Skip Talbot
EF5
I'm back. Kind of. I thought there might be some old school folks lurking here who have undergone a similar journey and can help.
The only significant changes I've made to my setup in the past 15ish years is a camcorder upgrade and a couple new phones. My current setup is:
I feel like the obvious answer is just using a mobile device with Google Maps and Radarscope, but I still find this to be a serious trade-off from the older tools like Street Atlas and GrLevelX, and I'm compromising on features in exchange for ease of use. For example, having offline support of the entire Plains grid and on a large display with high contrast colors. GrLevelX, as clumsy as it is to use a legacy Windows app on a touchscreen, still sports more features that Radarscope. I feel like I'm handicapped when I go out with just my phone. Even the cameras, sure I could finally spring for a full frame mirrorless or something, but for video I don't want to have to compromise on how solid the camcorder is in this role, recording hours non-stop without having to babysit or manage settings.
Open to suggestions.
I realize that modernizing my abilities to forecast, pick targets, and intercept is the real battle. That's a whole different topic though, and probably why I'm not really "back". The answer to all of this might be downsizing not just my setup, but chasing in general. I aspire to be one of those long-time veterans you're happy to see is still making it out there once in awhile.
The only significant changes I've made to my setup in the past 15ish years is a camcorder upgrade and a couple new phones. My current setup is:
- A Dell Inspiron laptop circa 2013(?) that is battered to hell but hanging in there.
- 22" inch Dell touchscreen monitor, connected via HDMI and USB
- Delorme Street Atlas 2014. The software was discontinued the next year, and as you can imagine, is starting to diverge from reality.
- Grlevel3/2 with Allisonhouse placefiles.
- Sony FDR-AX100 camcorder circa 2014. It's been an excellent 4k shooter, and amazingly they still go for a $1000+.
- FilmTools Suction Mount
- Canon 60D DSLR circa 2010 with an EFS 10-22, my go to for tripodded timelapse.
- A handful of GoPros and now an Insta360 x3 which I use sporadically for b-roll, transitions, and "just get a shot" backup
- Samsung S25 Ultra, my newest tech, of which I'm becoming increasingly dependent on as it manages multiple roles as my:
- Wifi hotspot and only data source
- Still shooter/handheld camera
- Radarscope
- Routing with audible directions
I feel like the obvious answer is just using a mobile device with Google Maps and Radarscope, but I still find this to be a serious trade-off from the older tools like Street Atlas and GrLevelX, and I'm compromising on features in exchange for ease of use. For example, having offline support of the entire Plains grid and on a large display with high contrast colors. GrLevelX, as clumsy as it is to use a legacy Windows app on a touchscreen, still sports more features that Radarscope. I feel like I'm handicapped when I go out with just my phone. Even the cameras, sure I could finally spring for a full frame mirrorless or something, but for video I don't want to have to compromise on how solid the camcorder is in this role, recording hours non-stop without having to babysit or manage settings.
Open to suggestions.
I realize that modernizing my abilities to forecast, pick targets, and intercept is the real battle. That's a whole different topic though, and probably why I'm not really "back". The answer to all of this might be downsizing not just my setup, but chasing in general. I aspire to be one of those long-time veterans you're happy to see is still making it out there once in awhile.
