Tablet question...

[Ed Johnson]

Is their a tablet that the GRLevel3 radar software will work on?

I heard their were some new tablets out that runs Windows 8.

Just curious.... we need our mobile radar.

 

[Brett Roberts]

Any tablet capable of running Windows 8 should be able to handle GRLevel3. I've played around briefly with this one in stores and found it to run GR software perfectly: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-ATIV-...8&qid=1363989948&sr=8-3&keywords=samsung+ativ

Granted, it's far from a powerhouse, and you shouldn't expect it to replace your laptop and/or desktop for general computing. In other words, it's probably not going to handle graphic-intensive gaming or photo/video editing particularly well. But strictly for chasing purposes, I'd say it's a perfectly viable alternative to Android tablets or the iPad at a relatively similar price. Running Windows 8 gives you access to a larger, more established set of chasing-related applications than Android or iOS, but the downside is that it's not quite as optimized for multi-touch input (IMO).

 

[Ed Johnson]

I sure can't afford that price, but it's a nice unit for those that can.

 

[Brett Roberts]

I sure can't afford that price, but it's a nice unit for those that can.

If you're looking for something substantially cheaper, you're probably going to be limited to small or low-end Android tablets. In that case, I'd take a look at the Nexus 7 as a starting point, or perhaps the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2. However, if you already have an Android smartphone, the screen size difference (7" vs. ~4-5") might make it difficult to justify buying the tablet. For non-smartphone owners who already have other sources for data (e.g., a modem+Cradlepoint or MiFi), though, those tablets might fit the bill perfectly.

 

[Robert Edmonds]

Note, I don't think you can run grlevel3 on a nexus 7 given its OS. Although I will be playing with it this season. I like how it has a internal GPS, and for the $300 version you can connect via att (+data fees, no contact though). Sure cheaper than an iPad or iPad mini.
-written from a nexus 7

 

[Skip Talbot]

Nick Nolte has a great write up with video demos showing GR and other chasing software on the MS Surface:
http://www.nicknoltewx.com/blog/2013/02/23/review-chasing-with-the-microsoft-surface-pro/

 

[Brett Roberts]

Note, I don't think you can run grlevel3 on a nexus 7 given its OS.

That is correct. PYKL3 is a very close substitute with virtually all of the same features, though (except placefiles and shapefiles).

I'll be interested to hear your experience using the N7 this season. I briefly considering going to a tablet-only setup, but decided to stick it out with a laptop at least one more year.

 

[Chris Cooper]

I am going to use a Kindle Fire HD 7". I like the size not to big but faster and more visible than a phone. I couldn't fit anything bigger than a netbook in my car so I figured this would be a good choice.

 

[Ed Johnson]

Has anyone tried out the Nexus 7 tab with PYKL3 or RadarScope yet?

 

[Jay Bell]

Yup. PYKL3 works great on Nexus 7 and RadarScope works well too!

 

[Jordan Manderfield]

I used my sony s tablet for chasing last year..it worked well with pykl3. This year I plan to use it as a remote desktop and view grlevel3 via that way. Has anyone tried this before?

 

[Ed Johnson]

I tried out a friend's 7" screen and it was too small for my old eyes... gotta go with the larger one.

 

[fyrfyter]

I tried out a friend's 7" screen and it was too small for my old eyes... gotta go with the larger one.

See about trying a 10" Android Tablet. That should help out. Pinch to zoom is also great, too.

 

[Roger Brown]

Depending on your internet connection, you could remote into your desktop, back home, and control GRLevel3 from your tablet. It's not ideal, but if you really need to access it & you don't have a laptop, it will work. I use Splashtop (Android Play Store/Market) to remotely access my home computers from my phone & tablet on a regular basis. There is a ~2 second delay, but I have satellite internet at home.

 

[Mike Hardiman]

That is correct. PYKL3 is a very close substitute with virtually all of the same features, though (except placefiles and shapefiles).

Actually, you can replace many of the default shapefiles in PYKL3, though the rendering is not nearly as detailed as in GR.
http://pykl3radar.com/pykl3wiki/index.php/Map_Customization

There are no placefiles, but you can edit the cities list and prioritization, and I believe there is a way to add user-defined points as well.

Also, METAR obs can be plotted, including METARs generated from the West Texas Mesonet. The station plots are well-rendered and easy to read and don't contribute to clutter like a lot of the goofy, cartoonish GR placefile surface plots out there. (Sorry, I'm a weather map aesthetics freak).

As tablets get more powerful, I'm willing to bet the shapefile rendering (level of detail) improves. PYKL3 was 85% of the reason why I bought a tablet, and I have not been disappointed!