Trimble RNGRBTWFR Users Manual

TDS Ranger
Getting Started Guide
Limited Warranty & Liability Limitations
This product is limited warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for twelve
(12) months from the original date of purchase. Ranger accessories and peripherals are limited
warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for ninety (90) days from the original
date of purchase. If notice is received of such defects during the limited warranty period, the
proven defective product(s) will either be repaired or replaced, at the manufacturer’s option.
Replacement products may be either new or like new.
The manufacturer does not warrant that the operation of the products will be uninterrupted or
error free. If the product is not, within a reasonable time, repaired or replaced to a condition as
limited warranted, the customer will be entitled to a refund of the purchase price upon prompt
return of the product.
Limited warranty does not apply to defects resulting from (a) improper or inadequate maintenance
or calibration, (b) software, interfacing, par
t
s, or supplies not supplied by manufacturer, (c)
unauthorized modifi cation, or misuse, (d) operation outside of the published environmental
specifi cations for the product, or (e) physical damage due to external causes, including accident,
abuse, misuse or problems with electrical power. Water damage caused by improper installation
of the CF-Cap is not covered by warranty. Removal of the back case voids the limited warranty.
There are important seals that will break and the Ranger will no longer be waterproof.
To the extent allowed by local law, the above limited warranties are exclusive and no other
warranty or condition, whether written or oral, is expressed or implied, specifi cally disclaiming
any implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, satisfactory quality, and fi tness for a
particular purpose.
To the extent allowed by local law, the remedies in this limited warranty statement are the
customer’s sole and exclusive remedies. Except as indicated above, in no event will the
manufacturer or its suppliers be liable for loss of data or for direct, special, incidental,
consequential (including lost profi t or data), or other damage, whether based in contract,
tort, or otherwise.
Reference Materials
Ranger support (TDS):
E-mail: support@tdsway.com
Web site: www.tdsway.com. Click on Support/Downloads.
Windows Mobile:
www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/default.mspx
Accessories:
You can expand the Ranger handheld computer’s capabilities by purchasing
accessories. Go to www.tdsway.com/ranger_accessories.
NOTICE for TDS European Union Customers
TDS is pleased to announce a new recycling program for our European Union
customers.
At TDS, we recognize the importance of minimizing the environmental impacts of
our products. We endeavor to meet your needs, not only when you purchase and use
our products, but also when you are ready to dispose of them. That is why TDS and
our parent company Trimble Navigation are actively pursuing the expanded use of
environmentally friendly materials in all our products and why we have established a
convenient recycling program.
As TDS and Trimble make additional recycling facilities available for your use, we
will post their locations and contact information to our Recycling Instructions Web
page.
For current product recycling instructions and information, please go to:
www.tdsway.com/environment
Recycling in Europe:
To recycle TDS or Trimble WEEE*
Call +31 497 53 2430 and ask for the “WEEE Associate.”
Or
Mail a request for recycling instructions to:
Trimble Europe BV
c/o Menlo Worldwide Logistics
Meerheide 45
5521 DZ Eersel, NL
*WEEE - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. (Any product that runs on
electrical power)
©2005 Tripod Data Systems, Inc. Tripod Data Systems, the TDS triangle logo, Ranger, CF-Cap,
PowerBoot Module are trademarks of Tripod Data Systems.
ActiveSync, Microsoft, Outlook, Windows and the Windows logo are registered trademarks
or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft
products are licensed to OEMs by Microsoft Licensing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of
Microsoft Corporation.
Other brand names and trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Display images shown may vary slightly from actual display. Specifi cations subject to change.
Contents
Welcome 1 Device Hardware 2 Unit Set Up 3 Working with Your Unit 6 Settings on Your Unit 17 Connecting to Your PC 18 Communication 19 Caring for Your Unit 29 Environmental Considerations 31 Hardware Specifications 33 Environmental Specifications 33 Safe Use of Your Unit 34 Troubleshooting and FAQs 35 Regulatory Information 39 Declaration of Conformity 40
Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of one of the most advanced handheld computers available on the market today. The rugged design of your handheld allows you to work in harsh outdoor environments. You can operate your unit in blazing heat, subzero cold, driving rain or dusty job sites – places you coul d not take a consumer-grade handheld computer.
NOTE: Not all the features discussed in this manual will apply to every unit, as many of the features are offered as options. If the feature described does not apply to your unit, please disregard that section.
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Device Hardware
Front Panel Back Panel
Removable CF-Cap covers two
CompactFlash slots and one SD slot
Stylus holder
Notification LED
CF-Cap
Power
Hand strap
PowerBoot Module
PowerBoot coin screws
Top View- without Cap Bottom View
CompactFlash and SD card slots
CF slot #1
type I
SD
NOTE: Be sure to read the warranty and safety information in this
manual prior to using your unit.
CF slot #2
type I & II
USB host
Serial
port
USB
client
External
power
2
Unit Set Up
1. Attach the PowerBoot Module
The PowerBoot ModuleTM that contains the batteries is shipped detached from the unit. Align the PowerBoot Module with the contacts facing down. Insert the top end of the PowerBoot Module first as shown, and then drop the PowerBoot Module into the unit. Secure by tightening the two screws with the stylus, a coin, or a screwdriver.
2. Attach the hand strap
Insert the strap as shown onto the two small bolts located on the back of the unit, near the bottom of the PowerBoot Module.
Now stretch the hand strap and insert the other end of the strap onto the two bolts at the top of the unit.
3. Charge your unit
The AC charger that ships with your unit comes with ad apters to fit almost every electrical outlet and voltage. Connect the correct adapter to the charger, plug the charger into an electrical outlet and plug the DC jack barrel end of the charger into the external power port on the PowerBoot Module. Charge the PowerBoot Module for approximately 4.5 hours.
Warning! Be sure to always use the charger included with your unit. Use of other chargers will void your warranty.
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4. Turning your unit on and off
To turn your computer on, press the green Power key on the lower left hand corner of the keypad. To turn the computer off, press the Power key again.
One of the most convenient features of the unit is “instant on” and “instant off” that happens every time the Power key is pressed. Also known as “suspend/resume”, it means that there is no waiting for the computer to boot up ev ery time the unit is turned on. “Instant on” does not occur on the first boot-up.
Power
5. Align the touchscreen
When the unit first turns on (or after a hard reset) the touchscreen may require alignment. A series of targets is displayed in sequence on the screen. Use the stylus to tap the targets firmly and accurately to align the touchscreen. Sometimes it is necessary to repeat the alignment procedure more than once to provide a satisfactory calibration.
6. Using the CF and SD expansion slots
Your unit contains two CompactFlash (CF) slots and one Secure Digital (SD) expansion slot. The SD slot is located within the walls of one of the CF slots. The SD slot is for memory cards only. SDIO devices such as cameras or GPS receivers will not operate in this slot.
To access the CF and SD expansion slots, remove the CF-Cap the screw on the top of the CF-Cap using the stylus, a coin or a screwdriver as shown, and slide the cap off the main un it.
NOTE: When using smaller CF cards (such as memory or Bluetooth), it is critical that you attach a CF Card Pull Tab to the CF card before sliding the card into the slot. A Pull Tab will allow you to easily remove the CF card from the slot. Pull Tabs are part of the accessories included with your unit.
4
TM
. To do this, unscrew
yp
yp
With the CF-Cap removed, the 2 CF and 1 SD expansion slots are visible. The CF slots are side by side, and the SD slot can be seen inside the CF slot #2 cavity.
To insert a CF or SD card:
- CF cards must be inserted with the front of the card facing toward the display side of the unit. CF slot #1 supports Type I cards. CF slot #2 supports Type I and II cards.
- SD cards must be inserted with the front of the card facing away from the display.
CF Slot #1
e I
T
SD
CF Slot #2
e I & II
T
- Again, be sure to attach a Pull Tab to the smaller CF cards (such as memory or Bluetooth) before sliding the cards in to the slots.
- Gently insert the CF card or SD memory card into one of the
two CF slots. Do not force the card into the slot. The pins can be damaged if the card is not aligned correctly.
When replacing the CF-Cap, first be sure it is oriented correctly. The stylus holder in the CF-Cap is towards the front of the unit. Replace the CF-Cap and tighten the screw to reseal. The cap should be securely tightened, but do not over-tighten the screw.
NOTE: Be sure to correctly orient the CF-Cap when you are reattaching it. The unit is NOT sealed when the cap is off or attached backwards. Water damage caused by improper installation of the CF-Cap is not covered by warranty.
5
Working with Your Unit
Using the stylus
The touchscreen on your unit works like a mouse on a PC. Use the stylus to navigate and select objects on the screen.
Tap: Tap the screen with the stylus to select or open an item. Tapping is equivalent to clicking an item with the left mouse on your PC.
Touch and hold: When you touch and hold, a circle of blue dots appears around the stylus to indicate that a pop-up menu will soon appear. Touching and holding is equivalent to right-clicking your PC mouse button.
Drag: Hold the stylus on the screen and drag across the screen to select text and images. Drag in a list to select multiple items.
PowerBoot Module
The PowerBoot Module includes the batteries to power the unit, the power port used to charge the unit, and the I/O ports that are used to communicate with other devices (such as a PC) using a USB or serial cable.
Battery life: Battery life is very dependent upon the application and operating environment. You can expect about 30 hours of battery life. Typical usage includes using the unit in moderate or high outside temperatures without using the backlight, and using low power CF and SD cards, such as memory cards.
Cold temperatures, heavy use of the backlight and the use of high power consumption CF cards (such as GPS) will all significantly reduce the battery life.
Tips for extending the battery life:
- Use the backlight only when necessary. Use the Fn + keys to toggle the backlight on and off. Tap
Backlight
on when the unit is idle.
6
to minimize the amount of time the backlight stays
Settings / System /
Power
- Use the most energy efficient CF cards that are available for your application and use them only when necessary to perform the desired task.
- Use the embedded wireless capability (Bluetooth or wLAN) only when necessary. Turn off (turn Flight Mode on) when not in use.
- When working in cold temperatures, keep the unit as warm as possible. If feasible, keep the unit inside your co at or in a vehicle when not in use.
Battery warnings: There are two different warnings that will indicate when the battery life is getting low:
Low battery warning Critical battery warning
The Main Battery Low warning notifies you when your battery level reaches a low level and needs to be recharged. You have only 5% or less of your battery life remaining, so start saving your data as soon as possible.
The Main Battery Very Low warning indicates that the battery level is at a critically low level and you may have only minutes before the unit shuts itself off. Save your work immediately an d turn the unit off.
NOTE: Be aware that the accuracy of the battery warnings will vary depending upon temperature, power consumption, and applications. Experimentation with your particular situation will give you a better feel for how the warnings correspond to actual remaining battery life.
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If the battery level gets too low, the unit will go into an emergency suspend and will turn itself off. Either charge the PowerBoot Module or swap it out with a fully-c harged PowerBoot.
Charging the batteries: The PowerBoot Module can be charged either in or out of the unit.
The AC charger comes with adapters that will fit most electrical outlets worldwide. Attach the appropriate adapter that fits your electrical outlets to the charger. To charge the battery, plug the AC charger into the wall socket. Insert the DC jack barrel connector into the power port on the PowerBoot Module. The unit will be fully charged in approximately 4.5 hours. The acceptable temperature range for charging the battery is between +5°C and +35°C (+41°F and +95°F).
The PowerBoot Module also has an LED that provides an indication of charging status. The LED states are shown in the following table.
Normal usage:
Off No charger present, or charger
unplugged. Fast blink Fast charge. Slow blink Topoff charge. On Charging complete.
Error conditions:
One short flash Battery temperature too cold to charge. Two short flashes Battery temperature too hot to charge. Three short flashes Wrong charger.
NOTE: When the unit is finished charging and is still connected to the AC charger, the status found in Settings / System / Power will report the battery power remaining as if it is still on battery power.
Swapping the PowerBoot Module: The PowerBoot Module is designed to be quickly swapped in the field. If the current PowerBoot Module runs low on power, replace the Module and
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continue with your work. (This assumes that you have purchased additional PowerBoot Modules.)
When turned off, the unit saves enough power that you can swap the battery without triggering a hard reset if you can swap in the new PowerBoot Module within a couple of minutes. If the saved power runs out before the new PowerBoot is connected, the unit will perform a hard reset when the PowerBoot Module is reattached. All data, configuration, drivers and settings not saved in Built-in Storage or on a flash memory card will be lost. Therefore, it is
strongly recommended that you perform a Sprite Backup before swapping the PowerBoot Module. See the Backup and Restore
section for more information.
To change a PowerBoot Module, perform the following steps:
1. Back up your data to Built-in Storage using the pre-installed Sprite Backup program. (See information on Backup and Restore).
2. Press the Power key and turn the unit on. (The unit will automatically turn itself off when you loosen th e screws in step
4.)
3. Remove the hand strap from the unit.
4. Using a screwdriver, a coin, or the flat head of the stylus, unlock the 2 screws on the PowerBoot Module by turning them counter-clockwise until the PowerBoot can be removed. Unscrewing the screws turns the unit off and puts it in a special state that prevents it from turning on during alarms and notifications.
5. Remove the PowerBoot Module by taking it out of the unit.
6. Quickly insert the new PowerBoot Module onto the unit.
7. Screw the PowerBoot Module securely into place by turning the 2 screws clockwise until they are fastened.
8. Replace the hand strap.
9. Press the Power key and turn the unit on.
NOTE: The screws MUST be tightened before turning the unit on or data could be lost.
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Memory and Built-in Storage
The memory in the unit is used to store software applications, configuration information, drivers and data. The unit ha s two kinds of memory, flash and RAM. Flash memo ry is generally known as Built-in Storage.
Built-in Storage memory is nonvolatile storage. Th e contents are unaffected if the battery is removed or discharged. Therefore, you should keep your data and software application programs in Built-in Storage. The amount of Built-in Storage in your unit will vary depending on your unit configuration. Windows Mobile™ 2003 software for Pocket PC’s uses approximately 26 MB of Built-in Storage. The balance is available for your use. Third-party CF or SD memory cards can be used to increase the amount of available storage memory. They work the same as Built-in Storage, except they are removable.
RAM is volatile. This means the contents will be lost if the battery is disconnected or discharged. RAM memory is used to run programs and is often used as the initial storage area for data. The amount of RAM in your unit will vary depending on your unit configuration. Approximately 18 MB is reserved for the operating system. To save RAM memory contents into Built-in Storage, use the pre-installed Sprite Backup program. See the next section "Backup and Restore" for more details about backing up data to memory. Any data in RAM that is not stored to Built-in Storage wil l be lost if the battery is removed or discharged. We strongly recommend regularly saving your data.
The following illustration shows the different kinds of memory as they appear within File Explorer (Start / Programs / File Explorer). The nonvolatile Built-in Storage is shown under the top level My Device at the top of the list change folders.
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. Tap on the desired folder to
Built-in Storage: The contents are found in this folder in File Explorer.
Storage Cards: If memory cards are present, the contents are found in these folders in File Explorer.
RAM: All other files and folders displayed by File Explorer are stored in RAM and will need to be backed up.
Backup and Restore
Many programs and unit configurations reside in RAM and collected data is sometimes stored in RAM. RAM memory is volatile and all data and programs residing in RAM will be lost if the battery is disconnected during use or is completely discharged. To prevent such data loss, it is important to regularly back up the RAM to Built-in Storage. Your device comes with a pre-installed backup utility program called Sprite Backup.
Sprite Backup: Sprite Backup is an easy-to-use program that backs up data from RAM to the Built-in Storage memory. To run a backup, tap Start / Programs / Sprite Backup.
Once the program loads, tap Backup Now and the backup process will begin immediately. When the backup is complete a chime will sound and the screen will show Operation Complete. When this occurs, tap OK. This will bring up a message box once again telling you that the operation has completed. Tap OK to restart (soft reboot) your system. Your backup is now complete. All programs and data are stored in a backup file and stored in Built-in Storage.
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We recommend that you run Sprite Backup often to ensure that you never lose any data due to an unforeseen hard reset. Because it’s easy to forget to do, Sprite Backup offers scheduling automatic backups as an advanced feature. To set this up, tap Start /
Programs / Sprite Backup. In the lower left corner tap Options / Switch to Advanced Mode. Next, access the scheduling page by
tapping Options / Scheduled Backup / Change Scheduling. Here you can set single, daily, or weekly automatic backups to run at a particular time. Select the desired frequency and the backup time and tap OK to set the schedule.
NOTE: While scheduled automatic backups will help protect you from data loss, even a daily restore may not be enough in an intensive work environment. When collecting a lot of data, remember to backup often. If a hard reset occurs, any data collected between the last backup and the hard reset will be lost.
If you experience a hard reset for any reason, you can easily restore your data from your last backup. After a hard reset, the unit will automatically prompt you to do a restore. To run restore manually, tap Start / Programs / Sprite Backup / Restore Now. Once the restore is complete, you will be prompted to do a soft reset. After the reset, the unit is restored to its pre-hard reset state.
Power key features
The Power key turns the unit on and off and performs a number of additional functions.
Turn backlight on/off:
and then the off until it is toggled back on. Screen taps and key presses will not cause it to turn on.
Power menu:
display a countdown. Continuing to press the Power key will cause a soft reset when the countdown reaches zero. If you release the Power key while the countdown is proceeding, you access the following menu. Tap an option or OK to exit.
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Power
Hold down the Power key for about 3 seconds to
To toggle the backlight on or off, press Fn
key. Once toggled off, the backlight will stay
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