Chasing with just Radarscope or PYKL3?

[BBauer]

I have used GRlevel 3 at home and know its the standard for most chasers. I was just curious if any of you have chased using your smart phone only. Just wondering if any of you think it could be sufficient to head out chasing with. I like the idea of freeing up the inside of the car and not having my power inverter cord, usb modem booster cable, power cord to laptop, GPS puck cord etc. running all over the place. I'm going to be more of a local chaser anyway, so it might be nice for me if I could just head out with my phone at a moments notice and not have to get everything set-up and situated in the car. Has anyone chased lite?

 

[rdale]

I've done it with PYKL3 when caught a little unprepared... It was certainly MUCH better than without radar. So far I've actually not used the laptop for anything other than streaming - I put PYKL3 on my phone and NWSChat on my iPad.

 

[Drew.Gardonia]

you should check into the Ipad, i saw Terry Schenk using one and it looked like it was doing everything he wanted it to do.

Laptop, puck, webcam, and all the associated cables and stuff really makes for a big mess when getting in and out of a vehicle in a timely fashion.

 

[Ben Corby]

We went on a chase today with my iPad as the primary means of information. It was frustrating, to say the least, when the iPad lost its 3G signal, and we had no way of getting radar updates. When you've got a 3G signal, it's great, but when it loses the connection, you're basically running blind.

 

[rdale]

The worst I've had is dropping down to Edge for a while, which delays the updates a bit but still good enough for data.

 

[BBauer]

Thanks for the replies everyone

We went on a chase today with my iPad as the primary means of information. It was frustrating, to say the least, when the iPad lost its 3G signal, and we had no way of getting radar updates. When you've got a 3G signal, it's great, but when it loses the connection, you're basically running blind.

So the iPad is purely 3G while out on the road? A smart phone would still be able to pick up 2G (or whatever the slower connection is) and still be able to function right? So I guess unless you set up your own mobile wi-fi hotspot the iPad might not be the best tool in many situations. Luckily I'm not leaning toward an iPad at this point, just a smartphone.

*Sorry, I am seeing that my thread may have more appropriately been placed in the equipment forum. Then again this is the introductory forum so maybe I'm good =)

 

[BBauer]

The worst I've had is dropping down to Edge for a while, which delays the updates a bit but still good enough for data.

Oh, maybe there is my answer. So the iPad can receive data other than 3G (besides Wi-Fi of course)?

 

[David Wolfson]

Last weekend we chased CO with just an iPad and a double handful of stuff that came in and out of the rental car in a minute: CradlePoint w/USB modem, Bluetooth gps, small 100W inverter, and an ac power strip for a few power blocks. WeatherTAP Mobile (Level II) came through fine, multi-tasking the gps with a track logger, voice navigator, high-res track map, and SPC mesoanalysis pages. The car even had an always-live accessory circuit, so by putting the wi-fi router on the dash and getting a nearby inside seat we could browse away eating dinner. The iPad often sat quite comfortably on my right thigh for a safe glance while driving.

Oh yeah... and streaming Sirius/XM radio....

 

[Ben Corby]

Oh, maybe there is my answer. So the iPad can receive data other than 3G (besides Wi-Fi of course)?

It can receive Edge/2G data signals, but none of my mapping apps wanted to load properly without 3G. I was way out in the middle of nowhere, though.

 

[Travis Davis]

I've used my iPhone with Radarscope a couple of times. It works well, but not as good as having GR3 (or GR2) up.

 

[Larry Posey]

I am relatively new at this and don't have all of the "stuff" yet. I use RadarScope on my iphone4 and a cellular amp and have only lost data capability a couple of times in a very rural area. These simple tools work great for the time being. They have always put me right on the storm.

 

[Jason Blum]

It's been a life-saver (perhaps literally) more than once when we lost our laptop's data provider in a blind spot. We use my partner's Verizon for the Laptop, and my AT&T for the iPhone... so while I wouldn't recommend it as a primary source for radar, it's awesome as a backup when you're in a deadspot.

 

[Chris Gullikson]

My iPhone gives me a capable browser allowing me to look at model, surface, satellite data etc as well as having Radarscope with level 3 data and a GPS position...this is an amazing tool to have!! It wasn't too long ago the best data I had (besides the eyes) during a chase was a 5 inch TV in my vehicle tuned in to a fuzzy local station to try and catch a glimpse of a radar image.

 

[Jim Hunt]

I've done it with PYKL3 when caught a little unprepared... It was certainly MUCH better than without radar. So far I've actually not used the laptop for anything other than streaming - I put PYKL3 on my phone and NWSChat on my iPad.

What are you using for NWSChat on the iPad? I would like to get that working.

 

[Drew.Gardonia]

does anyone know if the iPAD or iPAD 2 have a usb port on it? I can't seem to find anything on Apple's site that says they do or don't.