Hi all, New to the forum as of today. I work out of Redding, CA as a Forester and came here to ask a question. I’m looking for input on the new handheld data collectors that are used for timber cruising. We have been using CMT’s since who knows when (I just got with the company 4 years ago) and the CMT’s are starting to get old and replacement parts are hard to find, technology is better so its time for new ones! We are writing out cruise programs with software from Data Plus Solutions in Jerome, Idaho and we are looking into the newer windows based computers. I have been looking into the Juniper Allegro MX ($2875) and the TDS Ranger 300X ($2899) as well as the Nautiz X7-B ($1670) The Juniper Archer Field PC looks pretty neat as well.
The Allegro and Ranger are obviously larger but have keypads for quick data entry, even with gloves on in colder weather. However the PDA type computers are much smaller, lighter, and easier to carry but you need to use a stylus with them and they seem a little more tedious to use as entering tree species and numeric data might be a little bit more of a pain, But they also come with a much more affordable price and the Nautiz has a camera and GPS built into it!
