'Intrinsically Safe' Pocket PC launched

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://ecom-ex.de/e/intrinsically_safe_products/data_processing/pda_i/index.htm' target='_blank'>http://ecom-ex.de/e/intrinsically_s...pda_i/index.htm</a><br /><br /></div>All you fans of rugged Pocket PCs and will be happy to hear that there is a new device for you to drop-test. ;-) It's called the x10-Ex i.roc (catchy little name that), is based on an HP iPAQ and is apparently an intrinsically-safe PDA:<br /><br /><i>"Light, ergonomic and ruggedised - optimised for high productivity! The ecom i.roc x10 -Ex is a high performance industrial PDA with compact external dimensions based on Windows Mobile™ with an integrated WLAN 802.11b, Bluetooth™ and an IrDA infrared port. To meet the diverse needs and requirements of industry both inside and outside the ex-area, the i.roc x10 -Ex is available in three different versions."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/x10-Ex i.roc.jpg" /> <br /><br />The three versions are the i.roc 410 (Ruggedised), the i.roc 510 –Ex (Gas Zone 2 / Dust Zone 22) and the i.roc 610 -Ex (Gas Zone 1 / Dust Zone 21). <a href="http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hsas/IS36.html">Dust Zone 21 </a> is a "place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud or combustible dust in the air is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally". Lovely. :lol: <br /><br />Well, the design is certainly different from your run-of-the-mill Pocket PC. I'm sure that the units will look just spiffy after being exposed to the elements for a few weeks and covered in mud. The battery life between 10 to 15 hours dependent on usage and the units weigh 450g, 460g and 600g, which is not bad for ruggedised PPCS. They are protected from static electricity, water and dust by a shock proof, non-corroding housing. Ecom Instruments are also working on various accessories such as an integrated Barcode Scanner, integrated RF ID Reader, GPS locator, RS 232 to Bluetooth Adapter, IR Temperature Guns etc. The full product spec is available in PDF format at the <a href="http://ecom-ex.de/fileadmin/pdf/p_pda-x10i-roc_usa.pdf"> Ecom Instruments website.</a> Onwards to Dust zone 21 folks! :wink:

[griph]

Well, the design is certainly different from your run-of-the-mill Pocket PC.

Dust Zones such as flour mills are a major explosive hazard. So a non-run-of-the-mill Pocket PC should be pretty useful there, when Mr Miller fancies a quick read of an Ebook during a quiet moment.

[David Prahl]

ecom i.roc x10 -Ex

Geez! And I thought "Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PCs" was a long name!
:roll:

[ojlittle]

I would love to have one of these. I'm offshore in the Caspian sea on a drilling rig right now and we have a huge H2S potential (hydrogen sulfide - 100ppm is deadly & highly flammable) so we can't use any gadgets outside that aren't intrensically safe... Ebooks on the mud pits would make my job so much more enjoyable! :-)

[ucfgrad93]

OK, am I just stupid, but I couldn't find the price of these things. Does anyone know?

[Jonathon Watkins]

OK, am I just stupid, but I couldn't find the price of these things. Does anyone know?

I believe that it is price on application.

As usual, if you have to ask the price........ :wink:

[voodoo]

Here are the prices that I received back in July.

ruggedized

i.roc 410 A0002786 standard 1,298.00
i.roc 411 A0002781 + 256MB 1,423.00
i.roc 412 A0002782 + 512 MB 1,548.00

ruggedized, Class I Div 2; ATEX Zone 2

i.roc 510-Ex A0002776 standard 1,698.00
i.roc 511-Ex A0002771 + 256MB 1,823.00
i.roc 512-Ex A0002772 + 512 MM 1,948.00

ruggedized, Class I Div 1; ATEX Zone 1

i.roc 610-Ex A0002766 standard 1,998.00
i.roc 611-Ex A0002761 + 256MB 2,123.00
i.roc 612-Ex A0002762 + 512 MB 2,248.00

They are also working on the modification of different accessories like integrated Barcode Scanner, integrated RF ID Reader, GPS locator, RS 232 to Bluetooth Adapter, IR Temperature Guns etc.
All the not integrated accessories will have a built in Bluetooth chip that they can communicate wireless with the PDA.

[TheZodiac]

cute. but fake.

[Jonathon Watkins]

cute. but fake.

:confused totally: Pardon? You can buy one of these today. They are real.

[jodpel]

My computers make rocket fuel for the Space Shuttle program among other things. I have had a need for this for years! All I can say is it's about time somebody did this! :D

[ctmagnus]

Is that 256MB/512MB system memory or a storage card?

[JvanEkris]

All you fans of rugged Pocket PCs and will be happy to hear that there is a new device for you to drop-test. ;-) It's called the x10-Ex i.roc (catchy little name thatThe Ex refers to the international certification scheme for Explosion safety electronic devices which is called Ex.

Jaap