For the past 5 years I have used a Trimble Nomad as a hand held computer for data collection. I basically run Windows Mobile, ArcPad, a timber cruising program, and use an external Bluetooth GPS receiver.
This last week I broke the screen on the Nomad and it’s looking like it will be $1000.00 to fix it. A brand new Nomad looks to be going for between $1200 and $2000.
The problem I’m having is that looking at the specs they seem to be able to make cell phones these days that are just as powerful at ¼ the price. Yet the rugged handheld computer market seems to be pushing towards rugged tablets in the $3500 to $4000 price range.
Anybody out there using something rugged/waterproof that’s fairly cheap for outdoor handheld data collection? Running Windows Mobile and maybe ArcPad?
I have no idea what else is out there. But upon reading this my first thought was, do you have an insurance policy that could help ameliorate your loss? If you’re using this for a business you own/operate, you can make a property claim against your business owners’ insurance (assuming your deductible is less than the cost to repair the item, of course).
Dunno much about WinMo hardware, but if you feel like trying to migrate to Android, and can do with a phone-sized device, I hear the Samsung Rugby Smart is pretty nice, and rugged.
Thanks for the help everybody, it looks like I’m just a little between technologies right now for my application. Good thing my compass and maps never break down or run out of batteries.
I am not very tech savvy, one thing I wondering is: The spec sheet on the Samsung Rugby smartphone in voltaire’s post says that the phone has a processing speed of 1.4 GHz and a storage capacity of 2.61 GB.
The Trimble Nomads spec sheet has an 806 MHz XScale processor, 128 MB SDRAM, and 512 MB to 2 GB of flash storage.
Am I comparing apples to oranges? Does it seem like I’m paying $1500 to carry around a machine the size of a brick that was eclipsed by $400 smartphones years ago?
The Nomad does appear to have some features, that if you use them, might somewhat justify that choice. Without delving too deeply, the one that really jumps out at me is the physical keypad. If you are used to using those keys, and aren’t used to using a touchscreen for everything, you will have an adjustment period. But once you get used to it, you should be able to work with it quite efficiently. Of course, the ease of use depends greatly on how well the app you’re using is designed.
The other thing is that I’m guessing (again, didn’t delve too deeply) that the Nomad has various ports for peripherals. If there are any peripherals that you require, you might need to consider that. But modern smartphones have just about everything but the kitchen sink already built-in. You won’t need a separate GPS receiver anymore, for instance.
BTW, that Samsung Rugby has 512 RAM, so it has four times that of your Nomad.
Oh yeah, and that 2.61 GB storage capacity for the Rugby is just the internal/built-in flash storage. You can slip in a micro-SD card for up to 32 GB more.
Yeah I hear you on the same thing. I am also a Timber cruiser. I have had to replace my screen twice this year costing me over 1000 $.
its bullshit how much the software and equipment for timber cruising costs rugged handhelds and all. It should be pretty simple to develop an Iphone app that could easily do the same thing for a fraction of the cost. Its just frustrating how expensive and bulky the equipment is and its not even that great. things could be much better for this stuff. see better Iphone apps everywhere. Allso with all of the desktop add ons, gis accessories, could probably be done all on one small simple program.
