CORVALLIS, Ore.—June 7, 2005—Tripod Data Systems (TDS) today announced a special promotion to give away a TDS Recon™ rugged handheld computer. Sponsored in part by Microsoft, the giveaway marks the second anniversary of the Recon’s introduction. The Recon runs Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PCs.

TDS will give away a Recon 200 with a 200 MHz processor and 64 MB of nonvolatile Flash storage. The Recon, the industry’s first rugged handheld computer, meets MIL-STD-810F military standards for drops, vibration and temperature extremes. It also has an IP67 rating, meaning it’s impervious to water and dust.

To enter, participants must register online at www.tdsway.com/win1. Registration is open through July 31, 2005. The winner, to be drawn at random on August 5, 2005, will be notified via e-mail. TDS will also name the winner on its Web site, www.tdsway.com. No purchase is necessary to enter or win. The giveaway is open to legal U.S. residents age 21 or older and void where prohibited by law. Official contest rules are available at www.tdsway.com/rules.

“The real world is no place for an ordinary handheld, as proven by the Recon’s tens of thousands of users and multiple enthusiastic product reviews by industry journalists,” said Bill Martin, president of TDS. “Mobile professionals working outside in harsh environments or rough weather rely on the Recon to help them do their jobs and protect their valuable data.”

“TDS helped expand the market for Windows Mobile with its rugged, Windows Mobile-based handheld devices,” said Sue Wilenzick, senior marketing manager for the Windows Embedded Partner Program at Microsoft. “Users benefit from such devices, thanks in part to the familiar Windows interface and the access to thousands of applications developed for the Windows Mobile platform.”

About the Recon
The Recon is designed for all-day operation in extreme outdoor and industrial environments. It meets MIL-STD-810F military standards for drops, vibration and temperature extremes. It also has an IP67 rating, meaning it’s impervious to water and dust.

The Recon’s rugged construction makes it ideal for public safety, field service, utilities, military and other outdoor or service-related applications. It weighs just 17 ounces, and its rounded edges provide a comfortable grip. Large, widely spaced buttons are easy to use, and its reflective color TFT display is bright and clear in sunlight.

The Recon runs Windows Mobile and comes with a 200 or 400 MHz Intel XScale processor, 64 MB of SDRAM and up to 128 MB of internal nonvolatile Flash storage. It also features two CompactFlash slots, plus a standard 9-pin serial port and a high-speed USB port for connecting to a PC. The standard PowerBoot Module™ features a 15-hour rechargeable NiMH battery.

About Tripod Data Systems
Tripod Data Systems (TDS) designs and manufactures mobile computing systems for extreme outdoor and industrial environments. The rugged TDS Recon and Ranger™ handheld computers help users collect accurate field data and work more productively in public safety, field service, utilities, military and other outdoor or service-related applications. Both TDS handhelds meet military specifications for drops, vibration, immersion and temperature extremes, and with an IP67 rating, they are impervious to water and dust.

TDS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Trimble. TDS is headquartered in Corvallis, Ore., and was founded in 1987. For more information about TDS, visit www.tdsway.com, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 541-753-9322.