What Pocket PC's can I use?
Well, frankly we haven't yet found a single Pocket PC that was not usable with PocketFMS, though some might be more usable than others. E.g., some Pocket PC's are equipped with an integrated cell phone (GSM). These devices are also be usable, but some hardware buttons might be mapped for telephone use, so PocketFMS can't use those buttons. The program will still work, though. PocketFMS will also run on a Tablet PC, but is not specially designed or optimized for it. If you're thinking of acquiring a Pocket PC and one of your goals is to use it with PocketFMS, a few serious considerations could be:
- Battery life. If it lasts longer you can fly further,
- Processor. Must be a StrongARM or XScale processor, (no MIPS or whatever else is still out there),
- External power. If you can hook it to your aircraft you're home free.
- Screen contrast with and without backlight on. Without backlight you can squeeze more out of the battery life.
- Bluetooth. Only of interest if you're also going to purchase a Bluetooth GPS.
- Mounting options. Where are you going to put your Pocket PC when in flight?
- Operating system. PocketFMS requires Windows CE / Pocket OS 2000 or higher. Palm OS is not supported.
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OK, but which one should I buy?
That's a question we can't answer for you, because it depends on what you're willing to spend, what you can lay your hands on and what further use you have for it. There's a number of hardware combinations on the Known good list (link on the left) that we know for sure will work, but certainly other combinations will work as well! Generally, the faster and the more recent the better. Also, check that the operating system is at least Windows CE 2002.
