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Opticon H-29
Modern interpretation of the keypad handheld form factor as a rugged 4.3-inch Android mobile computer for data collection and communication
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)
The Opticon H-29 with alphanumeric keypad and a high end 2D Opticon engine was introduced in July 2018 as an allround Android mobile computer for use in markets such as logistics, postal and delivery. Opticon describes the H-29 as a perfect combination of ruggedness and elegant design that includes everything needed to excel in complex tasks.
The hardware is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 with no fewer than eight ARM Cortex A53 CPU cores running at up to 1.5GHz, and an integrated Qualcomm Adreno 405 graphics processing unit.  There's 2GB of DDR3 RAM and 16GB of eMMC Flash, with storage being expandable via a user-accessible microSDHC card slot. For an operating environment, the Opticon H-29 uses Android version 6.0.1 "Marshmallow."
The H-29 measures 2.8 x 6.9 inches and is about three quarters of an inch thick. The device weighs ten ounces, heavier than a smartphone, but still quite manageable. The display measures 4.3 inches diagonally and has WVGA resolution, which generally means 800 x 480 pixels. If that's the case, its 217 pixel per inch sharpness, is less than that of a modern smartphone but still plenty enough. The Opticon H-29 uses capacitive multi-touch, as is standard for a modern Android handheld. The display employs tough Gorilla glass, but the specs do not include a nits rating or information about coatings.
Since the H-29's major intended deployments are in logistics, postal and delivery it comes standard with an integrated Opticon 1D/2D imager with green aiming LED (Opticon also includes a software development kit and comprehensive scanner symbologies documentation), an NFC reader, and GPS and GLONASS for rapid positioning. The handheld also has an 8mp rear-facing auto-focus camera with flash illuminator for documenting.
For communication, there's dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/r WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1 LE, and optional WWAN (WCDMA, GSM, TDD LTE, FDD TLE). Wired charging and communication is via cradle, or a USB adapter that also supports QualComm Quickcharge 2.0. An optional extended battery is available. The spec sheet does not list expected battery life on a charge.
As a field deployment device, the Opticon H-29 has the requisite ruggedness specs. There's a very wide operating temperature range (-4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit), it survives five feet drops onto concrete, and it's sealed to IP65 specifications where the "6" means it's totally dust-proof, and the "5" that it can handle low pressure water jets from all directions.
The Opticon H-29 may well have broad appeal to customers who seek to migrate to a modern Android device but like keypad data entry and navigation. It seems well conceived, well executed, has a larger display than legacy handhelds, industrial grade scanning and data capture technology, contemporary wireless communication, and a case tough enough to handle drops, rain and heat and extreme temperatures. -- C. H. Blickenstorfer, July 2018
Opticon is a worldwide supplier of automatic identification and data collection equipment. The company, which is based in the Netherlands and has been around for over a quarter of a century, was an early manufacturer of barcode scanners and from there branched out into a large variety of data collection modules and devices, as well as ruggedized handhelds such as the H-28 described on this page. Opticon has a sales office in Renton, WA.
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 Specifications Opticon H-29
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Added/updated
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Added 07/2018
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Form-factor
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Android mobile computer
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CPU/Speed
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Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 A53
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OS
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Android 6.0.1
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RAM/ROM
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2GB LPDDR3 SDRAM/16GB EMMC
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Card slots
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1 user-accessible microSDHC, optional SIM
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Display type
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TFT LCD, with Gorilla glass
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Display size/res
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4.3-inch/800 x 480 pixel (217 ppi)
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Digitizer/pens
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Capacitive touch
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Keyboard/keys
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23-key numeric keypad with navigation keys, scan key
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Navigation
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Touch
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Housing
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Unknown
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Operating Temp
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-4° to 140°F (-20° to 60°C)
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Sealing
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IP65
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Shock
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5 feet drop to concrete (6 feet with protective bumper)
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Size (WxHxD)
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6.89 x 2.83 x 0.77 (175 x 72 x 20 mm)
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Weight
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10 oz. (297 grams) with battery
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Power
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3.7V/2,300mAH/8.5whr Li-Ion; optional 3.7V/3,450mAH/12.8whr Li-Ion
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Interface
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micro USB OTG, 3.5mm audio, dock
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Camera
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8MP rear with auto-focus, LED flash
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Sensors
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Accelerometer, light sensor, gyroscope, E-compass, proximity
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Wireless
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802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/r, Bluetooth 4.1 LE, NFC (Type A/B), GPS/GLONASS, optional WWAN (WCDMA, GSM, TDD LTE, FDD TLE)
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Scanning
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2D imager
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Regulatory
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CE, NCC, BSMI, VCCI, TELEC, IEC62133, UN38.3, RoHS, BQB, Wi-Fi logo compliance
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List price
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Inquire
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Product page
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Opticon H-29 page
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Product brochure
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Opticon H-29 brochure (PDF)
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Contact
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www.opticon.com
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Opticon H-29
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