How to choose PDA for working with NI PDA software

[Bipin]

I want to buy a PDA. Is there any preferred model/make of PDA to be considered for being able to develop PDA application using LabView PDA. Also if anybody has experienced any problem using any model it would be nice to know about that too.

Best Regards,

Bipin

[tst]

This probably depends most on what kind of features you will need in your application (DAQ, Wi-Fi, Cellular, Windows\Palm OS). You can have a look here for one suggestion. Personally, I've used an HP Ipaq 4150 for quite some time now and it's quite good. It was used mainly for Wi-Fi comm and for that it seems to have quite good reception. It also has a fairly bright screen and looks great. I haven't used its expansion slots or built in Bluetooth.

I also did some work with some PDA-phones. In both cases, where the communication module was built into the device, there was no problem in establishing communication with a PC application (once it was turned on manually). I haven't done any work with Palm.

One thing to look out for is LV itself - currently, the PDA module is significantly inferior to the PC version. You can definitely use it to write good, working programs on PDAs, but many options are not available (like property nodes, although there are replacements for those), the display isn't exactly the same as on the computer screen (and some things can't be displayed, like clusters), to call external code you must have the source code, it still has some very annoying bugs and you can probably find some more problems. I hope and trust that LV 8 will show some serious improvement in these fields.

[ohiofudu]

Hi,

We are on some projects with PDA module 7 and having some fun with it .About devices get  PDA device with USB host like Acer and Fujitus Siemens .This will make your Deployment faster ,We have allso hard some bug problems I hear that version 8 will take care of them.

Ohiofudu.

[Jarek]

Hi,

Do you know if Fujitsu Siemens N560 or Acer n311 works well with LV PDA (v8.0.1 or 8.2) ?

TIA

[Xaq]

Bipin-

Selecting  PDA to start developing on will depend on many factors. You should first determine what hardwdare requirement you have. Here are some good questions to start narrowing down the field:

1) WIll you be using any other device with the PDA such as Compact Flash or SD cards or device?
2) Do you want any wireless access (Bluetooth or 802.11)?
3) What kind of screen size and resolution will you require?
4) Do you want to connect any USB devices to the PDA (if so, you will need to find a PDA with a USB controller)

Beyond those questions, almost any PDA running Windows Mobile or Pocket PC will work with the LabVIEW PDA Module 8.2

[Jarek]

I have chosed the Acer n311 and Fujitsu-Siemens n560 because:
a) I buy it for me not for the company (but it will be used to demonstrate some solutions) and I need a GPS (Acer 311 BT GPS kit)
b) WiFI and bluetooth
c) USB host and RS232
d) VGA screen

I really would like to have CF but it is not possible with latest PDAs.

And I am worried about this "almost any". If i spent 300EUR to 500EUR for a PDA I would like to be sure that it is working with my Labview.

[Xaq]

Thanks for your suggestion using the Acer n311 Jarek! I have been writing applications for the Palm Treo 700w and have also seen several people using the Dell Axiom PDA's. While individual suggestions are great, there is a huge list of PDA's that are compatible with LAbVIEW PDA. Because of this, NI does not maintain a list of compatible PDA's. LabVIEW will work on PDA's which run supported operating systems (you can find that list here). Narrowing down which PDA is right for your application is best done by examining the hardware requirements and features.

[Steve_AZ]

Hi,

I also have some questions about using LabView on PDAs...

I plan to connect the PDA with a NI USB 6008 device. Is there enough voltage at the USB output of the PAD to get a 5V signal at the analog output port of the 6008? I'm asking this since my Laptop has problems to run some USB devices sine the voltage at the USB port of the Laptop is too low. Does someone have experience with that?

Can I use WiFi to send data from the PDA to a Computer. I'm planning to take flight measurements of a radio controlled model airplane (with PDA + NI USB 6008 on board) and would like to send data to the ground control.

Which PDA turned out to be a good choise for USB and WiFi connection?

Thanks for your help

Steve

[Xaq]

Steve-

If you intend on using a 6008 with a PDA, you need to make sure your PDA has a USB host controller (most do NOT). I know some customers have been successful using the 6008 with a PDA, but I do not know which PDA's they were using.

You can use the WiFi to transfer data just by using the LabVIEW TCP/IP functions.

Xaq