Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
 hx2415 - my $.02 January 26, 2009
eacmacro (Md.)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've had this little device now for maybe 3 years, upgraded from the starter h1915 (don't laugh, it was good for its time). All I can say is I'm always amazed by the hx2415's versatility. I keep up with hundreds of documents with it, something that would be a tree's nightmare 10 years ago; and it doesn't miss a beat when opening any of them. Being able to quickly and easily access WAPs is definitely its best feature. I usually can find myself jumping on the 'net to look up something (many times to prove someone wrong), and while it does take WiFi a bit to come "online", once it does it's only a matter of bringing up internet exploder and I'm off! Not to mention the gaming capability...and being able to watch full DVDs (with the appropriate purchased software) with stunning clarity! The only negative I can offer is the 64MB of RAM/ROM. While the unit can handle most app memory requirements pretty well, there are some memory hogs that make me wish I had waited for the more beefier 128MB model. This is still far superior to many, though. It's a hand-held entertainment system (can't wait for my 16 GB CF Card to arrive).
Works great, very durable November 22, 2008
highlander (Georgia, USA)
I have had this unit for several years now (3+ I believe). I work in construction and this unit has been amazingly durable, I had bought a leather case that stays on it all the time (except when its in the sync cradle) that protects it somewhat. This unit has been in 100 degree heat and below freezing temps, gotten rained on and dropped several times and just keeps on working. I recently started geocaching and I use it to keep up with the info on the caches and it goes with me into the woods and everywhere. I have gotten my moneys worth from this unit many times over and would definitely recommend it to others.
 VERY SHORT LIFE EXPECTANCY August 11, 2008
Z. J. Garcia (Idaho Falls, ID USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This product worked great, however the touch screen began getting dead spots after about three years of seldom use. I would guess that continuous use it would be even less. Replacing the screen is the only solution and that costs as much as the product itself. I recommend keeping the warranty up to date or not buying this product at all. I don't think that three years is worth the money I spent on the product.
Great little gadget April 29, 2008
George J. Novak
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I purchased my hx2415 three years ago, and have enjoyed it on many long trips. It's ability to communicate via 802.11b, bluetooth or serial infared gives it great functionality. The SD and CF slots are a good way to store vast amounts of data without cluttering up the iPaq's limited internal storage. I use HP's bluetooth GPS along with iGuidance to help me navigate while I travel. My travelling MP3's are stored in a 2 gig sd card, and are easily accessed by the iPaq's Windows Media Player. The whole case is protected by an all aluminium clamshell that I found on Amazon for under $20. Throw away the clear plastic flip-lid that came with the iPaq, as it will not protect it.
As some have noted, these PDA's will eat batteries if not configured properly. Make sure to shutdown any alert sounds or pop-ups that are generated outside the operating system. Even the M/S calendar can turn on the unit to remind you of appointments. That's great if you're at your desk, but it's not so good if the PDA is locked in a suitcase. Also make sure to shutdown the infared port when it's not needed. The standby battery control is a bit awkward, as you can select the length of "stand-by" time. Make sure to set it at maximum, so the unit can last longer after the main battery drains. Lastly, get in the habit of checking the screen after you press power button. A long press only shuts down the screen backlight, but the unit keeps running. I always check to make sure the unit is truely powered off.
 A versatile pocket computer July 6, 2006
Angela M. Hey (Portola Valley, CA USA)
I have had an HP 2415 for a year. First the bad news - the battery will drain if it is docked and no power is turned on - despite being set to go to sleep when powered. I have had to reload software 10 times because of this flaw.
The purpose of this review is to show what you can do with this little device if you buy the right software.
The whole reason for not having a combined phone and PDA is to get maximum battery power.
Having said that my main use is to sync with Outlook for email reading and looking up phone numbers.
I usually use WiFi to connect to the Internet - in a pinch I can use Bluetooth (saves battery) and connects well to Cingular with my Bluetooth enabled cellphone - but because I don't have a very good data plan with Cingular it cost me $40 to get 5MB of data while between flights in an airport - so if you want to save battery and use Bluetooth and your cellphone to connect to the Internet sign up for a good data plan.
I've also added a whole bunch of software to make it more useful.
If I travel I can convert a movie to run on an SD card using Pocket DVD.
I have star gazing software which is useful as the screen lights up at night - also SatPPC tracks the shuttle and international space stations.
Free Bubbles and Tetris games (from Ramon De Klein) with a paid Trivial Pursuits give you something to do in airports.
For mapping I can download Mapquest routes using AvantGo for free. I have Microsoft's Streets and Trips and the version with GPS has a Pharos GPS that works in the CF slot (even though the last pin of the CF slot got bent and was not covered by warranty and the slot won't take a memory card any more - not a big deal as the device can only address 4GB). I also have Outdoor Navigator - no longer in business. Its good for geotracking.
I have Pocket Diet Tracker - again no longer offered on Handango - the advantage being you can import the entire USDA food database plus make your own or download from the Pocket Diet Tracker site calorie sheets from fast food restaurants.
I can learn Spanish on the device.
You need third party software to make it sync with iTunes - so I don't do that but it can store MP3 files, playing them with Windows Media Player.
I take books with me - downloaded Acrobat Reader and Flash (the latter essential for website browsing).
While on website browsing - it won't take popups and the browser is weak - so a plea to website developers - don't use Flash or extra windows - stick to tables and animated GIFs and use a version of HTML - then web browsing works fine.
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary is pretty weak, and I have an Encyclopedia Brittanica on an SD card as well as World Almanac for reference. I have Quick Verse and Laridian (NIV study Bible) for reading various Bible Versions - so no need to carry a Bible to church any more.
TapBirds is a bird watching program that would be more useful if it had better descriptions and a wider choice of birds - but for seeing what you are supposed to be looking at it works fine.
Finally free software Tipster lets you calculate tips for groups of friends at a restaurant.
PhonTuner can be used to tune instruments such as guitars and violins.
All in all this is a very useful device. I understand I could upgrade the OS to Windows Mobile 5.0 to overcome the power draining problems - but then some of my software would be obsolete.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
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