Chasing Correctly

[James Wilson]

I hope there are not any rules that do not let you do this, if so feel free to delete this.

I've gone out a few times over the last few years but it was only with a camera. I got into a couple bad situations due to not having real time radar with me. I want to do it correctly from here out and would like advice in the best equipment to have. I'm studying up some more on all aspects of chasing but i want my truck equiped to help me in every way possible.

From scratch ... what would you get before you went out?

Thanks in advance.

 

[John Wetter]

an understanding of how storms work and how to visually identify when you're getting into a bad spot. IMHO, real time radar is not a substitute for this as it isn't perfect and there isn't perfect coverage as proven by chasers getting in to bad spots this last year due to relying on old radar data.

 

[Skip Talbot]

Focusing on equipment, I would not walk out the door without:
A laptop.
A mobile internet connection (wireless data card from a cell provider).
A GPS connected to the laptop.
Radar Software (GrLevel3, Swift)
Mapping Software (Street Atlas, Streets and Trips).

Live radar and mapping is extremely helpful during a chase, and can also keep you out of trouble when you don't have a visual on the storm.

 

[Jason Caster]

To supplement John's advice, which is good advice, go through the Skywarn series. It helped me when I was first starting out.

http://spotterguides.us/basic/basic01.htm

I went on my first storm chasing trip this last season, and the one thing that helped me immensely was having someone to drive while I studied data and roads.

By the way, all I had for gear was a laptop tethered to my mobile phone and a camcorder.

 

[Jason Foster]

Storm chasing at it's core is not about the equipment. Having equipment doesn't make you a good chaser.

You do really need to learn storm dynamics, learn to be a great navigator, and learn really good driving techniques. You have to watch videos to see the variety of storms that are out there. You need to learn the ethics of chasing, ethics of the road, and laws pertaining to chasing and the type of driving you'll be doing while out there. You will need to learn a bit about the culture of chasing if you plan to chase around other chasers. Understand their preferences and tolerances. If you plan to video storms around others, learn what is and isn't acceptable....(i.e., don't ever walk in front of someone else camera, don't talk or curse while around someone else camera).

This will take time. You should be immersing yourself in all things storm chasing, because with only a few months before the start of the severe weather season, it doesn't leave you a lot of time to catch up.

 

[Skip Talbot]

James was asking for an equipment recommendation, not a "newbie needs to hit the books" lecture.

 

[James Wilson]

Thanks for all the replies they are very helpfull.

 

[Jason Foster]

I've gone out a few times over the last few years but it was only with a camera. I got into a couple bad situations due to not having real time radar with me. I want to do it correctly from here out and would like advice in the best equipment to have. I'm studying up some more on all aspects of chasing but i want my truck equiped to help me in every way possible.

From scratch ... what would you get before you went out?

Thanks in advance.

Skip....yes...but the lecture needed to be made. From the way the post is written and I understand it, he thinks getting equipment is going to prevent him from getting into "bad situations" as he put it. I'm just trying to make him, and other readers on the forum understand this is NOT the solution.

I could be wrong, and he could already be a good chaser...if he is, I'm sure he'll post that. But I stand by my post....sorry you don't think it's worth saying.

Edit: LOL...James posted while I was writing my post.

 

[Shane Adams]

I hope there are not any rules that do not let you do this, if so feel free to delete this.

I've gone out a few times over the last few years but it was only with a camera. I got into a couple bad situations due to not having real time radar with me. I want to do it correctly from here out and would like advice in the best equipment to have. I'm studying up some more on all aspects of chasing but i want my truck equiped to help me in every way possible.

From scratch ... what would you get before you went out?

Thanks in advance.

Best advice I can give you is trust your eyes over any piece of equipment. Learning how to use them takes years, but it's quite possible to start from scratch and remain relatively safe. Survival Instinct is a great asset to a new chaser, saved my butt a few times when I was a rook.

 

[James Wilson]

I've read the spotter guide and a good deal of information on the net. I have basic equipment and have bought a couple other items outlined here. I'll watch more videos and continue my education as i think equipment is now good. Thanks

 

[Lanny Dean]

I have to second what Skip has said, his list of equipment is pretty basic but as Shane has also said, I would trust my eyes over any piece of equipment that I have.
My early days found me with only a NOAA weather radio which actually wroked out for me quite well, but I already had a good idea of storm stucture.
There are still guys that chase the "old school" way and the are very successful at it but again, they know what is going on around them at all times.
If you are going to get some equipment, Skips list is great but is missing an NOAA weather radio or scanner with those frequencies, I would not leave home without it!
Hope that helps some.

 

[James Wilson]

I bought this one a few days ago.

A laptop. CHECK
A mobile internet connection. CHECK
Mobile GPS CHECK
Mapping Software (Street Atlas, Streets and Trips). CHECK
NOAA weather radio. CHECK
700-Watt Inverter CHECK
Radar Software (GrLevel3, Swift) UPCOMING

 

[James Wilson]

BTW, i'm thinking i'll need a back-up laptop battery even with my 12-hour one.

 

[Lanny Dean]

Might not be a bad idea for a back up one or, you could always put a DC to AC converter in your car so you would have A/C
Also, have you had a chance to look at Storm Lab? It is what I use and I really like it.
You can find more info for it here:
http://www.interwarn.com/sldesc.html

The guy who developed it is a metorologist and is a member here on ST. I have used the product since 2006 and Its great! Not to take anything away from GRLevel2 or 3 but might be a good idea to keep your options open.
Good luck!

 

[Mikey Gribble]

Is there a reason why you can't run a power inverter in your car? I wouldn't try to run the laptop off of battery when I was out chasing. Number one it dims the screen which is already hard to see and second it is not a reliable source since you don't know how the long the chase will last.
If you need more DC outlets/cigaretted outlets in your car best buy will wire some in there for pretty cheap. You can have them wire in a power inverter too, but don't buy that piece of crap red one they sell. I would go buy a radio shack brand one or another reliable brand and have them install that inverter along with a couple cigarette outlets. That way you always have plenty to charge your phone, run the laptop and power anything else you need. You'd be surprised at how many you'll end up using once you start aquiring chasing equipment. I have four in my car and a power inverter wired directly to the battery and I still don't have enough.
As far as the other stuff you listed goes that sounds really good. If you have internet on your laptop and Delorme mapping software with GPS (which is like $60) then you should be good to go. You don't even have to get grlevel3 if you don't want to. A jotto desk would be great too if you need it.