Radars for Android Tablet?

[Ashley]

So I was interested in radars for an Android operating system. I''m purchasing the Galaxy Note 10.1 next week (so excited to use be using this in my classes) and currently right now have the Galaxy S4 phone. I'm wanting to try out using the tablet this season and see how we do.
Right now I have RadarScope and PKYL3, both on my phone. On our laptop we have WeatherTap RadarLap HD. Is there anything that is comparable to RadarLab HD in anyone's opinion? I'm basically trying to find a comparable replacement to the laptop.

Thanks so much for all the help in advance.

 

[Jon Strebler]

There is an entire thread on this where I think you will be able to find almost any info you need to know about tablets and chasing. You're essentially stuck with using Radarscope or PYKL3 on an Android tablet.

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?29355-Tablets-a-new-era-in-chasing

 

[Ashley]

Yeah, I had looked through that thread and wasn't finding the information exactly for what i was looking for.
Conversation was more about tablets functionality/size -vs- the multiple applications going on the laptop, rather than radars.
But seems as though I may only have just have the two radars to chose from.

 

[Mark Blue]

WeatherTap subscribers receive free use of the WeatherTap mobile website on their mobile device for no up charge Ashley, which includes RadarLab Mobile. You can create an icon on your Android desktop to take you directly there or access it from their main web page if you haven't checked it out or noticed it before (it's off to the right up top).

 

[Brandon Jenkins]

PYKL3 is the closest thing you will get to a desktop replacement radar app for android (or any mobile device short of a windows tablet). Radarscope is great as well but isn't on the same level as far as customization goes.

 

[Tony Gilbert]

I've been doing a bit of experimenting with my new android tablet and whilst I think both PKYL3 and Radarscope are great apps, for me they cannot compare with the resolution and road networking available on the GRL3 for windows. My hand has been forced and I've now just purchased a used Compaq 702 10.2-inch Netbook with Windows installed from amazon. I have already paid for GRL3 version 2 so might as well get my monies worth. I will be using the tablet primarily as a sat nav and back up to the netbook.

PS. I used to chase on the plains back before laptops were easily available and all we could do is drop in at libraries for internet and make phone calls at truck stops to friends for updates. It was really hard work and led to a lot of frustration. Technology and data has moved forward a lot since then so if its out there then why not use the best you can get your hands on!

 

[Ashley]

WeatherTap subscribers receive free use of the WeatherTap mobile website on their mobile device for no up charge Ashley, which includes RadarLab Mobile. You can create an icon on your Android desktop to take you directly there or access it from their main web page if you haven't checked it out or noticed it before (it's off to the right up top).

I just discovered this yesterday actually Thanks so much!

PYKL3 is the closest thing you will get to a desktop replacement radar app for android (or any mobile device short of a windows tablet). Radarscope is great as well but isn't on the same level as far as customization goes.

Yes i agree, I used RadarScope last year but it was pretty basic. Could have really used something more advanced on a few occasions.

I've been doing a bit of experimenting with my new android tablet and whilst I think both PKYL3 and Radarscope are great apps, for me they cannot compare with the resolution and road networking available on the GRL3 for windows. My hand has been forced and I've now just purchased a used Compaq 702 10.2-inch Netbook with Windows installed from amazon. I have already paid for GRL3 version 2 so might as well get my monies worth. I will be using the tablet primarily as a sat nav and back up to the netbook.

PS. I used to chase on the plains back before laptops were easily available and all we could do is drop in at libraries for internet and make phone calls at truck stops to friends for updates. It was really hard work and led to a lot of frustration. Technology and data has moved forward a lot since then so if its out there then why not use the best you can get your hands on!

Thats what we may end up doing. I'm going to give it a shot and see how we do. Will take the laptop though, in case the tablet just can't cut it.

 

[Tony Gilbert]

Don't get me wrong I think the android tablet or Ipad is the future for chasers. Though ATM for me and maybe yourself the apps are nearly there but not quite!

I think that in time someone will see a niche in the market and go all in for an app at around $40.00. This nevertheless would need to be fully on par with GRL3 in every way. ...and I would then pay for it no problem!

 

[Brandon Jenkins]

I've been doing a bit of experimenting with my new android tablet and whilst I think both PKYL3 and Radarscope are great apps, for me they cannot compare with the resolution and road networking available on the GRL3 for windows.

I find that PYKL3 has an extremely accurate GIS set. Over the last 3 years of chasing with a tablet only I have encountered very few minor roads that aren't plotted in PYKL3. I have a specific preset for GIS functionality and it really comes in handy when I temporarily lose navigation for whatever reason. I always found it cumbersome to try and deal with the GIS settings in GRL3 while driving. There are definitely some minor functionality losses with a tablet specific radar application, but imo it boils down to your ability to deal with raw vs smoothed radar presentation. I can't think of anything else GRL3 offers me over PYKL3 except a few more allisonhouse overlays (bear in mind I am still using ver 1.92)

I like them all for different reasons, I just hated messing with a PC in the car and the space that was lost with a conventional laptop mount (I won't even start on the technical problems). If I'm at home and just armchair forecasting, I'll fire up GR every time

 

[Brett Roberts]

PYKL3 has better GIS overlays right out of the box than GR3. But GR3's trump card is that you can load in ultra-detailed shapefiles like these, which I've been happily using for years.

The PYKL3 roads generally cover everything except the dirt grid (just make sure you have all road types enabled in your Viewsets). Still, that last level of detail can make a big difference in some chasing situations. I'd recommend the app MapsWithMe for full offline navigation/roads on Android. Having to switch apps to view the dirt gird is a nuisance, but it's better than nothing.

 

[Brandon Jenkins]

PYKL3 has better GIS overlays right out of the box than GR3. But GR3's trump card is that you can load in ultra-detailed shapefiles like these, which I've been happily using for years.

The PYKL3 roads generally cover everything except the dirt grid (just make sure you have all road types enabled in your Viewsets). Still, that last level of detail can make a big difference in some chasing situations. I'd recommend the app MapsWithMe for full offline navigation/roads on Android. Having to switch apps to view the dirt gird is a nuisance, but it's better than nothing.

Agreed, I just never seemed to use the shape files as often as I thought I would. Hell, I don't use the PYKL3 GIS overlay (at least not down to minor roads) unless I have an issue with data. If you've got the means and don't mind the sacrifice of space there is no better setup than a pc running GR. I just always felt ultra cramped and felt sorry for my passengers (Subaru Legacy) with a laptop mount in their face, lol. I'm still tossing around the idea of a surface pro to get the best of both worlds. Maybe next season

 

[Ashley]

Don't get me wrong I think the android tablet or Ipad is the future for chasers. Though ATM for me and maybe yourself the apps are nearly there but not quite!

I think that in time someone will see a niche in the market and go all in for an app at around $40.00. This nevertheless would need to be fully on par with GRL3 in every way. ...and I would then pay for it no problem!

I do agree that as the tablets evolve, we'll see them more and more in chasing. And thats fine with me frankly, im less worried about a tablet then a laptop knocking me out if, God forbid something went wrong the truck was rolled or air bags deployed.

PYKL3 has better GIS overlays right out of the box than GR3. But GR3's trump card is that you can load in ultra-detailed shapefiles like these, which I've been happily using for years.

The PYKL3 roads generally cover everything except the dirt grid (just make sure you have all road types enabled in your Viewsets). Still, that last level of detail can make a big difference in some chasing situations. I'd recommend the app MapsWithMe for full offline navigation/roads on Android. Having to switch apps to view the dirt gird is a nuisance, but it's better than nothing.

I'm looking at the Galaxy Note 10.1 actually, allows a split screen so you're able to have 2 apps up and running. So hoping that the split screen feature comes in handy like i'm hoping for.

Agreed, I just never seemed to use the shape files as often as I thought I would. Hell, I don't use the PYKL3 GIS overlay (at least not down to minor roads) unless I have an issue with data. If you've got the means and don't mind the sacrifice of space there is no better setup than a pc running GR. I just always felt ultra cramped and felt sorry for my passengers (Subaru Legacy) with a laptop mount in their face, lol. I'm still tossing around the idea of a surface pro to get the best of both worlds. Maybe next season

haha, yes exactly,. And im passenger so, im looking for alternatives to the laptop in my face thing lol. But i'm 100% positive he'll have the laptop up and running. Taking the tablet will be an experiment to see how well it performs with the laptop, not as well but if it can at least keep up and work properly, then it's worth a shot at converting over to. I'm team tablet, he's team laptop. Gotta go for the under dog. haha

 

[Tony Gilbert]

Maybe in the end every chaser will have his own preference for radar data. Personally I still prefer smoothed images on GRL3 specifically for base reflectivity. Which currently remains fully windows based ONLY. Now whilst others might say you are losing the detail I tend to disagree in that the smoothed mode allows for a better mode of definition visually during the early stages when the storms are evolving. Broad pixilation, which is in reality what we are getting will often cloud what we are hoping to see.

 

[John Moore]

Don't forget Radar Alive on Android. It has radar, METARs, warnings, etc. It also has AllisonHouse integration for this year. See http://www.radaralive.com/