Hewlett Packard Company is a recognized leader in the PDA market, and rare and its products went unnoticed by the general public. Suffice it to recall models such as the h5450 - the first PDA with an integrated fingerprint reader, h2210 - one of the best low cost handheld computers, hx4700 - the most powerful, at the time of its release, a business PDA. Model HP iPAQ rx5730 does not claim the laurels of their predecessors. This product is aimed at a narrow segment. This is evidenced, first of all, the name of the series - "Travel Companion" - a literal translation of "traveler's companion." In a series of "rx", HP includes several models. They differ fundamentally by the presence of Wi-Fi version 59hh, and its absence in the 57hh. The last two digits indicate the name of the region for which the apparatus is adapted. For Russia, designed the model with the designation rx5730. Many compare HP iPAQ rx5730 with Pocket PCs have feature GPS. However, the most reasonable to consider this unit as a GPS navigator with PDA functions. This confirms the positioning of the company Hewlett Packard, where she selects a series of "rx" from a number of common handheld computers. However, the possibility of PDA in the device or just do not cut and responsible for almost all modern requirements to such devices. For clarity, we suggest to familiarize with the characteristics in comparison with its closest competitors.
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| Comparative table: HP iPAQ rx5730, MiTAC Mio P550, Asus A686, Loox N520 |
Supplied
As the title system, we can assume that its bundled accessories must be present to use the device in the car. And indeed, looking into a box, we find there is a car holder and two chargers. One is for a standard 220V outlet, and another for the car's cigarette lighter. Their design is universal, it can charge, not just the machine from a kit, but any other device equipped with a USB cable. Car Holder has the traditional design, it is attached with suction cups to the windshield. Attaching securely and conveniently. Adjusting the position in three planes and allows you to select the optimal position regardless of vehicle model and type of planting.
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Rather strange looks in the presence of bundled leather case, which has no devices for fastening the belt. However, its purpose becomes clear after the first trip in the car. And at the very moment when you have to remove the device from the cradle and remove the bag. The bag is made of thick leather and perfectly protects the unit from various sharp objects such as keys, key rings, metal coins, which are filled with an abundance of bags and pockets of clothing.
Full set includes: - PDA
- Battery 1700 mAh
- Charger 220
- Car charger
- 2 miniUSB-cable for charging and syncing
- Car Holder
- Drive with language from the companies Quarta
- CD with additional software
Ergonomics and Design
The device is made in atypical for Hewlett Packard's style. Unlike most predecessors, having strict, conservative cut casing, rx5730 looks modern and unusual. The device has the form of a rectangle with two rounded corners.
The overall layout of controls involves the horizontal orientation of the device top and right faces are concave. This is not accidental - it is there most of the buttons, is responsible for calling in embedded applications. In spite of their small size they are comfortable and do not cause discomfort. Among them is a familiar and key «Power». It occupies the lowest position. Just above a button coup display above the call Windows Media Player Mobile. Still above the manufacturer put the start button navigation software. And finally, the topmost button is responsible for calling corporate applications Quick Launch, which will be discussed later.
On the front surface, which, as well as the whole body is dispersed, most of the display is. To his right are three buttons: Five-way control key, a call to the menu «Start» button and the «Ok», who concurrently serves as the exit / closing applications.
The stylus is located in the lower left corner and has a standard for the HP monolithic construction. It is worth noting that, for comfortable work with the unit above the designated device is almost not needed. Useful it may well, except that for text entry.
On the upper face rx5730 are: key recorder, a slot for memory cards format SD / MMC supports SDIO interface and a hole for soft reset.
The left side is responsible for the communication device's capabilities - are located here: miniUSB connector, 3.5 mm audio output jack and an external GPS antenna.
In general ergonomics of the device is at a very high level. Get used to the horizontal orientation of the device can be 10-15 minutes. Particularly relevant is the button layout, it is possible eliminates the use of the stylus while driving.
Screen
The device's screen nothing remarkable is not allocated. Its resolution is standard 320x240 pixels at a diagonal to 3.5 inches. The only thing worth noting is very flexible - in the 21 division, lighting control.
However the use of display a similar level in the rx5730 is justified. The device is positioned primarily as a navigator, and for these purposes it lacks the characteristics of a stock. Using the same fashion today, VGA displays only would increase the final cost of the device, while not adding to it facilities.
Speed and memory
HP iPAQ rx5730 is based on a Samsung SC32442 processor at 400 MHz. In this case, the CPU usage Samsung is the best solution, the performance is quite enough for comfortable work with your device, and at the same time, power consumption is not as high.
Before we show the test results, we note that in everyday use rx5730 worked without any complaints, quite quickly in response to any action. Testing is traditionally performed using Spb Benchmark, although in some tests, print out the error, probably due to the fact that the program is optimized for a previous version of the operating system Windows Mobile. Nevertheless, on Spb Benchmark tests can be folded a general idea of system performance compared to competing models. The following charts show the processing speed of various operations by the processor.
The diagrams are clearly visible two groups: the first CPU 400 MHz models have Mio and HP, the second - 312 MHz processors with FS and Asus. Minor discrepancies are due to errors in testing.At the next set of diagrams displayed the speed graphics. Here, despite the lower frequency of the processor in the lead processors Intel, which is due to the support teams Wireless MMX.
As we have said, some tests on rx5730 were errors, so give final indices Spb Benchmark test does not make sense. Once again we would remind you that the overall device performance depends not only on processor speed and memory, but on the overall balance of the system, particularly important in this game, for example, the speed of memory, which, incidentally, the rx5730 is higher than those of competitors . The full test results can be found in the table below.
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| Spb Benchmark: test results |
More complete picture of performance in general, can be obtained by looking at the results of tests on the speed of video playback. To this end, we have traditionally used the TCPMP player version 0.72.
The picture is quite predictable, HP iPAQ rx5730 confidently cope with video resolution of 640 x 352, but to save space, it is logical to pre-transcode video screen resolution of 320 x 240. As for memory, here we see the standard 64 MB RAM and 128 MB ROM. For the user data is available 79.6 MB, and the amount of RAM depends on whether the crack is installed or not. In the standard English language interface is less available memory is 43.22 mb, and after the localization of the company Quarta, free memory is 40.35 MB. However, this is enough to work with any application.
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| HP iPAQ rx5730: memory to Russification |
And now the pleasant: taking into account the specific positioning of the rx5730, as an assistant for travelers, it is logical that the PDA is equipped with 1 GB Flash-disk. This volume is enough to store the navigation software with lots of maps, various dictionaries, phrasebooks, travel guides, music and other programs that may be required away from home. If the 1 GB is not enough, the storage capacity can be increased with the card format SD. Supports cards up to 4 GB.
Sound
Evaluate the sound in a device designed primarily for navigation, at first glance, a rather futile exercise. The fact that someone will listen to your music with the built-in speaker is questionable, especially if you take into account that most users will use it in the car. However, the playback volume for this device nevertheless important as voice-tracking movement on a route used by the built-in speaker. With these objectives, the unit handles very well, "shouting" the unit, even at a moderate level. Do not forget also that the device is equipped with 3.5 mm jack and can function as an MP3 player. It would seem, what if the car has cassette recorder.But remember the current situation on the roads in major cities. In the rush hour traffic, many motorists are forced to use the subway for what would have time to get to an important meeting or conference. This is where the rx5730 will help pass the time for listening to your favorite music.
GPS
For navigation functions iPAQ rx5730 is used which has already become the standard for most browsers, the chip SiRFStar III. The major advantage is the ability to complete the work without a remote antenna. However, this did not prevent the manufacturer to supply the device connector under it.
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During testing, the device proved to be exclusively on the positive side. Cold start time was - a little less than 1 minute. Hot start - about 10 seconds. These values are typical rather for specialized devices, rather than, than for Windows Mobile Pocket PC. As the navigation software c rx5730 comes Tom Tom Navigator 6. This product is considered one of the best in Europe. However, the official website of the company is still no word about Russia. Nevertheless, the rx5730 has a map of Moscow. Such a discrepancy can be explained by the fact that the Russian map is under revision and can not be considered a full-fledged commercial product. However, embedded in the finished device, it can be, since technically it is for the card money is not taken. However this is only speculation and the real situation may be quite different. If we talk about the quality of the built Tom Tom Navigator, the program is controversial emotions. The main nasty part - the lack of Russian language. All names are written with the help of transliteration, that is English letters. Accordingly, the streets will have to search through it, the long-forgotten, way of input. In fairness, it should be noted that the voice prompts all the same sound in Russian, though not always right, but still in Russian. All settings are made in English only, that just pushes the majority of users.
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| HP iPAQ rx5730: Tom Tom: typing |
However, on the shelves of Russian stores there is a sufficient number of navigation programs. In our case, we additionally tested the navigation capabilities with the upcoming program AUTOSPUTNIK. Its main advantages over the Tom Tom are: the presence of the Russian language, as in street names, and configured, the designation of building footprints, actual maps covering not only in Moscow and Moscow region, but most of Russia's support for downloading information on road conditions and so on. While the program is available bundled with some PDAs and navigators, for example, GlobalSat GV-370. But it is worth noting that are now actively being beta-testing program, and soon AUTOSPUTNIK arrive on store shelves.
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| AUTOSPUTNIK: loading tubes |
We note again that the iPAQ rx5730 running Windows Mobile, and consequently nothing prevents the user to install any navigation program based on their habits and predilections.
Sociability
Of the wireless interfaces in the rx5730 is represented only Bluetooth.Recall that in the older models with the index 59hh available as Wi-Fi. Manage wireless interfaces by default for all devices Hewlett Packard utility iPAQ Wireless. It has a Today-plugin management, which can include one or another type of communication by simply clicking on the appropriate icon on the desktop. It is a pity that in our case we do have only two: Bluetooth and GPS. It is also worth noting that the manufacturer has not supplied the apparatus support fashionable modern protocol A2DP (wireless stereo support). It is difficult to say whether there was such a demand would be an opportunity for navigation handheld, but her presence just would not prevent using the rx5730 as a MP3-player.
Runtime
The phone has a powerful 1700 mAh battery. In any similar device is not used a battery of such capacity. It is therefore quite logical to runtime rx5730. 1. Maximum load. Vykruchena the brightness to maximum volume of the speaker, too, is activated Bluetooth, and Windows Media Player in a cycle of plays "heavy" video. Battery life in this mode was 4 o'clock 46 minutes. 2. Normal operation. In this mode, all wireless modules have been disabled. The brightness set to minimum level. And while the PDA was started reading the text in Haali Reader with automatic scrolling. While working in this mode was 19 hours and 52 minutes. 3. MP3 Playback. Bluetooth is turned off, the backlight too. Windows Media Player play MP3-files with a bitrate of 192 kbps through wired headphones. While working in this mode was 21 hours 16 minutes. Below you can see the comparison of time working with competitors.
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In general, as you can see, the results are very good. Ahead of our competitors only Asus A686, which, however, not surprising, because the CCP from this manufacturer are considered to be the most-lasting.
Soft
We have become accustomed, that all devices operating on the basis of WM5.0 are factory localization. However, in the case of the iPAQ rx5730 situation is not standard. Turn on the camera, we see an English interface. Russify it can use the included language pack from the company Quarta. He completely and totally accurate translation, the entire interface, including custom built-in applications. The only exception is Tom Tom Navigator. Its only drawback is the need to be reinstalled after the Hard Reset, all other parameters it does not yield to the factory Russification. Company Hewlett Packard never stint on the preloaded software, rx5730 was no exception. Among the list of pre-installed software: iPAQ Wireless - Wireless Connection Manager, which we wrote above.
iPAQ Audio - a standard application for all the company's products, its main function is the higher quality sound system, using an advanced equalizer.
HP Photosmart Mobile - the same standard for the HP utility. Intended to be read and work with images. Its main advantage over the standard tools of Windows Mobile - the rapid discovery of even a very "heavy" pictures.
Today Panel Lite - like all the previous program, this application is included in the standard package of Hewlett Packard. It displays the Today screen information about battery charge, the amount of free memory and adds a slider backlighting.
Quick Launch - a simple launcher that facilitates use of the device without a stylus. On his desk made five of the most pressing, according to the manufacturer points. Unfortunately, to argue with this view will not work because the application can not modify the list.
World Mate - a powerful package designed for people who are actively moving around the world. It includes: world time (simultaneous display of 5 selected cities), weather (when upgrading pumped forecast for cities all known program), a world map, currency converter (the upgrade is pumped into the course for all well-known program of currency), currency converter, phone codes of all countries and a directory of clothing sizes. The package includes full version of the program. It is noteworthy that when buying it separately, it costs $ 34.95.
Price
In chain stores MakTsentr - Computer in the palm of the cost of HP iPAQ rx5730 at the time of publication of the survey is 12,330 rubles. This is the standard price for the device in its class. Products of Hewlett Packard's never belonged to the category of cheap. All its devices tend to lean to the premium class. Therefore, this price looks quite reasonable.
Conclusions
In assessing this unit it is important to clearly understand its positioning. This is not a PDA with GPS, a navigator with PDA capabilities. And if we consider the HP iPAQ rx5730 from this point of view, the unit deserves the very positive feedback. He copes with the navigational task and, unlike the specialized devices that sense it is almost as good as can be used for a variety of additional purposes, for example, as watching videos or reading books. The latter two possibilities may be of interest to any driver, given the number of traffic jams in major cities. But not only motorists will be interesting this unit, not in vain, he bears a proud name «Travel companion». It was a long journey can fully appreciate all the preinstalled software suite. Application World Mate, will find the time difference, weather, and even the local currency. A navigation software will not let go astray in an unfamiliar city.
Pros: - Powerful battery
- Modern (SiRFStar III) GPS chip
- Large set of pre-installed software
- 1 GB of internal memory
Cons: - Lack of factory location
The authors, translation:
Mikhail Leonov
