HP iPaq hw6515

Bought this refurbished from Cingular Wireless a few months ago.  Besides a few

quarks, it has been working flawlessly now for three months.  I must admit to having some doubts about it, simply because of all the things it claimed to do.  With the exception of compatibility issues with SD memory, it has surpassed my expectations.

I've been please pleased with my all-in-one unit so far.  For the price of a single high-end cell phone, or GPS unit, or PDA, or MP3 player - I have a single device that can do all those things and more.  The unit came with an un-activated phone from Cingular, and it did take a few tries with the helpdesk person from customer service to get the phone working.  Once activated though, the phone has been problem free.  Having a built-in keyboard made entering my lengthy contact list almost painless.

The only problem I have had, has been with the SD memory card port.  I have a camera which also uses SD memory and had purchased a 1GB SanDisk SD/USB combo-card for it.  It worked well in the camera and in my PC, but, no matter what I tried, it would not function in the iPaq.  I was about to send the iPaq back when the Corsair 2GB SD card arrived via mail order.  Decided to give it a try, and to my surprise, it worked without any problems and has (in camera, PC, and iPaq) worked for the three months I've had it.  About a month ago I purchased a Corsair brand mini-SD card of 2GB as well.  This card has also functioned without any problems.

Having two memory card slots turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  I've lost memory cards before simply because I had nothing to store them in when not in the device that used them.  It also greatly reduces the number of times you have to switch between two or more cards.  Now I can store 4 or more states worth of GPS maps on one card, and about 400 CD-quality MP3s on the other card and not have to switch between them.  Because they are always in the iPaq, it makes them much easier to keep track of.

I wanted to give the Bluetooth a try as well, so I purchased a HP wireless keyboard and a Plantronics wireless headset.  Except for the poor battery life of the headset, both have been working great.  No dropped key presses from the keyboard and very good reception from the headset -- best of all, no damn wires!

Because the GPS system requires the purchase of additional (and usually expensive) software, it was the last thing I tried out.  My biggest concern here was the compatibility of the software with the GPS built-in receiver on the iPaq.  After searching all over the internet I finally came across Mapopolis (ref: www.mapopolis.com).  One of the few companies that actually states compatibility with this receiver.  The software itself can be downloaded for free, and you can even download some 'trial' maps that work for only 10 days.  Of course, being the doubtful person I am, trying something for free first is always the way I prefer to go.  The software was easy to install, but then came the configuration ... damn, what a pain.  Finally figured out that the GPS receiver was attached to COM 7 at 4800 baud and bam, it was working.  It was working INSIDE my home office.  The reception of the GPS antennae is quite good.  I've since spent the money for the real maps.

Price:  $199

That is the same price I paid for my low end Palm hand held a few years ago.

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