Dell Axim X51v

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So I sprung for a real handheld pc and I’m pretty happy with it. I lived with Palm OS for several years and I got tired of the crashes, so I thought I’d try Windows Mobile 5. I got Dell’s best Axim on a sale with a metal case without much fustration. Even if you must talke to India, call if you have any questions because the website has severe problems. My order didn’t show up online until the day before it was delivered. I emalled support with a question about an accessory and after waiting 4 days, I ended up calling.

Ordering headache aside, it’s not a bad unit. This model has 256mb which is far more than most handhelds. Expansion slots for SD and CompactFlash work out well with the two digital camera I use. Bluetooth syncronization with my PC is fairly painless to setup and the Wireless B works well with software like Resco Explorer to browse the LAN. I’ll be posting reviews of software that I try with it.

I should warn anyone looking at a Dell PDA that they have crippled Bluetooth. If you are unfamiliar with Bluetooth, it’s basically a short-range wireless technology. If has profiles for different uses, such as headset, file transfer, dial-up access, etc. Dell has taken out headset and headphones profiles for an unknown reason. So the Bluetooth headset I will be posting next works great with the new phone I will also be posting about and the laptop, but not the handheld. I was looking forward to Skype for Pocket PC.

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Permalink | February 4th, 2006

10 Responses to “Dell Axim X51v”

  1. Phil Says:
    September 23rd, 2007 at 6:48 pm

    My Dell Axim will not connect to a wireless network that is not on channel 6 ! Strange, no?

    Is there anyway around the bluetooth limitation ?

    Skype works fairly well.

  2. James Says:
    September 23rd, 2007 at 7:53 pm

    I found a wireless stack that was pieced together from WIDCOMM files from other devices which replaced the wifi and bluetooth drivers with uncrippled ones. I think it was on Aximsite, but Dell wouldn’t support the device with the altered drivers. I’ll have to dig up the link/files.

  3. Dixit Says:
    March 4th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

    Hi James…came to your blog whilst searching for information on Axim’s X51 PDA. I was recently handed one (in working order) but wonder if its any good given how the iphones/ipods and Nokia phones have cast pda’s as a thing of the past? Your thoughts?

  4. James Says:
    March 5th, 2008 at 12:06 am

    Hi Dixit, While there are a lot of new devices coming out, you are limited to how much they can do. The Axim runs Windows Mobile 5, with many applications already made and well-testede. The SDK for iphones isn’t even out, and it’ll be awhile before we see a lot of good software for them.

    There are a few things Axims can do that my iPod Touch can’t do:
    - Browse file shares on a network and open files and photos or stream videos.
    - Add codecs with software such as TCPMP and play DivX movies stored on another computer over the network
    - Remotely control a PC (jailbroken iphones can do this too)
    - Connect to FTP servers and download/upload files
    - Use Bluetooth to transfer files (iPhone has BT, iPod Touch doesn’t)
    - For business applications, the Axim can actually edit Word, Powerpoint, and Excel files (Planmaker is even better for spreadsheets)
    - MS of course has the best exchange/outlook support
    - Stream radio over with apps like Resco Radio
    - Voice memos with apps like Resco Audio Recorder
    - Play Doom on an Axim. There are lots of games for Windows Mobile 5 which is far more established and open the the iPod’s platform. The Axim X51v actually has its own 16mb video card, unlike other WM devices.
    - Access SD and CF cards. This works great with digital cameras because you can review photos on a bigger screen, delete ones that didn’t come out on the spot, and backup photos to another card. The Axim also serves as a SD/CF card reader when plugged into a PC.
    - I haven’t tried it, but you can also use Axims with real monitors using a special cable: http://www.tangshop.com/dell-axim-x50v-vga-cable.html. Quite often I’ve had to use a computer just for a slideshow of pictures, and this would have been handy.

    Check out http://www.aximsite.com/ for more resources.

  5. Dixit Says:
    March 5th, 2008 at 5:09 pm

    Thanks, James! Appreciate your prompt response. It sure puts the ‘bland pda’ in a more respectable position.

    Best – Dixit

    PS::Out of curiousity…your name rings a bell…were you ever at Mal-UC on the Island?

  6. James Says:
    March 5th, 2008 at 7:50 pm

    Yes, I was in the DMT program at MUC a couple years ago. I think its called iPro now. My company (Primal Communications) did the Malaspina Bookstore website as well.

  7. Dixit Says:
    March 6th, 2008 at 9:49 am

    Small world indeed! I graduated from their Tourism Management progam back in 2002. Well James, its a pleasure making your acquaintance and thanks again for your help with redeeming the placid x51. Cheers!

  8. Davide Pambianchi Says:
    April 30th, 2008 at 5:22 am

    Hi James,
    I’m a photographer and i work for the newspaper of Liguria, Italy.
    I have a X51v and i use it for sending pictures to my desk on the fly (via bluetooth modem nokia N73), sometimes wile keeping on shooting …
    Since i’m using the boring e-mail, this is my question: how to connect it with a ftp server ?
    I tried with internet explorer but it does not work and the error log is about incorrect username and password witch i did not type.
    Is possible to connect the axim with a ftp server without installing third party applications?
    (I saw the pocket pojo from idruna software and it’s the best photojournalism tool ever, but it’s very expensive)

    Thanks in advance
    Best Regards

  9. James Says:
    April 30th, 2008 at 11:57 am

    Hi Davide,

    I’ve been using Resco Explorer with its built-in ftp support. It also connects to computers on a network for transferring files, and can even create zip files. It is $29.97 from http://www.resco.net/pocketpc/explorer/default.asp but well worth it for the network and ftp support. I sometimes use the network support for streaming videos over wireless instead of storing them on the Axim.

    There are other programs for FTP on the Axim such as Explorer Mobile for $14.99 from http://www.orneta.com/products/ftp.explorer/ and a free FTP Client from http://www.portaplus.com/ftp.html , but I haven’t tried these.

    Cheers,
    James

  10. Davide Pambianchi Says:
    April 30th, 2008 at 1:13 pm

    Hi James,

    i want to thank you for your quick and powerful answer.
    And excuse for the wrong link of my archive, which is http://www.freaklance.net
    I’m going to try the resco explorer

    Thanks a lot,
    i’ll kepp you informed

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