How to Choose Between a Motorola MC55 Handheld Device and MC75

I'm often asked for recomMendations on mobile devices for proof of delivery applications and handheld data collection. If you're looking at Motorola devices, most people need help choosing between MC55, MC75 and MC9090 devices.

How to Choose Between a Motorola MC55 Handheld Device and MC75

How to Choose Between a Motorola MC55 Handheld Device and MC75

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How to Choose Between a Motorola MC55 Handheld Device and MC75

How to Choose Between a Motorola MC55 Handheld Device and MC75

This article will explain what you should consider when choosing mobile devices and will highlight real-life customer examples for field data capture and proof of delivery applications.

Before we start with criteria, it is important to understand what features you need today as well as in the future. With rugged devices, once you purchase the device, you cannot go back and add hardware options like a camera, GPS or Bluetooth. The devices we will discuss are:
MC9090 (MC909x)-these are the largest and most rugged of the 3 models. They aresupported on all carrriers (Verizon, Sprint, AT & T and T-Mobile) and have the broadest range of hardware options. These are the most expensive devices. MC75-these are mid-sized devices that Motorola targets for proof of delivery, field data capture and barcode solutions. MC55-this is the newest member of the family, has a slightly lower level of rugged design and size than MC75 's. It is the least expensive.
Questions and Criteria

You should narrow your hardware choice by asking the following questions.

Do you need cellular data? If so, what cellular carrier do you use and do you know what the data coverage is in your territories?
The reason for this is simple-some territories like the North East are completely ownedby a carrier (Verizon). If someone wants T-Mobile or AT & T coverage, they need to check or consider changing carriers. The MC55 is not currently supported on Verizon, so the choice is between an MC75 and MC9000. All devices support GSM networks (e.g. T-Mobile and AT & T). Do you want want device to cover international or outside of North America? If so, you will need to only consider GSM.
If you need cellular data, are you going to do anything that requires 3 g/3.5 G or Faster networking?
Most customers don't know the answer to this but the question becomes more clear if you are: Taking pictures-picture size can be adjusted on the mobile device, but a reasonable quality color picture would be approximately 1 MB or larger. Downloading large files,such as site plans, MSDS sheets or merchandising plan-o-grams for proof of delivery apps.

The more pictures and files, the more you should consider a 3 g device such as the MC75. Occasional picture takers could get by with a 2.5 G connection on an MC55.

Do you need to take pictures? If so, do you need high quality color pictures or can they be black and white?
This might seem like an odd question, but someone who delivers furniture or cabinets would want a higher quality color camera so they could take pictures that capture the details of a scratch. Technicians doing utility Meter installations need to take pictures of Meters to confirm the initial Meter reading. These can be black and white and therefore can be done with the 2D imager (> scanner) versus a separate room. Smaller black and white Ph Meter installations or other field device installations such as oil field equipMent, you may need to capture GPS coordinates at the point of service. Note that if you need sub Meter accuracy, you will need to get an external GPS unit or do post-processing.
We recomMend getting GPS on devices even if you don't need it now. One company purchased 250 devices without GPS-they did not want the additional expense with their purchase. When they picked up a new lineof business, it required them to dispatch the closest driver, so they had to add an external GPS solution which was more expensive than purchasing GPS on the device.Both the MC55 and MC75 have GPS as an option. MC9000 devices generally don't have GPS except through external adapters.

Do you need serial port connections on the device or in the vehicle mount?

The MC55 is targeted at basic route accounting users.The MC55 vehicle cradle does not have a built-in serial port. Examples of where this applies are: serial cable connection to the GPS or JBus vehicle (vehicle diagnostics), fuel delivery meters or external communication devices. The MC75 and MC9000 vehicle cradles have a built-in serial port. Their cradle is more expensive than the MC55 cradle byapproximately $ -200.
Do you need barcode scanning?
All devices support barcode scanning. The only decision is whether you need 1 d/2D or long-range. 2D scanners can be helpful if you have barcodes that may get dirty or damaged. Examples of this include plant nursery where 2D barcodes may be easier to read due to dirt on the barcode label. Long range scanners can scan barcodes up to 40 ' away. Long range scanners are only available on the MC909x platform. Examples of long range scanning would be scanning the barcode at the top of a warehouse rack from a forklift.
Do you need RFID?
If you need RFID, your only option is an MC9090. Note that RFID enabled devices are significantly more expensive.
Do you have specificruggedness requirements? Will you be dealing with harsh environments?
The MC9000 is the most rugged device. It has the best drop spec (6 ' to concrete) and the best IPS (intrusion protection) rating. The MC75 is plenty rugged and designed for field delivery applications (5 ' to concrete). The MC55 is close to, but not as rugged as the MC75. It is designed for the field but not for harsh environments. Examples of harsher environments would be where you work outside in the rain or dirt-such as oil field services, agriculture or bulk product delivery such as fuel, lubes, chemicals or fertilizer to tanks outside.
What size keypad do you need? What type of input will the keypad be used for? Do you need a pistol grip?
The MC55 and MC75 both havesimilar sized keypads. They are larger than a BlackBerry but the size of the device shell is fixed. The MC9000 comes in a short version (MC9090S), a long version (MC9090K) and a gun/pistol grip (MC9090G). The keypads on MC9000 's are larger than the MC75 or MC55. If drivers use gloves (such as fuel delivery) then it would be worth comparing the MC9000 to the MC75. If you perform a lot of scanning, you should consider a pistol grip, which is only available on the MC9000.

Know which device is right for you? The following highlights examples of using each type of device.

How to Choose Between a Motorola MC55 Handheld Device and MC75