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From Nexian comes the only dual Compact Flash Expansion Pack for the Hewlett Packard H5550/H5555 Pocket PC. This expansion pack adds some bulk to your H5xxx or iPAQ3xxx Pocket PC, but I consider the benefits well worth it.
While it doesn't add to the length of your Pocket PC, it does give it a thickness of 1.5 inches. This may seem a bit bulky in the hands of those used to using their Pocket PC without expansion packs, but I got used to it rather quickly. It's dimensions are 3.4" wide x 5.2" long x 1.5" thick.
The pack features two Type I/II Compact Flash (CF) slots on the top as well as a
1550mAH Li-ion battery. This extends powers the Nexipak and also serves to charge the iPAQ main battery. And dramatically increases your use-time! I've gotten up to 8 hours of solid MP3 playing out of my H5555 using the NexiPak
Other dual CF expansion packs that I have seen state that they are not compatible with the H5xxx series of Pocket PCs. They probably would work, but the NexiPak definitely does work. I like being able to use Type II cards in either slot. I have found, however, that using ESRI's ArcPad on mine, that ArcPad will not recognize the second (the one farthest back) slot. This is not a failing with the NexiPak, but rather with ArcPad. I often use a CF GPS in the rear slot and a 1gb CF card in the front slot and life is good!
The unit is not without some flaws, unfortunately. Type I CF cards go in and out nicely because of the lip on the top. A microdrive, on the other hand, will cause you grief. I can get it in and out of the front slot relatively easy now that I know how. Turn the iPAQ over, put your first two fingers of each hand on the front so that your left finger tips cover the ON/OFF switch and right ones cover the status lights. Then put your thumbnails under the very slight lip of the left and right sides along the top of the microdrive and push up. The drive should come out. Nexian needs to put an ejector like many CF cameras have.
If you put the microdrive in the rear slot....good luck, your afternoon just got booked!
Also missing is a screen protector like some of the other expansion packs have. Unfortunately, HP's screen protector is proprietary (to the best of my knowledge) so hasn't been incorporated into it. It would be great if it were.
The NexiPak battery can be charged with it's own charger (sold separately) or through the main iPAQ charger. With a NexiPak attached, your iPAQ will sit in it's cradle just fine. The battery is detachable which is a nice plus if you really need time away from a plugin...just carry a spare battery.
Other than the lack of a CF Card ejector and a screen protector, I love this thing. I've outfitted several people with iPAQs for field use where I work and have always included a NexiPak as part of the package.
It can be purchased for under $100 and is well worth the investment if you have an iPAQ 3xxx or H5xxx Pocket PC.
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