Carlson Software has announced two ruggedized handheld computers intended for surveyors. The "Surveyor" and "Surveyor+" run Windows Mobile 6.1, include the company's SurvCE software, offer up to eight hours of battery life, and have sealed magnesium alloy cases, the company says.
The Surveyor and Surveyor Plus include magnesium enclosures with elastomer end caps. They meet IP67 standards for water and dust resistance, and also withstand repeated five-foot drops onto concrete. Both devices include separate alphabetical and numerical keypads, plus a nine-way navigation pad and dedicated function keys, all claimed to be easily operable even by a gloved user.
Carlson's Surveyor+ (left) and Surveyor (right)
The Surveyor and Surveyor+ are externally almost identical, as the above photo suggests. However, the Surveyor comes with a 520MHz Marvell PXA270 processor, whereas the Surveyor+ has a 624MHz PXA270. The Surveyor+ also adds a microSD expansion slot, plus the capability to accept the following internal expansion packs:
Cirronet, Maxsteam, or Futaba radios, for remote control of "total station" surveying equipment
GPS
GSM celluar modem
Without specifying the devices' standard RAM or flash memory complements, Carlson says the handhelds offer "up to 1GB of memory, with the option to expand." The devices have 3.5-inch, 320 x 240 touchscreen displays, with the novel ability to disable the touchscreen from the keyboard when desired.
Both the Surveyor and Surveyor+ are said to include Bluetooth 2.0, while the Surveyor+ also has 802.11b/g wireless networking. Other interfaces (shown at right) include dual DB-9 serial ports, plus USB host and client ports.
The devices come with a single 3900mAh battery pack that is claimed to offer from eight to 10 hours of operation. Users can double this by adding a second battery pack, and, in addition, batteries are warm-swappable, says Carlson.
According to the company, the Surveyor and Surveyor+ run Windows Mobile 6.1, complete with standard applications such as Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and Outlook Mobile. Beyond that, a major added software feature is SurvCE (screenshot at right), described by Carlson as a "complete data collection system for Real Time (RTK) GPS and Total Stations with in-field coordinate geometry." SurvCE is said to support a wide range of GPS receivers and total stations, whether robotic or conventional.
Specifications listed by Carlson Software for the Surveyor and Surveyor Plus include:
Processor -- Marvell PXA270 running at 520MHz (Surveyor) or 624MHz (Surveyor+)
Memory -- not cited, but "up to 1GB"
Display -- 3.5 inch QVGA (320 x 240) touchscreen display
Keyboard -- LED-backlit function keys, nine-way directional keypad, separate alphabetical and numeric keyboards
Wireless:
PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
WLAN -- 802.11b/g (Surveyor+)
GPS (optional on Surveyor+)
GSM cellular modem (optional on Surveyor+)
Cirronet, Maxstream, or Futaba radios for remote control of total stations (optional on Surveyor+ only)
I/O:
1 x USB host
1 x USB client
2 x RS232
Expansion -- microSD slot (Surveyor+)
Battery type/life -- 3900mAH battery pack with 8-10 hour life; room for optional second battery
Dimensions -- 10.2 x 5 x 1.5 inches
Weight -- 2 pounds
This video shows the Surveyor hurled from a building, run over repeatedly, and being dragged at speed Source: Carlson (click to play)
Further information
According to the company, orders are being accepted for the Surveyor and Surveyor+ now, and deliveries will begin at the end of this month. A Surveyor+, with SurvCE software, GPS, and radio on board for total station remote control, costs approximately $5200, according to the company. At the other end of the line, a Surveyor without SurvCE software costs approximately $2700, says Carlson.
Both the Surveyor and Surveyor+ are said to include Bluetooth 2.0, while the Surveyor+ also has 802.11b/g wireless networking. Other interfaces (shown at right) include dual DB-9 serial ports, plus USB host and client ports.
According to the company, the Surveyor and Surveyor+ run Windows Mobile 6.1, complete with standard applications such as Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and Outlook Mobile. Beyond that, a major added software feature is SurvCE (screenshot at right), described by Carlson as a "complete data collection system for Real Time (RTK) GPS and Total Stations with in-field coordinate geometry." SurvCE is said to support a wide range of GPS receivers and total stations, whether robotic or conventional.
