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Handhelds aren't just for consumer and office use, though that is where they are most often found. They are also needed in harsh and rugged environments where your average PDA or smartphone won't do. Enter Tripod Data Systems (TDS), a Trimble company, was founded in 1987. The company's latest handheld, the Recon, is tough enough to be used in most environments human beings are willing tread.

The Recon is considerably larger and heavier than your average handheld. It measures 6.5 x 3.75 x1.75 inches and weighs 17 ounces. Nevertheless, the device fits comfortably in one's hand, making it easy to carry around.

TDS originally made the Recon a CE.Net device, but moved to the Windows Mobile for Pocket PC operating system after it became apparent that that's what their customers wanted. As a result, it'll run any application that is available to any other Pocket PC.

The handheld, which comes in two flavors, one, the Recon 200 with a 200 MHz Intel XScale processor and 64MB of RAM, and the other, the Recon 400 with 128MB of RAM, includes two CompactFlash slots, which is the most found in a Pocket PC. Both units include a color TFT display that supports the standard Pocket PC resolution of 240x320. It is viewable both indoors and outside.

The Recon has a button with four arrows for navigation, as well as a button to the left of that for accessing the Star Menu and another for Enter. In addition, you've got the standard application buttons for Calendar, Contacts, Power and Inbox. The Stylus, of which there are two in the package, fits into a slot on the back of the Pocket PC. It is also larger, more comfortable, and a lot more sturdy than other Styli we've come across. On the bottom of the unit is a port for the AC adapter, a Serial port, just like you would find on a PC, as well as a USB port for connecting to a desktop.

Recon feels considerably more solid than your average Pocket PC, which comes as no surprise from its weight, but it is also a result of its being built out of impact resistant plastic with rubber cushioning. Of course, that is the whole point behind the Recon, to bring data and applications to those who work in areas where a standard handheld just won't cut it. With that in mind, the Recon meets the MIL-STD-810F military and IP67 specifications for drops, immersion in water, vibration and extreme temperatures.