HP (Hewlett-Packard) Compaq IPAQ Rx5915 PDA
HP (Hewlett-Packard) - FA811AARelease Date: Oct 2006
Navigate, stay connected, and be entertained when you travel for business, for pleasure, or both. The HP iPAQ rx5915 Travel Companion helps you make the most of travels ranging from walks around the block to jaunts around the world. This thin, stylish GPS navigation system guides you virtually anywhere with ease.
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Summary of User Reviews
Number of Reviews: 11Positive Reviews: 91%
Negative Reviews: 9%
Negative Review
Reviewed by: mdembski on 23-Aug-07
Strengths: All in one device
Weaknesses: Windows 5.0 is weak
Summary: I have used Palm Pilots for years and when I needed to replace mine, decided to go for the the 5915 to get an all in one device. The Tom Tom GPS can be slower than some dedicated GPS I have seen to find its location initially, but has great reception inside the car. I find the Tom Tom software to very intuitive and prefer it over some of the others, but thats a personal call. The weakest part of the 5915 is the Windows 5.0 software. It makes the device very slow to respond. The networking setup is much more confusing than Palm's and the video resolution is weak. The ability to integrate the two devices is great though. If you download Google maps for the device, it integrates into your address book and has the ability to use the gps to map directly. Battery life is very good (though my initial battery was defective and would not charge more than 50%, HP replaced it free of charge). I purchased on sale for not much more than a dedicated GPS would have cost me and am happy, but not thrilled the device.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: joseluck on 14-Apr-07
Strengths: - fast gps signal acquisition- no protuding antenna- user-friendly TomTom 6 software (with no lag time)- compact size- rotatable screen
Weaknesses: - no wall charger/adapter- speaker located in the back- no "switch bar" utility in Windows Mobile
Summary: My previous Pocket PC was the Dell Axim x50v so my review is based on comparing these two devices. The x50v needed a plug-in (CompactFlash or SDIO) GPS receiver as well as GPS software. It's nice to have the RX5915 pre-packaged with all these with no protruding antenna. The RX5915 has FAST GPS SIGNAL ACQUISITION thanks to the newer Sirf III technology. The screen rotation button comes in really handy. TomTom 6 software is VERY user-friendly with NO lag time while moving through the menus. TomTom is also highly configurable (with downloadable, multi-lingual voices). Too bad the RX5915 doesn't come with a wall charger. It would probably take significantly less time to charge the batter. It feels like it takes for ever to charge when using the USB connection. If the speaker were placed underneath the 4-way navigation button (just like the x50v), it would be awesome! Since the speaker is located in the back of the RX5915, I sometimes have trouble hearing the TomTom directions (having wind noise at higher vehicle speeds compounds this problem). The first thing I noticed is that there is no "Switch Bar" utility in the RX5915. The x50v had this and I found it to be very convenient allowing me to quickly flip through (and close - not minimize) the various applications I had open. I travel quite often and love watching movies on the Pocket PC while inflight. It would be nice if the RX5915 had a cradle accessory available that charges an additional battery that I could take with me (the x50v came with the cradle and I bought a higher-capacity battery separately). An excellent device for the $500 price tag!
Positive Review
Reviewed by: mfratzke on 31-Mar-07
Strengths: Great Tom Tom based GPS combined with an iPAQ PDA.
Weaknesses: Wifi connectivity seems weak.
Summary: I have had this product now for almost three months and so far so good. I love the fact that HP decided to go with tried-and-true Tom Tom as the GPS software provider for this device. Because of this you get their typical easy to use maps and quality directions. This device also doubles as a PDA which makes for a great combination and one less thing to carry with you. The only real downside so far is that I have had trouble with the 802.11b signal strength. It seems weak to me and I have had trouble holding a connection from moderate distances from my router.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: joelkirzner on 16-Mar-07
Strengths: Both a TomTom GPS Device and a Windows Mobile 5 PDA in a nice little package
Weaknesses: Screen resolution could be a tad higher
Summary: This device is a must have if you travel a lot, get lost a lot and enjoy having a pda and GPS device in one small package.I originally had a Dell Axim X50V that I then added an external SD GPS device too. It worked, but the GPS stuck out and was terribly fragile. This unit integrates the GPS unit within and it rocks! There's an external antenna hookup for better reception, but I have yet to use it and I get awesome reception.TRY THIS IF YOU OWN IT: Sit in a window seat on an airplane, startup TomTom and within a few minutes you will be tracking your flight progress across america at 550 mph! That's how good the reception is even without an external antenna! My neighbors on the planes I fly are always intrigued when they see the little arrow flying through cities and towns. You will even know what gate you're taxiing into because TomTom has the airport layouts on its maps. Regular street navigation is awesome as well with the newer 6.0 version that this one has.The joystick pad is a little annoying and I wish they would have just made separate buttons, but it's not terrible. I do love the overall build quality. The case has some serious coating that seems completely scratch resisitent and the sides have a nice rubbery feel--cool color too!I wish the screen had a higher resolution, but, once again, it's not bad.Aside from this thing being outrageously expensive, I highly recommend it as an all in one GPS-PDA-Multimedia device.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: virtuaoski on 10-Feb-07
Strengths: Value for money. Small.
Weaknesses: High cost of add-on maps for non-US regions.
Summary: I bought this as a replacement for my old PDA, and the GPS functionality was a bonus. The GPS traffic navigation (TomTom) is capable and reliable. This PDA is solidly built and is both compact and very attractive. Overall, a combination PDA + GPS is a great idea, and very well-implemented.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: 08-Jan-07
Strengths: basically, the whole unit--- like everyone else--- the portability, updated maps, GPS,PC, video and music player... what more can you ask for?
Weaknesses: if it has been off for a while, u have to wait at least a couple of minutes to get a a signal! and one more thing, my audio volume seems to be a little bit lower..
Summary: it's super good quality for the price! i have tried other ones but had to return them... i had use this GPS as handheld and in the car, very portable and has definitely proven to be the best because it has not gotten me lost, updated maps and i didn't have to download and battery life is great too! i can't live without it now!
Positive Review
Reviewed by: saaggarwal68 on 29-Dec-06
Strengths: Size is very compact and easy to carry to anywhere.
Weaknesses: Have found one yet
Summary: Very reasonably priced. GPS direction is very clear and easy to follow. Battery recharge is quick and also you can use the car charger to recharge your battery. I won't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who need a compact and small size Pocket PC with GPS function.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: sokoloff on 19-Dec-06
Strengths: Not just TomTom navigation, all maps already loaded, but Windows CE 5.0, WiFi, BlueTooth, Multimedia, everything you need is in the box. 2GB internal ROM. SD expansion slot.
Weaknesses: Not certain if you can use your unit to answer or make calls. Buttons on the side while good shortcuts, are hard to see when driving.
Summary: Compared to other units that I have bought and returned in the last few months, I have found my solution. Why spend hundreds of dollara (I found it on a rare sale for $399) on a stand alone GPS unit when you can purchase this unit that will also be a pocket PC, multimedia player? I have already downloaded software that will allow this unit to watch AVI files which the Windows Media Player on the unit will not allow you to do. No matter, like any other computer, you can add software to meet your needs. The unti has ample 2GB internal ROM with only about 3/4 filled with operating and other software. Plus, it has the SD expansion slot limited only by the size of your SD card. It is lightweight and versatile making me take this unit with me rather than leaving it in the car as I would with a stand-alone TomTom unit...it truly is a travel companion.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: byouh on 09-Dec-06
Strengths: 1.GPS and a pocket PC for the price of a stand alone GPS unit.2.Plays media files music and video3. Has wireless 802.11B and G4. Has Blue tooth5. Battery is 1700Mh and removable
Weaknesses: For the price and features none as far as I am concerned
Summary: I was going to purchase a laptop but my PDA took a dive and needed a replacement. I also wanted to be able to connect to the internet when I travel and I liked the idea of having GPS capabilities.I looked at other Mfg's like Asus and Palm but none could match the price and features of the HP rx5915. I have been using it the past few day's and it has been great. I personally don't know why anyone would purchase a $500.00 standalone GPS without first considering the rx5915.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: bobbatts on 08-Dec-06
Strengths: GPS function works well and much better than Pocket PC functions. PC functions are a bit cumbersome to use. GREAT to have GPS and all other functions on single handheld unit.
Weaknesses: Cumbersome Pocket PC functions.
Summary: Great GPS unit for traveling with business functions and music in useful, pocket size hand-held. Good memory and battery life of 4hrs with GPS on, and 6 hours with GPS off. Considered NUVI but still like this better with other functions included. 1st unit failed within 10 days. 2nd unit seems OK. Would buy again. I consider it a great bargin at discounted internet prices.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: JohnsonWong on 03-Dec-06
Strengths: Size is very compact and easy to carry to anywhere.
Weaknesses:
Summary: The price is very reasonable. GPS direction is very clear and easy to follow. Battery recharge is quick and also you can use the car charger to recharge your battery. I would recommend it to anyone who need a compact and small size Pocket PC with GPS function.
