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Topic: best hardware under $500 (Read 592 times)

bilojax

Newbie

Posts: 22

best hardware under $500

« on: December 16, 2007, 12:45:56 PM »

What's the best PDA to run BCN for under $500? Based on my research so far, I'm looking at the Pharos 535e or 535+.

I saw a reference to TDS Nomad on this site, and googling it I find various models that look great, but am I reading right that the prices are $1500-2000? Is there another model in my price range (or close) that's a better value than Pharos?

For background, I'm a heavy user of a handheld GPS (Garmin 310) and paper maps (mostly printouts from Terraserver, greatest detail level) for exploring with a canoe, on foot, or in my jeep. Since I generally follow or seek streams, I'm always in the lowest available elevations in any landscape, and usually the most thickly vegetated, so reception is an issue.


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Nathan

Administrator
Hero Member

Posts: 512

Re: best hardware under $500

« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2007, 08:40:03 AM »

I don't have experience with those devices, but you are on the right track.

It is a good thing to be able to read the screen in sunlight. Not all devices are good at that.

Also, it has a SIRF III gps device. They are good for getting a reading even while under cover. I can even get a fix inside my house.

Sirf III is also good for compatibility reasons. Built in Sirf III have generally worked well right out of the box with software, where "propietary" chipsets such as the HTC Tyn II and IPAQ tend to have all kinds of quirks. They eventually get supported, but not without some time and effort.


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bilojax

Newbie

Posts: 22

Re: best hardware under $500

« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2007, 03:06:21 PM »

Thanks for the reply. I guess I'll buy the 535e. I've been looking for a week and haven't found anything better. The main things I'm after are (1) built-in GPS, (2) compatibility with BCN, (3) decent PDA processor size and general PDA capabilities (4) memory expansion slot. It seems to have all that.