Ultra-rugged mobile computer with laser scanner
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

The PA982 is a heavily ruggedized Windows CE 5.0-based mobile computer with either a wide-angle or long range 1D laser scanner. It is based on the older 400MHz Marvell PXA255 processor and comes with 64MB of RAM and 64MB of Flash ROM.

This is a very rugged device that can handle 4-foot drops even without bumpers or protective case. It has an internal heating system that lets it operate within a very wide temperature range of between -22 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit. The unit's housing is vaccuum-sealed and carries an IP67 rating. This means it is totally sealed against dust and can even handle complete immersion in water.

For quick and easy data entry, the PA982 has a backlit backlit 19-key keypad that is programmable for one-touch operation. The rubber keys are large enough to be handled with gloves on. The unit is also available with a gun grip that can accommodate an additional Li-Ion battery. As is, the PA982 has a 15 watt-hour battery and a separate 1.7 watt-hour backup battery.

The PA982 communicates via Bluetooth or serial connection. USB host and client is available via its cradle. 802.11b/g WiFi and GSM/GPRS can be added via the units PC Card slot.

The Unitech PA982 is designed for applications in food transportation, military shipyards, airports, harbors, or other warehousing and stock control applications in extreme environments.