Brett Roberts
EF5
Even with the proliferation of smartphones and tablets the past several years, I've been a die-hard laptop chaser and, until recently, thought I'd probably never change my ways. But after playing with a few tablets on display in stores, and being blown away by the power and speed of my new Samsung Galaxy S3, I'm suddenly reconsidering my position.
It turns out that Verizon, the obvious carrier of choice these days, offers very reasonably-priced tablet data plans without contract. All of the tablets on this page are available to buy outright at the prices listed, and with data rates of $30/mo. for 2 GB or $50/mo. for 5 GB: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/...viewPhoneOverviewByDevice&deviceCategoryId=12
To be honest, my experience with USB modems the past three years has left a lot to be desired. They're great for chasers in theory, but the carriers and manufacturers clearly can't be bothered to dedicate time and resources to high-quality drivers and software for such a niche market, so frustration usually ensues. I've found that my phone, while crippled by AT&T's poor coverage, simply works (even for data) whenever there *is* signal. I would assume a connected tablet should be similar.
My hope with this thread is to gather as much information as possible about the merits and downfalls of going to a 3G/4G tablet-based chase setup. Firsthand accounts from those who are ahead of the curve and have already implemented the idea are particularly helpful.
Some of my perceived advantages of tablets over laptops:
- Setup time (compared with laptop stands, AC power cord+power strip+inverter, etc.)
- Passenger room
- Ease of access and ease of quick viewing for the driver, if mounted on the dash or windshield
- For cellular-enabled tablets, none of the buggy software/drivers or reconnect authentication process of USB modems.
- Wireless hotspot and/or USB tethering apps would allow the tablet to function as a modem if you do decide to break out the laptop for old times' sake.
- *IF* Google Maps allows offline caching of your entire chase domain, data quality exceeding even the best popular PC mapping programs.
Some concerns I have and potential pitfalls:
- Multitouch can be more cumbersome than a good ol' mouse and keyboard in some cases, particularly for typing. (Granted, the opposite may be true in certain other cases).
- Multitasking ability (i.e., can you run and flip between RadarScope/PYKL3, a GPS program, a web browser, and whatever else you need for 10 hours straight and maintain stability/responsiveness?). Obviously this will be highly dependent upon the individual tablet.
- Availability of offline mapping/GPS apps whose data quality rivals or exceeds the old standbys of MS Streets & Strips and DeLorme StreetAtlas
- Ability to import extremely detailed mapping (down to dirt roads) into apps like PYKL3 or RadarScope, particularly without causing major lagging on tablet-level hardware.
- No external antenna port, rendering wired amplifiers useless
- Along those lines: what is the reception quality like? Also highly dependent on the choice of tablet.
- Ability to mount securely to either the windshield or dash in such a way that the tablet doesn't come flying off during the inevitable 60 mph mad dashes down poorly-maintained gravel roads
- No Silverlight (or even Flash in some cases), making it impossible to view sites like iMapTracker and SevereStudios streams
I may edit to add more as I think of them. For now, if anyone has any thoughts, comments or experiences regarding anything on the list, please share!
It turns out that Verizon, the obvious carrier of choice these days, offers very reasonably-priced tablet data plans without contract. All of the tablets on this page are available to buy outright at the prices listed, and with data rates of $30/mo. for 2 GB or $50/mo. for 5 GB: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/...viewPhoneOverviewByDevice&deviceCategoryId=12
To be honest, my experience with USB modems the past three years has left a lot to be desired. They're great for chasers in theory, but the carriers and manufacturers clearly can't be bothered to dedicate time and resources to high-quality drivers and software for such a niche market, so frustration usually ensues. I've found that my phone, while crippled by AT&T's poor coverage, simply works (even for data) whenever there *is* signal. I would assume a connected tablet should be similar.
My hope with this thread is to gather as much information as possible about the merits and downfalls of going to a 3G/4G tablet-based chase setup. Firsthand accounts from those who are ahead of the curve and have already implemented the idea are particularly helpful.
Some of my perceived advantages of tablets over laptops:
- Setup time (compared with laptop stands, AC power cord+power strip+inverter, etc.)
- Passenger room
- Ease of access and ease of quick viewing for the driver, if mounted on the dash or windshield
- For cellular-enabled tablets, none of the buggy software/drivers or reconnect authentication process of USB modems.
- Wireless hotspot and/or USB tethering apps would allow the tablet to function as a modem if you do decide to break out the laptop for old times' sake.
- *IF* Google Maps allows offline caching of your entire chase domain, data quality exceeding even the best popular PC mapping programs.
Some concerns I have and potential pitfalls:
- Multitouch can be more cumbersome than a good ol' mouse and keyboard in some cases, particularly for typing. (Granted, the opposite may be true in certain other cases).
- Multitasking ability (i.e., can you run and flip between RadarScope/PYKL3, a GPS program, a web browser, and whatever else you need for 10 hours straight and maintain stability/responsiveness?). Obviously this will be highly dependent upon the individual tablet.
- Availability of offline mapping/GPS apps whose data quality rivals or exceeds the old standbys of MS Streets & Strips and DeLorme StreetAtlas
- Ability to import extremely detailed mapping (down to dirt roads) into apps like PYKL3 or RadarScope, particularly without causing major lagging on tablet-level hardware.
- No external antenna port, rendering wired amplifiers useless
- Along those lines: what is the reception quality like? Also highly dependent on the choice of tablet.
- Ability to mount securely to either the windshield or dash in such a way that the tablet doesn't come flying off during the inevitable 60 mph mad dashes down poorly-maintained gravel roads
- No Silverlight (or even Flash in some cases), making it impossible to view sites like iMapTracker and SevereStudios streams
I may edit to add more as I think of them. For now, if anyone has any thoughts, comments or experiences regarding anything on the list, please share!