This phone seems to be what I'm looking for in a replacement. Since the MPX is nowhere to be seen, I'm looking elsewhere.

Does anyone have experience with this model?

MPX is dead, Moto cancelled it a few months ago.

I've had several of these, it is a decent device though you might want to consider the Verizon version of it as it comes with built in EVDO, which in certain locations will get you 500kb/s through cellular.

It is pretty big though, and battery life could be better, but other than that quite acceptable. Keep in mind though that it is already "old" so could be replaced by a new model soon, I already saw photos of an imate Jam with a keyboard...

Also, Gizmodo has a short review of the new HP 6500 today, you might want to check that one out. Personally I hate HP's PDA's as their 6315 was a total POS.

Yeah, I just read about that. This is the reason I usually don't buy Moto products. They can't even get their ideas to market(the US market).

But I was thinking about getting an unlocked GSM model for intl travel. I wanted to use the imate as a replacement for the MPX.

I take it that you need a keyboard? What about WiFi?

I am a big fan of the imate Jam, it is the perfect size.

How soon do you want to purchase? If you are not bound to Windows mobile then the SE P910 or the Nokia 9500 would also be good choices. The P910 even has a working Blackberry client nowadays.

Ok, I'm sold on the 6500. However, I'm torn between that model(minus WiFi) and the 6700(w/WiFi) which uses mini-SD.

I also see no mention of a GSM model. I've only seen mention of Cingular.

Cingular IS gsm, though they use GSM850. The 65/6700 is quadband, just like the 6315 was. Keep in mind though that this device has a slightly smaller screen than most current PocketPC's.

I'd just like to point out that I-mate is a truly terrible name for a product. Perhaps when they extend the battery life and the number of contacts it can hold, they'll call it the "I-mate all night long with lots of people"?

Uh....yeah....funny....

Actually, I've never realy heard any complaints about the name for their company.

Oh ok, I just assumed they were CDMA. However, if I bought a phone through them it will be locked right?


Not a real problem as I plan to also have a "real" PDA. The 6500 is a little too under powered for my tastes to replace the 5500 I recently lost. So I'll have my 4700 as well.

I have an iMate PDA2K and it is a good solid device. If you are looking for a fully converged (phone, PDA, WiFi, WWAN) then you should give it a serious look. Especially since you say you need a real PDA. In my opinion you would not need to carry a second device as a PDA.

I agree with Scott's comments about the HP6500. It is a nice device but they went with a smaller and square screen , 240x240 I think. In my opinion they are going after theBalckberry market with this device. I had a 6315 and Scott is being kind.

I suggest you look at the following versions of the HTC Blue Angel iMate PDA 2K):
Verizon XV6600 (CDMA) - No WiFi but you get EVDO which is better unless you are in non-EVDO coverage areas a lot.
Cingular SX66(GSM/GPRS) - Basically the same as the iMate PDA2K. Keep in mind that EDGE and its better successor HSDAP is not supported on this version. Don't expect Cingular to offer an upgrade beyond buy a new device.
Sprint PPC 6600(CDMA) - Same as the Verizon version but I don't think they offer EVDO on this device.

The one on the horizon I would also keep an eye on is the Samsung i730. I think it may be an HTC device as it looks suspiciously like the Blue Angel. Verizon says it will be available soon.

What about the keyboard? I've read some reviews where people mentioned they didn't like the buttons. Also, how does the imate feel when you slide the keypad out? Does it feel cheap and plastic or sturdy?

I don't mind carrying two devices. In some ways I prefer it.

The smaller screen isn't an issue with me. The only thing I'll be using the phone for is contacts, calendar and email/messaging.

I would need an unlocked GSM phone for intl travel so that eliminates all the CDMA carriers.

Wow. That i730 looks awesome, but I see no mention of GSM.

Since all you want is email, contacts and organizer, what is wrong with a Blackberry?

Hook yourself up with a 3rd party BES provider and you'll have full wireless sync, better than any PDA could offer you.

Absolutely agree with Scott's Blackberry recommendation. I have one as well and I even like using it as a phone. If the Blackberry operating system supported my Oracle app I would love to use it for our field mobile device.

To answer your question:
I have yet to use the keyboard as I find using the stylus easier. However, the keyboard feel quite sturdy.

As for the i730 I would feel comfortable predicting that there will be a GSM version from one of the GSM carriers.

Can you mix PDAs and Blackberries? How would you sync between a Blackberry, desktop, laptop, and a PocketPC? I usually do most of my calendar on a desktop or laptop and sync to my PDA.

I was going to post this in a separate thread, but I guess it's appropriate here.

I was thinking about setting up my own exchange server which would make syncing between my devices a lot easier.

Absolutely. I run Activesync on my PC and the Blackberry desktop. They work together perfectly.

Running your own exchange box is a major PITA, plus the Blackberry enterprise server is just under $2500... You'd be better off with a hosted exchange service and adding the Blackberry service to that. Firms like mailstreet and e-outlook provide excellent service, that you'd be able to use on your Blackberry AND PocketPC.

Check out this thread on hosted Exchange services:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?t=50

Entering something on your desktop calendar and seeing it appear wirelessly on your Blackberry, no matter where in the world you are is amazing, and something Microsoft simply can't do.

The Microsoft push email solution still relies on SMS to trigger the downloads, getting messages can take up to 20 minutes, my Blackberry receives my messages even before my desktop does.