New user / buyer question!!!!

[pmaths]

Sorry guys but I'm just starting to look for my first PDA/GPS system and as you know there are "umpteen" out there - so I'm not 100% sure what to go for but have narrowed a few down to meet my needs.

OK - Simply, I want a PDA to host GPS software for use in the car which is also compatible with the speed camera download on this site but also whilst out walking with the missus "as I can't rely on her directions".

Hardware I've been looking at:
Mio P550 - On the face of it this looks quility - although I've heard mixed reviews and have some reservations regarding the battery life whilst out walking.

HP IPAQ 2490 & bluetooth GPS receiver - Maybe the best spec PDA I've looked at, but will the battery life be any better than the Mio being that the GPS receiver's not intergrated?

Navman Ique M4 - The cheapest option but does not have wireless capability "then again how often will I use a wireless connection", I've heard that speed camera download does not work as well with the Navman and that also Navman have it locked down so that only certain software may be installed onto it?

Niggling questions I have regarding all of the above is that out walking with the PDA / GPS receiver in my pocket will a signal be maintained and will the battery last long enough.

Software:
OS - Windows mobile 5 and Windows mobile 2003 se "will I notice any difference / what are the benefits of Windows mobile 5".

Driving - Which one to go for Tom Tom or Navman etc... - I think the HP IPAQ comes with Tom Tom 5.

Walking - Again a real mine field - I've been looking at memory map discoverer 2004 but I'm unsure just how expansive this is for each area - seems to be the chapest I can find though.

I'm hoping that there are others out there that have gone through this same scenario that can offer advice. I'd appreciate it if you could offer advice on the above including any other PDA's you would recommend or software for driving / walking.

Thanks in advance - sorry for the long winded post....

Cheers....

[getsurfers]

TT can work from driving and walking.

I have a HX2790 and use with a TT MKii BT receiver, and both last quite a while when driving around. Obv using BT is quite a high drain, but that said I can get at least 4 hours with a few tweaks (screen brightness etc etc) and turning BT off when not in use.

I get well over 10 hours usage for my TT receiver too. I usually only need to charge every 3 days (roughly 10-12 hours driving usage)

[Martin Laverty]

The mio has had a few issues with GPS reception. The 2490 is normally one I recommend as it does have a very good all round spec. If you feel you wouldnt use the wifi then you could drop down to the 2190 with tomtom. As for hill walking memory map is a country mile ahead of anything else. The maps used are OS land ranger 1:50,000 scale. The best thing about win mobile 5 is that if your battery goes flat you wont lose any information. As getsurfer says there are lots of tweaks you can use to prolong battery life. We even sell expanded batteries as well.

If you give me a call on the number below I can go over some details with you.

Originally Posted by pmaths

Sorry guys but I'm just starting to look for my first PDA/GPS system and as you know there are "umpteen" out there - so I'm not 100% sure what to go for but have narrowed a few down to meet my needs.

OK - Simply, I want a PDA to host GPS software for use in the car which is also compatible with the speed camera download on this site but also whilst out walking with the missus "as I can't rely on her directions".

Hardware I've been looking at:
Mio P550 - On the face of it this looks quility - although I've heard mixed reviews and have some reservations regarding the battery life whilst out walking.

HP IPAQ 2490 & bluetooth GPS receiver - Maybe the best spec PDA I've looked at, but will the battery life be any better than the Mio being that the GPS receiver's not intergrated?

Navman Ique M4 - The cheapest option but does not have wireless capability "then again how often will I use a wireless connection", I've heard that speed camera download does not work as well with the Navman and that also Navman have it locked down so that only certain software may be installed onto it?

Niggling questions I have regarding all of the above is that out walking with the PDA / GPS receiver in my pocket will a signal be maintained and will the battery last long enough.

Software:
OS - Windows mobile 5 and Windows mobile 2003 se "will I notice any difference / what are the benefits of Windows mobile 5".

Driving - Which one to go for Tom Tom or Navman etc... - I think the HP IPAQ comes with Tom Tom 5.

Walking - Again a real mine field - I've been looking at memory map discoverer 2004 but I'm unsure just how expansive this is for each area - seems to be the chapest I can find though.

I'm hoping that there are others out there that have gone through this same scenario that can offer advice. I'd appreciate it if you could offer advice on the above including any other PDA's you would recommend or software for driving / walking.

Thanks in advance - sorry for the long winded post....

Cheers....