HP iPaq Pocket PC H2210

Summary: I've been carrying PDAs around with me since they were the size and weight of small bricks. And as the technology improved, I upgraded. In some cases, it was more than annually.

Of all the PDAs I’ve used, those with Microsoft operating systems have the advantage since Windows and MS Office drives more businesses than anyone else. That is beside tha fact that they probably have the largest software staff in the world. Their PDAs are usually upgradeable, or at least patchable.

<b>Hardware</b>
Before I got my H2210, I heard about the grips falling apart. This was true. It’s not anymore. The last time HP sent me grips, the problem stopped. I tested it well and the grips are nearly 10 months old now.

It’s durable, has a good weight and feel to it. I don’t use a case. I’ve tried many and always end up taking it off. I can’t stand the extra bulk and weight. I just put it in my EMPTY front left pocket with the screen facing inward. This is how I’ve carried PDAs for years and have NEVER had a problem.

The H2210 finally gave me what I needed. It’s powerful enough to drive most any application very well. In fact, it can run two or more power applications at the same time. With dual expansion slots, I can have the SD slot dedicated strictly to memory with the CF slot open for wi-fi, gps and other tasks. The nice thing about having the wi-fi removable is that two fold. First, you get better reception range. Second, the unit is lighter and uses less battery power.

<b>Business Use</b>
The bottom line is that this is a very stable device. It syncs well with MS Outlook. The alarms go off reliably. And it can hold a lot of data without slowing down.

<b>MP3 Player</b>
It doubles as a bulky, but very good sounding MP3 or WMA player. I bought a copy of Pocket Music since Pocket Windows Media Player really is the lowest common denominator. Using high quality ear canal headphones, you won’t be disappointed. After tweaking the Pocket Music settings, it actually sounds better than my 20 GB Rio Karma (mp3 player). Note: It’s worth it to get a memory card reader and have Desktop Windows Media Player sync music directly to your cards, then defragment a few times before placing it in the PDA.

<b>GPS Unit</b>
One amazing feat that PDAs are capable of is guiding you to addresses and places you’ve never been to. My permanent favorite GPS cradle is by Seidio (with GPS mouse). It costs a little more but does lots more than those I’ve had in the past. Further, a cradle will charge your PDA while holding it up near the windshield so you can glance at the map display, hands free. Combine the H2210 with the Seidio and ALK’s Pocket Co-Pilot and you’ve got a very potent combination.

I installed the program in main memory and maps in my SD card. Using Outlook, I make contacts for al my customers and places I want to go. Then, Drop the iPAQ into the Cradle, connect the sound jack and start the program. Within a few seconds, it knows where on earth you are. A few taps later, I’ve told it where I want to go. It then guides me with real time maps that show my progress, telling me what turn is coming up next and all the details one could possibly want. It also does this VERBALLY. Yes, verbally. Pocket Co-Pilot includes a voice synthesis engine that reads to you like Hal 9000, but hey, I can’t complain. It gets me where I need to go with confidence. If I get off course, it very quickly reroutes me and instantly shows my new estimated arrival time.

Know that GPS software is not 100%. It’s still evolving. I tried three brands. This one seems to be about the best right now.

I got the GPS idea from renting a Hertz NeverLost equipped rental car some years ago. Now, when we go on vacation, Hal 9000 comes with us instead.
http://www.seidioonline.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=B7AG25IP22
http://www.alk.com/copilot/pocketpc.asp


<b>Entertainment</b>
With larger and larger memory cards getting cheaper and cheaper, it’s easy to really load up your PDA with lots of stuff you don’t need, but might be amusing some time, like on a super long road trip.

Betaplayer and PocketTV are great free full screen movie players. Again, Windows Media will disappoint. You can get free short movies from links shown on either of the two player sites or convert your own DVDs and then send them to your SD and CF cards. My take on movies is that it’s always fun to show someone a short funny movie like www.405themovie.com. But as far as watching a feature length movie even when you’ve got nothing else to do, you’ll either need lots of batteries or a DC power supply from your car to even see them. And, there is no bookmark function so stopping or finding where you were is no slight task.

Games
Well there are all kinds of games out there. Action games really don’t work very well with most PDAs because you’re either beating the crap out of your touch screen or accidentally pushing down on your 5-way button, which pauses the game frequently or worse. There are games that actually do well: Monopoly, Slay, several card games and other multi-player or turn based games. Slay is very addictive. I have several others that truly are impressive to look at, but they don’t stay installed.

<b>Utilities</b>
I bought a few top name Today screen programs. They essentially replace or “improve your main organizer screen. Don’t bother. They always lead you back to what it came with, Pocket Outlook.

I strongly suggest installing Wisbar Advance. It’s stable, it replaces the clock display with time AND date on the taskbar (all the way up on the top right). Further, it closes, instead of hiding the program you think you closed. Wisbar fixes about the only two problems I have with the Operating System. http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/

JournalBar is a nifty program that updates its info every time you dock your PDA. It downloads web snippets and a 5 day forecast that displays in a small bar on your today screen. It’s very handy although not necessary. http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=28854&view=previous


ConverterCE is a free program that converts various units like weight, length, speed, volume, etc. It’s a small program and I use it more than I thought I would. You can get it here: http://www.freewareppc.com/calculator/converterce.shtml