• After witnessing the continued decrease of involvement in the SpotterNetwork staff in serving SN members with troubleshooting issues recently, I have unilaterally decided to terminate the relationship between SpotterNetwork's support and Stormtrack. I have witnessed multiple users unable to receive support weeks after initiating help threads on the forum. I find this lack of response from SpotterNetwork officials disappointing and a failure to hold up their end of the agreement that was made years ago, before I took over management of this site. In my opinion, having Stormtrack users sit and wait for so long to receive help on SpotterNetwork issues on the Stormtrack forums reflects poorly not only on SpotterNetwork, but on Stormtrack and (by association) me as well. Since the issue has not been satisfactorily addressed, I no longer wish for the Stormtrack forum to be associated with SpotterNetwork.

    I apologize to those who continue to have issues with the service and continue to see their issues left unaddressed. Please understand that the connection between ST and SN was put in place long before I had any say over it. But now that I am the "captain of this ship," it is within my right (nay, duty) to make adjustments as I see necessary. Ending this relationship is such an adjustment.

    For those who continue to need help, I recommend navigating a web browswer to SpotterNetwork's About page, and seeking the individuals listed on that page for all further inquiries about SpotterNetwork.

    From this moment forward, the SpotterNetwork sub-forum has been hidden/deleted and there will be no assurance that any SpotterNetwork issues brought up in any of Stormtrack's other sub-forums will be addressed. Do not rely on Stormtrack for help with SpotterNetwork issues.

    Sincerely, Jeff D.

Apple iPad Video Review

Joined
Feb 26, 2009
Messages
189
Location
Tulsa, OK
I recorded a review of the iPad focusing on weather sites and applications. The following are included in the review.

- Radarscope
- Weatherbug Elite
- Weather Channel
- Twister Data
- COD
- SPC Meso Analysis
- SPC
- NWS
- Custom Maps

Overall I am very impressed with the device and look forward to adding it to my chase tool kit. Enjoy...

http://vimeo.com/10685992
 
Casey:
Very nice demo for the iPad - it's much appreciated. I need to go pick one of these up but have sorta been waiting to see one in action with apps other than the standard issue apps demo'd on the tech sites. This was VERY helpful.

As for apps, I have radarscope and several other paid apps on my iPhone. I trust these will register to the iPad or will I need to plan on buying these again?

iThanks!
 
Casey:

As for apps, I have radarscope and several other paid apps on my iPhone. I trust these will register to the iPad or will I need to plan on buying these again?

All the apps I have purchased for my iPhone run on the iPad as well without having to buy them again. Apps that have been redesigned as iPad versions may require another purchase. But any app that runs on your phone will also run on the iPad with pixel doubling. I will probably upgrade most of my apps to iPad versions when they are available. Pixel doubling works but it isn't the prettiest thing to look at.
 
Great review! Here's my biggest question. Given the spottiness of AT&T coverage, how do you see yourself using this vs like a sprint aircard? I'm guessing this would be used mostly at wifi locations for pre analysis? I really like the ability to zoom in that you showed, and also the simplicity of having the ipad vs a laptop and a bunch of cords.

James
 
Great review. I want one but I think work might buy me one in the next 12 to 18 months so I am going to hold off for now.

I do want to mention you can zoom in (or out) with ctrl + (or ctrl -) in most web browsers.
 
Great review! Here's my biggest question. Given the spottiness of AT&T coverage, how do you see yourself using this vs like a sprint aircard? I'm guessing this would be used mostly at wifi locations for pre analysis? I really like the ability to zoom in that you showed, and also the simplicity of having the ipad vs a laptop and a bunch of cords.

I am using a Sprint 4G/3G mobile hotspot this year so I can run my laptop, phone, and iPad all off the same connection using wifi. Less wires to deal with and it is faster than the ATT aircard I used last year. The only downside is there is no external antenna connector but it worked really well on a chase a couple of weeks back.
 
A part of me wants this sucker, another part says I don't need it. Perhaps if I get an extra 5-700 bucks burning a hole in my pocket, I may get one. The bad thing is, I have a gateway netbook on a 3G network I barely use right now and it sits at home. Then again, I have not had any interesting weather and last time I took it to work I spilled soda on it. It still works but I am bound by the contract. Maybe an ipad 2.0 then :)
 
I have a friend who works for the Apple Store here in Tucson.

Avoid the first released models. They may have a serious flaw in the WiFi hardware. This is common with first-edition, new concept computers. There are numerous references on the Internet.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8606727.stm

Apple, of course, will deny the rumors and problems as usual. I'd wait until the second batch of iPads are made. You can still return yours and get a new one.

BTW, the one just sold only works with WiFi (hopefully). The 3G model comes out in a few weeks and costs $629-$829. I should also note that it will not drive Flash programs, and it is NOT a laptop as some think.
(Only loads apps, not general software). There is no external antenna port, so you will need an external USB drive modem if you want better reception on the road. (Apple products are known for their poor 3G internal antennas). For a 3G with an external modem you are looking at over $800.00 -- w/o service! Not worth it in my opinion. Although I'm an Apple user, I'll stick with my Dell Netbook with TV, pay as you go Verizon modem, etc. (And if it gets sucked out the window I've only lost $299.00).

W.
 
Get a Radarscope app tailored for the iPad (which I assume is probably in the works), a carrier other than ATT, and an ability to hook peripherals up to it (ie a web cam for streaming) and I might be interested. Great looking device with a ton of potential that will hopefully be realized in later versions.
 
There are some very nice PC tablet options on the horizon, (and some existing fold over tablets), so I would not just buy an iPad because it looks cool.

For example, multiple PC makers, including HP: http://infotech.indiatimes.com/quickiearticleshow/5769868.cms, are making PC tablet ****computers**** that offer full laptop options, not just apps.

W.
 
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