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: - * Good Concept but Rush to market destroys potential. ...
The concept and features are novel but this device needs alot of redesigning or work to bring it to its potential. Here are some negatives.

The GPS reciever is no where near as sensitive as it should be, my garmin handheld does a better job of tracking my speed, It doesnt recognize very well when you have taken an off/on ramp, ie it will instruct you to exit the highway, then perform a route recalc because it doesnt know that you are actually on the off ramp.

Maps
Are woefully out of date in some areas, by YEARS, i dont know what source they are using for their maps in City/Urban driving but they are frustratingly out of date. In city driving the map/gps reciever cannot distinguish between a sharp curve and a turn, any curves that approach 70 degrees will be taken as a turn and the unit will instruct you to make a left/right when it is actually a sharp turn. The unit will switch from 3d back to 2D whenever it likes. If i set a destination and navigate to it, en route the unit will arbitrarily switch from 3D back to 2D and show me a rather large area map, therefore i lose the ability to see any upcoming streets. The unit will revert back to 3D when it is time to execute an upcoming turn but by that time i've missed several points of references/landmarks.

Bluetooth/Phone
The phone frequently mutes incoming calls, meaning when i answered a call via my phone or via the unit, the callers could hear me but i couldn't hear them.

Nightmode
Doesn't allow identify dead end streets like normal mode does.


User Friendliness
NONE at all, while it is not recommended to drive while operating the unit, this thing is a HAZARD and you basically have to stop, or plan well ahead because the steps needed to search POI's or enter POI's are very many and very tedious. The instruction manual seems like it was written by the marketing guys versus the Engineers/Tech Guys because it lacks detailed instructions and seems bent on terse praising of the unit and the features versus offering verbose detailed technical information.

Online support
Trip planner is totally useless, updates are far and few in between if any. You cannot enter or download points of interest from online and i cant seem to get the trip planner to work standalone on the unit, there must be some secret trick to get the option to light up on the unit, because its otherwise darkend/unavailable.

I bought this item brand new on Ebay and i have been strugging to give this unit a chance i have had it about 2 weeks and im ready to throw in the towel. I have given it ample opportunity to perform in City Driving, Suburban driving, interstate and state highway driving. One more week and im selling this bad boy on Ebay. The size of the screen and graphics arent enough to out weigh everything that is wrong with this unit.

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Buyer's feedback: - Stellar GPS from legendary Hewlett-Packard
Pros: The graphic is second to none. Beauty and clarity in 4.3 inch of goodness. Route recalculation is fast and easy to understand. All the readings/words are listed in cyan color border on top and bottom, which is just gorgeous. I also like how HP decides to give you a pen stick for free so we don't have to make smudges all over the screen with dirty fingers.

Cons: Kinda hard to create a new destination. The navigation path is not as smooth as Garmin's, but once you get the hang of it, it should be okay. It takes a good 3-5 mins to connect with the satellite. That's the worse part of this GPS.

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Buyer's feedback: - * Great features at a great price. ...
This GPS is packed with features. It is priced at a GPS that does half as much. The GPS is fast and maybe too fast. It tries to get you back to your route a little bit, but you just keep driving and it recalcs super fast. The bluetooth works flawlessly and is loud enough in a typical car. If your car is really loud - then obviously you might have problems. We liked the UK voices best. The text to speech isn't perfect - but c'mon - how good do you want it?

The display is amazing and it locks on fast.

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Buyer's feedback: - Not bad, but not too bad.
I've had this for a month now. I had a chance to take it to New Orleans LA last week, and it could not find the air port (MSY). It said the desitination is in unreachable area, and it took me to middle of nowhere and deadend road. Maybe the airport was under water during Karina :) But it did pretty good job around Dallas metro area with accuracy. Maybe it is the map it uses, NAVITEQ I believe. And, it does have a few things to be improved; design and functionality wise. Few things from my experience.

- I don't like the location of power button as few folks mentioned. It can easily turned by slight touch and pressure even when it is in the case. It should be relocated to top end corner as Garmin has.
- I found the satellite reception to be pretty good, even better than my Nuvi 360. Maybe I am blessed with good GPS calibration one.
- The screen is awesome. With some searching on the web, found the way to kinda unlock the PDA side of the device (It is WIndow CE based, so). I was able to watch some movies on it after shrinking the move to smaller size/resolution, and it is fantastic. With 8GB SD (since it supports SDHC), I could store more than a dozen movies available to watch.
- I found the windshield mount to be pretty good, even better than Garmin ones. It held pretty strong during bumpy ride, and doesn't look like it will "glue" to the windshield like my Garmin mount did.
- Yes, the sound of the device is pretty low. But there is a way to increase the volume if you find a right forum. But it takes some general gizmo knowledge, and probably not for everyone. Wish it had a FM transmitter built-in.
- Bluetooth....well... it works, but even after authenticating the ipaq in my phone, it does not "sync" automatically when it is in proximity like my Nuvi 360 does. I have to manually turn it on everytime, so it is not that useful.
- The 3D thing in some city (40 cities mapped so far I believe) is nice. New Orlease was one of them, and in downtown, it does look quite nice even though it does not look that fance like the picture posted.
- I find it quite annoying the sound and backlight setting is not "remembered". When I turn it on, I have to adjust the backlight seeting. And, it did crash/freeze a few time.
- The turn instructions can be better. If I decided to keep going instead of turning as it recommeds, it should recalculate adter may be 1 warning of turn back. It does say 2-3 times to turn back before route recalculation, which can be annoying. Probably my fault. I shouldn't have turn it on when I know exactly where I am going :) BTW, the route recalculation is pretty fast I would say.

IMHO, if it is cheap enough, and have a courage to "play" with it to unlock some of the stuff, get it. If it is just a navigator you want, Garmin is pretty cheap nowadays. Since most of the people will not using it for everyday, it sounds not bad, but if it can not find your destination when you really need it to, well...

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Buyer's feedback: - * TTS is Horible ...
The TTS is horrible; the sound is muffled and the annunciation is substandard. The non-TTS voice of Amy seems very good if you do not care about TTS. The route is not completly correct. There are times when it seems to be using some wrong map; even though the road/freeway has been around for over 10 years. It is a good unit if the TTS can be upgraded.