The Ranger X-series is available in two versions, the 500X and the 300X. The 500X is the fully loaded version; it comes with built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b wireless LAN) and Bluetooth capabilities, 128 Mb of SDRAM and 512 Mb of non-volatile flash memory. Its Intel XScale processor runs at 520 MHz. The 300X comes standard with an XScale processor as well, but runs at 312 MHz. Its RAM capacity is 64 Mb and its Flash memory size is 256 Mb. Extra cost options for the 300X include upgrading the processor to 520 MHz and adding the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities, or both. These upgrades are only possible at time of purchase.

Dennis York, TDS' development manager and leader of the development team, showed me the fruits of their labor by disassembling a new Ranger before my eyes. He painstakingly pointed out the innovations and improvements of the next-generation data collector, many of them below-the-surface features that improve the functionality, flexibility and usability of the unit. At the same time, great pains have been taken to retain a lot of the original Ranger's look and feel so users who upgrade will have an easy transition.