Portable web access device

[+Jonovich]

Spotted this and figured it would be kinda neat, but wondered if anyone has any experience of using it in the field...

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

[+Moote]

I have not used this device, but I do use on a regular basis an Ultra Mobile PC whilst out caching, and this can really be invaluable, it has all the UK Memory Map and GSAK installed and also a 7.2MB 3G connection to the Internet.

 

You can't beat having Internet access whilst in the field, so I guess that this would be a good addition. It's only downfall is it can't run all the tools you would want, but the price looks good. All I would say is check which Mobile phone operator it is using, and check the download limits to the contract.

[+Happy Humphrey]

Feedback from users (check Amazon) doesn't look too good.

 

My ancient iPAQ PDA seems to beat it hands-down anyway: the screen is better on the iPAQ (640x480 rather than 640x240, so it can display most web pages easily enough), the iPAQ syncs with the PC using Outlook (better for e-mails and appointments), the iPAQ has Wi-fi (Pocketsurfer hasn't), the iPAQ can display videos, runs MM, runs geocaching software and loads of other things, the iPAQ has expandable onboard storage (over 6Gb at the moment, more can be added easily).

 

I could go on further...the only advantage seems to be that you get unlimited web access for a good price. See PC Mag for contract details.

[Nediam]

Here's a review from PC Advisor.

[+ZoomLens]

I use something all together more feature rich - the iPhone.

 

For a start the contract includes free wifi at any cloud hotspot, followed by free web connection via EDGE, and free web connection bia GPRS at its slowest...

 

This has made my caching experience much better - no more printing off pages, no more GSAK or PQs - just proper web access.

 

Yes, it isn't cheap, but if you carried your phone, your ipod and your "portable web access device" with you, you'd be carrying much more weight and costing yourself more money over all.

[+Team Sieni]

If you can put up with the little screens of phone (rather than tablet) devices you could consider the Nokia N95 - which has lots of features including a GPS (for which there is a post about caching software somewhere on this board) with which you can get 3G/GPRS and Wifi web access. The screen's a bit wee, and theres no keyboard - I have a bluetooth keyboard that I use with mine (nothing to do with geocaching) I do use my N95 for (ahem) Waymarking , because having a camera and a GPS is what you chiefly need - plus a drop of serendipity. I've not installed any geocaching specific software yet.

 

If only I had time to figure it all out ... I'm not about to trade in my faithful Garmin 76S just yet!

[Nediam]

I use something all together more feature rich - the iPhone.

Can/do you use a bluetooth GPSr with the iPhone in conjunction with TomTom or Memory-Map etc?

 

I'm currently looking for an all in one phone/camera/internet/navigation device - any recommendations?

[+ZoomLens]

I use something all together more feature rich - the iPhone.

Can/do you use a bluetooth GPSr with the iPhone in conjunction with TomTom or Memory-Map etc?

 

I'm currently looking for an all in one phone/camera/internet/navigation device - any recommendations?

 

No, although it does have a very powerful application based around Google Maps. This does rely on you knowing where you are though. This also isn't good if you go wrong!

 

As ever, there are rumours of a GPS enabled iPhone coming out in the next 6 months or so, but Apple don't ever shout about it until its ready to go.

 

If you want it to work as a GPSr or Sat Nav, it wouldn't really be quite right for you.

[Nediam]

I use something all together more feature rich - the iPhone.

Can/do you use a bluetooth GPSr with the iPhone in conjunction with TomTom or Memory-Map etc?

 

I'm currently looking for an all in one phone/camera/internet/navigation device - any recommendations?

 

No, although it does have a very powerful application based around Google Maps. This does rely on you knowing where you are though. This also isn't good if you go wrong!

 

As ever, there are rumours of a GPS enabled iPhone coming out in the next 6 months or so, but Apple don't ever shout about it until its ready to go.

 

If you want it to work as a GPSr or Sat Nav, it wouldn't really be quite right for you.

Cheers for that Didn't think it was quite what I was after, but it sounds more useful than the "upgrade" Orange sent me yesterday - a Samsung u600 - nice phone, but a bit of a downgrade seeing as I have a Nokia n80 and specifically told them I wanted something I could use for SatNav

[+keehotee]

I use something all together more feature rich - the iPhone.

How do you get on with the touch screen?

That's the one thing that really puts me off the iphone. It's bad enough getting fingerprints on my Motorola's or ipaq's screen - I can't imagine anything worse than having to use a device that relied on fingers to work...........what do you do if your hands are dirty - or does it come with a handy pack of iwipes too?

Edited December 19, 2007 by keehotee

[+rogerncook]

Don't forget that wap.geocaching.com is much better for GPRS operation - data only - no pictures...

[+Amberel]

I'm currently looking for an all in one phone/camera/internet/navigation device - any recommendations?

 

O2 XDA Orbit. Most defnitely not perfect, but the best I've come up with so far.

 

Phone works just fine, but some people don't like not having a conventional phone keyboard. Doesn't bother me.

 

Camera. Just about. Call it an emergency camera :-) It's no good as a replacement for a proper camera, but nor is any other phone camera I've seen. It's not the number of pixels, it's the crappy lenses.

 

Internet. Limitation is the 320x240 screen. You can't easily work with web pages designed for a PC, it presents them OK but you need to do too much scrolling about. But if you can use WAP sites it's a doddle. Groundspeak have a WAP site that works fine, but it is very restricted (you have to know the waypoint name).

 

Navigation. Sirf III chipset, works superbly with TomTom for navigation. But you need to buy a suitable application for geocaching, I use OziExplorer CE, it works extremely well for me but it's a quite "technical" solution, most people would find it better to buy MemoryMap or similar but that costs quite a bit.

 

It's not so waterproof as most conventional GPS receivers. But here is the BIG catch. The chipset has the "static navigation filter" enabled and it has defied everyones efforts to remove it (including mine, and I design computers). The effect of this is for the GPS position to change only when you're moving at walking speed or faster, This is NOT what we want for geocaching. So I have to carry a tiny bluetooth GPS receiver as well. Some caches I can find easily with the internal GPS, but if it looks harder and I really want to be sure I am as close as possible to the listed co-ordinates, I switch over to the bluetooth unit. It's a pain. I would pay a lot of money to have this fixed but I think it's unlikely.

 

And another problem is that it takes micro SD cards only up to 2GB, i.e. it won't take the new SDHC format.

 

All the above makes it sound crap. But it's not, I've just listed the warts rather than the good bits, 'cos anyone will tell you about the good bits. The good bits are that it's small and light and highly functional. It's my phone and email, and my "all Europe" satnav. I have hundreds of ebooks on it so I'm never short of a read if I'm stuck in a queue or whatever, it's got stacks of technical documentation on it, loads of MP3s, games. The battery lasts for ages and recharges very quickly. And with the software I run, it's a very, very good geocaching device (with the provisos above). So, despite the warts, it's still by far the best device for me that I've seen.

 

I also have an XDA Stellar, which on paper is better, but in practice it's not. All the radio signals (including GPS) are noticeably lower and it uses up the battery rather faster. It gets round the SD card size problem, has faster processor and a neat keyboard, but the "static navigation filter" remains.

 

Rgds, Andy

[Nediam]

I'm currently looking for an all in one phone/camera/internet/navigation device - any recommendations?

 

O2 XDA Orbit. Most defnitely not perfect, but the best I've come up with so far.

 

......

Thanks for the info Andy Had initially dismissed the Orbit but think I'll take another look. I've also been looking at the HTC TyTN II and Touch Cruise.

[+Team Sieni]

I'm currently looking for an all in one phone/camera/internet/navigation device - any recommendations?

There are a number of people on the forums who use the Nokia N95 more seriously than me. My thoughts:

Phone - yeah, it's a phone.

Internet - good - over GPRS/ 3G / WiFi. No complaints at all. Screen's a bit teeny, but that comes with the territory.

Camera is excellent for a phone camera, and ok as a camera in its own right.

GPS is slow as hell to find a location, but I believe if I could be bothered to upgrade the software then it will download the almanacs for the sats over the net, making it much quicker (and a bit more expensive). Others may report their experience. I wouldn't use it as my main GPS but it's a good backup.

GPS applications - it comes with a nice mapping app, and there is more software out there. It's a Symbian phone. You could probably link it to a dedicated GPS using bluetooth (or maybe not ... I haven't tried)

Other apps - I use it for making notes while travelling and use a bluetooth keyboard, but I've not figured out how to type accented characters ääägh!.

Radio - has an FM radio but I don't use it much as I normally carry a portable DAB.

Does lots of other cool media stuff, MP3s and movies so on , but I don't use them 'cos I'm not cool so nothing to report.

[Nediam]

GPS is slow as hell to find a location, but I believe if I could be bothered to upgrade the software then it will download the almanacs for the sats over the net, making it much quicker (and a bit more expensive)

Ta for the info on the N95. One thing you may be able to clear up for me - the Orange upgrade bod said using the GPS was NOT free and used it "data streaming" to connect to the satellite Is that correct? I had assumed that the GPSr worked the same as other GPSr's and used radio signals (for FREE)?

 

Edit - Apologies to Dakar4x4 for taking this thread away from the device he found (guess it's still sort of on-topic though?)

Edited December 20, 2007 by Nediam

[+Amberel]

... Had initially dismissed the Orbit but think I'll take another look. I've also been looking at the HTC TyTN II and Touch Cruise.

 

The TyTN II is the same as the Stellar (actually vice versa).

 

Rgds, Andy

[Nediam]

... Had initially dismissed the Orbit but think I'll take another look. I've also been looking at the HTC TyTN II and Touch Cruise.

 

The TyTN II is the same as the Stellar (actually vice versa).

 

Rgds, Andy

I had missed that! Thanks

 

I see 02 are listing the XDA Orbit II as "coming soon" (although the pic is the XDA Stellar)

[+Team Sieni]

GPS is slow as hell to find a location, but I believe if I could be bothered to upgrade the software then it will download the almanacs for the sats over the net, making it much quicker (and a bit more expensive)

Ta for the info on the N95. One thing you may be able to clear up for me - the Orange upgrade bod said using the GPS was NOT free and used it "data streaming" to connect to the satellite Is that correct? I had assumed that the GPSr worked the same as other GPSr's and used radio signals (for FREE)?

What I think he's talking about is assisted GPS link. This is where the handset goes online to get the GPS almanac data rather than downloading it from the satellites. This going online makes fixing your position a lot faster (and once it's done it will work just like any other GPS) but it will incur you some data costs. I seem to remember reading somewhere that it won't do assisted GPS over WiFi, so you can't download the almanac at home over your home wifi (NB that may be rubbish - I may have invented that memory in my addled brain.)

 

I'm sure you can turn off assisted GPS if you want to.

 

Without it (and that's how my un-upgraded N95 is) it takes several frustrating minutes to get a fix. I've not timed it but memory says up to 5 minutes is not unusual. Once it's got it it holds it OK.

[Nediam]

My old SirfII chip used to take several minutes to acquire a lock however, my newer Sirf III only takes about a minute. I think most of the phones I've looked at are currently using Sirf III so it perhaps it's a problem with having a small aerial perhaps?

[+T.R.a.M.P.]

GPS is slow as hell to find a location, but I believe if I could be bothered to upgrade the software then it will download the almanacs for the sats over the net, making it much quicker (and a bit more expensive)

Ta for the info on the N95. One thing you may be able to clear up for me - the Orange upgrade bod said using the GPS was NOT free and used it "data streaming" to connect to the satellite Is that correct? I had assumed that the GPSr worked the same as other GPSr's and used radio signals (for FREE)?

What I think he's talking about is assisted GPS link. This is where the handset goes online to get the GPS almanac data rather than downloading it from the satellites. This going online makes fixing your position a lot faster (and once it's done it will work just like any other GPS) but it will incur you some data costs. I seem to remember reading somewhere that it won't do assisted GPS over WiFi, so you can't download the almanac at home over your home wifi (NB that may be rubbish - I may have invented that memory in my addled brain.)

 

I'm sure you can turn off assisted GPS if you want to.

 

Without it (and that's how my un-upgraded N95 is) it takes several frustrating minutes to get a fix. I've not timed it but memory says up to 5 minutes is not unusual. Once it's got it it holds it OK.

 

I've got a Version 20 N95 (which is the latest firmware), and it has A-GPS enabled on it.

 

You can pick up almanac data from anywhere, Wifi is just fine - you will have to state a default access point, though, and for the sake of convienience, setting it to your GPRS data access point is easiest.

 

It uses very little data, costing about 3p per almanac on Vodafone Pay As You Go. It only collects this data once per GPS "session".

 

Once it's got the almanac data, all the satellies will show up in the status page, and a lock is acquired in about 10 seconds after the data is retrieved. In total, I can usually get a lock in under 40 seconds in a 3.5G area.

 

If anyone has queries about the N95, do ask!

[+Team Sieni]

I've got a Version 20 N95 (which is the latest firmware), and it has A-GPS enabled on it.

Sounds good, I'll try to make time to upgrade over the holiday period.

 

Oh - and can I add my apols to Dakar 4x4 for the thread hijack. I'll shut up now.

[+T.R.a.M.P.]

I've got a Version 20 N95 (which is the latest firmware), and it has A-GPS enabled on it.

Sounds good, I'll try to make time to upgrade over the holiday period.

 

Oh - and can I add my apols to Dakar 4x4 for the thread hijack. I'll shut up now.

 

I should probably point out that I've got a sim-free model. Vendor-locked phones (T-Mobile, Vodafone, Orange branded, etc) will probably not have the v20 firmware out quite yet. v12 has A-GPS, though.

[+Jonovich]

Oh - and can I add my apols to Dakar 4x4 for the thread hijack. I'll shut up now.

 

Whooaaa... No need to apologise, very interesting thread and pretty much convinced me not to bother with this Pocket Surfer thing. I do use an XDA II with a BT GPS and Memory Map/Cachemate for my caching, but never really found using the web browser on it an enjoyable experience (small screen coupled with low bandwidth on GPRS) - from the sounds of it the Pocket surfer will be the same - a compromise - albeit with their data compression system built in. I'll stick with XDA II and continue WAP'ing into geocaching.com when I feel the need for a really up-to-date cache page - and rely on PQ's and Cachemate for the rest. Very interesting to read about the Stellar too... Maybe if/when the static navigation is overcome/conquered, I'll consider an upgrade!

 

Jon.