(Click here for a slightly larger view of the Dolphin 7850)Honeywell acquired Hand Held Products at the end of 2007, and has now revised that company's previously introduced
Dolphin 7850 handheld computer. As before, the device incorporates Adaptus Imaging Technology 5.0, said to capture both linear and 2D barcodes, and digital images. But where the device was previously optimized for relatively close focusing, the available HR, LR, and ALR scanners now allow 1D barcodes to be read from as far away as 30 feet, says Honeywell.
Apart from the new scanning options, the Dolphin 7850 is the same as before, offering longterm availability for logistics, warehousing, and meter-reading applications. Conspicuously tough, the device is said to withstand "multiple" five-foot drops onto concrete, and more than 2,000 three-foot "tumbles." It has an operating temperature range from -10 to 50 deg. C (14 to 122 deg. F), says Honeywell.
The device has a Marvell PXA520 processor clocked at either 312Mhz or 520 MHz, a 3.5-inch display with 320 x 240 resolution, and a choice of a 24-key keyboard "with scrolling alpha" or a 38-key keyboard "with full alpha." Networking includes standard 802.11b/g and optional Bluetooth 1.2, according to the company.
Finally, Honeywell's Dolphin 7850 appears ready to outlast the mere humans who must wield it, offering more than ten hours of battery life. This extended operating time applies even when the wireless networking is on continuously, the display backlighting is on full, and a barcode is being scanned every six seconds. The device is also capable of waiting patiently in suspend mode for more than eight days, the company says.
Key features of the Dolphin 7850, according to Honeywell, include:
- Processor -- Marvell PXA270, clocked at 312MHz or 520 MHz
- Memory -- 64 MB RAM and 128 MB flash (standard); 128 MB RAM and 128 MB flash (optional)
- Display -- 3.5-inch QVGA (240 X 320) TFT color with touchscreen
- Image engines:
- 5100SR/SF VGA area imager with bright green LED aimer
- 5300SR/SF VGA area imager with high-vis aiming pattern
- 5300HD VGA area imager
- HR, LR, and ALR laser scanners, offering 1D barcode scanning up to 30 feet
- Wireless:
- WLAN (standard), 802.11b/g
- WLAN Security -- WEP, 802.1x, LEAP, TKIP, MD5, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, WPA-PSK, and PEAP
- WPAN (optional), Bluetooth 1.2
- Other I/O -- combination RS-232/USB connector, IrDA
- Power:
- Main battery -- 7.4V, 14.1 watt-hour lithium-ion unit, hot-swappable
- Backup battery -- 3.6V NiMH unit saves RAM contents for 30 minutes during main battery change
- 9.5 VAC input, through handle charge port or USB/serial connector, charges unit in 4 hours
- Physical specs:
- Operating temperature -- -10 to 50 deg. C (14 to 122 deg. F)
- Relative humidity -- 95% humidity (non-condensing)
- Construction -- Polycarbonate outer housing, magnesium alloy internal chassis with component shock mounts
- Shock -- 5 foot (1.2 m) multiple drops to concrete, exceeds 2000 3 foot (1 m) tumbles
- Dimensions -- 7.1 x 3.3 x 1.4 inches (18 x 8.4 x 3.6 cm), not including handle
- Weight -- 22 oz. (684 g)
In addition to the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system, the device comes with Honeywell's Dolphin SDK for C/C++, C#, and Visual Basic development tools (requires Visual Studio 2005 Professional editions or higher). It also includes PowerNet Terminal Emulation (TNVT, 3270, 5250), SOTI's remote device management tool, and Z-Space Technologies's
ITScriptNet data validation software.
The device appears to be immediately available, though pricing was not disclosed. More information may be available on the Honeywell website,
here.
Related stories: