0ur opinion:

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Whether you're on the road for business or pleasure, this advanced, high-definition 3-D navigation system will upgrade your trip to first class.Before you go, you can customize your itinerary on your PC and download it to your iPAQ 310 Travel Companion; then it will guide you turn by turn to your destinations. 0n the way, you can use it as a hands-free answering system for your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone, as well as enjoy premium digital entertainment.

--November 11, 2007:
Hewlett-Packard has used its considerable expertise as a computer manufacturer to introduce improvements into the iPAQ-310 that make the company's first dedicated GPS navigation device astand out from the crowd, but help raise the bar for portable GPS navigators in general. At 4.3 inches wide, 3.4 inches high, and 0.7 inches thick, the device is quite small and slim, but fits rich navigation and multimedia features, better than DVD screen resoulation, a unique true 3D display, and robust business support into that little package. HP touts this as 'different and unique for the travel connosieur,' and it's innovative features certainly make a convincing argument to back up that claim.

Unique, high-definitation navigation display  with 3D models of buildings.	lt All Starts Under The Hood The biggest difference in the iPAQ-310 is one you might not even notice, until you turn the iPAQ-310 on, that is. The iPAQ's processor is much more powerful than any portable device out there right now. lt uses a SiRFtitan 600MHz dual core processor with 128Mb of onboard RAM, compared to the 400MHz SlRF lll and 64Mb of RAM in other high-end portable GPS navigators. This means faster route calculations and re-routing. lt also means more processing power for the graphics display, which leads us to one of the other things that makes the iPAQ-310 unique. An lmmersive, High-Definition, Navigation Experience The iPAQ-310's advanced 3D navigation system provides stunning visuals. For select cities, rather than the simple lines and color blocks you see on other navigators, you get actual 3-D models of buildings in space. Nothing else puts you in space and gives you a real feel for where you are and where you need to go than this device. Panning and zooming are smoother and faster. Plus, the 4.3-inch (diagonally) widescreen display has far better resolution than competitive models, 800 x 480 pixels compared to the current standard 420 x 272 pixels, which means all of those 3D maps are clear and detailed.
Easy-to-use interface	Full-Featured Navigation HP developed it's own user interface for the iPAQ-310 based on Windows Mobile 5.0. The interface is clear, intuitive, and easy to use. The device comes with text-to-speech capability, which allows it to offer directions with real street names, as well as Bluetooth for hands-free phone calling. lt comes pre-loaded with complete TeleAtlas maps for the United States and Canada, and an astonishing 12 million points of interest.	Bluetooth for hands-free calling with your compatible cell phone
Better than DVD resolution on the 4.3-inch widescreen	Rich Multimedia Features At 800 x 480 pixels, the high-definition resolution on the iPAQ-310's screen is better than most dedicated portable video players. Coupled with an SD card, the iPAQ-310 functions as a true premium personal entertainment system with a video player, MP3 music player, photo viewer, and 5 pre-installed games from GameboxClassics.

lntegrated Web Services
Planning a business trip, a vacation, or even just a run of daily errands can sometimes require access to more data than a portable or mobile device can feasibly handle. Hewlett-Packard's answer for this is a website, www.ipaq.com that allows you to download map updates, load custom points of interest, travel reviews, reservation information, and more into your iPAQ-310. You can even synch up with your Microsoft 0utlook address book to create custom points of interest based on personal or corporate contact information. You can upload and share your travel plans for others to use and customize, or find trip plans online to help you explore along the way or at your destination.


Specifications

• 0perating system:Windows® CE 5.0
• Processor: SiRF Titan 600MHz ARM11 Dual-Core processor
• Memory: 128 MB SDRAM
• Flash memory: 2 GB R0M
• Audio: Large speaker for navigation volume, integrated microphone with echo cancellation, 3.5mm 3-pin stereo headphone jack
• Ports: 1 mini USB, 1 headphone/line-out, 1 microphone in, 1 GPS antenna
• Slots: 1 microSD
• Display: 4.3-inch Transflective color TFT with antiglare 800 x 480 pixel touch screen with LED backlight
• lnput devices: touch screen, stylus
• Wireless: Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR
• GPS: Advanced SiRF embedded GPS receiver with lnstantFix time-to-first-fix acceleration
• Software installed: HP navigation software with text to speech guidance and web based trip planning, digital video player, digital music player, picture viewer, games, Bluetooth hands free, calculator, world clock, contacts with 0utlook sync
• Dimensions: 4.3 inches w x 0.7 inches d x 3.4 inches h (110.20 x 18.20 x 86.80 mm)
• Weight: 6.6 oz (187 g)
• Battery: Removable/rechargeable 1700 mAh Lithium-ion
• Power supply: AC Adapter
• Warranty: 0ne-year parts and labor in most regions; 90 days technical support for software in most regions. Additional offers may vary by region

What's ln The Box
iPAQ-310, car kit, car charger, AC charger, sync cable, slip case



Available 0ptional Accessories

• ExternalGPS Antenna (FB058AA#AC3): Enhances GPS reception inside vehicles.Comes with a five meter cable with low profile, non-sliding puck.
• Traffic Channel Car Charger (FB055AA#AC3): Adds real-time traffic and travel information capabilities to your iPAQ GPS. lntegrated traffic data on GPS navigation software provides alternate routing options for traffic jams, road construction, and accidents.
• Sport Case (FB005AA#AC3): Sport-inspired construction with form-fitting design offers protection from scratches and knocks when on the go. Comes with detachable carabiner clip to easily attach your iPAQ to a backpack or bag. 0ffers slots to store memory cards.
• Screen Protector (FB007AA#AC3): Protects your iPAQ screen from scratches. Antiglare coating allows use in bright sunlight. lncludes handy cleaning cloth.
• Bluetooth Stereo Headphones (FA303AA#AC3): Listen to your music from up to 30 feet away from the iPAQ.

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Buyer's feedback: - * This is no Nuvi! ...
I'm amazed at all the positive reviews for this lackluster device. I purchased it because of the 12 million POIs which theoretically are great but hard to access. I was also looking forward to the "brilliant" display which for me was underwhelming. The negatives of this device FAR outweighed the meager positives.

The form factor is nowhere near as elegant as the Nuvi - sorry, but it's true, all statements to the contrary notwithstanding. The suction device and attachment mechanism are so clumsy and poorly executed that alone would have kept me from keeping this clunker. The USB cable attaches directly to the device rather than being integrated into the suction cup holder as is the case with the Nuvi. So, instead of simply pushing a button and neatly removing the device you have to wrestle with the awkward release mechanism and then remove the USB cable from the device itself. HP should be ashamed of themselves.

And don't get me going on navigating through the menus. It is just downright awful. The Nuvi is simplicity itself. This device is just clumsy and very poorly designed. Yeah, yeah, you CAN eventually do what you want but frankly it is simply not worth the effort. The software designer who came up with this should be fired. It reminds me of the poorly executed MS PocketPC Mobile 6 compared to the Nuvi's iphone like simplicity and elegance.

Hard to believe that a company such as HP would allow this out the door. Do yourself a favor: buy a Nuvi or a TomTom for that matter. Both are considerably better thought out. Even at $200 this device just doesn't deliver. The negative reviews here are spot on. Read them carefully before you purchase this dog.

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Buyer's feedback: - Simply the best at the moment
Wow factor galore. This unit rocks. Hardware par excellence and decent accompanying software.

This unit is not for the beginner, but will be oh so pleasing for the initiated. The one prerequisite is that the manual should be read and studied cover to cover to extract full value from this unit and to reduce the incline of the learning curve. The unit is usable straight out of the box, but the gems are uncovered when the functions are fully understood.

I have the iPaq to go with my TomTom and I am very pleased with it. I agree with some of the criticisms of the unit, as it does have some software flaws, but most can be easily remedied.

HP had cut out the Pedestrian mode and carpool lane functions, but I have found simple hacks (code modifications using Winword or Notepad) on-line to restore them and they work. Same for overspeed warnings.

I have added Windows Total Commander CE (CECMD) and used this to add TCPMP (media player) in the Games Folder, all of which are freeware. So the unit is very modifiable for those so inclined.

The 2 glaring flaws that are not fully user addressable are the on/off button logic and the low volume of the TTS. The unit can be turned on much too easily and this could drain the battery inadvertently. The volume can be improved a bit with a software hack, but the better solution lay with HP upgrading the voice quality to the higher frequencies used by the likes of TomTom. I also read that there is a buffering issue with the TTS voices that can also be addressed by HP in a firmware update.

On another point, the early production models with model number FB86.... were flawed and withdrawn. They were replaced by the much better FA97.... series which had way less issues. HP did a software upgrade in Dec. that helped a bit as well.

Here is my list of recommendations to HP to make this unit an absolute slam dunk winner:
1) Fix the on/off logic
2) Make other maps available on SD cards (Coming in a few weeks, I am told)
3) Make TMC traffic available in the US
4) Restore original iGo functionality like PED routing, Carpool lane routing, etc.
5)Increase TTS volume/quality
6)Make the factory default Restore pack available (so modders can fix any screw-ups and thus HP can lower their cust service costs. (actually, now that I have discovered how to enter Engineering mode, I can do a restore to factory default myself, but it is a risky procedure).


Please note.... before this, I had never used Windows CE, so I am no expert, yet I was able with tips on line to do all that. I am no computer expert, but I can potter around.
I had never used iGo navigation software before, and the iPaq runs a modified version of iGo2008 which is NOT YET commercially available.

I find the array of options staggering on this machine. It basically can do just about ANYTHING the competitors can. I can only think of 3 useful functions missing that other available offerings can do at present, Reality View, Lane assistant and Selective (named road) route exclusion. The HP does routes exclusion by distance only. Every other cutting edge function exists like, Where am I? ..a la Garmin, Screen lock, disable snap-to-road, 3D mapping (buildings), contour mapping, tracklog, GPS accuracy readout, user changable battery, 3rd party application loading in the Games folder, 2 games provided in the stock unit, elevation readout, destination side of road indication on map, auto time zone switch, GPS AUTONOMY (extremely fast fix), 40 channel/2 million effective GPS correlators!!!, satellite graphics screen, auto day/night switching, etc, etc etc.

This unit has it all, and can still be improved. SCARY!

To cancel route, depress the scroll wheel on the right side of the unit and that will bring up the option in a small window. The scroll wheel is a hidden functionality in itself.

Great info can be found on the forum at [...]

General info:
The Ipaq 310 new firmware update for North America should be on the server to download this week, the versions for Europe early next week. Both via content manager tool that you download from [...]

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Buyer's feedback: - * False advertising ...
I just ordered this item and know after a day of doing research i am hearign both good and bad things, but the biggest problem i have is that it states in the add that an optional Traffic Channel Car Charger (FB055AA#AC3) is available for real time traffic. s a commuter in LA this is my number one priority and I jst found out that this is not yet availble in the U.S. and there is no time frame as to if and when. Had the staement been clearer i would not have ordered this unit at all and would have found one that better suits my needs. This is going to get turned around upon receipt and I think Amazon should be more clear on ityems it advertises to make sure the accessories are actually availble. I am more disapointed in Amazon then in HP. at least if you go to the HP website it does not list this as an option!!

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Buyer's feedback: - Great GPS
Hardware is the best out there(600 MHz, almost HD resolution)- comparable to $600+.
Software is good. TTS is not that great. I worked w/ TTS development in the past and the problem appears to be buffering. Due to buffer under runs, at times you will hear words broken up. I am hoping that HP will fix this issue soon. TTS w/ UK voice seems to be better. You can also disable TTS and use regualr voice (no street name).

This is not ur average GPS, you must read the manual(which is in the CD).
I hear a lot of people complain things like; how to adjust the volume, enter street number w/ contacts... All this is doable if you read the manual.

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Buyer's feedback: - * HP's GIANT idea falls short ...
This is HP's GIANT idea implemented poorly. I read the specs of this machine and was impressed with its capabilities and advanced design. I questioned the negative reviews and decided to see for myself.

I score this product for each of it's main functions
- GPS - Works ok, good reception, but the navigation program resets on occasions making the unit useless. 4/10
- Bluetooth pairing with a phone - poor sound quality. HP, if you want a reference on how to build good quality sound in a very small package, check out hTC products. 3/10
- MP3 player - Here HP tries hard to create a simple user interface - I wish they didn't. 3/10
- Video player - Supports limited formats, did not even test
- Games - here you are limited to the preloaded games HP gives you - 6/10
- Calculator - 8/10
- Contacts - HP tries again to re-invent a well known function. Again, I wish they left the Microsoft standard UI - 3/10
- Platform - USELESS. the unit runs on a LOCKED custom Windows Mobile 5 that won't allow you to use this device for any other purpose. This is HP's narrow definition of "Travel Companion" 0/10