![[ Carolina Barcode logo ]](images/cb_logo.gif){kind=logo}
"Your #1 Source for Up-to-date Barcode and AutoID Technology Information"
CODE. SCAN. SAVE.
"Your #1 Source for Up-to-date Barcode and AutoID Technology Information"
CODE. SCAN. SAVE.
|
|||
| Datalogic Skorpio Review | Date: 11/05/2008 | ||
 |
|||
Datalogic Skorpio ReviewThe Datalogic Skorpio is an enterprise mobile computer marketed into the retail, healthcare and hospitality markets. The feature-set of the Datalogic Skorpio make it a good choice for any inside-the-4 walls deployment where device size, battery life and durability are important. Available with batch (no wireless connections), Bluetooth and Wi-Fi networking, the Datalogic Skorpio offers 1-dimensional laser scanner configurations. The Datalogic Skorpio is available in both Hand-Held and Gun Configurations.
The Datalogic Skorpio hand-held batch model lists at $1530.00. With WiFi and Bluetooth the list price rises to $2203.00. Official Marketing Datalogic marketing materials stress the Skorpio as a solution for applications in light abuse environments inside the enterprise. They list the following applications as appropriate for the device:
Here are the features that Datalogic emphasizes about the Skorpio:
WLAN
WPAN As an optional feature, the Datalogic Skorpio can be configured with Bluetooth 1.2. We were pleased that the Skorpio's Bluetooth radio had been upgraded from 1.1 so it could take advantage of both the faster connection times and frequency hopping allowed by this version. We found the Skorpio's WPAN connection time about average for 1.2 devices. The printing range to our wireless mobile printer was the standard 30 feet with no degradation of performance. L With a weight of just under 13 ounces for the hand-held and 19 ounces for the gun version, the Datalogic Skorpio is one of the lightest and most comfortable mobile computers we have seen. The device edges are rounded at the back of the keypad, and it fits naturally in your hand. Ergonomically, the Skorpio is superior to most of the top-selling mobile computers on the market today. The innovative hand strap doubles as a holder for the stylus. The strap has an easy release catch at the top and Velcro at the bottom to allow quick battery changes.  The Datalogic Skorpio comes in only 1 keyboard configuration - a 38-key numeric (shifted alpha) version. The keys are large and easy to manipulate with either finger or thumb. Alpha characters are entered using the yellow function key, while symbols and punctuation are entered using the blue function key. The alpha keys are in alphabetic order (A-Z), but the blue functions are hard to read as they are silk screened in blue against the dark blue body of the Skorpio. The power button is recesses, presumably to prevent accidental shut off, but we found it difficult to reach for the stylus every time we wanted to shut the unit down. Processor and Memory and OS The Skorpio comes with Windows CE 5.0 Core, the subset of the of Windows Mobile 5.0. Since the Datalogic Skorpio is targeted at specific enterprise applications and not the general "mobile worker" environment, we feel that the selection of the CE version is appropriate. Available in 64/64 or 128/128 meg configurations of Flash/Ram memory, the Datalogic Skorpio uses the Intel Xscale PXA270 processor with variable clock speed of 312/520 Mhz. It comes with a Micro-SD slot for user-installed additional storage. The Micro-SD slot is accessible under the battery, covered with a rubber grommet to maintain its IP64 sealing. Both the Flash and Ram memory areas allow persistent data and program storage. Display The 2.8" diagonal QVGA touch-screen is fairly standard in mid-priced mobile computer, but the backlighting seems to be superior. Reading the display in intense, direct sunlight was no problem at all. The screen size makes the use of the stylus for screen taps a necessity. We couldn't navigate using the "calibrated fingernail". The availability of the stylus on the hand strap with a tether makes this need a minor inconvenience. Data Collection (Scanner options) The Datalogic Skorpio only comes with a laser line scanner - there is no true 2-dimensional barcode reading option (imager) offered. The hand-held version comes with the stand-range laser scanner, there is no long range option. The gun version can be configured with either the standard or a long-range version (~$250). Not having the option to read 2-dimensional barcodes limits the usage of the Skorpio to static, linear barcode applications. Datalogic recently announced release of a firmware patch which allows the laser scanner to read GS1 Databar barcodes, including the stacked versions. Although we haven't tested the patch yet, it is certified by GS1 for mandatory January 2010 compliance. We tested the standard laser scanner in the hand-held version of the Skorpio. We found the range of the scanner to be superior - scanning standard UPC codes to a distance of over 30 inches. Short range reading was excellent as well, with the same UPC scanning at a minimum distance of 1". Every Datalogic scanner comes with "green spot" scanning technology. On a good read, a green spot is projected on the item just scanned, confirming a good read without the worry of background noise or presence of a vibrating unit in the device. The hand-held version has a single scan button in the center of the keypad, convenient for thumb operation. The gun has and index finger operated trigger, making scanning using the Datalogic Skorpio gun second nature. The Skorpio comes with a "wedge" type utility that is very configurable, but requires use of the user's guide to configure. On the positive side, the wedge utility can be configured using an XML file, making scanner configuration easy to replicate across all the devices in the deployment. Battery Capacity The Skorpio comes with a 2100 mAh@ 3.7 V (7.8 Watt-hours) Lithium-Ion battery. In our tests (wireless on but not connected), we observed an 9.6 hour life with continuous use of the scanner (10 scans per minute). There was no information available on the backup battery, so we're assuming that it will keep the unit from losing non-persistent memory for the standard 4-hours. Durability When it comes to durability, the Datalogic Skorpio shines. Sealed to IP64 standards, it can withstand the harshest of dusty and wet environments. It has an operating temperature of 14-122 degrees F, and a specification of multiple 5 foot to concrete drops. For its size, weight and feature set, its durability is excellent and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend the unit for any shop floor or warehouse applications. The Skorpio comes with a 1-year warranty manufacturer's warranty, but a 3-year warranty can be purchased under the Datalogic Extended Warranty program. Other Notes One of the unique hardware features of the Datalogic Skorpio is the inclusion of a micro-USB connector on the bottom of the unit. As you would think, this allows you to connect the Skorpio directly to a desktop computer. The user's guide states that this port supports the use of USB keyboards and mass storage units. Power is only supplied to a 100 mA maximum. External Although the Skorpio is specified as supporting RS232 communications, this mode of communication is allowed only by the docking pins on the bottom of the unit and are meant only for communication with the docking cradle. There is no "boot" or connector to allow RS232 connections to peripherals like mag-stripe readers, GPS units or portable printers. Cradle options include RS-232 or USB. Datalogic included several interesting software applications loaded on the Skorpio. These include an FTP Utility, Bluetooth ActiveSync Utility, and Registry Admin Utility. We found the inclusion of these utilities pertinent and thoughtful additions that would be helpful to any IT professional tasked with deploying Skorpio devices within their organizations. The Datalogic Skorpio User's Guide (Datalogic calls it a Reference Manual) is detailed and complete. We were impressed that the guide included direction on how to accomplish a firmware update to the Skorpio. Pros vs Cons |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
The Datalogic Skorpio was initially released in May of 2006 in Europe, and was made available in the United States the following year. Its small size, durability, fast WLAN, superior laser scanner and low price make it a viable competitor in any inside-the-four-walls implementation..
The Wi-Fi WLAN option for the Skorpio is Cisco CCX v3, making it of certified compatibility with all Cisco wireless products. It supports 802.11 b/g data rates. WLAN communication is controlled by the "Summit Client Utility" from Summit Data Communications. Our demo unit was supplied with version 1.02.09 which didn't support our wireless network's WPA TKIP encryption. We were unable to test through-put data rates or wireless range. The current version of this software (2.00.34) supports WPA, LEAP and WEP.
ook and Feel