Rugged hand-held data-collection terminal can withstand 5ft drop
on to concrete
New from Southampton-based data-entry specialist Kendata
Peripherals Ltd is the Dolphin
hand-held data-collection terminal, which offers an unrivalled
combination of ruggedness, ergonomic design and value-for-money.
Manufactured in the USA by Hand Held Products, the DOS-based
terminal incorporates a laser bar-code scanner, infra-red communications,
an easy-to-read 8-line x 20-character LCD and a choice of two
keypad layouts.
To ensure that the terminal could cope with the rigours of
the industrial environment, it was designed and tested to withstand
multiple 5ft drops on to concrete. This was achieved by shock
mounting key internal components and by using a 'clamshell' shaped
case fabricated from a special ABS plastics material that is
resistant to crushing, cracking and UV-related deterioration.
The terminal also features wear-resistant epoxy-coated keys,
and the whole unit is sealed to IP65 to prevent the ingress of
dust and water.
Reliability is further enhanced by the fact that the terminal
has no plug-and-socket connectors. Instead, non-wearing metal
studs are used for the power interface on the Dolphin's Homebase
recharger, while an industry-standard IrDA port provides wireless
infra-red communication with the HomeBase or other IrDA devices
such as printers.
As well as being one of the most robust data-collection terminals
available, the Dolphin is also one of the most comfortable to
use, having been developed after extensive research into the
ergonomics of hand-held terminals. The uniquely shaped case is
equally comfortable in the left or right hand and is designed
for easy single-handed operation.
The keypad is available in either shifted numeric or alphanumeric
versions, and the laser scanner supports all popular barcode
formats, including EAN, Codabar, Code 128, Code 3 of 9, Interleaved
2 of 5, Plessey and UPC.
Supplied complete with a HomeBase desktop charging and communications
cradle, the Dolphin terminal has a capacity of 16,000 scans from
a single charge of the battery.
The unit can be programmed in either Microsoft or Borland
C, and Kendata also offers a bespoke application software service,
if required.
- ends -
28th June 1999 Ref. KE126/2
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