HP iPAQ rx5900/rx5915 Travel Companion with GPS Review

What the reviewers like:
Reviewers are stunned by all the things that the HP iPAQ rx5915 can do. With Windows Mobile 5.0, it runs mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet Explorer. The iPAQ rx5915 comes with a car dock and car charger; it has integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; and it plays MP3s and videos. The display is good. The rx5915 uses a SiRFstar III receiver and TomTom software, which works the same as on any standalone TomTom GPS unit.

What the reviewers don’t like:
GPS performance receives mixed reviews; One reviewer reports that the HP iPAQ rx5915 auto GPS frequently gave “convoluted directions.” This complaint is common when TomTom products are tested or used extensively. The rx5915 can be slow to lock to a satellite. Reviews criticize poor battery life.

HP iPAQ rx5900/rx5915 Travel Companion with GPS review highlights

According to reviewers, the HP iPAQ rx5915 is equal parts PDA and GPS receiver. In other PDAs with navigation capabilities, GPS is more of an afterthought, whereas the iPAQ rx5915 uses the top GPS microcontroller and TomTom software for navigation. With Windows Mobile 5.0, built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and an MP3 and video player, the HP iPAQ rx5915 is unmatched for those who want a full-fledged GPS unit combined with an organizer and media player.

We found many reviews of the HP iPAQ rx5915 Travel Companion (also sold and reviewed as the rx5900). Because the HP is a hybrid product - part PDA and part GPS - most reviews come from sources that don’t regularly review GPS devices. MobileTechReview.com, PC World and PC Advisor have very good reviews (the latter two are by the same writer). Laptop Magazine, PDA Street.com and GpsPasSion also have useful reviews. We also found helpful owner-written reviews at Amazon.com.

Also see full report: Auto GPS

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. MobileTechReview.com
HP iPAQ rx5915
Lisa Gade and Tong Zhang
Nov. 17, 2006

MobileTechReview is especially qualified to review this hybrid product. This review is comprehensive and detailed, but too technical in places for some readers. The review includes short lists of pros and cons for the HP iPAQ rx5915, and a rating of four stars (out of five).

2. PC World
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iPAQ rx5900: A Worthy Travel Companion?
James A. Martin
28-Jun-07

James Martin devotes a column to the HP iPAQ rx5900. Although columnists may have relatively informal review processes, Martin conducts an exceptionally substantive review, in which he evaluates GPS routing performance. “The TomTom software frequently gave me truly convoluted directions,” he says, so he cannot recommend this unit as a portable GPS.

3. Laptop Magazine
>> Details/Subscribe
HP iPAQ rx5900 Travel Companion
James Stevenson
Sept. 28, 2006

Laptop magazine doesn’t cover any aspect of this versatile product in depth, but it touches all bases. The review attempts to be comparative, but fairly concludes that the rx5900 is unique. Reviewer James Stevenson highly recommends the HP iPAQ rx5900 Travel Companion for frequent travelers seeking a combination GPS, PDA and MP3 player.

4. CNet.com
HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion
Bonnie Cha
Sept. 27, 2006

This short review of the HP iPAQ rx5900 GPS includes short lists of pros and cons, and a rating of "very good." A couple of comparisons are weak, especially one with the Garmin nüvi 250, which is not a competing product.

5. PDAStreet.com
Review: iPAQ rx5900 Travel Companion
Gerry Blackwell
Apr. 12, 2007

In this descriptive review, Gerry Blackwell shares his experience with the HP iPAQ rx5900 Travel Companion, offering observations on ease of use, features, and capabilities from the viewpoint of a typical user. There are no comparisons to other products.

6. GpsPasSion.com
Reviewed: HP rx5900 GPS PDA
Editors of GpsPasSion.com
Oct. 5, 2006

After testing a late prototype, the editors of this site offer a brief review crammed with technical details. They praise both the hardware and the software of the HP iPAQ rx5900 Travel Companion, but note that shrinking the antennas to fit them inside the PDA leads to lower GPS sensitivity.

7. Amazon.com
HP iPAQ rx5915 Reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

The HP iPAQ rx5915 has amassed nearly 150 owner-written reviews at Amazon.com, though it's hard to glean an overall idea of satisfaction. Most reviews are positive. Some owners say the iPAQ works better as a PDA than a GPS, but others say exactly the opposite.

Also see full report: Auto GPS

HP iPAQ rx5900/rx5915 Travel Companion with GPS Review