PDA, which one? Windows or Palm

[johnydep]

Hi guys, I Need the help of anyone that uses a PDA.

I've searched the net & found nothing to point me to a particular PDA, plenty of sales info though.

I'm a coach & need a good, tough basic small PDA.

I take notes of players while coaching (I'm tired of writing it all down on paper & losing it), I want to have a seperate file for each player, easily accessible so that I can quickly access their file & write down quick notes while training or playing.

The PDA will be used for all my coaching courses & some personal stuff.

Having player details will probably mean a decent security level.

The PDA needs to have good handwriting recognition software, it needs to be realtively tough to handle bouncing around in my pocket while I run & it needs to be small.

Voice recorder is handy but not neccessary, calander & PC synchronisation of course.

I've posted on one of my old haunts; http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=20&t=1146 I was leaning towards a Palm but now I'm closer to a iPAQ

Help pleasssssse lol.

I'd like to buy one ASAP

[mattp]

G'day, I've only used phone/PDA hybrids, but my recommendation would be to go for one with a slide out keyboard. I've just upgraded from and imate jam to a dopod 838pro, the newer one has a keyboard and it is vastly quicker to tap in text with your thumbs than to rely on the handwriting recognition. I use it a lot for text entry for sending SMS etc. Maybe my doctor's handwriting that's the problem, but I've just found it to be a bit too variable in it's recognition for my liking.

[the_scotsman]

I love my O2 XDAIIs...its a little outdated ow, but still does the job great...running Windows Mobile 5. Ive never had a problem with the handwriting recognition...and it synchronises with Outlook email/tasks/calendar, windows media etc....

Im not too up to date on the newest devices but I hear JasJams are really good..they have the slide out keyboard too, which you might find handy.

[Yellow_Festiva]

I have the most basic of PDA's, a Palm Z22. It is arount $170 and serves me well.

The writing recognition function of PDA's is shite if your always writing 'on the go' which you may be doing.

Go to a retailer and see what they have. NEVER buy one without sitting down with it for at least half an hr and really testing it out in the same way as you will be using it. Don't just turn it on and scroll through the menu.

Some of these PDA's are getting towards a grand or more.... for that money I would be buying a laptop personally.

[mattp]

JasJam is the same as the Dopod 838pro, just different branding.
As for them getting toward a grand, the RRP is ~$1100 for these :(

[johnydep]

Thanks guys.

The dopod looks interesting, I'll have a look.

I really want something as small as posible, & I'd prefer handwriting as I would in a notepad.

A notebook PC is out of the question, I need something I can carry in my pocket.

I will go and check some PDA's out tomorrow & on the weekend, I'm hoping that these things are smart enough to handle my messy writing lol.

[sgt_doofey]

If you are jotting down notes for player training/playing, then I would assume the best option would be the old trusty pen and paper.
Trying to swap between files whilst players are training/playing means having to take your eyes off the play and missing the action.
By all means try the PDA, but I'm sure in the end you'll end up back on the notepad.

As for which, I did a bit of research recently as the wife was going to get one. The Dopod 838Pro/IMate JasJam was the one I was going to go with. We didn't end up getting it though as her work wouldn't connect it up to their network so she could get her e-mails from Outlook/Exchange.

[johnydep]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

If you are jotting down notes for player training/playing, then I would assume the best option would be the old trusty pen and paper.
Trying to swap between files whilst players are training/playing means having to take your eyes off the play and missing the action.
By all means try the PDA, but I'm sure in the end you'll end up back on the notepad.

As for which, I did a bit of research recently as the wife was going to get one. The Dopod 838Pro/IMate JasJam was the one I was going to go with. We didn't end up getting it though as her work wouldn't connect it up to their network so she could get her e-mails from Outlook/Exchange.

I supose, but I'm a tech head lol. I just love IT stuff. Besides, at the moment I have a note book & pen that fits in my pocket, I have a diary with all my appointments & important dates & i have a folder with lecture notes, committee notes, coaches meetings, etc.

I'd like to see if I could have all this stuff on a PDA.

[kieran23]

I use an iMate SP5, used to have an iMate K-Jam with the slide out keyboard but as I use it more for reading emails rather than composing I found the extra size and weight odf the K-Jam a hassle. We use Exchange 2003 SP2 at work so the SP5 hooks straight into it via GPRS and I can access all my appointments, contacts, tasks and email while on the go. For not taking however I would recommend an imate Jas-Jar , JamIn or JasJam.

[johnydep]

Originally Posted by kieran23

I use an iMate SP5, used to have an iMate K-Jam with the slide out keyboard but as I use it more for reading emails rather than composing I found the extra size and weight odf the K-Jam a hassle. We use Exchange 2003 SP2 at work so the SP5 hooks straight into it via GPRS and I can access all my appointments, contacts, tasks and email while on the go. For not taking however I would recommend an imate Jas-Jar , JamIn or JasJam.

Cheers. They do have a lot of very nice product & the size is fantastic.

Having a PDA & phone in one is probably the best scenerio, wonder how it will handle the rough stuff?

[mattp]

Check out 3, I got my 838pro through them, and it works out to be around $700 over the 2 years of the contract with the repayments in addition to the cap plan. If it suits you it's a good way to save a few bucks. 3 are a lot cheaper than Telstra, who offer the same phone in the shape of the jasjam.
As far as handling the rough stuff, they're pretty robust, mine's solid as a rock so far. (I don't exactly throw it around though!)

[4.9 EF Futura]

I think dopod 838 pro is the same machine as an imate jasjam? Also knows as HTC hermes, HTC tytn, Cingular something or other.

But i digress.

Im using one of them - whatever name (now running windows mobile 6 shhhhh...) and think it'd be great for your purposes. Lol, maybe a bit of overkill - but the phone, internet etc might also be of use to you??

The notes function of windows mobile is very cool and PWI files which it creates can be flicked onto the PC and read with MS word. Can write freehand (so it comes up in the file as you wrote it) or have it attempt to translate into text (any simpsons fans: eat up martha)

One of the larger/heavier units tho, so you may want to consider that.

Has taken some tumbles that made me feel sick when i saw them happen - but not a bit of damage to report.

[johnydep]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

I think dopod 838 pro is the same machine as an imate jasjam? Also knows as HTC hermes, HTC tytn, Cingular something or other.

But i digress.

Im using one of them - whatever name (now running windows mobile 6 shhhhh...) .....

any idea when Windows 6 is due out? I wont tell anyone lol.

I was thinking about 6 this morning, I know that 5 has been out for a very long time & Vista has just been released so 6 should be due out about now. I'd hate to make a purchase & several days later 6 is released & all the devices with 5 have a price plunge :

EDIT: Lokks like it is already out; http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/default.mspx

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by johnydep

any idea when Windows 6 is due out? I wont tell anyone lol.

I was thinking about 6 this morning, I know that 5 has been out for a very long time & Vista has just been released so 6 should be due out about now. I'd hate to make a purchase & several days later 6 is released & all the devices with 5 have a price plunge :

EDIT: Lokks like it is already out; http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/default.mspx

Hey johny

I think official release of WM6 happened recently... but the clever people out there have been toying with a leaked ROM ("crossbow") for some time now on a few devices.

Will send you a PM.

[johnydep]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Hey johny

I think official release of WM6 happened recently... but the clever people out there have been toying with a leaked ROM ("crossbow") for some time now on a few devices.

Will send you a PM.

From what I've seen 6 is only on mobile phone type PDA's, haven't seen any traditional PDA's with it yet but I'm still looking :evil3:

PM sent

[DivHunter]

Palms use WM5 / WM6 and most mobile devices are made by the same few companies and just jammed into different cases.

Looking at a 'basic' PDA without phone/GPS/AGPS I'd go Dell for sure.

A few have mentioned ease of writing, why write when you can record?

[johnydep]

Originally Posted by Fairmont99

Palms use WM5 / WM6 and most mobile devices are made by the same few companies and just jammed into different cases.

Looking at a 'basic' PDA without phone/GPS/AGPS I'd go Dell for sure.

A few have mentioned ease of writing, why write when you can record?

Don't want players or parents knowing all of what I note, might cause problems. It's better that I have both options.

I'm looking at the Dell. I went on the HP site a few days ago & had an online chat, told the tech my needs & she recommended the HP iPAQ hx2490 Pocket PC asked when I'd be purchasing & if I'd like one of their sales partners to contact me, I said this week & yes. I'm still waiting :

[DivHunter]

Originally Posted by johnydep

Don't want players or parents knowing all of what I note, might cause problems. It's better that I have both options.

I'm looking at the Dell. I went on the HP site a few days ago & had an online chat, told the tech my needs & she recommended the HP iPAQ hx2490 Pocket PC asked when I'd be purchasing & if I'd like one of their sales partners to contact me, I said this week & yes. I'm still waiting :

Don't bother trying to buy direct from HP try Harris tech, Dicker Data or Ingram Micro.

I would suggest the Dell is usually a better deal. Hold out a few days and you'll most likey get 20% off or some other goodies.

[johnydep]

Originally Posted by Fairmont99

Don't bother trying to buy direct from HP try Harris tech, Dicker Data or Ingram Micro.

I would suggest the Dell is usually a better deal. Hold out a few days and you'll most likey get 20% off or some other goodies.

Cheers.

I had a look at the iPAQ & the Palm TX & E2 last night, the iPAQ is much nicer to look at & ergonomic but I couldn't test them as none where charged :

I'll wait for Dell

[S3SR]

haha ingram micro, i know the rep...
WORST customer service in relation to calling them.. you CANT

little secret www.umart.com.au or www.altech.com.au is usually cheaper anyways

not a fan of the old dell, am a fan of Asus but dont like their PDA's

good luck with it

[DivHunter]

Originally Posted by johnydep

Cheers.

I had a look at the iPAQ & the Palm TX & E2 last night, the iPAQ is much nicer to look at & ergonomic but I couldn't test them as none where charged :

I'll wait for Dell

Dell's and HPs come with batteries ~90% charged when you get them.

Originally Posted by FALCONSR

haha ingram micro, i know the rep...
WORST customer service in relation to calling them.. you CANT

little secret www.umart.com.au or www.altech.com.au is usually cheaper anyways

not a fan of the old dell, am a fan of Asus but dont like their PDA's

good luck with it

Dell PDAs and low load servers are ok anything else not so much. Ingram can be shitty unless you are buying larger volumes.

A client bought ~$1.2M worth of servers from HP and HP wouldn't give them a discount on the few hundred iPAQs they wanted :

[johnydep]

Originally Posted by Fairmont99

Dell's and HPs come with batteries ~90% charged when you get them.



...:

The shop assistant just didn't want to spend the time, I was truthful & said I would "not buy tonight as I just want to try a few out" I wasn't too bothered as I'm waiting on some feed back & I was just driving by the yellow store :monkes:

I've been on a yank forum & they prefer the Palm http://forums.cnet.com/5208-4_102-0....417880#2417880

I'm pretty much set on a iPAQ or a Dell, just waiting to see who gives the best offer with accessories :

PDA's seem to be on borrowed time, everyone is moving towards the phone type PIM, if you look around you'll find them with Windows Mobile 6 whereas the PDA's still use WM5.
I looked at a couple of those & was tempted but..... I'm not sure :

[DivHunter]

Originally Posted by johnydep

The shop assistant just didn't want to spend the time, I was truthful & said I would "not buy tonight as I just want to try a few out" I wasn't too bothered as I'm waiting on some feed back & I was just driving by the yellow store :monkes:

I've been on a yank forum & they prefer the Palm http://forums.cnet.com/5208-4_102-0....417880#2417880

I'm pretty much set on a iPAQ or a Dell, just waiting to see who gives the best offer with accessories :

PDA's seem to be on borrowed time, everyone is moving towards the phone type PIM, if you look around you'll find them with Windows Mobile 6 whereas the PDA's still use WM5.
I looked at a couple of those & was tempted but..... I'm not sure :

WM5 is on phones as well.

[johnydep]

Originally Posted by Fairmont99

WM5 is on phones as well.

oops, you're right. I was reading about the companies having the phones ready to go with WM6

Just found this Windows Mobile 6 free to PDA manufacturers issuing upgrades

[DivHunter]

2003 was on phones as well... but it was never very good.

[johnydep]

Picked one up on the weekend.

All the info I collected pointed me towards an iPAQ, even had an online chat with hp. I searched high & low for a hx 2190 or 2490 & couldn't find anything locally, so I was about to order online but decided to try one more store; HV. The sales guy said that all that was left was the hx2790 which I could have for the same price as the 2190 as it was the last in stock & a demo model.

So I went & checked it out, got a few extras & walk out a very happy man.

The iPAQ is fantastic, I spent the weekend loading all my data, contacts, etc into & have cut my paper work down by 90%.
It syncs perfectly with the PC & so far no issues at all.

Now I need to work out which program to get so that I can convert video to play on it, there are a couple of recommended paid versions that does the process in one hit, or the free way that takes several steps

Anyone done a conversion before?

I'll mainly use it to load up video for coaching.

[the_scotsman]

PM sent