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Itronix Q200

Very rugged flashlight-style handheld
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

The GoBook Q200 was the successor of Itronix's successful Q100 ultra-rugged industrial PDA. Using a form factor that is between a PDA and a flashlight terminal, Itronix uses a 400MHz version of the durable PXA255 processor for power, Microsoft's CE .NET 4.2 OS for application development flexibility, and the longer form factor to give the device a full, backlit 52-key alphanumeric keypad. The large 3.7-inch 18-bit color display uses reflective TFT technology. Itronix offers a wide variety of integrated radio and scanner options as well as docks and cradles that provide additional functionality. The GoBook Q200's environmental specs, including a stellar IP67 rating, put it firmly into the ultra-rugged category. Radio options include the whole range of GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA, 802.11b/g is available as is Class II Bluetooth. Like its less powerful predecessor, this machine can handle any punishment, and Itronix has a superb reputation in support and assistance.

At a tour through the Itronix facilities in Spokane, we saw a video of a Q200 surviving an incredible 21 foot drop onto concrete. The concrete had a big nick, the Q200 didn't. The unit is RoHS compliant.

This machine is the same as the Itron FC200, where "FC" stands for Field Collector. As of May 2009, the FC200 is still listed as a current product on the Itron website (see here).

As far as Itron goes, mobile computing historians may remember that Itron Inc. started Itronix as a business unit in the late 1980s and then spun it off in 1992. While Itronix became part of Telxon, then Dynatech, which changed its name to Acterna and sold Itronix to an investment company before General Dynamics came in and formed General Dynamics Itronix around 2006, Itron itself is a global leader in advanced meter-reading gear. Itron which sells data collection handhelds and related products to about 3,000 utilities. With 85% of about 2.5 billion meters worldwide still being old electromagnetical devices that need replacement, Itron's modern smart metering systems and handhelds may be the replacement choice of numerous utilities.

Specifications
Added/changed Specs updated 04/2007 and 05/2009
Form-factor Rugged flashlight-style handheld
CPU Speed Intel PXA255/400 MHz
OS Windows CE .NET 4.2
RAM/ROM 128MB/256MB CF
Card slots 1 PC Card II + 1 CF
Display type Reflective TFT 18-bit color
Display size/res 3.7"/240 x 320
Digitizer/pens touch/1
Keyboard/keys 52-key alphanumeric backlit keypad
Navigation stylus/nav controls
Housing Upper case: impact-resistant plastic, Lower case: magnesium alloy
Operating Temp -4 to 140F
Sealing IP67
Shock 6.5 foot drop
Size (WxHxD) 4.0 x 9.6 x 2.1
Weight 1.76 lbs.
Power 3,000mAH Li-Ion ("all day")
Interface USB Host/Client, IR, RS232, 10/100 LAN, integr. scanner (opt.), audio
Wireless Options: GSM/GPRS EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA, Class II Bluetooth, 802.11b/g
List price Inquire
Contact Itronix
Windows Mobile Info
  • Windows Mobile 6
  • Windows Mobile 5
  • Windows Mobile Smartphone
  • Windows Mobile 2003
  • Windows CE .Net
  • Windows for Pocket PC 2002
  • Pocket PC intro 2000
  • Windows CE H/PC Pro 1998
  • Windows CE 2.0 1997
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