VIKING history — RuggON's small form factor vehicle-mounts

To fully appreciate the VIKING II and its purpose, it helps to understand the platform's origins. RuggON's lineage in vehicle-mount computing traces back over four decades to First International Computer (FIC), founded in 1979 — years before the debut of the IBM PC. FIC grew into a multifaceted technology company with initiatives spanning computing, automotive electronics, and smart city solutions. In a 2001 interview I conducted with FIC's Dr. Gene Sheu in Taipei, he outlined the company's prescient view that the era of generic PCs was winding down, to be replaced by a wave of specialized information devices. That vision has since become reality.

In 2011, FIC spun off its Industrial Computer Business Unit as Ubiqconn Technology — "Ubiqconn" short for "ubiquitous connectivity." Ubiqconn went on to produce industrial-grade box and panel PCs, including the 7-inch and 10.4-inch "uTablet" models we reviewed in 2013 and 2014. In 2016, Ubiqconn introduced the MT7000, a rugged in-vehicle terminal targeting fleet management, asset tracking, and ELD (Electronic Logging Device) compliance.

Around that time, RuggON emerged to focus specifically on rugged mobile computing solutions. When Ubiqconn transitioned toward ODM-focused business, RuggON assumed responsibility for the company's product lines — launching branded offerings like the RuggTAB tablet series and RuggVMC vehicle terminals. The RuggON PM-301, which we reviewed in 2014, was a direct evolution of the Ubiqconn uTablet T70C.

In 2017, FIC RuggON was acquired by Ubiqconn and became one of its subsidiaries. As a result, the original Ubiqconn MT7000 platform became the foundation for RuggON's current VIKING and VORTEX vehicle computing series.

	RuggON	VIKING II	VIKING	MT7010	MT7000
	Introduced	2025	2020	2018	2016
	Display	7-inch 1024x600	7-inch 1024x600	7-inch 1024x600	7-inch 1024x600
	Luminance	500 nits	500 nits	500 nits	500 nits
	Touch	Capacitive multi	Capacitive multi	Capacitive multi	Capacitive multi
	OS	Android 14 GMS	Android 9.0 GMS	Android 5.1	Windows or Android 4.4
	CPU	Qualcomm 6490	Qualcomm SD660	ARM Cortex-A7	Intel Atom E2815
	GPU	Adreno 643L	Adreno 510	unknown	unknown
	Size (inches)	8.7 x 6.0 x 1.61	8.7 x 6.0 x 1.61	8.7 x 6.0 x 1.57	8.7 x 6.0 x 1.57
	Weight (lbs.)	2.75	2.75	2.75	2.75
	RAM	8GB LPDDR4x	3GB LPDDR4	1 or 2GB DDR2	2 or 4GB DDR3L
	Storage	128GB UFS	32GB eMMC	8GB/16GB eMMC	mSATA
	USB	1 x 2.0, 1 x 3.0	1 x 2.0, 1 x 3.0	2 x 2.0	1 x 2.0, 1 x 3.0
	USB Type C	1	1	NA	NA
	RJ45 LAN	1	1	1	1
	Digital I/O	DI x 2, DO x 2	DI x 2, DO x 2	DI x 2, DO x 2	DI x 2, DO x 2
	RS232 w/power	1	1	1	1
	RS232/422/485	2	2	1	1
	CAN bus	yes (raw)	yes (raw)	yes	yes
	J1939 support	optional	optional	yes	yes
	WiFi	6E 802.11ax	802.11ac	802.11 a/b/g/n	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
	Bluetooth	5.2	5.0	4.1	4.0
	GNSS	GPS / GLONASS / BeiDou; opt. dead reckoning or RTK support	GPS/GLONASS/ BeiDou/Galileo	GPS/GLONASS/ BeiDou	GPS/GLONASS/ BeiDou
	RFID/NFC	yes	yes	on request	on request
	Operating temp	-30°C to +60°C	-20°C to +60°C	-20°C to +60°C	-30°C to +60°C
	Sealing	IP65	IP65	IP65	IP65

How did a single product — the MT7000 — evolve into two distinct lines? It's because the original MT7000 platform branched into two directions: one eventually became the Windows-based RuggON VORTEX, evolving to leverage the full power and flexibility of Microsoft Windows. The other became the Android-based VIKING and, later, the VIKING II — hardware optimized specifically for the Android platform.

Microsoft Windows remains a dominant force in enterprise and industrial computing. However, since the introduction of Android in 2008 as a largely open-source alternative to Apple's iOS, many rugged system vendors have adopted Android in select product lines.

One key reason is that Android inherited a wide range of applications previously served by now-discontinued platforms like Microsoft Windows CE and Windows Embedded Handheld. In many cases, Android became the go-to replacement in use cases that didn't require the heavier footprint of full Windows.

So why not offer both OS options and let customers choose? That was the approach many vendors took. But to control costs, they often tried to run both Windows and Android on the same hardware, using the same processor. The original MT7000 was an example — it supported both Windows and Android 4.4. While functional, the Android implementation was suboptimal, essentially running in emulation on hardware originally designed for Windows.

RuggON was already familiar with that issue. The company had faced it with their popular 501 Series 10-inch rugged Windows tablet when customers began asking for an Android version. The Core processors in the Windows-based PX501 — unlike the Intel Atom chips in the original MT7000 — didn't support Android, and so it was decided to use as much of the 501 Series hardware as possible, but invest in state-of-the-art electronics developed just for Android.

When RuggON launched the Android-based version of its PX501 in 2019 — the SOL PA501 — it marked a strategic shift. The new model was powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, a highly integrated system-on-chip originally developed for the demanding, performance-driven Android smartphone market.

The SOL PA501 proved successful, and RuggON applied the same approach to its vehicle-mount platform. They began with the MT7000 and ultimately split it into two product lines: one optimized for Windows, the other tailored for Android.

Because the original MT7000 had been designed with Windows in mind and ran on an Intel processor, no significant changes were needed on the Windows side. The Android line, however, required a performance uplift. That came in 2018 with the MT7010, which used a quad-core Cortex-A7 processor — a chip purpose-built for Android-based embedded systems.

Given the rapid pace of advancement on the ARM/Android side, RuggON quickly followed up just two years later with the MT7030 — rebranded as the VIKING — in 2020. Like the SOL PA501, it was powered by the Snapdragon 660, instantly positioning the VIKING as one of the fastest rugged Android platforms on the market at the time, well ahead of most competing tablets and handhelds.

The two versions were now starting to develop more along different lines, due to the very nature of the platforms. For example, being essentially a phone platform, Android devices usually have dual SIM card slots, and RuggON implemented the dual SIM feature on the VIKING. The original VIKING also introduced over-the-air updating via RuggON's custom RuggOTA software, which allowed full system image updates and even MCU (Microcontroller Unit) firmware upgrades. For added convenience and enterprise control, RuggON also offered RMDM (RuggON Mobile Device Management), enabling remote app installation, updates, and removals by group and schedule.

As of May 2025, the two branches of the MT7000 legacy have further diverged. The Windows-based line is now represented by the new RuggON VORTEX, which fully leverages the strengths of the Windows platform, including powerful Intel Core processors and significantly expanded wired I/O. On the Android side, the new VIKING II is built on the latest Android technology and stands out with its comprehensive wired and wireless communication capabilities — including optional SATCOM — features rarely found in rugged Android devices.

The development paths reflect two different strategies: the Windows platform saw a major leap from the MT7000 directly to the VORTEX, while the Android side advanced through a series of evolutionary steps. In terms of performance, the VIKING II is far beyond the original MT7000, which ran an early version of Android on Windows-oriented hardware. It also outperforms its own predecessor, the 2020 VIKING, by a wide margin.

As far as performance goes, the new VIKING II is way ahead of the original MT7000 running an early version of Android on hardware designed for Windows. And the new VIKING II is also way ahead even of the predecessor VIKING released in 2020. This performance gain is largely due to the breakneck pace of ARM processor development, driven by the global demand for Android smartphones. Not only has graphics performance increased dramatically, but ARM chips now also incorporate substantial AI acceleration capabilities. The VIKING II's Snapdragon 6490 includes Qualcomm's Hexagon 770 DSP, part of the company's latest-generation AI engine. It delivers robust performance in imaging, voice processing, and other AI-related tasks, while also offloading work from the CPU and GPU.

This translates into significant headroom for both general-purpose and emerging AI-edge computing tasks. We subjected our VIKING II review unit to a broad suite of performance benchmarks, including AI inference tests using the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology's AI Benchmark 6, the AITuTu benchmark, and others. For comparison, we've included benchmark results from other similar and related systems where available. Some columns remain blank — new benchmarks are constantly introduced, and older systems may not support all of them.

The numbers are as follows:

Rugged Android vehicle-mounts/tablets benchmark overview

Vendor	RuggON	RuggON	Getac	Getac	Juniper	Samsung	Zebra
Model	VIKING II	VIKING	ZX10	ZX80	Mesa 3	Tab Active4 Pro	ET65
Device type	vehicle-mount	vehicle-mount	rugged tablet	rugged tablet	rugged tablet	enterprise tablet	enterprise tablet
Display size	7.0-inch	7.0-inch	10.1-inch	8.0-inch	7.0-inch	10.1-inch	10.1-inch
Display resolution	1024 x 600	1024 x 600	1920 x 1200	1920 x 1200	1280 x 800	1920 x 1200	1920 x 1200
Display ppi	170	170	224	283	224	224	216
Year tested	2025	2020	2024	2022	2024	2024	2025
Processor	Qualcomm	Qualcomm	Qualcomm	Qualcomm	Qualcomm	Qualcomm	Qualcomm
Processor Model	QCS6490	SD660	QCS6490	QCS6490	SD660	SD778G	QCS6490
Processor cores	4xA78, 4xA55	4xA73, 4xA53	4xA78, 4xA55	4xA78, 4xA55	4xA73, 4xA53	4xA73, 4xA53	4xA78, 4xA55
PCMark for Android	10,297	NA	9,912	9,194	NA	9,725	NA
- PCMark browsing	7,902	NA	6,707	6,667	NA	7,443	NA
- PCMark video	6,043	NA	6,024	5,901	NA	5,887	NA
- PCMark writing	11,667	NA	12,340	10,738	NA	10,724	NA
- PCMark img editing	21,313	NA	23,059	18,660	NA	21,029	NA
- PCMark data manip.	9,748	NA	8,323	8,335	NA	8,201	NA
PassMark Mobile	14,337	5,838	14,827	14,889	5,801	12,070	14,110
- PM CPU	6,946	15,539	6,980	7,015	15,151	5,901	6,687
- PM Disk	101,410	21,503	133,924	124,491	26,215	32,522	80,756
- PM Memory	28,643	15,956	28,703	29,201	15,604	26,331	28,555
- PM 2D Graphics	52,663	35,280	38,505	38,801	30,874	37,036	38,952
- PM 3D Graphics	12,383	10,272	28,329	28,163	15,503	28,243	28,158
AnTuTu	516,927	167,728	553,103	547,919	175,615	444,370	519,965
AITuTu	381,769	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	????
AI Benchmark 6	969	NA	NA	NA	NA	886	1,002
Vellamo Browser	NA	2,869	10,916	11,450	5,758	NA	NA
Vellamo Metal	NA	3,815	5,964	5,984	2,918	NA	NA
Vellamo Multicore	NA	5,393	7,438	7,606	3,806	NA	NA
Geekbench Single	1,128	NA	1,136	872	NA	790	1,137
Geekbench Multi	2,973	NA	3,055	3,006	NA	2,826	3,080
Geekbench Open CL	2,910	NA	2,908	3,149	NA	2,252	2,899
Geekbench Vulkan	3,153	NA	3,214	2,869	NA	2,443	3,109
Max Luminance	519 nits	630 nits	913 nits	916 nits	730 nits	485 nits	810 nits

What do these benchmarks mean, and what is important?

First, as already stated above, the VIKING II offers much higher performance than that of the predecessor VIKING. Overall probably near triple that of the last generation model. And the difference is almost certainly even greater in AI-related processing tasks.

We would have liked to include more benchmark comparisons with direct competitors in the vehicle-mount segment. However, the reality is that few products exist in this category, and as of now, we're not aware of any that rival the VIKING II in terms of both hardware sophistication and modern Android integration.

For instance, the 8-inch Zebra VC8300 still relies on the older Snapdragon 660 and an earlier version of Android. Winmate's FM07M, a comparable design, also uses dated silicon and software. Similarly, the 7-inch Darveen VT-540A runs on legacy hardware and an older Android version. At present, truly state-of-the-art Android-based vehicle-mount systems are rare.

That said, customers — especially those in fleet or logistics sectors — may also consider more general-purpose rugged tablets with larger displays. With smartphones now averaging nearly 6.5 inches and integrated vehicle displays often exceeding 10 inches, some buyers may explore rugged tablets from vendors like Getac, Zebra, or others. Budget-friendly enterprise tablets in the 8 to 10-inch range may also be evaluated as alternatives.

The good news for RuggON is that, as shown in our benchmark results, the VIKING II matches or outperforms nearly all of these alternatives in raw performance — making it not only a highly specialized vehicle-mount solution but also a legitimate contender in broader rugged Android computing deployments.

Meticulous design and construction

Let's turn to the design and build quality of the VIKING II. Any device intended for demanding field work must meet a vastly different set of durability requirements than a consumer-grade smartphone or tablet. Ruggedness can't be an afterthought or added via a protective case — it must be engineered into the device from the ground up. That's why the VIKING II looks and feels like a purpose-built tool for real-world jobs, not a fashion-driven consumer device.

The VIKING II's housing is constructed from two primary materials. Both the front and rear enclosures are made of black PC+ABS-FR(40) plastic, rated 94V0. PC+ABS is a polymer alloy that combines the high impact strength and heat resistance of polycarbonate with the toughness and resilience of ABS. The "FR" indicates flame retardancy, and the 94V0 rating is a UL flammability standard — V0 being the highest classification, meaning any combustion must self-extinguish within 10 seconds without dripping flaming particles.

To support vehicle mounting and thermal management, the rear of the unit includes a substantial metal insert. This 1/8-inch thick plate is made from ADC-12 die-cast aluminum alloy, a carefully formulated mix of aluminum with silicon, copper, magnesium, iron, manganese, and zinc. The result is a structurally strong, thermally conductive, corrosion-resistant material that also provides excellent EMI and RFI shielding. The metal insert not only offers a rock-solid base for VESA 75 mounting but also acts as a heat spreader, helping to maintain system performance and longevity even in thermally challenging environments.

The image above shows the VIKING II's thermal footprint, captured using our lab's 640 x 512 pixel AI-enhanced ThermoVue Pro thermal imaging camera. The infrared image illustrates how efficiently the system manages heat — our review unit remained cool under load, thanks to the large-surface-area metal heat exchanger that spreads and dissipates thermal energy exceptionally well.

Beneath the thick die-cast aluminum plate lies the internal expansion bay. This solid plate not only acts as a heatsink but also forms the structural base for the unit's VESA 75 x 75 mounting pattern. It's secured with nine Phillips-head screws and sealed with a tongue-and-groove design to protect against dust and liquid ingress. A replaceable white O-ring sits within the groove and must remain in flawless condition — any breach would allow moisture direct access to the core electronics.

The images below show the backside of the VIKING II with the die-cast aluminum plate removed. Note the thermal pads and blocks on the metal plate. RuggON adds those for heat transfer and dissipation from integrated electronics as well as optional modules.

Inside the VIKING II, you'll find a mini PCIe card connector, a secondary Micro SIM card slot, and an additional module slot for expansion. All of these are pre-wired with antenna leads, ready to connect to supported modules — simplifying field upgrades or configuration changes.

Continuing the disassembly process requires removing a few more Phillips-head screws, followed by careful detachment of the flat ribbon cable connected to the USB Type-C port, as well as a small wire leading to the onboard microphone.

The front half of the housing contains all primary electronics, including the LCD display, capacitive touch digitizer, and supporting circuitry. These components are securely mounted to a rigid internal subframe — likely steel or aluminum — for added strength and protection. There are no further user-accessible expansion options in this section, so most customers will never need to separate the enclosure halves during routine operation or installation.

The mainboard itself measures roughly 5.5 x 4.25 inches and resembles an embedded single board computer (SBC) more than the densely packed, ultra-miniaturized circuit boards commonly found in smartphones or consumer tablets. This layout prioritizes serviceability, modularity, and thermal efficiency — key traits for industrial and vehicle-mounted deployments.

One reason the Android-based RuggON VIKING II requires fewer discrete modules than comparable Windows-based systems is the high level of integration provided by its C6490 System-on-Module, sourced from Thundercomm. This compact module includes the 6nm Qualcomm QCS6490 processor, along with integrated Wi-Fi 6E, long-range Bluetooth, camera support, and various peripheral interfaces. It likely also incorporates the unit's RAM and storage, contributing to a streamlined and compact internal architecture.

GNSS functionality is handled separately by a dedicated u-blox NEO-M9N module, which supports concurrent GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, and NavIC reception. The M9N delivers high-accuracy positioning through advanced multi-band signal processing, offers low power consumption, and maintains strong performance even in urban canyon environments.

Unlike RuggON's larger 12.1-inch VULCAN X vehicle computer — which includes a large, externally accessible UPS-style battery — the VIKING II relies solely on external vehicle power. However, it does include a built-in 7 watt-hour cylindrical bridge battery, designed to keep the system operational for an estimated 30 minutes or more during power transitions, such as moving the unit between vehicles.

The VIKING II's I/O is split between two areas. First are the edge-mounted ports on the right side of the device, which include USB, audio, Micro SD, and Micro SIM access. Second is the plug-in I/O module, which in our review unit featured LAN, digital I/O, a USB/serial combo port, and a DB9 serial connector — supporting both modern and legacy connectivity requirements.

Finally, below, some details. From left to right, the 7 watt-hour bridge battery; the tongue-and-groove seal between the housing halves; and the dedicated ublox NEO-M9N concurrent GNSS module that offers excellent accuracy via optimized multi-band signal processing, low power use, NavIC support, good performance in dense urban settings, and the ability to receive up to four GNSS systems simultaneously.

Display

A high-quality display is critical in any computing device — but it's especially vital in a vehicle-mount system. Operators may find themselves working under a wide range of lighting conditions: the dim interior of a warehouse, nighttime road use, direct sunlight, or rapidly shifting environments. To be effective, the display must remain readable in all of these scenarios. It also needs to withstand the physical stresses that come with vehicle mounting, including vibration, shock, and temperature extremes. In short, the screen must perform reliably, consistently, and durably — just like the rest of the system.

So how did RuggON address the display challenge? By equipping the VIKING II with a 7-inch, industrial-grade LCD featuring a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels — yielding a pixel density of 170 ppi. That's modest by consumer standards, especially when compared to modern smartphones that often exceed 500 ppi. However, in the context of vehicle-mounted applications, 170 ppi is more than sufficient for clear text and interface elements at typical viewing distances.

That said, we were somewhat surprised that RuggON didn't opt for a higher-resolution panel in this latest generation. The system's electronics are certainly capable of supporting significantly greater resolutions. It's possible that RuggON prioritized compatibility with existing apps or display scaling behavior already optimized for this resolution — a practical consideration in fleet environments where software standardization matters.

Vehicle displays must be bright enough to ensure easy readability in a variety of environments. While extreme sunlight readability isn't typically required — since VIKING units aren't likely to be used in direct, unobstructed sunlight — the screen still needs to remain clearly visible under all common in-vehicle lighting conditions. To meet that need, RuggON specifies a display brightness of 500 nits. In our lab tests, we measured a peak output of 530 nits. That puts the VIKING II's luminance on par with modern consumer tablets and smartphones — more than sufficient for most indoor, shaded outdoor, and in-vehicle scenarios.

The unit includes responsive ambient light sensing with automatic brightness adjustment. While the display surface is glossy, reflections were minimal and not problematic in typical vehicle-mount use.

We were unable to confirm the specific panel source or obtain full display specifications. However, visual inspection revealed a wide horizontal viewing angle with no noticeable color or contrast shift. The vertical viewing angle is similarly broad, though we did observe some contrast changes when viewed from extreme vertical positions.

In a fixed-mount application, this is a minor concern. Since operators typically view the screen from a consistent angle, contrast shifts are largely irrelevant — so long as the panel is mounted correctly within the operator's line of sight.

As expected, the VIKING II uses a capacitive multi-touch interface. All standard touch gestures — tapping, dragging, pinching, zooming — worked smoothly and responsively, just as they would on any modern tablet or smartphone.

Operating system and overall functionality

RuggON is among the few rugged computing vendors offering their tablet and vehicle-mount platforms with a choice of operating systems — either Windows or Android — each optimized for the underlying hardware. The VIKING II runs Android 14, which, as of April 2025, is the most widely used Android version worldwide, holding approximately 35% market share according to StatCounter GlobalStats.

Importantly, RuggON supports both Android AOSP (Android Open Source Project) and the full Android GMS (Google Mobile Services) version. The AOSP variant is a barebones Android implementation without Google apps or services, ideal for locked-down or specialized deployments. The GMS version, by contrast, includes Google's suite of standard apps and access to the Play Store. Our review unit initially shipped with AOSP, but upon request, RuggON reflashed it with GMS. Interestingly, we observed noticeably higher performance scores across several benchmark tools when using the GMS version — a reminder that even the OS layer can affect performance metrics.

In terms of real-world deployment, the VIKING II is well-equipped for nearly any industrial or fleet computing task. With built-in Wi-Fi, mobile broadband, dedicated GNSS, and external antenna support, the system is fully connected — both within vehicles and across wide-area IoT/cloud environments. This makes the VIKING II an excellent fit not only for traditional fleet management and asset tracking, but also for emerging edge computing applications that demand low-latency data processing at the source.

Of course, even advanced mobile broadband has its limitations. In remote or rural areas, coverage can be intermittent — or entirely absent. That's where satellite communication (SATCOM) technology becomes essential. RuggON has previously integrated Iridium SATCOM into its PX501 rugged tablet, and company literature suggests similar SATCOM capability is — or will soon be — available for the VIKING II.

RuggON has published an application case study illustrating how SATCOM-enabled VIKING II units can support intercity bus operations. In these deployments, 4G LTE/5G mobile broadband is intelligently combined with satellite communication, switching seamlessly between them to ensure uninterrupted connectivity regardless of geography or terrain. The result: reliable real-time access to vehicle diagnostics, instant incident reporting, and even continuous passenger Wi-Fi service.

The illustration above (right) highlights this architecture, showing how vehicles, GNSS satellites, SATCOM links, cloud infrastructure, and ground control centers all work together to deliver functionality that would have been impossible just a few years ago.

Interestingly, while much of the technology spotlight has shifted to Artificial Intelligence (AI), the foundational role of the Internet of Things (IoT) remains as crucial as ever — arguably even more so. In IoT systems, "things" communicate with each other — vehicles, vehicle subsystems, cargo, cameras, sensors — exchanging data for real-time processing and action. It's a vast, interconnected market, and AI now plays an increasingly integral role.

With its Qualcomm QCS6490 platform and integrated Hexagon tensor accelerator, the VIKING II bridges IoT and AI. It brings onboard intelligence to the edge, enabling local decision-making, machine learning, and real-time responsiveness — hallmarks of next-generation industrial and fleet computing solutions.

It's also important not to overlook the VIKING II's extensive wired connectivity — well beyond what's available on most standard tablets or even many laptops, let alone consumer-grade smartphones or handhelds. With USB and LAN ports, legacy RS232 serial, selectable RS232/422/485, digital I/O, CAN bus, and optional SAE J1939, the VIKING II serves as a central hub for a wide variety of onboard systems.

RuggON illustrated this capability in a recent case study. A company operating a diverse vehicle fleet was struggling to manage multiple independent systems — ticketing, clock-in/clock-out, tire pressure monitoring, subsystem controls — all running on separate hardware. By deploying the VIKING II, the company was able to consolidate several of those functions into a single unit, significantly reducing in-vehicle clutter and streamlining system management, while also boosting productivity.

RuggON also supports the VIKING II with a range of accessories, including a RAM mounting kit that opens access to the full ecosystem of RAM Mounts solutions for virtually any vehicle or equipment mounting need. In addition, a variety of external antennas are available for enhanced Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, mobile broadband, and GNSS reception. Our review unit came with an external GPS antenna puck featuring a low-noise amplifier and a 17-foot RF cable — an ideal setup for optimizing satellite signal reception via strategic antenna placement.

Overall, the RuggON VIKING II exemplifies the growing maturity of Android as a viable, high-performance operating system for rugged vehicle-mount computing platforms. With modern hardware, deep connectivity, and the flexibility of Android 14, it's a compelling choice for industrial and fleet applications where integration, reliability, and mobility matter.

Ruggedness

Ruggedness requirements for vehicle-mount computers are different from those for rugged tablets or laptops. Vehicle-mounts aren't carried around on the job, so drop resistance isn't as important. On the other hand, vehicle-mounted computers are exposed to far more vibration (inherent in vehicles) and shock (potholes, road conditions). And temperature resistance is also important because, depending on the mounting location, it can get very hot and very cold inside vehicles.

Available environmental specs of the RuggON VIKING II are impressive. The device has a very wide operating temperature range of -4° to 140°F (-22° to 60°Centigrade) in accordance with MIL-STD-810H 501.7 High Temperature Procedure II and MIL-STD-810H 502.7 Low Temperature Procedure II. This means RuggON's tough compact vehicle-mount computer can be operated even in freezers and on any other assignments where it will encounter very low temperatures.

Part of the often amazing invulnerability of modern systems is squarely due to new technologies. Now long in the past, rotating hard disks once were the primary sources of failure in rugged computing systems because they couldn't handle temperature extremes and because well shocks and vibration caused head crashes.

Solid State Disks have been the storage standard for years no, greatly benefitting the reliability of rugged computing gear, including the VIKING II. It's safe to say that its onboard solid state storage is immune to shock and vibration, adding to the protection awarded through the unit's inherent rugged design.

Water and dust protection is at the IP65 equivalent, where the 6 stands for total protection against dust, and the 5 for protection against strong jets of water from all directions. This is better protection than one normally needs in an enclosed vehicle, but some VIKING IIs may be mounted in more open vehicles, such as dozers, scrapers, cranes and such. In construction and similar open machines, the computer can be hosed down with the rest of the vehicle.

As far as resistance to vibration goes, RuggON refers to the MIL-STD-810H 514.8 procedures that describe vibration exposure testing for US highway trucks (Figure 514.8C-1 Category 4), composite two-wheeled trailers (Figure 514.8C-2 Category 4), and composite wheeled vehicles (Figure 514.8C-2 Category 4). RuggON also refers to IEC 60721-3-5 Class 5M3.

Since ruggedness testing results can be extensive, manufacturers usually only include highlights into their tech specs. RuggedPCReview.com recommends to always request all available ruggedness testing results, especially as they pertain to planned deployment of a device.

The RuggON VIKING II vehicle mount: bottom line

With the Android-based VIKING II, RuggON delivers a significant technological upgrade to its well-established, compact, and ultra-rugged vehicle-mount platform. Designed for fixed-mount use in a broad range of demanding environments, the VIKING II is small enough to install almost anywhere, yet robust enough to serve as a central hub for wired and wireless communication, onboard diagnostics, and emerging edge-computing tasks. It's a purpose-built solution for customers who need a reliable, Android-based in-vehicle system that can interface directly with vehicle networks and infrastructure.

The VIKING II provides a modern Android 14 alternative to RuggON's Windows-based VORTEX, both occupying the same 7-inch class and sharing a common hardware philosophy. Each is optimized to fully exploit the strengths of its respective operating system — Android for simplicity, rapid development, and cloud/IoT integration; Windows for full enterprise software compatibility and legacy support.

The capacitive multi-touch interface supports standard Android navigation via gestures or software buttons, and is complemented by five programmable physical function keys — ideal for safe, intuitive use in vehicles. Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6490, the VIKING II features a high-performance, AI-ready platform tailored to Industrial IoT and edge applications. The integrated Hexagon DSP enables on-device AI capabilities such as object recognition, real-time diagnostics, and machine learning acceleration.

The 7-inch display offers 1024 x 600 resolution and a tested brightness of 530 nits — more than adequate for in-vehicle use under varying lighting conditions. Viewing angles are broad, reflection control is effective, and a user-facing camera is available as an option.

Built to thrive in harsh environments, the VIKING II carries IP65 sealing, allowing it to resist dust and withstand low-pressure water jets. Its operating temperature range of -4° to 140°F, along with ruggedized construction and vehicle-grade vibration resistance, makes it suitable for nearly any deployment.

Altogether, the RuggON VIKING II stands out as a flexible, highly integrated fleet and industrial computing solution. It merges sensors, connectivity, processing, and user interaction into a compact and rugged package that far surpasses the capabilities of conventional Android tablets or handhelds — especially in its extensive onboard I/O and optional SATCOM support. It's a powerful tool for the transportation, logistics, and fleet management sectors — and a clear indicator of Android's growing role in rugged, embedded computing. -- Conrad H. Blickenstorfer, May 2025

Added/changed	Full review 05/2025
Type	Rugged Vehicle Mount PC
Processor	Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 6490
Processor clock speed	2.7 GHz
Graphics	Adreno 643L
OS	Android 14, Google Mobile Services (GMS) certified
RAM	8GB LPDDR4x RAM
Disk/drive	128GB UFS and microSD card
Display type	LED-backlit TFT with auto-dimming, 500 nits, wide viewing angle
Display size/resolution	7.0 WSVGA (1024 x 600 pixels), 170 ppi
Digitizer	Capacitive multi-touch
Keyboard/keys	5 Five programmable buttons, volume ip/down, system on/off
Navigation	Touch
Expansion slots	1 x microSD, 2 x micro SIM
Housing	PC + ABS plastics, VESA 75 mount
Size	8.7 x 6.0 x 1.61 inches (220 x 152 x 41 mm)
Weight	2.75 lbs (1.25kg)
Operating temperature	-22° to 140°F (-30° to 60°C) in accordance with MIL-STD-810H
Ingress protection	IEC 60529 IP65 (except bottom-side I/O)
Humidity	95% non-condensing
Shock	MIL-STD-810H, Method 516.8
Vibration (operating)	MIL-STD-810H Method 514.8 Category 4 and IEC 60721-3-5 class 5M3
Altitude	MIL-STD-810H in applicable areas ???
Power	9~36V VDC, vehicle power protection (ISO7637-2), internal 3.6V/1950mAh/7 watt-hour Li-Ion backup battery for gracefull shutdown, ignition sense, remote power on
Sensors	Built-in 6-axis IMU sensors (accelerometer + gyroscope)
Communication	Wi-Fi 6E (IEEE 802.11ax), Bluetooth V5.2, GNSS (GPS / GLONASS / BeiDou / optional dead-reckoning or RTK support), opt. 4G LTE/ HSPA + / 5G, NFC, opt. Satellite
Interface	1 x 1 x RS232 with power support, 1 x RS232/422/485, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type C (with DisplayPort Alt Mode support), 1 x RJ45 gigabit LAN, 2 x DI/2 x DO, 1 x CANBus (SAE J1939 support), headset jack, opt. 2 x CVBS input
Price	Inquire
Spec sheet	RuggON VIKING brochure (PDF)
Web page	RuggON VIKING II web page

Contact

RuggON Corporation 4F., No. 298, Yang Guang St., NeiHu Dist. Taipei City 11491, Taiwan Telephone: 886-2-8797-1778 Fax: 886-2-8797-1881 Web: www.ruggon.com info@ruggon.com