pda versus standalone unit

[ijk111]

Know this question has been asked before but is there a sticky somewhere listing all the pro and cons.

I use my PDA currently with a globastat gps reciever and tom tom 3 software. Been using it for 3 years now and mainly use it for navigation. want to upgrade and considering between a standalone unit or the pda set.
My main problem with the PDA system is
1] If you donot use the PDA unit for long and let the battery drain you have to reset the device lossing all data and needing to reinstall the navigation software.
2] Once the pda is booted up and you start the navigation software say tom tom it takes a good 5 minutes before a satellite sign fix i got.

So should I go for a standalone unit or are the newer PDAs and the newer Compact flash GPS reciver better in overcoming the above mentioned shortcomings i have.

[mikealder]

If you get a PDA that is running WM2005 or even WM6 as the operating system they both use persistant storage, that is the device doesn't loose everything when you let the power drain.
Most units these days are loaded with WM2005, some very recent devices are using WM6.
As for the GPS, you could look at the CF GPS but there are not too many around these days as Bluetooth or embeded GPS where the hardware is fitter internal to the PDA - go for a SiRF-III chipset whichever one you choose. For CF have a look at the Holux GR-271 this uses small amounts of power from the host PDA.
If you want to consider an all in one though I would have a close look at the HTC Artemis, decent GPS built in, WiFi, Bluetooth and its a phone - all in a PDA sized package - great device it is supplied running WM2005, there will/ should be an upgrade to WM6 at some point in the near future - Mike

[FazerUK]

I had a PDA and used it for a GPS but it was a pain most of the time, and ended up getting a stand alone myself
_________________
TomTom Go 700,
with External Antenna, External Mike
App v7.160, OS:2324, GPS v1.21, Boot 5.4201
Western_Europe-Map v650.1127

[Pc-Mobile]

As mikealder said losing data is not an issue with the newer WM5 and WM6.
If you do not have any use for a PDA (since you let the battery runs down) then a standalone is sufficient and cheaper and probably easier to use.
If you have any use at all with a PDA, I would also suggest an all in one, or even consider a phone/PDA/GPS in one.
_________________
Pc-Mobile
http://pc-mobile.net/gps.htm

[theripper]

[mikealder]

Thanks for the heads up on the WM6 ROM release, but to be honest I probably won't bother with it for a while yet, for a number of reasons:

1/ Data Loss/ re-installation of applications etc.
2/ If it ain't broke don't fix it - WM6 offers no advantage for me.
3/ Having tried WM6 on another device - not much new over WM2005
4/ My unit is stable and performing well - don't want to upset the apple cart and start de-bugging new code - Mike

[xda]

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