802.11b or Bluetooth w/ PPC?

[jcruse]

Just got a new Dell x50 with integrated 802.11b and bluetooth. I already had a Linksys wireless router (802.11b), and have been able to do a little web-surfing with the PPC. I haven't set up XLobby to use the PPC yet, but will try to do that in the coming week or so.

However, I'm facing a couple of issues. 1st, with 802.11b wireless enabled on my PPC, it eats through the battery life incredibly quickly. It can go for no more than 3 hours or so. Dell sells a double-capacity battery, so that would help some. 2nd, when I'm surfing the web and try to cancel a page or if it hangs, it will take down my entire network. I have to recycle my cable modem and wireless router to get things working again.

I'm thinking of adding a Bluetooth access point to see if it will help, but I was hoping to ask other users what their experience has been with wireless PPC's.

1) How do you deal with battery life? Do you constantly turn the PPC/wireless off and then back on when you want to navigate?
2) Does bluetooth consume less battery than 802.11b?
3) Anyone have the same kind of network-crashing issues? If so, how were they resolved? If you haven't had any network issues, which router/access point are you using? (my Linksys is at least 4 years old)

Thanks!

[Naylia]

I have the older Dell Axim x5.

1) I keep the cradle next to my tv in the family room, this is convient for docking and getting access to the ppc. Probably not good if you have kids though. If I've been using it prior to watching a movie this is a bad option since it's likely to die halfway through and I hate getting up and down while watching movie. So I'm looking at purchasing a generic extended life battery. For the x5 some have as much as 160% the life of the standard included battery and cost about half as much as the Dell extended battery.

2) I don't have bluetooth so I don't know. But one way to get a rough estimate would be to look up Bluetooth cards and 802.11b cards and compare the estimated power draw. I suspect internal circuitry would be similar in power drain, since it seems you overall battery life is similar to mine and I use a netgear CF card.

3) I have a netgear router. It hangs every now and then. This can be due to interference from phones, microwaves, or nearby radio stations. I have serious AM radio interference and I think this might be messing with my WiFi router despite being a different frequency spectrum. My mom has a linksys 802.11b wireless router. It never crashes.

[alaricljs]

Bluetooth historically has had abysmal range. You will probably not be able to use it to your satisfaction. I only looked up one access point (Axis 9010) tellingly enough, they don't specify any range. It's a class 1 device.

The class 1 BT specs claim a 300ft range. Most likely this is with perfect conditions, no walls, and a class 1 device at both ends.

Good luck!