Ultra-rugged communications and data capture mobile computer for transportation and logistics applications
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Honeywell introduced the Dolphin 99EX in 2011 more or less as a replacement of the Dolphin 9900/9950 series of "flashlight"-style handhelds. Like its predecessors, the 99EX was specifically designed for transportation and logistics applications, with special emphasis on user-friendlness, good ergonomics, all the wireless technology users might need for the job, as well as high-performance data capture capabilities. And the device had to be tough and durable enough for use on loading docks as well as residential doorsteps.

In the same general class as the likes of a Motorola MC9500, Intermec CK70, Psion XT15, or Datalogic Falcom X3, the 99EX was designed as tough, sturdy tool for jobs that include a lot of scanning and data entry. Measuring 2.7 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches and weighing just about 18 ounces, the Dolphin 99EX won't ever be mistaken for a smartphone, but it's about par for the course in this class.

The device has a nicely large 3.7-inch sunlight-readable transflective display with a resistive touch screen. 480 x 640 pixel VGA resolution is enough to make for a crisp, sharp image. Honeywell offers three different keyboards, depending on the intended use: there's a phone-style 34-key pad, a 43-key alpha pad, and a 55-key alphanumeric pad (shown on this page), all with backlight. All have 4-way cursor control keys, and a dedicated green scanner button.

While most older vertical market handhelds (and actually most Windows CE/Mobile handhelds) used to be powered by Marvel XScale processors, Honeywell chose an 1GHz TI OMAP 3715 chip instead. There's an ample 256MB of RAM and 1GB of Flash, expandable via a microSDHC card slot. The standard 11.3 watt-hour battery is good for 9 hours of intense use ((scanning and sending data over WLAN every 9 seconds); a more powerful 18.5 watt-hour extended battery increases that to a full 15.5 hours, at the cost of a bit of extra thickness and weight.

The Dolphin 99EX is a very competent voice/data communication device with Class II Bluetooth 2.1, dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, and carrier-independent Gobi wireless broadband that also includes GPS/A-GPS. The 99EX also comes with a 3.1-megapixel autofocus camera (a camera API is available) with LED illuminator as well as an ambient light sensor and a proximity sensor. Scanning operations benefit from the use of Honeywell's proprietary Adaptus imaging technology. Standard range, extended range, and high density versions of the N5600/N5603 engine (see Honeywell N5600 series page) are available.

On the ruggedness side, the Dolphin 99EX sports IP67 sealing, meaning it's totally protected against dust and is also waterproof even against full immersion. The device can handle 6-foot drops and a very wide -4 to 122 degree operating temperature range. It also offers good ESD protection and survived a punishing extended tumble test.

For history's sake, let's mention that the Dolphin line of mobile computers originated with Hand Held Products, which was acquired in December 2007 by Honeywell and together which Metrologic (acquired 2008) and LXE (acquired 2011) are part of today's Honeywell Scanning & Mobility.