Baron ThreatNet Plus

[Billy Griffin]

Anyone here using Baron's Threat Net Plus, and if so, how do you like it?

The software looks pretty nice, but I'm a little concerned on the requirement to maintain an internet connection while mobile. While I've heard some good feedback on the Sprint / Cingular cards, etc. - I at least know that with the Mobile ThreatNet system (XM-data provided), I rarely recall losing the data stream.

I have a Sprint laptop card - the S-720 high-speed EVDO rev. A version, so speeds shouldn't be a problem when a good, reliable signal is available. And therein lies the problem... a good signal and maintaining connection.

Is it true from what I hear that Sprint is sharing EVDO with Alltel and that Sprint cards will work on the Alltel network if Sprint coverage is unavailable?
Obviously, Sprint still limits their coverage to primary corridors and major cities.

Thoughts / Feedback ???

 

[Eric Whitehill]

Anyone here using Baron's Threat Net Plus, and if so, how do you like it?

The software looks pretty nice, but I'm a little concerned on the requirement to maintain an internet connection while mobile. While I've heard some good feedback on the Sprint / Cingular cards, etc. - I at least know that with the Mobile ThreatNet system (XM-data provided), I rarely recall losing the data stream.
\

Baron ThreatNet does not require an internet connection, as it is all satellite based.

Personally, I really like ThreatNet.

 

[Fred Gossage]

Brett Adair, Matt Grantham, and I had Mobile ThreatNet Plus while chasing in the jungles of Southeast Alabama and it was VERY reliable. I've always been at least mildly skeptical of the program before.....but I'm now hooked.

 

[Billy Griffin]

For clarification: the Baron products I am talking about are as follows:

Threat Net Plus = http://www.baronservices.com/solutions/public_safety/threat_net.php

Threat Net Plus is an INTERNET-DEPENDENT software package that DOES require constant connection to the internet for data access.

MOBILE Threat Net = http://www.baronservices.com/solutions/public_safety/mobile_threat_net.php

This is what most everyone is using... more often referred to as the WxWorx system. Data feeds are received via XM Satellite, rather than through the internet.

I've previously owned the Mobile Threat Net, so I know all about it. I owned one for two years.

What I'm asking, is if anyone is using the THREAT NET PLUS package? Again, this would require one to be connected to the internet for data feeds.

 

[J Kinkaid]

Brett Adair, Matt Grantham, and I had Mobile ThreatNet Plus while chasing in the jungles of Southeast Alabama and it was VERY reliable. I've always been at least mildly skeptical of the program before.....but I'm now hooked.

That's not what he's asking about. I have done the demo before for it but it's still very expensive. The software runs a couple of thousand + sub per month that will run you $50 more if you get permission from your local tv station to share there data.

 

[Billy Griffin]

That's not what he's asking about.

Exactly! Yeah, I recall it being very expensive, but I didn't know it was in excess of the $1k range. I forget all the details on Threat Net Plus, but one of the really nice features to me was the 2.5 minute refresh, along with the much more detailed radar.

Looks like the Mobile Threat Net is still the most feasible way to go.

I've been thinking about GRLevel3 using my Sprint card, but all I can keep thinking back to is how nice it is having continuously updated radar data in your vehicle without having to do hardly any manual manipulation, such as trying to stay connected with your laptop card, hitting "refresh," etc.

 

[Jay Cazel]

I think Jeff Piotrowski might be or has used what you are talking about Billy..PM or e-mail him and ask. I do remember him talking about it.

 

[John Diel]

Just a fast look at the feature page, this looks more like something that would be used by a base station or someone cooridinating spotter activities. Possibly even "On-Air" use. It doesn't look like something that would be "mobile" based. That would circumvent the ThreatNet Mobile system.

Just my take on it. I could be wrong.

 

[Billy Griffin]

Yeah, you're right John. The features are really geared towards some type of base operator / station, perhaps even someone who would be coordinating a spotter network, but the features are really nice!

With the onset of mobile broadband, I was just "thinking out loud" at the possibility of utilizing this application versus the Mobile ThreatNet.

I suspect it would eat up a ton of bandwidth, which even for mobile broadband, could be a challenge of having up-to-date data. I could be wrong. It might work great in the field. But if the prices are what I recall, it's probably just not possible - at least under my budget! Still, I was curious if anyone on here might be or might have thought of trying the Threat Net Plus application for chasing?

 

[beaudodson]

On the PLUS being offered by Baron I am confused as to how they can update every 2.5 minutes. Where does there radar data come from? If it is from the NWS then how can it update every 2.5 minutes? I have looked at their demo...I believe it is 1 km data instead of whatever ThreatNet is.

How do they update so quick on the Plus option? It would be nice to have live radar from a local station...unfortunately we don't have any local stations that offer Baron Services.

Thoughts on the above?

 

[rdale]

Since the NWS radars don't update on the same schedule, they make a new graphic every 2.5 minutes to keep the info as current as possible.

If they do a composite at 6:00pm, but a local radar sends in a new tilt 1 at 6:01pm, the data is 4 minutes old if they waited until 6:05pm. Now it's only 1.5 minutes old.

 

[rdale]

Re: Threat Net Plus, I've put a few of those in local EOC's, and it is very handy for that. But if you have "real" weather / radar knowledge, you'll do much better putting that money toward GR2AE.

 

[Tony Laubach]

As mentioned in the first post about Sprint, I've been using their card for the first two months of this season and have been VERY impressed with the service I've had in combination with the amplifier I purchased from maximumsignal. In the last two months, I've had very little issue with connection; there are places where I've lost connection for a short time, but its never been more than 20 minutes. This last chase into Texas, I had nearly non-stop service across all 2,068 miles I drove with the exception of an area in the Caprock Canyon area on Thursday.

I sold Baron earlier in the year and can't say I've missed it... if you have a Sprint card already, invest a few hundred bucks in StormLab and GRLevelX and maybe the amplifier and you'll get much more data access for half the price. Yes, there are holes... no questions... but I've heard many people talk about times when Baron wouldn't update for several scans... line that up with a few holes and you have about the same access. Obviously the Baron will give you more reliable and constant signal, but in two months and over 5000 miles to speak of, I've been VERY impressed.

Just watch out for Sprint's customer service... I've had a few nice reps, but overall, their IQ ranks about as high as my shoe size, so the trade-off is you may get a pain in the butt out of it. On the other side, their mistakes and idiocies have earned me a pair of bills under $80 after credits with my phone and data plans. So if you can tolerate it, you'll do well.

 

[beaudodson]

The one thing that would be worth having is the live radar from a local television station. Esp when you are waiting for updates from the NWS or you live too close to the NWS radar for it to be of use.

 

[rdale]

All of the agencies who purchased in my area have also signed an agreement with the station for our live feed - that's actually the primary reason they got it...