Review of Mobile Threat Net

[Jonathan Williams]

I was just wondering how you guys liked Mobile Threat Net? I have used it for a week or so now and I haven't tested it in the field. It seems pretty nice, but the data smooths out the "hooks". And I then have to rely on Meso's, but those seem to be fairly accurate comparing it to velocity scans and reports after the storm has went through. What are your experiences with the equipment? Any advice about the system?

I just wanted to get some comments flowing about the software. I appreciate the comments.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

I owned and used the system back in 2004, and while it's nice if you have no other options for data, but between it and a data card from AT&T or other carrier I would go with a data card. Not only would you have access to a variety of different radar's, but to anything else over the internet as well.

WxWorx you're limited to what you get, which I don't like. What I do like is that you can turn the service on and off as you please, you can't do that with a data card.. you have to sign up for a year or 2 contract.

 

[Chris Wilburn]

Wx Worx is a very useful tool if you don't have an internet connection. I was chasing last May in the northern TX panhandle and had NO internet connection. Wx Worx saved us that day as 3 tornadic storms passed right by us at night as we were chasing. Wx Worx put is in good position to intercept each storm. The hooks don't show up as well unless you have a really huge hook. It seems that the meso markers on Wx Worx are useful if you have numerous (say 3-4) meso markers on the side of the storm you would expect to see a tornado. Just from experience it seems like if you have numersous meso markers on Wx Worx you will have some strong rotation. I have seen instances where one or two meso markers didn't yield much at all as far as rotation goes so the more the better. Also, listening to WX Radio and comparing that to what you see on Wx Worx will help clue you in to what is going on as well. Joey is right that cell internet service is the best since you can look at weather products on the internet as well. I use AT&T and really it. It works just about everywhere, but you usually have to sign a contract unlike with Wx Worx. Sprint is really good too since you can roam on Alltel and Verizon towers. Cell internet only gets better and better each year so Wx Worx is definitely on it downhill slide. With all that being said I still like to have it during peak chase season "just in case."

 

[Andrea Griffa]

I was just wondering how you guys liked Mobile Threat Net? I have used it for a week or so now and I haven't tested it in the field. It seems pretty nice, but the data smooths out the "hooks". And I then have to rely on Meso's, but those seem to be fairly accurate comparing it to velocity scans and reports after the storm has went through. What are your experiences with the equipment? Any advice about the system?

I just wanted to get some comments flowing about the software. I appreciate the comments.

One thing I don't like is false mesos that sometimes appear without any corrispondence with reality, or false tornado warning. Anyway I rate WX quite useful to chase rather than mobile data that is subject to lose the signal(and you never know when, even when it's night and maybe you have an EF4 very close, but you don't see it because of the rain).

 

[Paul Knightley]

I like WxWorx, and it's always done us proud in the field...when actually "on" the storm, I prefer to go visual...there's no point in chasing if you spend all your time looking at a radar screen!

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

I like WxWorx, and it's always done us proud in the field...when actually "on" the storm, I prefer to go visual...there's no point in chasing if you spend all your time looking at a radar screen!

Couldn't agree more, the extra data you get by having wireless internet is great, but personally I find this "extra" data useful only prior to initiation, at which point we're normally chilling out at an area with decent wifi anyways. Once the show is on WXWORX works great, and IMO is a more valuable tool at that point. Due to the fact its a satellite feed your going to have radar images everywhere; while wireless internet is getting better, the fact remains there are MANY areas across the plains that you can't receive data, its frustrating to loose your radar image at a time when you need it most. I would trade the "extra" data for guaranteed radar images, even if they are lower resolution. As for the false shear markers, I find that to be a pretty big non-issue. If I am on the storm, I don't need to rely on the programs shear markers, and if I am not on the storm a couple of shear markers are not going to be enough to persuade me that I need to be on that storm. Usually when I am chasing I have access to both, due to the fact that those I chase with run WXWORX. For the few instances that I chase solo I opt for the wireless internet, not because I think its better, but because it is the cheaper alternative. They both have their ups and downs, but WXWORX provides for the easiest to access, most reliable data.

 

[Verne Carlson]

I've used WXWORX since 2004 and rely heavily on it. The fact that it 'pushes' the data to you means I don't have to fiddle with it on the road. I have a wireless data card and booster but there are still holes and dropped connections that I don't want to have to mess with while on the chase. Outside the chase a data card is great to receive updates and products. Until cell phone networks get MUCH better I can get around the 'cartoonish' smoothing and spurious meso markers with WXWORX. It's still a great tool to have out there.

 

[Chris Wilburn]

I've used WXWORX since 2004 and rely heavily on it. The fact that it 'pushes' the data to you means I don't have to fiddle with it on the road. I have a wireless data card and booster but there are still holes and dropped connections that I don't want to have to mess with while on the chase. Outside the chase a data card is great to receive updates and products. Until cell phone networks get MUCH better I can get around the 'cartoonish' smoothing and spurious meso markers with WXWORX. It's still a great tool to have out there.

I couldn't agree more with Verne. There are still data holes out there no matter what service you have. Wx Worx may not be worth spending the money if you don't have one, however I will continue to use mine since data coverage is not a for sure thing in all places. Radar updates that are current are very important in the field. With that said all of these gadgets should be shown out the window if you are on a storm with a good visual view. I always trust my eyes more than radar, esp. with the false meso markers Wx Worx can sometimes put out.

 

[Eric Treece]

I agree with Vern too.........I have used it since 2004 as well and I really have no complaints. You get used to the pro's and con's of it fairly quickly and the one thing that drove me crazy was the "you are approaching a twisting storm" line.... that always drove me crazy. I just went into the file folder and deleted those sound bytes. I love the updates that they put out last season showing the SPC outlooks and discussions. In my opinion, definitely worth the buck if you can afford it.

 

[Jonathan Williams]

I appreciate the reply's. Very helpful information. I have been playing around with Threat Net Plus (not the mobile version) and it is amazing as well. There seems to be a lot of data holes in Kentucky I'll stick to Mobile Threat Net. I personally don't think you can find another National Composite that is so nice and appealing.

 

[Andrea Griffa]

I always trust my eyes more than radar, esp. with the false meso markers Wx Worx can sometimes put out.

Often eyes can't give you the possibility that radar(and WX) could give you;on the other hand often WX can mislead you.

It happened to me that I was chasing a part of a severe squall and suddenly a tornado warning was issued 60km away from me. I immediately headed toward the interested zone. Radar didn't show any appearence of rotation and when I arrived in place I saw a pretty funnel cloud without any other signal of cloud rotation. In that circumstance Wx was pretty useful because eyes could not help me.
In the same day it happened to me a similar thing: I was keeping on chase the same cells and another tornado warning was issued for the neighbouring county. I thought it was happening the same thing that happend before, but it was a false meso and a false tornado warning.

The message is that not always it's simple to discern the real TW from the false TW. Generally it is but sometimes it could get you sidetracked.