Customer Reviews

HP iPAQ hw6500 Series Mobile Messenger

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I've been waiting for years for a PDA Phone to have the fetures of this iPAQ. I also purchased a Jabra JX-10 Bluetooth Headset, the Navteq GPS Maps software, the Belkin USB and Car Charger Kit, and a 1GB Memory card as well as the Cingular Unlimited Data Service.

As far as the basic phone and PDA features, I can't say more than the other reviewers have said. Everything works flawlessly. The only thing to consider is that this is a PDA first and not a phone so the size in your hand feels more PDA like than a phone unlike the Palm phone/PDA devices. The bluetooth headset works great so long as you buy a compatible headset. I originally purchased a GN Netcom bluetooth heaset and it continually lost synchronization with the ipaq and had to be reconnected through a series of synchronization steps which is virtually impossible when driving. As it turns out, other people have also had problems with this same headset. So I returned it and purchased the Jabra JX-10 which supports the ipaq 6515. Since then, I have had little problem with synchronization. The headset also works great and is light as a feather. The only drawback to this headset is that it picks up alot of background noise. People often complain that they can't hear me over the road noise when I'm driving.

I primarily use this for work and the advantage of being able to send and receive emails as well as surf the internet while on the road is something that I dont know how I lived without. The web browser works like a normal browser for the most part though some things such as Flash and JavaScript dont work by default. After some searching around the Macromedia website I have since found a Flash Plug-in for PDAs and now flash content is visible. So other than JavaScript and website pages with Frames the web pages look and work like they would on your normal PC Internet Explorer browser. Cingular service isn't quite broadband speed but not quite dial-up depending on where you are. It usually tends to be somewhere in between but fairly consistent service.

I have found the GPS and NAVTEQ Navigation software to be incredibly useful and accurate. NAVTEQ is available for separate purchase on the HP website [...]plus shipping and does not come with the phone. Since I drive all over the place to visit with clients, it has come in really handy. The maps display in 2D or 3D and can display local attractions, restaurants, etc. The turn by turn audible directions (in a pleasant female voice) are so accurate that they direct you to within about 50 feet of the place you are going. You simply enter where you are going and it directs you by voice from wherever you are to wherever you are going. Multiple destinations can be stored in the favorites so you can navigate from location to location throughout your day if you need. I have only one complaint with this software; while you will never get lost and it will eventualy get you to where you are going, sometimes the directions dont make the most sense. Occasionally the maps and directions dont seem to know that certain roads and routes exist. I imagine that this is just an innacuracy that will be better with future revisions. This is not always a problem but does sometimes occur. Even though the path to the destination is sometimes wacky, it never fails to get me where I want to go.

The camera is about what you would expect considering the tiny lens but it is still useful to have when you want to capture or save something. Outside pictures in bright light turn out fairly well. The flash makes up for low lighting but only helps in close up shots. The flash can also be used as a flashlight which came in handy one time during a power failure.

I dont find the lack of WIFI capability to be an issue for me since I have unlimited data service through Cingular. For those of you who want this feature, you can buy an additional WIFI SD Memory card [...] on Amazon.com and still have the Mini SD card slot to add more memory later if you want. The new IPAQ 6900 comes with only the mini SD card slot but with WIFI included.

I also listen to audio books and convert the CDs into Windows Media files on my PC and then upload them to my iPAQ to listen to them on the go. The onboard speaker isn't terribly loud but loud enough if you are within 5 or 6 feet from the device. The stereo headphones supplied with the iPAQ dont stay in your ears very well so you will most likely need to buy better ones.

One other useful features is instant messaging. When I'm away from the office I find it easier to quickly ask someone back at the office a quick questions by typing it into Instant Messenger rather than calling them. I purchased IMPlus [...]. IMPlus allows you to instant message AOL, MSN, ICQ, Yahoo, Google, and Jabber users like you would on any other computer and without any additional per character costs like with phone Text Messaging. Of course you will need to have some sort of internet service plan through Cingular or be connected to a WiFi hotspot. If you only need to IM MSN messenger users then you can use the onboard MSN messenger software or download AOL instant messenger for free to chat with AOL users.

About the only problems that I've had is that the iPAQ needs to be soft reset about once every day. I think this is because I tend to run alot of applications simultaneously. The battery life isnt all that great either when running applications or using the PDA but seems to be reasonable on standby. If you travel alot (or run the NAVTEQ software) in your car, you will want to buy the optional Belkin USB and Car charger kit [...] on the HP website and/or an additional battery.

Overall, I think this little device is great. For those of you who are mobile professionals; you will wonder how you did without one.

BASIC COMPARISONS (compared to the Blackberry and Treo):
These are only the basic DIFFERENCES between the latest Treo/Blackberry and the Ipaq hw6515

PROs
-Ipaq has built-in GPS receiver (not software!) the others do not
-Ipaq has two expansion slots (1 mini-SD and 1 SD slot), the others have one
-Ipaq has a 1.3 megapixel camera w/flash
-Ipaq has a terminal services client (allows me to remotely login to my cpu and control it)

CONs
-Ipaq does NOT have built-in WiFi (wireless internet card), the others do
-Ipaq comes with 64 MB of memory (ROM and RAM)
-Ipaq does not come with GPS software
-Ipaq battery life needs major improvements
-Ipaq doesn't support voice dial

NEUTRAL
-Ipaq uses Windows Mobile

One of the main reasons I chose this phone was that all of the CONs were addressable. I could get around the WiFi problem with a WiFi card for my SD slot and I could upgrade my memory by 1 GB with the mini-SD slot. If I didn't want a WiFi card, I could have gotten a 4 GB SD card and used the mini-SD for something else. As for the battery, I could buy another one and the GPS software I could buy as well.

COST
Main point here is that it costs more than just buying the phone.
1) $200 phone: I bought this through my phone carrier (Cingular) and renewed by 2-year plan. I bought it refurbished because I decided paying 400-500 for technology that is still in its infancy is quite ridiculous. When buying a pocket PC (ppc) you pay for much more than just the phone.
2) $32 1GB mini-SD card (Kingston): I bought this on Ebay. This included shipping and taxes.
3) $78 SD WiFi card (Spectec): I also bought this on Ebay. I bought the SDW-821. I bought this for two reasons:
- it supported both 802.11b and g
- it only stuck out of the SD slot aobut 5 mm. All other cards I found stuck out a couple cm.
4) $8 car charger. Bought this on ebay. The phone only comes with a wall charger and a cradle.
5) $150 GPS software (Navteq)
6) $8 extra battery
7) $50 Bluetooth (handsfree) headset MS850 - DO NOT GET THIS because the MS810+ series are the only Bluetooth headsets not supported by the hw6515. You can make calls fine, but the connection gets dropped on incoming calls.
Total: $528

This total was with a lot of bargain shopping. Be careful when buying on Ebay because there are a lot of people selling knockoff technology being shipped from factories in China that break after a couple weeks.

NOTES:
-I only pay 39.99/mo for my cell phone plan.
-I do not pay for internet usage fees because I use my WiFi card for internet access. There are free hotspots jumping up all over the place and hopefully Google gets their way and blankets the US with free wireless internet! I also have a T-mobile hotspot account for places that support this on my travels.
-If you get this and the GPS software you do NOT have to pay Cingular every time you use it. The GPS software and the GPS receiver work independently of Cingular so you never have to worry about getting billed extra by using this.
-Battery life for this phone given the technology is OK. I have to recharge once a night so long as I don't use BlueTooth or WiFi too often
-BlueTooth uses about 5% of my battery for every half hour I have it connected to my MS850 headset
-WiFi card uses about 10% of my battery for every half hour I am surfing the internet
-The Windows platform allows for very good multi-tasking
-I'm a UNIX/Linux fan but at least windows Mobile comes with Word/Excel so you can appease your mgmt team
-You can use .NET and Java apps (games and programs)
-Have to reboot the device on occasion because memory does not get freed up as it should
-After closing applications, they aren't actually closed, you have to shut them down in Memory->Running Programs
-Sound quality actually exceeded my expectations
-Bluetooth connections have been extremely stable
-I live in rural Northern California and have not had any problems with dropped calls or having bad reception. It seems to have the same reception as my Motorola V551.

Pros:
1) GPS - in australia comes bundled (with rebate) with Tom Tom 5 software. Also has a "whereis" GPRS subscription trial.
2) QWERTY Keyboard - finally. Have loved using Treo 650 for a year - and would not get a PDS without this functionality.
3) Stable (most stable PPC I have used - still the same memory leak issues as other SE2003 devices butruns a lot more stable with less resets.
4) Dual slots - 1 SDIO SD + 1 mini SD
5) 2003SE OS. I know - its not the latest but have you ever upgraded a MS software on your PC in the first release? Nightmare. There's a reason MS have released 2+ service packs for XP, and why 2003 is second edition. I guess I like stability in a device carrying all my data. Also - have used the O2atom - and returned it because it was unbelievably sluggish - think that this really is going to require major optimisation and faster processors (btw atom has a 416MHz processor)

Cons:
- No wifi. Silly omission. Could have cleaned up all competition with its inclusion - there is a later version coming (without the SD slot) with wifi and more memory. BUT - battery life already on the...err...minimal side will be sorely tested by wifi/gprs-edge/bluetooth etc...I guess get the small wifi card SDIO for when you need it.
- processor - should have been 416MHz - unsure of why - I guess combination of $ and battery life...but hey - build a bigger battery.
- phone - usual HTC implementation/MS issues with slow responsiveness

Overall - it has what I want: GPRS, speakerfone, qwerty keyboard, GPS for when I get lost...none of these are perfectly executed but all DO work and function in a stable manner. Pleased - I'll buy the SDIO wireless card and a bigger battery.

My 2c

My joystick fell off two weeks ago, sent the unit to HP telling them in advance the problem on my 6515 phone, clerk said to send it in on warranty. Got phoned back by HP, they told me they cannot repair the unit they offered a swap and wanted to charge me 303$ (excessive). I paid the unit 400$ on ebay, I tried to discuss the issue with a corporate office sales relation person in Canada and they say I had misused it. I have had 3 ipaqs in the last 8 years a 3660, a 3955 wich I still own, I know how much pressure to apply to an Ipaq button... had a problem once with the stylus button on my 3660, Compaq had at that time happily repaired it at no charge, things have changeg since HP took their business. I discussed this with the corporate office telling them this issue is frequently related on the internet. On one site a guy had a 6515 with cingular, he had had four replacements because of the same problem. Even in their own forum site this problem is refered to. An ebay seller is offerring a replacement button fo 24$, HP told me to buy it from them, can you believe that? On top of all that they said to me I had to pay an evaluation fee of 67$, told thew I did not want to pay... They replied they would send this to a collection agency if I did not pay within 90 days. My guess is this issue would cost too much to HP to recall deffective units so they prefer to abuse their custemors by telling them it's misuse... I plan to take them to small claims court and post this comment on as many sites as possible starting here. Good luck!

My company bought dozens of ipaqs 6515 and 6915 and all of them have same problem. after diailing phone number they hung up. it happens in about every third dial. All our ipaqs have the same problem, but they also have other problems. some of them fail to receive sms, some are powering off with no reason. another problem is that hp didn't include voice diailing . with that unfriendly keyboard they should include this option that today's most phones have. there are lot of complains at hp's forums but hp did nothing but start selling 6915 with same bugs.
Bad, bad product!

I spent 1 full year evaluating PDAs and waiting for this one to be relased in the US before buying the 6515 and strongly believe it's the best on the market (Jan 2006). Performance across all dimensions is good to excellent. Good reception, good sound quality, fantastic screen. I love the wider screen format. I was hesitant to use the Windows operating system but have found it to be fantastic, powerful, easy to use, intuitive, and most of all, the multi-tasking is very helpful! All of the built in applications are easy to use and functional. I also purchased the NAVTEQ GPS software and it's been very helpful on trips. The GPS isn't perfect (takes a while to get a fix and sometimes gets confused) but I think it's more than good enough considering they packed it into a small cell phone. Biggest disappointment with NAVTEQ is they don't offer maps outside of US/Canada. The battery life is very poor, but this is well documented, so it's something we learn to live with in exchange for all the features. I got the iGO kit so I can charge it in a car or on a plane as well as with an outlet (and use the same iGO kit to charge my iPOD). The keyboard is very comfortable but there is a problem where I get double keys (press a key once and get the same character twice), and another problem where if I press the same key twice, I get only once instance of the character. This is very annoying. And, unfortunately, it does crash a lot and require regular reboots. I'm not sure how much of this is the device and how much is the Cingular service. It's well buit, well designed, sleek, and light.

With all of this said, I still strongly recommend this unit ahead of any other unit on the market, as I've studied them all. There is nothing out there as well designed and as functional as this one. There are some shortcomings but there's nothing out there without some shortcomings.

It is absolutlely incomprehensible to me why so many folks are so fond of the Treo. In my opinion, Treo is garbage. I had one for a year and went through 4 warranty replacements in that time period. It crashed far more frequently than the 6515 has and had much more severe deficiencies and problems. The user inteface is grossly inferior.

Two thumbs up with a couple small caveats.

I've had my iPaq hw6515 for about 3 months now and I love it! I use it for everything: organization, communication, and navigation.

I would agree that the volume on the phone isn't quite as strong as one would like while outside around cars or in a car. But making use of the included headset makes up for that, since it has a seperate volume control. Why hold the phone to your ear anyways, when you could have both hands free? When indoors, the sound is great. I actually frequently use the phone feature while standing outside at work ... within 200 feet of a highway and it works plenty good for me.

Within the 1st month of having this phone/pda, I had to reboot 4 or 5 times. I was trying out all the programs and features. Eventually I noticed most of the programs wouldn't actually close when I thought they were closing. So I was literally running all those programs all the time. I noticed this when checking the cpu activity one day (selecting "memory" icon from main screen) and there was always an extensive list. Since then I frequently check this page to stop all the programs that I don't want running (select "stop all"). Since I've been doing this, I haven't had to reboot once.

As far as memory on the phone/pda itself (64MB), I'd rather have this smaller size (and cheaper price tag) along with my 512 SD and mini SD cards any day over more memory and a higher price tag.

I store everything on these cards from GPS maps to music and other miscelaneous files (using 1/4 memory) and leave most of the memory on the phone free for better processing performance.

My next accessory is going to be a Wi-Fi SD card because the internet speed is too inconsistent through Cingular's EDGE/GPRS network. In some places (when EDGE is available) it's fast enough, but in others (only GPRS available) it's a bit sluggish.

I'm writing this review while on hold (again) with Cingular customer support in an attempt to exchange the HP 6515 with a PDA phone that actually works. Why has this device failed me?!?! Was it my lack of techo-savvy? Has HP created a buggy product? Does Cingular fail to understand what it's selling and how to make it work? Have I been naughty? I suspect it's a combination of all the above.... Nevertheless, I have done my pennance by spending over 8 hours on the phone with friendly Cingular reps, 2 trips to Cingular stores, and 1 trip to the post office after working with 2 phones and 4 sim chips--all to no avail! Some details for you lest you encounter the same gruesome fate:

1) With the G3 sim chip installed. After activating the phone and placing a phone call or two, a screen appears titled "Simlock." This bugger informs you that your network has locked you out and requires a mysterious code to get the phone to work again. The product manual recommends "1234" or contacting the service provider for the appropriate code. I tried 8 different PUK codes provided by Cingular, "1234", "0000", the last four of the phone number... nothing worked. Incidentally, the Simlock screen can be temporarily overridden with a hard restart, and if you input too many invalid codes the chip burns out (hence phone #2).

2) With G2 chip installed. This fixed the Simlock error, but at the expense of phone connectivity. It now takes 8-9 attempts to place a phone call with the G2 chip installed.

Oh how I wish Cingular could have gotten this lovely, feature-ladden device up and running! I have owned HP products since 1993--2 printers, 2 laptops, and 2 PDAs--that have provided years of trouble-free service. Wish me luck with the Siemens SX66!

Great idea, but lack of execution with HP. I would expect quality and reliability from HP, but this is absolutely the worst phone I have ever owned..next to my Palm Treo. I've owned this phone for 10 months and have had to replaced it 7 times due to software and hardware problems. Upgrading to the latest bios resolved some of the software problems, but the phone still broke down due to joystick, microphone, and poor reception. The only useful feature of this phone is the GPS. Once my contract expires in 2 months, I'm getting a new phone and use this thing only for the GPS...or until it breaks again.

Nokia still makes the best phone.

Well.....
HP is currently the only one to offer a PDA Phone with gps.
Wifi is optional....checkout the spectec card....its pretty small...but it still sticks out about a centimeter....

GPS software is so so...
NOTE: The GPS reciever is on COM: 7.

Battery life could be better...its pretty good when the phone is in standby though.....

The 6715(the phone with built in WIFI, +100 MHZ proc, and WM5) is already out in europe under the name 6915.

The 6915 is NOT an improvement.
Things that are new in 6915
Built-in Wifi
WM5
~400 mhz processor

The battery is the same.
Built-in Wifi is mediocre to bad....your better off with a spectec card.
Why the ~400 mhz processor in the 6915? As with all windows....you need a faster processor....
Same is true here. For WM5 to run as fast a WM2003SE on the 6515, you need a faster processor.
Unfortunately, HP still uses the same capacity battery.
The battery life is less because of the faster processor.

You only get a 1200mah battery with this phone, which is mediocre...unless...when you use the gps in the car..you plug it in. The 1200mah with the 6915 is a joke, especially with WM5, and the faster proc.
Also, the WM5 on the 6915 still runs slower than WM2003SE on the 6515.