Axim woes

[Dave T]

Has anyone else had problems with the WiFi with an Axim? I got an X50V (640x480). It worked at first, but after about a week, the wireless stopped working. It couldn't connect to my network. The Dell WLan utility showed the access points in my network (as well as those of a neighbor's), but didn't get past "Connecting to network". After several calls and several hours on the phone with Dell support in India, and many many (very) lame suggestions, they finally agreed to send me a replacement unit. I got the unit, and it worked fine at first. I suspected the problem I had with the old one would rear its ugly head, so I just sat the unit on its charger and waited until it failed. Each day, I'd check the connection status, and it was fine - for about a week - until one day it, too, couldn't connect. I hadn't touched it, or changed anything with my LAN, plus my laptop and my two other PDA's could still access the LAN fine, so I blamed the Axim. After another frustrating two hour long call, they finally agreed to let me send it back and to refund me my money.

So, anyone else seen similar problems? I have no idea what's going on, but I suspect it's either very sensitive to interference from the 2.4ghz phone I have in my house, or that it doesn't like the fact that my neighbor's lan is "seeable" from my house. The funny thing is that once it goes, it's dead (even a hard reset doesn't fix it) - so it's as if hardware is being damaged.

I really want a VGA unit, so I'm going to fork over the premium cost and get the HP PDA and hope for the best.

- Dave

[Promixis]

My x50 has been fairly reliabe except for the occasionally unknown card issue...

[danward79]

Things I know to an issue with the x50v are sluggishness and screenburn

[zones]

I have an HP 4700, after a few bits of setup fun it works fine, the WiFi is rock solid with good range. Screen is a dream. However the usb cradle connection is next to useless, something that seems to be raised on geek sites a lot.

[Dave T]

What specifically is the problem with the USB cradle?

[zones]

When I want to use USB it takes approx 20 goes, plus pressure in the right places to make it work. I could of course send it back under warranty. I bought it mail order and dont fancy the long wait for it to be tested and replaced or even worse sent back no fault found. If a sound cinical thats because I used to run a service department for a similar company. Anyway I dont find it too much of a problem as I use WiFi for all file transfers. I also dont think all 4700 are like this, there would be an uproar if that was the case.

Would I buy one again - Yes (Although I might buy it from a retail outlet)

I am now climbing off my soap box, but you did ask.

[Promixis]

how is the ir on the 4700?

[Dave T]

Thanks. I know how it is. It took about two hours on the phone to get Dell to take my unit back. I was tempted to just throw it out, but it did cost $500 with accessories, etc.

So, I'm checking the prices on the HP - is $650 about right? Yikes! That's about $225 (50%) more than the Dell! I don't know why anyone would buy the HP with that difference. Except that the Dell doesn't work ;-). Actually - I think my problem is pretty rare. Why did you pick the HP over the Dell?

- Dave

[zones]

Why HP over Dell, well the reviews on the web were slightly better. The case is mag alloy not plastic. That was about it.

IR - I have not tested the transmit I use WiFi + girder + global cache on my PC in my equipment room. Learning codes with netremote has proved promlebmatic, worked fine once then did not work the next time, then I used my pronto to learn codes.

I dont sound like a good advert, but in day to day netremote operation it is very good

Geoff

[Dave T]

So is $650 a reasonable price for the HP?

[zones]

I can get it mail order in the uk for 365 UK pounds. CDW are shipping for$ 649 + taxes I guess.

Should you spend that kind of money, I am happy to speak about my experiences but I dont give recomendations, too many bad experiences. I suggest you read the reveiw at www.mobiletechreview.com/iPAQ_hx4705.htm they also have a review of the dell so you can compare their opion of both.

Cheers Geoff

[Dave T]

As I said, the Dell isn't working for me, so it looks like the HP is it. I've seen the reviews already, and know it's a nice unit. It just seems overpriced, and it's hard to imagine they're selling many, with the Dell out there at that price.

Once I get it, I'm sure I'll have more to talk about. I'd love to see what ccf you're using, too!

Ok - I do have a question. Did you get an extended life battery for yours? Battery life is key for me, and the Dell needed one. Not sure about the HP, though.

- Dave

[zones]

I guess I was attracted by the durability of the case and the fact that the reviews I read had the HP just slightly ahead.

I am using the standard battery, but I only use the HP for my multiroom system so it not on a great deal (I don use it to control the TV etc). By all means let me know if you have questions I will try to answer them. As I am still building my system I am using a slightly modified version of the rain kissed ccf. Once the todo list gets shorter I will finese my ccf a little.

Gheers Geoff

[Dave T]

I have a multiroom system, too. I'll be primarily using it to play Media Center music in the different zones, and to switch sources and change volume within the zones.

I want to upgrade to the latest version of NetRemote, and have some work to do to do that. I wrote the original version of NRIRServer, and had some code in there that I was using to communicate with my multizone management software. Ben's redone NRIRServer, so I now have to create a new NetRemote driver so I can do my zone control. I think I'm going to get that done first, before I order the HP. It might take a while, and hopefully the prices will have come down by the time I'm ready.

[dells]

I have a Dell Axim X50v too. It works fine for me. Brilliantly really. Only thing that I found wrong is that NetRemote won't desplay CCF files that I downloaded properly. It just shows them in small little size window thing. About a quarter the size of the screen. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the VGA resolution... but then, the ccf's work fine on other softwear that I've tried... so I dunno. But the Axim works perfectly. Does anyone know why CCF files show up in 1/4 size on the screen btw?

[danward79]

I have a Dell Axim X50v too. It works fine for me. Brilliantly really. Only thing that I found wrong is that NetRemote won't desplay CCF files that I downloaded properly. It just shows them in small little size window thing. About a quarter the size of the screen. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the VGA resolution... but then, the ccf's work fine on other softwear that I've tried... so I dunno. But the Axim works perfectly. Does anyone know why CCF files show up in 1/4 size on the screen btw?

yeah the resolution of the dell is 480 x 640, older ppc's are 240 x 320