PDA Reviews

My SD512M card is more reliable than the 512MB Lexar SD card I used to own. I used to sometimes corrupt the entire Lexar card when I write data to it from my PDA. I would then have to reformat the card and reload everything I had on it. Not so with the Viking. It also is very fast, comparable to the Lexar but much faster than the 256MB SanDisk SD card I also used to own. I have Viking Compact Flash cards and have decided to standardize on Viking due to their high reliability and excellent performance, whether used in my PDA or my digital camera. You can't go wrong with Viking!

Product was delivered on schedule, communications were clear and well explained.

The CompactCard Ethernet 10 provides Windows Ce users high-speed, enterprise-wide E-mail access, Internet browsing and data synchronization. Give you access to 10Mbps Ethernet networks in the office. Browse the Internet and access E-mail from anywhere in the office via your WinCE devices. Synchronize and exchange data with a Windows desktop and enterprise system at speeds close to 200 times faster than a 56k serial connection. Has a very low power operation, it uses BatterySave. BatterySave power management power down the CompactCard when it is not in use to extend the handheld battery life. Windows style setup wizard make it quick and easy the install. It supports Windows NT/95/98 synchronization via TCP/IP. It includeds CardCaddy converter. which enables you to use CompactCard in handhelds equipped with PC Card slots. It has Miniport WinCE driver compatible with Type 2 CompactFlash Card and Type 2 PC Card

This full-sized keyboard folds out from a rectangle roughly the size of your iPAQ. It has a function key which provides added convenience, such an "OK" key that simulates tapping the "OK" button on the screen with your stylus.

The board was advertised to support the newer 3800 series iPAQ on the vendors site. I missed the fine print that explained that you had to call in to get a converter piece from Targus. That put me out a little bit. The converter did have an input for the power cord which the keyboard was lacking. So with the converter you can charge your iPAQ while you type on the keyboard.

The back-stand metal frame that supports the weight of the iPAQ while it is inserted onto the keyboard is flimsy feeling. It becomes even more noticeably awkward feeling when one of the expansions packs, like the CF expansion pack, is attached to the iPAQ. Definitely, this is part of the keyboard needs to go back to the drawing board. I also noticed that the keyboard tends to slightly bounce up and down while typing on some surfaces.

I really like the way this keyboard folds together and apart. I think Targus is a top-notch company. It's definately better than no external keyboard, but I would check out Compaq's new portable iPAQ keyboard before buying this one.

As a heavy user of my Palm V (both for regular data entry and for word processing, via Documents To Go 4.0), I was anxious to acquire a Targus Stowaway Portable Keyboard for my new Clie 760c.

After installing and syncing the necessary (included) software, which took about two minutes (tops!), the keyboard worked great -- just as it did for my Palm.

I now use it to input data wherever words are required; such as in my address book, calendar, memo, and Task List (using Franklin's Dayplanner software, version 7.3). I can also print (any of the above) from my Clie (just as I did on my Palm) to almost any IR (infrared) capable printer using Docs To Print (available from ISComplete.com).

I take the keyboard to meetings (where everyone is blown away by the unit's small size when folded -- and full-size keyboard when unfolded); and when I use my phone or computer to check voice mail or e-mail, respectively (to more quickly enter notes or items upon which to follow-up).

Other's scoff at the idea of using a PDA for word processing. With the Clie's high-resolution color screen -- and with Targus' full-size fold-out keyboard -- I'm the one getting the last laugh when I arrive at meetings empty-handed (and without a laptop), with both my Clie and Targus keyboard in my pockets -- and no pieces of paper to transcribe or file afterwards.

The only time I need paper is when my Clie is unavailable -- while syncing!

The Clie is great! But the Targus Stowaway Portable Keyboard makes it even better!

I've had this keyboard for over 2.5 years now and it still works great. I used it to take notes on my Ipaq all through law school. It is compact enough to slip into a small pocket in my backpack. It sets up and docks in no time.

The best feature is the keystroke action. The keyboard is full-size and types beautifully. I would prefer it to most laptops I have typed on.

Having hotkeys programmed and programmable to launch individual programs is nice. The only improvement I would like to see would be support for MS Word type hotkeys such as Ctrl-U for underline and Ctrl-I for italics. Cut, Copy, and Paste (Ctrl-x,c,v) hotkeys do work, however.

I work as a writer for a software design company. I do a moderate amount of travelling, and tons of moving around the company campus to various meeting locations.

Before I bought the keyboard, I used a notepad and pen to take notes. This meant that everywhere I went I had to remember to take my Palm, notebook, and pen. Then I would type my handwritten notes into my PC. It was time consuming, and less than ideal.

Now, I just plunck down my IIIc and keyboard and type away. Then I hotsync, and - presto - my notes are on my PC. No muss, no fuss. The keyboard is quiet enough to use during meetings, and small enough to fit on an airline tray-table. I love this thing!

Highly recommended for those who do a lot of writing on-the-go. Much better than the Go-Type keyboard (which I investigated, but didn't buy), as I can put my IIIc in one coat pocket, and the keyboard in the other, and never notice that they're there.

I've had none of the problems indicated in other reviews - the software installation was a breeze, the keyboard itself has worked flawlessly, and it has withstood heavy use quite well. One caveat - the keyboard must rest on a solid surface other than your lap, as the center hinge will allow it to "sag" slightly in the center if it is not supported.

A great gizmo for gadget-heads.

I use my Palm Vx to keep my calendar and client contacts in order. When I ride the train, I play a few games to keep from getting bored. I never bothered composing emails because it took too much time and energy to write out or "tap" all those letters on the on-screen keyboard. I bought the folding keyboard so I could expand the capabilities of my Vx. The keyboard is very clever. It's only a little larger than the Palm and unfolds to a FULL SIZE keyboard. Now I type up quick email messages and memos for work. When I travel, I use Word Smith from Blue Nomad software to compose a travel diary. The text documents I type up become Microsoft Word files on my PC! While it is not the ideal device for composing a novel, it does permit you the freedom of writing without lugging around a laptop. If you know someone who uses a Palm Device, the keyboard is an excellent companion gift. (Just make sure you get the right one - they keyboards are designed for specific models)

I was really skeptical--at first--at just how small a full-sized keyboard could actually be...but I am NOW a believer. This portable Palm keyboard is absolutely amazing. If you need to type in large sums of data quickly, and you don't want to rely on writing the grafiti-way, then this little baby isn't something you want, its something you NEED.

You simply won't believe just how small this keyboard actually is when folded all up. It is just slightly larger than my actual m125 Palm. Think I'm joking, don't you? Well I ain't.
In fact I honestly did not believe it was even possible until
I saw it demonstrated myself...upon which I became not just a believer, I became an owner.

Now one important thing to consider before you fork out the nearly $90 bucks it costs is this: Do NOT buy this item UNLESS
you have to type a LOT of info quickly on a REGULAR basis. Don't make the mistake a friend of mine made by buying one, and using it just once-in-a-while. He carries it with him all the time on the off-chance he just MIGHT need it...and to date he's
actually used it 3 times in 9 months. Not exactly worth the price under those circumstances. However, like I said, if you
need to take notes in college (or even high school), or at work during meetings or for whatever reason you may need, buying a portable Palm keyboard will MORE than pay for itself.

I work as a writer for a software design company. I do a moderate amount of travelling, and tons of moving around the company campus to various meeting locations.

Before I bought the keyboard, I used a notepad and pen to take notes. This meant that everywhere I went I had to remember to take my Palm, notebook, and pen. Then I would type my handwritten notes into my PC. It was time consuming, and less than ideal.

Now, I just plunck down my IIIc and keyboard and type away. Then I hotsync, and - presto - my notes are on my PC. No muss, no fuss. The keyboard is quiet enough to use during meetings, and small enough to fit on an airline tray-table. I love this thing!

Highly recommended for those who do a lot of writing on-the-go. Much better than the Go-Type keyboard (which I investigated, but didn't buy), as I can put my IIIc in one coat pocket, and the keyboard in the other, and never notice that they're there.

I've had none of the problems indicated in other reviews - the software installation was a breeze, the keyboard itself has worked flawlessly, and it has withstood heavy use quite well. One caveat - the keyboard must rest on a solid surface other than your lap, as the center hinge will allow it to "sag" slightly in the center if it is not supported.

A great gizmo for gadget-heads.

I use my Palm Vx to keep my calendar and client contacts in order. When I ride the train, I play a few games to keep from getting bored. I never bothered composing emails because it took too much time and energy to write out or "tap" all those letters on the on-screen keyboard. I bought the folding keyboard so I could expand the capabilities of my Vx. The keyboard is very clever. It's only a little larger than the Palm and unfolds to a FULL SIZE keyboard. Now I type up quick email messages and memos for work. When I travel, I use Word Smith from Blue Nomad software to compose a travel diary. The text documents I type up become Microsoft Word files on my PC! While it is not the ideal device for composing a novel, it does permit you the freedom of writing without lugging around a laptop. If you know someone who uses a Palm Device, the keyboard is an excellent companion gift. (Just make sure you get the right one - they keyboards are designed for specific models)

I was really skeptical--at first--at just how small a full-sized keyboard could actually be...but I am NOW a believer. This portable Palm keyboard is absolutely amazing. If you need to type in large sums of data quickly, and you don't want to rely on writing the grafiti-way, then this little baby isn't something you want, its something you NEED.

You simply won't believe just how small this keyboard actually is when folded all up. It is just slightly larger than my actual m125 Palm. Think I'm joking, don't you? Well I ain't.
In fact I honestly did not believe it was even possible until
I saw it demonstrated myself...upon which I became not just a believer, I became an owner.

Now one important thing to consider before you fork out the nearly $90 bucks it costs is this: Do NOT buy this item UNLESS
you have to type a LOT of info quickly on a REGULAR basis. Don't make the mistake a friend of mine made by buying one, and using it just once-in-a-while. He carries it with him all the time on the off-chance he just MIGHT need it...and to date he's
actually used it 3 times in 9 months. Not exactly worth the price under those circumstances. However, like I said, if you
need to take notes in college (or even high school), or at work during meetings or for whatever reason you may need, buying a portable Palm keyboard will MORE than pay for itself.

I work as a writer for a software design company. I do a moderate amount of travelling, and tons of moving around the company campus to various meeting locations.

Before I bought the keyboard, I used a notepad and pen to take notes. This meant that everywhere I went I had to remember to take my Palm, notebook, and pen. Then I would type my handwritten notes into my PC. It was time consuming, and less than ideal.

Now, I just plunck down my IIIc and keyboard and type away. Then I hotsync, and - presto - my notes are on my PC. No muss, no fuss. The keyboard is quiet enough to use during meetings, and small enough to fit on an airline tray-table. I love this thing!

Highly recommended for those who do a lot of writing on-the-go. Much better than the Go-Type keyboard (which I investigated, but didn't buy), as I can put my IIIc in one coat pocket, and the keyboard in the other, and never notice that they're there.

I've had none of the problems indicated in other reviews - the software installation was a breeze, the keyboard itself has worked flawlessly, and it has withstood heavy use quite well. One caveat - the keyboard must rest on a solid surface other than your lap, as the center hinge will allow it to "sag" slightly in the center if it is not supported.

A great gizmo for gadget-heads.

I use my Palm Vx to keep my calendar and client contacts in order. When I ride the train, I play a few games to keep from getting bored. I never bothered composing emails because it took too much time and energy to write out or "tap" all those letters on the on-screen keyboard. I bought the folding keyboard so I could expand the capabilities of my Vx. The keyboard is very clever. It's only a little larger than the Palm and unfolds to a FULL SIZE keyboard. Now I type up quick email messages and memos for work. When I travel, I use Word Smith from Blue Nomad software to compose a travel diary. The text documents I type up become Microsoft Word files on my PC! While it is not the ideal device for composing a novel, it does permit you the freedom of writing without lugging around a laptop. If you know someone who uses a Palm Device, the keyboard is an excellent companion gift. (Just make sure you get the right one - they keyboards are designed for specific models)

I was really skeptical--at first--at just how small a full-sized keyboard could actually be...but I am NOW a believer. This portable Palm keyboard is absolutely amazing. If you need to type in large sums of data quickly, and you don't want to rely on writing the grafiti-way, then this little baby isn't something you want, its something you NEED.

You simply won't believe just how small this keyboard actually is when folded all up. It is just slightly larger than my actual m125 Palm. Think I'm joking, don't you? Well I ain't.
In fact I honestly did not believe it was even possible until
I saw it demonstrated myself...upon which I became not just a believer, I became an owner.

Now one important thing to consider before you fork out the nearly $90 bucks it costs is this: Do NOT buy this item UNLESS
you have to type a LOT of info quickly on a REGULAR basis. Don't make the mistake a friend of mine made by buying one, and using it just once-in-a-while. He carries it with him all the time on the off-chance he just MIGHT need it...and to date he's
actually used it 3 times in 9 months. Not exactly worth the price under those circumstances. However, like I said, if you
need to take notes in college (or even high school), or at work during meetings or for whatever reason you may need, buying a portable Palm keyboard will MORE than pay for itself.

I am very disappointed in the Forerunner 201. It loses GPS signal far too frequently. I run in a golf course community with average to below average tree cover. In a 7 mile run the Forerunner lost GPS 20 times, including at an open-grass field retention pond. I checked one of my other GPS, a Garmin eMap, and it showed that there were 10 satellites available at the time. So I rate the Forerunner as a very poor GPS.

The most important feature to me was being able to see current pace. It was displaying 8:41 pace all the time, and I knew I was doing my standard 6:45. I imagine this error is due in part to losing GPS signal. I changed the pace smoothing setting to "least" to get a more instant value, but it's still not matching up entirely. 7:10 displayed when I'm doing 6:45's.

The autolap feature has been very buggy. You will often hear it beep at an autolap, and within a minute you'll hear it beep an autolap again. I left it at the default 1-mile setting, and the first day I used it it had autolapped 8 miles in a distance that it itself had measured to be only 3.3 miles!

There is also a minor rounding bug. If you set your training partner for 6:20/mile and later check this setting you'll see 6:19. This is probably due to 6:20 being stored as 6.33333 internally, which converts back to 6:19 without rounding.

The unit attaches to the wristband with short fabric. There's too much play in this fabric, 3/8-inch, and the unit flops on your wrist when you run. It would be better if there was 1/8 to 1/16-inch of play in the fabric.

As a GPS buff I have been using GPS (or loran) in cars, boats and planes for over 20 years. So i was going nuts waiting for the forerunner to come in the mail. Now that I have it I am almost completely satisfied. It does so much for so little! I have found the wrist strap very comfortable. I have never had any trouble reading pace with or without smoothing.

I lost gps signal 2 times under the dense foliage of celebration Florida where I run with friends. I looked down to see my time and was horrified to see i was running much slower than my intended pace. It lost about 1/4 mile under the trees and my time looked pretty bad because of it.

My favorite part of the 201 is the automatic logging. I hate writing in my logbook and as i sometimes train 2 times a day I am so happy to be liberated from my writing it all down. I also love looking at the 'map' of my runs at the end of the day.

I only gave it three stars because of the loss of signal, but I love this little GPS and i am never giving it up.

After giving it a full charge, 3 hours, I took it out for a test drive. For the first 30 minutes I could not pick up a signal in Miami. I did a hard reset and it picked it up within 3 minutes. Went for a 3 mile run around a local 9-hole golf course, heavily ligned with trees, and to my amazement never lost contact with the signal. Was extremely accurate in measuring the distance and having a pace time allows you to really push yourself. Backlight can be kep on during the whole run - great feature for night running - or 2, 1, .5, .25 minutes. Much smaller than I expected. Love the display. Would recommend to anyone who runs, jogs, walks for exercise.

The palm works well and is simple to use and download things. But, this palm crashes alot!

Weighing in at just 4oz., it has the same anodized aluminum exterior and LCD screen as the Palm Vx handheld. Yet it has four times the memory of its predecessor, giving you more speed and more storage... Now, no matter how busy your life gets, you can keep it together in style... Keep all your meeting times, places, people, phone numbers and other information safely tucked away in this elegant device... 8MB of memory stores up to 10,000 addresses, 5 years of appointments, 3,000 to-do items, 3,000 memos, 400 e-mail messages, plus, there's plenty of room for extra add-on applications, books, language translators, image viewers, dictionaries, games, advanced calculators, and more... Use the HotSync cradle to quickly backup and exchange information between your PC and your Palm handheld, as well as any number of popular PIMs like Symantec ACT! and Microsoft Outlook. Long-life lithium ion batteries recharge themselves in the HotSync cradle in just minutes a day. A full charge lasts up to a month. Optional recharging kit available for road warriors... With the Palm V Modem, you can access your desktop PC remotely in just minutes using a standard phone line or GSM cellular connection. Now you can check e-mail, access information from the office, or schedule a group meeting. Customize your organizer with thousands of personal productivity and enterprise applications available today. IR PortBeam your business card, phone lists, memos, and add-on applications to other IR-enabled Palm OS devices. Use third-party beaming applications with IR-enabled phones, printers, etc. Items Included in the BoxPalm Vx handheld, Palm Desktop software, Applications for Palm Vx handheld, Rechargeable battery (internal), DB-25 Adapter, Getting Started Guide, 2 Stylii, Protective leather cover, Handbook, HotSync cradle, Adapter/recharger. A great advancement in the realm of the Palm Pilot, this unit is far more durable than the III or the VII series...

Weighing in at just 4oz., it has the same anodized aluminum exterior and LCD screen as the Palm Vx handheld. Yet it has four times the memory of its predecessor, giving you more speed and more storage... Now, no matter how busy your life gets, you can keep it together in style... Keep all your meeting times, places, people, phone numbers and other information safely tucked away in this elegant device... 8MB of memory stores up to 10,000 addresses, 5 years of appointments, 3,000 to-do items, 3,000 memos, 400 e-mail messages, plus, there's plenty of room for extra add-on applications, books, language translators, image viewers, dictionaries, games, advanced calculators, and more... Use the HotSync cradle to quickly backup and exchange information between your PC and your Palm handheld, as well as any number of popular PIMs like Symantec ACT! and Microsoft Outlook. Long-life lithium ion batteries recharge themselves in the HotSync cradle in just minutes a day. A full charge lasts up to a month. Optional recharging kit available for road warriors... With the Palm V Modem, you can access your desktop PC remotely in just minutes using a standard phone line or GSM cellular connection. Now you can check e-mail, access information from the office, or schedule a group meeting. Customize your organizer with thousands of personal productivity and enterprise applications available today. IR PortBeam your business card, phone lists, memos, and add-on applications to other IR-enabled Palm OS devices. Use third-party beaming applications with IR-enabled phones, printers, etc. Items Included in the BoxPalm Vx handheld, Palm Desktop software, Applications for Palm Vx handheld, Rechargeable battery (internal), DB-25 Adapter, Getting Started Guide, 2 Stylii, Protective leather cover, Handbook, HotSync cradle, Adapter/recharger. A great advancement in the realm of the Palm Pilot, this unit is far more durable than the III or the VII series...

I use the e-trex for hiking. The unit is small, rugged, easy to carry and easy to operate one-handed. The controls are well done and waterproof - power & backlight switch is recessed so it doesn't switch on or off by itself in a backpack, other controls have a good "feel".

It's great for getting a coordinate to locate yourself on the topo, and for remembering a location you want to return to. It's possible to pre-enter coordinates of destinations from a topo, though the process is a little tedious (entering two 7-digit coordinates by scrolling though lists of digits.) E-trex displays direct distance & direction to such waypoints nicely.

It does have trouble receiving the satellite signals in narrow canyons or in a forest with leaves overhead. As a result, the recorded "track" and trip odometer are often spotty or inaccurate (it only records your track and tallies distance when it has a good signal.) I've done 10-mile hikes where it's read only 3-4 miles at the end, reflecting the part of the trip it had satellite reception. It receives better when held rather than kept in pocket or pack. It usually receives fine in the car, too.

The manual doesn't cover all the features, so you have to experiment to master the unit. Battery life is only a dozen hours, so I tend to turn the unit only only to mark waypoints and check locations rather than record continuous tracks.

Just like two out of every five "guys" on the planet, owning a GPS (really cool compass) was a must..."I can't live with-out one". I picked up the "e-trex" vanilla flavored, hiking, biking and trail version. My intent was to use it in my truck, a little added nav equipment for map reading (make long trips less boring). The basic e-trex lacks the memory for *real travel* logistics (car excursions). A three-hour trip ate 98% of its memory and 70+% of battery life. I must add however, my expectations were minimal, given its price. It calculates your speed better then your speedometer, frightening!!! Make no mistake, you are being tracked!!! As far as bearing, speed, travel time, the basics, this little toy is a treat. It saved [me] when I became lost in the middle of Farmington, CA. not long ago. The sun was down, the ground flat and I... backwards. I remembered the e-trex after about two hours of endless rights and lefts (almost ended up in Yosemite!!!), fired that bad-boy up and was on Highway 99 in 20 minutes, headed home. Paid for itself that night. I highly recommend the basic e-trex as a very basic navigational aide. It does everything it's designed to and does it well. It's also a great "starter" for learning about GPS systems. *Note: This thing tracked my rate of speed to the .5 of a mile and was right on target, if you register one with a serial number, use your best friends name!!! Happy trekking...
Dave

I've been using this GPS unit for a few months now, for geocaching and for normal land navigation. I've also taken a GPS class with it, and got to see how it stacked up against other GPS units. The consensus of other, less tech-savvy students in the class was that the etrex offered a very user friendly interface in a small package. It offers all the essential features one needs in a GPS, comes in a waterproof, rugged and small case, and is fairly easy to use and read. Garmin's claims of one handed usage are for real, it is easy to navigate the interface with the solid buttons on the unit. The main downside is the antenna, at least compared to units that have more sophisticated antennas, so pulling in weak satellite signals under thick tree cover can prove problematic in some areas. Also this is a basic unit, so it has no fancy bells and whistles, most notably you cannot download or view a map on it (though you can download waypoints). For those of you who hunt, the eTrex camo version would probably make more sense. And for more money, you can get more bells and whistles in the higher end eTrex models. The large screen is both a plus and a minus--a plus in that it's very easy to read and you can easily navigate the menus on it. A minus since it can be damaged, and a large LCD screen will not work well in extreme cold. The bottom line is, if you want to get started with GPS navigation, the eTrex is a friendly way to get going. If you do end up getting this unit, I highly recommend getting the cable to hook it up to a computer, so you can at least get the software updates Garmin posts on occasion.