Blogging from the top (and bottom) of the world—with a Recon

As if climbing the seven highest peaks on the world’s seven continents weren’t enough of a challenge, try doing them all in only seven months. Swedish photographer and adventurer Fredrik Sträng just did—and his 7-7-7 quest marks a new Guiness World Record—191 days. That’s six months and six days from start to finish. These are the seven summits:

1. Everest 2. Denali (Mt. McKinley) 3. Elbrus 4. Puncak Jaya 5. Kilimanjaro 6. Aconcagua 7. Vinson Massif

Asia North America Europe Oceana Africa South America Antarctica

8,848 m (29,029 ft.) 6,194 m (20,320 ft.) 6,642 m (18,513 ft.) 4,884 m (16,023 ft.) 5,895 m (19,340 ft.) 6,962 m (22,841 ft.) 4,897 m (16,067 ft.)

During his expedition, Fredrik constantly updated his blog using a Trimble Recon. Blogging from some of the harshest outdoor conditions in the world, he found the Recon worked without problems, even at temperatures as low as -30 C and altitudes up to 6,400 meters.

Fredrik’s expedition will be published in a book coming out in September. A one-hour English-language documentary will be released in early 2008.

 

The other white meat—a huge potential market for rugged handhelds

So what’s a company that makes rugged handheld computers doing at a trade show like the Iowa Pork Congress? Well, it turns out that pig farmers are pretty computer savvy—and the inventory tracking and animal management they need to do are ideal applications for rugged handhelds.

A typical commercial pig farm could have tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of animals, and farmers not only need to keep track of them all, but they also need to manage medication and feeding regimens. They also have to monitor pregnant sows, along with the birth weights and progress of their piglets.

About half of the software companies that serve this market are offering Windows Mobile versions, and the rest are heading in that direction. They’re also moving toward RFID for tracking individual animals. Plus, since pig farms tend to be smaller than cattle ranches, they can be readily set up with WiFi coverage. That means information collected on the handheld can be sent back to the office in real time.

Of course, when you think of pigs, you often think of mud. Which is why a rugged handheld makes so much sense when you’re working in this kind of environment. And pig farmers are often working outside in bad weather as well.

We didn’t know what to expect at the show, but the people we met in Iowa are definitely interested.

Recon Street Navigator, Google vs. Microsoft

Given the competitive nature of the consumer internet mapping space, it is no surprise that someone would come out with a similar product to the Microsoft Live search we reviewed here recently.What is surprising is how Google responded with its own product so quickly. The Google Maps for Mobile application was announced in early February.

Since both products provide almost identical interfaces, the main differentiating features are map quality and usability. After starting the application, Google shows you a map instead of a search screen as Microsoft does.

Entering a search is very text oriented on Google Maps. You enter the type of search you want (i.e. Hardware stores), then the city and state. Live Search Mobile lets you choose from a series of lists – something that is much easier to do if you are in a car.

The results look similar in both programs, except that Google presents maps that are somehow cleaner and easier on the eyes. In addition, the Google Maps traffic mapping is much easier to see because both sides of traffic are clearly drawn. The color indicates speed: Green (over fifty mph), Yellow (between 26 and 50 mph), Red (less than 25 mph).



The directions feature operates very similarly in both programs, except that Google Maps shows each step on the map, not on a list. A GPS will center the map based on your location.



The best feature on Google Maps, and the one that sold me on the program, was the map quality. While Windows Live showed black and white aerial photos of many areas, Google Maps seems to have many more updated color maps – even in rural areas. For example, our small city of Corvallis, Oregon is completely in color on Google Maps. Here is a comparison of the Trimble building on both services (Oops, the Windows Live map is so old that our building isn’t even on it! We built it almost 10 years ago).


So, now you have a choice between two very similar applications for your Recon or Ranger. Since they are both free, try them both out before deciding. You will need to attach a GPS (Bluetooth, or Holux CompactFlash card) and a GPRS data connection (wired or Bluetooth to a cell phone) to your device before hitting the road.

Visit http://www.google.com/gmm to download Google maps and http://wls.live.com for the Microsoft application and let us know what you think. Just remember, with a GPS and maps like these, you won’t be able to use getting lost as an excuse anymore.

Testing for unique customer requirements

Hi! My name is Alex. I am a member of Tripod Data Systems’ engineering team. I am responsible for successful execution of customer-focused projects, also known as tactical projects. Our customers call us for unique configurations, and I get to test the limits of our products to see if they can handle the conditions stated in the customer request.

I created this video of me testing the buoyancy of a Recon mated with an Extended Cap off the jetty on the Oregon Coast near Yaquina Bay. The Recon is thrown out into the water several times, and it survives the ordeal of hitting the water and banging against the rocks when I haul it to shore!

Recon Street Navigator

Have you ever wished your Recon or Ranger could give you maps and directions to your next job? When I heard that Microsoft has released a beta of their new Search application, Live Search Mobile, I had to try it out.

The first thing to understand about this product is that the name “Search” in the title can be a bit confusing. To me, search brings up images of a classic search engine that returns web sites matching your keywords. However, Microsoft has taken a very broad view of search to include: maps, traffic, turn-by-turn directions, GPS integration and local business search tools.

The integration of all these search tools comes together very nicely in the application. If you are trying to find the phone number of a business, find a map of an area, get directions, or decide which interstate has less traffic, this application is for you. Here is what the startup page looks like.


Finding a business works quite well. Because the list of categories is geared toward consumer use, you have to enter the category by hand instead of choosing from a list. By clicking, “Map all” each location is shown on a map. You can also view traffic information on the map for larger cities (shown in red, yellow, green interstate highlighting).


Where all of these features come together is the integration with a GPS. To get setup, you will need to attach a GPS (Bluetooth, or Holux CompactFlash card) and a GPRS data connection (wired or Bluetooth to a cell phone) to your Recon. Using the hardware store search from above, I clicked on one of the entries, and requested “Directions to Here” starting from “My current location”. Using your current GPS position, the program generates a clear set of directions and shows them on a map.


With a Ram-Mount for your Recon you could even navigate to job sites with this handy feature. Although the program does not read the directions to you out-loud like high-end car navigation systems, the application moves the map to show your current position. This makes it possible to keep track of where you are on a map.

The greatest part about this application is that it is currently free from Microsoft. The program is still in beta, but I didn’t find any major features that didn’t work.

To run this program on your Recon or Ranger, first get set up with a GPS and a GPRS data connection. From Internet Explore on the device, visit http://wls.live.com and download the application. Within a minute or two you will turn your handheld computer into a handy street navigator. Just remember, your Recon may get you to the job site, but someone still has to do the work.

Human-powered transatlantic crossing—with a Recon for navigation

No one in history has traveled further in 24 hours under his own power than Greg Kolodziejzyk. In July 2006, Greg pedaled his human-powered vehicle more than 650 miles in just 24 hours, setting a new world record.

And no one has ever pedaled a human powered boat across the Atlantic Ocean—solo and unsupported. But Greg will—and his only companion will be the Recon.

As Greg explains in his own blog (www.PedalTheOcean.com):

“Crossing the ocean in a 24-inch-wide pedal boat is serious business. I can’t afford to take chances with my equipment. That’s why I selected Trimble’s ultra-tough Recon PDA as my primary navigation and communications device.”

Besides running GPS navigation software, Greg will also use the Recon and a satellite phone to send us updates, as well as upload photos and videos along the way.