| If you have a PDA ask yourself a very important | | | | Simply switch to a different PDA and keep your |
| question. Is it safe from unforseen hazards on the | | | | existing case. You save money without |
| road? When I asked myself this same question | | | | compromising on the protection of your PDA. |
| the answer scared me. NO, it's not protected. It's | | | | What options are there for a rugged PDA? |
| why I've taken steps to make my PDA as tough | | | | My friend Larry, who is an engineer and former |
| as possible. Let's face it, like Murphy's Law if | | | | Navy Seal, uses Raytheon's Agama's |
| something can go wrong, it will. Instead of waiting | | | | ultra-ruggedized Pocket PC. This unit is designed |
| for the accident to happen I assumed it would | | | | for military and commercial use and includes: Intel's |
| and imagined the panic that would ensue without | | | | StrongARM 206 MHz processor, 64 MB of RAM, |
| my PDA. That was enough to scare me into | | | | 32 MB of flash ROM, a color touch screen, and a |
| action. | | | | single Secure Digital card slot. Options include: |
| What I've done in the terms of the industry is to | | | | Bluetooth, GPS, GPRS, or CDMA, and single and |
| "ruggedize" my PDA. It's now one tough cookie! A | | | | dual card expansion modules. It runs on the |
| protective armor surrounds the PDA so it can | | | | Pocket PC 2002 software. |
| withstand the natural elements like dust and | | | | There are many other rugged PDAs on the |
| moisture. Plus, the PDA is protected if in the | | | | market. My friend Carl, who works for the U.S. |
| event I accidentally drop or bump it against | | | | Department of Fish and Game, uses the Recon |
| something else. | | | | PDA by Tripod Data Systems (TDS) This |
| What are some of the pros and cons of a | | | | ruggetized PDA meets MIL-STD-810F military |
| ruggetized PDA? | | | | standards. It is built to withstand harsh weather |
| A ruggetized PDA does weigh and cost more | | | | conditions and is waterproof. The Recon PDA runs |
| than a consumer PDA. But the weight and price | | | | on Windows Mobile 2003 and comes with either |
| are worth it, considering it delivers needed | | | | 200 MHz or 400 MHz XScale processor, 64 MB of |
| protection for the PDA and it's data. The | | | | RAM and 64 or 128 MB of flash storage. This high |
| ruggetized outer cases made by Ottobox look like | | | | allocation of storage secures the data from |
| they're built for battle and rightfully they should | | | | resets and loss of power. It comes with a color |
| be. These things are rock solid. | | | | display and a front light. With Recon's PDA running |
| For quick data entry most ruggetized PDAs come | | | | on Windows Mobile 2003 it's convenient to use |
| with barcode or card readers as an option or built | | | | the pocket versions of Word, Excel, email and |
| in feature. | | | | calendar. |
| If you're strictly looking at a rugged PDA and not | | | | Symbol's MC9000-Gruns on Windows Mobile 2003 |
| the ruggetized outercase like with Ottobox, you'll | | | | (or Windows CE.NET) software and has 64 MB |
| find the software is a bit behind the times. I'll | | | | RAM and 64MB flash. Like the other rugged PDAs |
| explain this more under the section called Options | | | | it too is designed to withstand the harmful effects |
| For A Rugged PDA. Briefly, most rugged PDAs in | | | | of dust, water, and being accidentally dropped. |
| the marketplace run on older versions of Pocket | | | | What's the upkeep like on a PDA rugged case? |
| PC software. | | | | It's easy to clean. I use a Q tip and wipe away |
| What is it like using a ruggetized PDA? | | | | the dirt and grime from the outer case and seal. |
| My friend Joe, who is a reporter, has a ruggetized | | | | Can you lock the PDA Case? |
| outercase for his PDA. It's made by Ottobox. | | | | Yes. On the latch of my Otterbox there are |
| Joe's carried it with him as he's covered battles | | | | holes, which are real handy if you want to make |
| overseas and natural disasters from hurricanes to | | | | the unit tamper proof. These holes can be locked |
| floods. His ruggedized PDA has performed well in | | | | if you install screws in the openings. Otterbox |
| dirt, rain, humid conditions, as well in jeep rides | | | | says to use a 3.0mm x 6.0mm long Socket Head |
| when he's been in the war zone and in the | | | | Cap Screw (SCHS), which uses a 2.5mm hex |
| outback in Australia. It's got rocked around, | | | | wrench. |
| knocked into and still functioned without missing a | | | | Can you hook up external antennas for GPS? |
| beat. | | | | Yes. To get signal strength you need the antenna |
| According to Otterbox, the protective armor is | | | | to be in the best possible position and pointed |
| made from indestructible, reinforced ABS plastic. | | | | skyward. Sometimes this can look a little |
| Joe uses the OtterBox Armor 3600. It's the | | | | humorous. A few months ago, I saw a colleague |
| same one I use. It is designed for use in the field. | | | | with a pole mounted antenna. It seemed like he |
| Even if the field, in my case, is a convertible car | | | | grew an extra head. |
| and survey work as a landscape architect. | | | | What my colleague had on his back is a pole |
| When it comes to high-end function and safety it | | | | equipped backpack known as a Garmin 17N. The |
| is not always about looks, but the Ottobox does | | | | GPS receiver is built right into the dome, that's |
| look very cool. It reminds me of the Xterra car. | | | | what I had jokingly called an extra head. The |
| Mine is in florescent yellow, but the Otterbox | | | | Garmin 17N is widely used by survey workers in |
| 3600 also comes in midnight black. | | | | the field. With the Garmin 72/76, known as a |
| The pins on the case are Marine Grade 316 | | | | quad-helix antenna, the top edge of the unit |
| stainless steel, which is ideal for salt and | | | | needs to point skyward. |
| freshwater situations. | | | | There are other smaller antennas. For instance, |
| My rugged PDA case is waterproof too. I | | | | the Garmin 27C is slim and black much like tape a |
| accidentally tested that when I knocked over a | | | | cassette. You can attach it to a baseball cap, a |
| cup of water as I was driving. Dumb move, I | | | | pole, or a backpack. An added benefit of this unit |
| know. I had a near panic attack over it, but then | | | | is that it can improve signal strength for your |
| remembered the thing was waterproof up to | | | | PDA. |
| three meters in depth. Naturally, I breathed a | | | | Connectivity is easy. With these external antennas |
| huge sigh of relief. | | | | you simply connect the GPS with a cable to your |
| The Otterbox Armor 3600 has what they call a | | | | PDA and use the PDA software to view maps |
| "through-the-Box" connectivity Kit, which allows | | | | and conduct fieldwork. If you don't want to worry |
| you to use a variety of cables and still keep the | | | | about getting cables dirty or lugging them around |
| unit sealed from harmful weather conditions. You | | | | you may want to look into wireless Bluetooth |
| can add on GPS receivers, barcode readers and | | | | GPS units that connect to your PDA. |
| other accessories. | | | | Is it easy to use a ruggetized PDA in the field? |
| What about the mobile signal strength? | | | | Yes. The recessed plastic is very visible. The |
| One of the unexpected benefits of a ruggetized | | | | adjustable velcro strap is easy to grip if you have |
| PDA is that it actually protects the signal strength. | | | | gloves on, or if your hands are sticky or sweaty |
| I noticed this with my Bluetooth GPS connection. | | | | from work in the field. |
| The PDA is no longer just left open to the | | | | I like the handy stylus holder on the outside of |
| elements. Instead of natural conditions causing an | | | | the case. There is no fumbling around and asking |
| interference with the signal strength the PDA is | | | | myself where did the stylus go? It's right there |
| insulated. | | | | wherever I go! |
| Which is more cost effective a rugged PDA case | | | | If you work in the field, like me, and need to bring |
| or a ruggetized PDA? | | | | your PDA into dusty, humid, or unstable weather |
| A rugged PDA case is much more cost effective | | | | conditions be sure to ruggetize the case. It's the |
| than the ruggedized PDAs in the marketplace. The | | | | needed protection that will give you peace of |
| Ottobox PDA case is nearly a third the price of a | | | | mind. Verizon wireless offers a reliable national |
| rugged PDA. Plus, if you need to upgrade its easy. | | | | wireless Internet service called Wireless Sync. |