Recon-X military-grade PDA is "everything-proof"

Intended primarily for captains of heavy industry, Tripod Data Systems' Recon X-Series pocket PCs are the toughest we've ever come across. Both new models, the 200MHz 200x and the 400MHz 400x, are tested to stand up to even the toughest conditions, including drops, heavy vibration, extreme temperatures, dust and water that would turn many slicker devices into a shiny pile of junk. Other features include an integrated microphone, WiFi, Bluetooth, 256MB of flash memory and two compact flash slots for worksite necessities like barcode scanners and GPS. Most units run the Windows Mobile OS, but a Linux version is available through SDG Systems. You'll have to contact your local reseller for actual pricing, but we think it's a fair assumption that this little brother to your Toughbook doesn't come cheap.

[Via LinuxDevices]

[Jake @ Jul 8th 2006 9:31PM]

Not to get on your case too much, but the article specifically says, "The pricing [for the Linux version] will be the same as for the Recon X-Series with Windows Mobile."

[Lyle @ Jul 8th 2006 9:34PM]

everything proof...except for that windows blue screen of death, they haven't perfected that feature just quite yet

[Dster @ Jul 8th 2006 9:48PM]

Having run a pocketpc phone for a year and a half now, I feel confident that users can worry least about "drops, heavy vibration, extreme temperatures, dust and water".

It will crash, freeze, fail, and lose data all on its own!

[Superdotman @ Jul 8th 2006 9:57PM]

You mean they've figured out how to stop stylus scratches? Why doesn't the DS Lite come with such fancy technology?

[Isamu @ Jul 8th 2006 10:09PM]

But, is it bulletproof?

[Bobo @ Jul 8th 2006 10:29PM]

With a high price tag, it will be purchase-proof too.

[Martey @ Jul 8th 2006 10:40PM]

Jake, I think Stan meant that all versions of the PDA would be expensive, not just the Linux version.

[martin @ Jul 8th 2006 10:42PM]

I could actually use one of these. I'll get my company to buy me one. I'm setting up some large scale WiFi and I need something tough and portable to test signal coverage with Netstumbler.

Pretty expensive though, I can only find it for $1300 and that's without WiFi! Maybe there's something for me on ebay...

[@ @ Jul 8th 2006 11:49PM]

just buy a pocket pc on ebay for $100 and saran-wrap it until it reaches your desired amount of protection.

[Alex @ Jul 8th 2006 11:58PM]

No matter how good they make the product, it will never be idiot-proof.

[Kenno @ Jul 9th 2006 12:15AM]

Oh great news, they have fixed the issue of how a frictionless rubber stylus demolishes the screen after minimal use. Even in my white-room world an email or two erodes the view. Good to see there is one out there that can resist the indended purpose of the object, wow only 15 years latter too.

[kerunt @ Jul 9th 2006 1:06AM]

...or you could just get a top-of-the-line dell x51v and an otterbox case; together for less than half the price of the above mentioned junk...

[duke hafa @ Jul 9th 2006 2:15AM]

fire at will !

[Jake @ Jul 9th 2006 2:16AM]

Martey: What I was referring to was corrected, so I'm going to assume I was right.

[Harry @ Jul 9th 2006 3:26AM]

Theft-proof? Yellow stands out well.

[Sk8rCai @ Jul 9th 2006 4:34AM]

Actually, the Recon is a solid unit and good value when compared to other competing products (such as the FW series of terminals from Radix or the JLT-8403). The unit isnt intended for general consumer use but rather a working environment. If you're buying in quantity, the price comes down, and it comes down by quite a bit, I might add. We're rolling out 250 of these for use in delivery vans and trucks for a distributor and the Recon is perfect for that work environment where drivers will use and abuse the tech, especially in a heavily industrial environment. Buying a consumer product, such as a Dell, HP and butting it into a "rugged" case just isnt an option.

For people wanting a cheaper, rugged option for their own use, might want to try the M2 line of rugged handhelds. They're a little cheaper, but theres a slight drop in the IP rating, but most consumers wont be reaching those tolerances anytime soon, it's mostly a non-issue.

For day-to-day users, buying a Recon is like buying a 4x4 and not going off-road, although that doesnt stop people buying them!

[Craig @ Jul 9th 2006 6:24AM]

Yeah, this device is pretty much indestructible but the stuff you slot into the compact flash slots aren't. You mention scanners and GPS, they won't survive a drop of water.

[jas0nuk @ Jul 9th 2006 7:01AM]

"No matter how good they make the product, it will never be idiot-proof."
Too true, Alex.

[Anuj @ Jul 9th 2006 8:06AM]

Hey listen up guys this thing has to be fit for use for most of us but anyway who roughs it in a city? if yuo can afford this then you deffinitely dont rough it come on does the average office goer need this (a.k.a 90% of the population). Although useless it is cool and has appeal to me at least

[Intrepid @ Jul 9th 2006 8:49AM]

"everything proof...except for that windows blue screen of death, they haven't perfected that feature just quite yet"
Lol, very funny Lyle. But in fairness to the Windows Mobile team, it is a fantastic OS that has few flaws. When version 6 comes out, the OS will be even better - far superior to Symbian and more developed than Linux.

[Mike @ Jul 9th 2006 9:47AM]

Yes, people continue to gripe about the BSOD everytime someone mentions Windows but I haven't seen one in many years, ever since I upgraded to 2k or above. I think I've seen one once when I installed an outdated driver. While Microsoft and I might have some fundamental differences on how they run their business they now have a rather decent operating system.

[K Hagemann @ Jul 9th 2006 12:07PM]

I've used one of these for surveying, definatly an older model but looking absolutely no different. It's huge and heavy, not unlike holding a liter of cola, but worked wonderfully.

Of course a rep from a surveying company told me he'd never sell another one of them because the competing model works far better for the application. Not that I remember what it is, mind you.

[epp_b @ Jul 9th 2006 12:33PM]

Why must all "tough" and "rugged" devices be clad with ugly yellow and black plastic?

[Nogami @ Jul 9th 2006 12:41PM]

"Yes, people continue to gripe about the BSOD everytime someone mentions Windows but I haven't seen one in many years, ever since I upgraded to 2k or above. I think I've seen one once when I installed an outdated driver."

You are entirely correct. Bad drivers are the biggest cause of blue screens - and that's why Microsoft is mandating driver certification for Vista (uncertified drivers will not install). If companies need to submit (and I assume, pay?) for driver validation, then it puts a much higher demand for quality instead of rushing buggy drivers out the door.

[hawk @ Jul 9th 2006 12:56PM]

Windows Mobile does not blue screen. Not that it doesn't crash or screw up, but it doesn't blue-screen. Having to support them for my job, I'd have to say they definitely do still screw up and crash. The number of 'installation failures' that people get with WM5 devices makes me want to pull my hair out on a daily basis.

[Jon Lee @ Jul 9th 2006 12:59PM]

I once saw a video on tech tv where soldiers would simply smash a PDA to get rid of sensitive data, I don't think it would work that well with this lol

[rickm @ Jul 9th 2006 1:52PM]

Not sure about you guys but I have users who could kill this thing in a matter of hours.

[javaflash @ Jul 9th 2006 2:19PM]

If this design is for the military, it looks like an undercover FBI with his/her uniform on. Could we be a little bit more discreet?

[Martin @ Jul 9th 2006 2:35PM]

Of course. its a bright colour

wtf

[DoD Dude @ Jul 9th 2006 4:48PM]

What a poorly written article...

Does it mention the IP rating of the device.. no. Does it mention if its MIL 810-F compliant..no. It doesnt even flippin mention the important stuff. Who cares about bluetooth honestly. Is the barcode 1D/2D/Imager capable? Does it have a built in 802.11i client to meet the new DoD wireless policy (yes all armed services are under the DoD), well of course no. So basically all it told me if this is a really expensive possibly rugged fugly device. AWESOME!

[DoD Dude @ Jul 9th 2006 4:49PM]

Oh yea.. by the way... if the flash slots are what provide barcode etc. the unit is then totally useless to most real applications. Because im going to bet that once that flash slot is exposed the unit is no longer IP anyghing and so vulnerable to everything.

[Sean Cody @ Jul 9th 2006 6:12PM]

Whilst it really does look amazing I can not help but wonder if that thing is going to fit in my pocket. What is the point of making a "pocket" PC that you need massive clown pants to use...

[Ramsey Cohen @ Jul 9th 2006 8:41PM]

I am working this summer as an assistant to a survey crew, we use an older model of this very product. It truely is rugged, and can take quite a few hits...great product.

[Rob @ Jul 10th 2006 12:37AM]

Why do they even allow comments? It's always the same, there is no deviation in the back and forth *OS vs *OS, the lame jokes, the putdowns, the expert opinions...
You don't even have to read the comments, just search for keywords.
would someone please organize a movement to stop comments? Please?

Oh, and the spell checkers, the grammar nazis, the better-linkers.... on and on. We have to stop this.

[Rob @ Jul 10th 2006 1:30AM]

alright, the comment by Ramsey Cohen was relevant and useful, so I take back my rant. Even if it had been negative at least he's used a variation of this product.

[Justin Young @ Jul 10th 2006 4:02AM]

I have one of the older generation Recon's for a project at work. They arent your typical home/personal use device. Way too big, I have never seen a pocket that will fit this PC. What they are good for is lots of custom applications. You can build your own add on modules with them easilly. I've even seen one thrown against a wall pretty hard, and it kept processing fine. This upgraded module with BT and Wifi makes them brilliant for a lot business applications (tracking, analysis or sensors).

They arent as expensive as you'd think either...

PS: No i'm not from TDS :-)

[Agent X @ Jul 10th 2006 4:34AM]

I love my Toughbooks--all three of them. They've been to hell and back (thankfully, not with me), and they've lived through my daily routine and the occasional "look I can drop it down the stairs, and it'll be fine" demonstration.

I would love this PDA to match my Toughbook. But, I'm good with my Palm IIIe for now.

[Tony Rayo @ Jul 10th 2006 6:48AM]

Remember a couple months back when Engadget disabled comments? Yeah that was a peaceful time =). Also to the person who complains about the stylus and their DS Lite, if you are too much of a brute and cannot help stabbing your DS (I've never have problem with scratching from a Nintendo-brand stylus), you can get very cheap yet quality screen protectors for both PSP and DS. I don't own one for my DS but I bought one for 1.99$ for my PSP and it's saved the screen from general scratching and makes cleaning dust and such off much easier (poor PSP has been neglected lately because of New Super Mario Bros.).

[Alex R @ Jul 10th 2006 11:03AM]

I think this device will be enhanced for the military, by adding camo plastic and stuff but for now it's just a prototype. It's not made for consumers, it's made for workers and people who do use a PDA in rough conditions. Also for idiots who just want it because it's "cool". It's not "cool", it has a purpose and stupid consumers shouldn't even hear about it. It's market is work, military, ect. That's why it's $1,300!!!!

Get it?!?!?!?!?!

[Mooser @ Jul 10th 2006 12:17PM]

"Not sure about you guys but I have users who could kill this thing in a matter of hours."

Umm... From what everybody who'se actually used one is saying, that's probably not very true... Unless they take a hacksaw, skill saw, or a gun to it, it sounds like it can survive whatever they want to do to it. They, however, might not...

[Flounder @ Jul 10th 2006 8:12PM]

Actually they offer a second (larger) cap when you are using the GPs so you can still drop it into the water and have it survive. My company is currentlly testing a few of these and they work great. They work well in the conditions we subject them to and I would highly recomend them if your type of use requires a rugged data colector or interface device.

[Sujan Patel @ Jul 12th 2006 2:47PM]

Great phone diffently on my list of things to buy

[Donho @ Jul 19th 2006 5:06PM]

Just because most users don't Need it doesn't mean they don't "gotta have it". Like the people stopping their shiny-clean scratch-free Hummers before crossing inch-deep puddles.

[Mudder @ Jul 21st 2006 1:16PM]

It does come in Military Green and Grey and fits nicely into a BDU pocket. If you do need it you will know it. BTY it also has a 9 pin serial port!