14-NOV-2003, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tripod Data Systems Offers up to $1,150 for Trade-ins of Used, Working Data Collectors
Offer makes it easy for surveyors to upgrade to more advanced Ranger with Survey Pro

Contacts:

Amy Urban
Tripod Data Systems
541-753-9322
amyu@tdsway.com

Julia Oliver
Sanda Communications
503-445-2400
jo@sandacom.com

Corvallis, Ore.—November 14, 2003—Tripod Data Systems (TDS) announced today that customers can receive up to $1,150 cash back when they trade in their used data collector and purchase a TDS Ranger^TM 200C equipped with TDS Survey Pro^TM software before December 31, 2003.

"This promotion gives surveyors substantial savings when they upgrade to the Ranger and Survey Pro," said Bill Martin, TDS director of marketing. "When these rebates are combined with the price reduction we introduced earlier this year, the Ranger's value is better than ever. We hope that offering cash back on used data collectors will allow more surveyors to benefit from Ranger technology so they can find out for themselves why Survey Pro is the most popular surveying software available."

The rugged Ranger is ideal for work in extreme outdoor and industrial conditions, meeting the MIL-STD-810E standard for drop test, shock and vibration. Its polyurethane exterior makes the Ranger slip-resistant and comfortable to hold. The Ranger 200C features a color display, a 206 MHz processor, 64 MB of RAM and 32 MB, 128 MB or 512 MB of Flash.

Survey Pro surveying software is a complete data collection and field computation package for surveyors and other field professionals. It's easy to use for traverse, sideshot, coordinate geometry, staking and adjustment routines. Survey Pro's features allow users to work with reflectorless total stations, generate digital terrain models, collect attribute data and organize their work.

Eligibility

To receive the rebate, customers must purchase a Ranger 200C equipped with Survey Pro software and trade in their old data collector. Customers can obtain rebate forms from their dealer or visit www.tdsway.com. Rangers must be purchased between November 7 and December 31, 2003. TDS must receive the completed rebate application and the customer's old data collector by January 31, 2004.

Pricing and availability

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices start at $3,199 for the Ranger 200C with Survey Pro software. Rangers and Survey Pro software are available from authorized TDS dealers. To locate a dealer, call 541-753-9322. Rebates are as follows:

*Bundles include tripod bracket, instrument cable, PC cable, soft case, stylus pen, LCD covers, NiMH batteries, battery charger and ForeSight DXM.

About Tripod Data Systems

Tripod Data Systems (TDS) develops hardware and software for mobile computing applications. TDS produces rugged handheld computers for extreme outdoor and industrial environments, software for land surveying and construction applications, and GIS systems for field data collection and automation. TDS is also the U.S. distributor for Nikon survey products. TDS software has been the #1 choice of surveyors since 1995—more surveyors use Survey Pro^TM software than all other competitors' software combined.¹

TDS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Trimble. The company is headquartered in Corvallis, Ore., and was founded in 1987. For more information about TDS, visit www.tdsway.com, e-mail survey@tdsway.com or call 541-753-9322.

¹Business News Publishing Company, "Surveying and Mapping Industry Study" 1995-2002. Includes TDS software sold by dealers and TDS partner companies.

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Tripod Data Systems, TDS, TDS Ranger, Survey Pro, Survey Pro Robotics, Survey Pro GPS and Survey Pro Max are trademarks of Tripod Data Systems. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.