Dec 06/Jan 07

Integrated GPS location-finding has been added to the Dolphin range of mobile computers from Hand Held Products. The company says it is the first supplier in the handheld field to offer this feature, although Intermec points out that it introduced provision for integrated GPS last year on its CN3 handheld (m.logistics issue 25, page 28).

The new facility from Hand Held is supplied in the form of an add-on module for Dolphin 7900 and 9500 terminals, incorporating a GPS chipset from UniQue ID. Among advantages cited by Hand Held, the user only has one unit to charge, and can use the device either in-cab for satellite navigation or outside the cab for precise location-finding.

The GPS unit has its own battery power, so draws no power from the handheld terminal.

According to UnIQue ID, the widespread practice of connecting handheld terminals to separate GPS receivers by wireless Bluetooth link can be trouble-prone. "The problems associated with two-piece solutions are just too great," claims managing director Tony Rainbow.

 

UnIQue ID is also offering various other add-on modules for Dolphin 7900 and 9500 terminals. They include a "good-read" vibration alert to confirm a positive barcode read in noisy environments; a powerful integrated torch; and an integrated RFID reader, supplementing the devices' inbuilt 1D and 2D barcode reading and imaging capabilities.

The GPS and these other devices are all available either "out of the box" with new terminals or as post-sale upgrades.