Paul's comments make an excellent summary of my observations too.
I would add:

1. The H38xx series is older than the H39xx series, and have less
power.

2. The H38xx and the H39xx series have fixed batteries which may
be getting tired by now and cannot be changed to my knowledge.
Paul's notes re external batteries that add capacity to the
internal ones apply to these models too . . . but what happens
when the fixed internal ones become unreliable??!!

3. The new hx4700 / hx4705 has a larger display again - and a
much more detailed resolution (four times as many dots).

4. It is common to describe the display size by it's diagonal
length (3.5", 3.8", 4.0"), however we appreciate the AREA, so a
small change in 'size' can make a big change in area. IIRC the
H2210 is 25% smaller in area than the hx4700!

5. Younger people often accept the small display because their
youthful eyes can adjust easily and the compressed dots can make
their image 'better' (they would love the hx4700!). Older eyes
need the biggest display possible as we (over 45 yrs) have
difficulty changing focus quickly!

6. If you can devote a Pocket-PC to flying, life becomes much
simpler! So perhaps there is a place for a known good old model
and keep the new one for daily/work activities?

Cheers,

Jim Kelly.



"Paul Remde" wrote in message
news:PyScd.204238$wV.182482@attbi_s54...
Hi,

Like Eric, I prefer (slightly) the larger screens as found on the
iPAQ 3800
and 3900 and 5000 series over the 2200 series units. Eric's
testing shows
that the 3800 (with reflective TFT display) looks a little better
in
sunlight than the 3900 and 5000 (with transflective TFT display).
My
testing shows that they are very similar and the difference is
hardly worth
going back to using an old 3800 over a new 5000 series unit.
Other soaring
pilots such as Team StrePla in Germany agree with Eric that the
3800 series
is the best color option. I have a lot of respect for both Eric
and Team
StrePla but I prefer the fastest available processor as found in
the 3900,
5000 and especially the new 4700 series.

Certainly, no Pocket PC made today offers an LCD display that is
as readable
in sunlight as we'd all like. But many pilots make due because
they offer
very nice features like the graphical depiciton of reachable
airports on the
map.

I use a 2200 and 3970 and 4705 for my soaring flights.

I really like the 2215 and 4705 because they have optional large
batteries
that are great for powering the Pocket PC and a CF GPS for many
hours of
soaring flight. The optional CF Card expansion pack plus with
optional
large battery for the 3900 series also works well but is pricey
once you buy
the basic expansion pack and then add the large battery (you
can't buy the
expansion pack with the large battery).

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com


"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...
Mal Williams wrote:

I was going to buy an iPAQ 2210 for use as a final glide
computer, but
have
been advised that the old 39xx series is better, even though
out of
production. Has anyone used the 2210? Is it any good?

I have a 2210 and a 3835. I find the 2210 screen is usable in
the
cockpit, but the 3835 screen is definitely better, and that's
what I
use. I believe the 39xx series uses a screen similar to the
2210, but I
haven't compared them.

The very best thing to do is look at them yourself, outside in
the
sunlight and in the shade. If you compare them indoors, you
will think
the 2210 has the best display. Otherwise, it's a very nice
unit.


--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA