Trimble adds AA battery module to Nomad rugged handheld computer

Trimble Navigation Ltd. in Sunnyvale, Calif., is offering a AA battery module for the Nomad rugged handheld computer that enables users to run the Nomad an average of four hours using two AA alkaline batteries. “Many of our Nomad users can’t recharge their handheld’s battery in the field, so they really need the ability to run on AA batteries,” says Dale Kyle, rugged handhelds product manager for Tripod Data Systems, a Trimble company. “The Nomad’s ability to operate in challenging environments is what makes it so popular, and the AA battery module extends its potential uses into even more mobile computing applications.” When running on AA alkaline batteries, the Nomad’s power meter adapts to gauge battery life, and it records when the batteries were installed. With the AA battery module attached, the Nomad retains its MIL-STD-810F rating for drops, vibration, and temperature extremes. The Nomad uses a special capacitor to prevent the unit from resetting after a drop or other shock. The Nomad has an 806 MHz Marvell PXA320 XScale processor, 128 megabytes of RAM, and a hot-swappable rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack. Built-in Bluetooth is standard, with built-in 802.11g wireless communication optional. The Nomad’s touchscreen VGA display is sharp and clear in sunlight, and it presents maps and other graphics-intensive files. The Nomad also comes with Windows Mobile 6. For more information, visit Trimble online at www.trimble.com/rugged.