I need to use a PDA in some pretty rough conditions. Are there any that are "rugged"?

Question

If you have used one, please provide price range and suggestions for where to purchase. Thanks!

Answer 1

Get the extended warranty for it but make sure it covers environment issues like condensation, dust, power surges and brown outs. Make sure it also covers all wear and tear. Also get a hard case.

Answer 2

Ruggedized PDAs are big, heavy, and expensive. You can find some here: http://www.walcottscientific.com/rugged_PDA.html

You can 'ruggedize' a PDA with one of the tough Otterboxes: http://www.otterbox.com/products/pda_cases/

Now- PDAs are pretty tough to start with, but can be 'toughened' with:
- A screen saver to minimize scratches
- A good case with some internal padding and crush protection, like the http://www.rhinoskin.com aluminum case
- Slip the PDA into a thin plastic bag before putting it in the case for dust protection and to make it a little water resistant
- A good back-up program and plan just in case

If your 'rugged' conditions are mostly wet, there are various fancy plastic bags you can get anywhere that does canoing supplies that will waterproof it pretty well. (Many of these places carry Otter Boxes as well.)

Answer 3

M3 PDA are designed to provide rugged PDA solution to developers and manufacturers for integration with various application as industrial and so on. Loaded with M3 high technologies, M3 PDAs offers powerful verification performance and versatile external interfaces. Makers оf cell phones hаvе recognized thе nееd fоr а mоrе rugged PDA and tablets аnd hаvе tаkеn steps tоwаrds nоt оnlу developing phones, rugged PDA and rugged tablets sресіfісаllу fоr rugged outdoor usage but hаvе integrated sоmе оf thе hardiest features іntо thеіr entire product lіnе; providing а cell phone thаt саn withstand mоrе abuse.

Answer 4

I would recommend getting a PDA of your choice and then finding a hard case that is ruggedized for the conditions you need. As for a PDA, if you are looking for a simple-to-use, yet powerful PDA, I would look at the Palm Z22:

http://www.palm.com/us/products/handhelds/z22/

However, you need to consider recharging abilities where you are. Therefore, you may need to look for a PDA that uses regular batteries that are easily replaceable. Some older Palm PDAs use regular batteries. You may be able to find them on eBay at http://www.ebay.com

Good luck, bon voyage, and safe return from your adventure trip.

Answer 5

Hmmmm.... I don't know about any rugged PDA's, but you can always buy a hard case for one. I have a zire 72 and that works pretty well and costs different amounts. A case that I saw that might work for you is at the following website:

http://www.thepocketsolution.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Session_ID=44FC8818000D169B00004B7300000000&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PSI-901&Category_Code=ZIRE72&Product_Count=25
Hopw this helps!

--The ComputerGeek

Answer 6

Rugged models are hard to come by, saw some on 2nd hand ads, they are either old Windows CE or Motorola-based Palm, I think as factory-made models you have to built-to-order; buying a case maybe your best option.

Answer 7

I know its older and used but for beat-ability I use a HP Jornada 420. It runs windows CE for what its worth.

Answer 8

i haven't seen any but try looking at nextels