the iQue. On the Axim I am averaging 3 hours per charge, even shorter than Betty. I shouldn't complain, because I should have done my research. Nonetheless, the X50v is 18 months newer than the iQue which is a generation gap in PDAs. I think in another 6-12 months users will not tolerate this kind of battery life.

That's it for the complaints. Honestly, I really like and enjoy my Axim. But I won't hesitate to catalog its faults, just like I did with the iQue.

[stairman]

If you want to go one step further, you can get a PDA / phone. I have a vx660 (verizon) which shares all the faults of Jmckie's PDA. It is also noticeably more powerful. It has bluetooth and Verizon offers EVDO wireless data service in most major markets. You can access the internet at about 4 times dialup speed in EVDO areas, and at dialup speed elsewhere. You can also phone anyone in contacts directly from the contact application. I find I need to use a headset because I frequently need to use the calendar while I'm on the phone. My bluetooth headset co-exists with the GPS 10, although the voice navigation comes through the speaker, not the headset. Voice navigation is blocked while you are on the phone.
This thing isn't for everyone. It has a number of bugs and built in inconveniences. It is worth it to me because I have to deal with a large number of contacts that I both phone and visit. I like the all in one aspect.