Yes, our application does use a scanner. We tried to use the iPaq Pocket PC with Socket Scanner that plugs into the SD slot. It works well, no problem. However, the problem I found is that with iPaq you have to assign one of the regular buttons (I actually use Task Button) to trigger the bar code scanner. Which is kind of awkward. The Symbol unit, I believe, has a button right on the side that triggers the scanner.

As far as connecting Symbol through serial port, I would rather have it via USB. The iPaq can connect to the PC either through serial port or USB, which is convenient. So as I said, the iPaq with Socket Scanner does a good job. I am just not sure how well it will work in a "work" environment. The saving are considerable, thought. iPaq with the scanner with run about $800. Symbol is about $1,400.

>Dimitry,
>Ahh I forgot about the integrated bar code scanner, that was a big reason why we also choose the Symbol device. Does your application use a bar code scanner? Have you tried any of the bar code scanners that plug into the SD card slot?
>IR stands for InfraRed (same technology your remote control uses) and is just another (or older) way of communicating "wirelessly". The serial port on the Symbol device is just another way to connect devices to the Symbol device (like printers).
>
>Einar
>
>
>>Yes, the application was built with VS 2003 and we have installs for different processors, as you correctly indicated. And your guess that I want to try Symbol instead of off-the shelf devices is correct: toughness and integrated bar code scanner. But I don't know (or not familier with terms) what is IR? and what is serial port interface?
>>
>>>I have not worked too much with the compact framework myself, but I do understand that an install created with VS 2003 will generate different installs for the different processors available for PPC and will install the correct one for your PPC. Was your app built with VS 2003? Does your app need features like IR or serial port (Symbol is the only one I have found with a "serial" interface).
>>>Just out of curiosity why do you want to (or your customer) use the Symbol device instead of an off the shelf device? Is it mostly because of the tough and rougged features?
>>>
>>>We used to use a different Symbol device running Palm OS before and we were very happy with the device. It can take a lot of abuse:)
>>>
>>>Einar
>>>
>>>>Einar,
>>>>Thank you very much for your message. I don't have a PPT 8800 yet, I have tested our .NET compact framework application on Compaq iPaq. But I plan to purchase PPT 8800 either for myself or for a customer and try the application. If I run into any problems, if you don't mind, I will ask for help.
>>>>Again, thank you.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>We have sofware built using VS 2003 running on a Symbol PPT 8800. It seems to work well. I am not in charge of PPC development, but if you have any specific questions I can ask the person who is.
>>>>>Einar
>>>>>
>>>>>>I am looking into using the above captioned unit for .NET Compact Framework application. From the spec it looks like it should work.
>>>>>>If anyone has used them and can share how well or bad they work, please let me know.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Thank you.