Tablets: a new era in chasing?

[James Langford]

I use a Samsung ATIV 700t that I bought last year for $400 or so. Honestly, I think the first gen models are plenty powerful and can be had for a great price if you check sites like http://www.slickdeals.net. The ATIV comes with a keyboard, pen and an onboard GPS, although it is a bit finicky to get it working. It's plenty fast to do everything, including even gaming. I have CS6 and Sony Vegas installed for basic photo / video editing.

I find the screen and touch pad to be excellent for it's size. The Ativ is a 10.1 inch screen. I don't have any issues with GR or MS Streets and tips at 1080P. Photoshop does not scale very well on the menus, so I often use the pen for the more precise movements. The digitizer on the first gen tablets is Wacom, which is very high quality and sensitive. If you wanted to run the tablet in a different resolution you could do that as well.

The ativ I have is 128 Gb, which has been fine so far. I have a 64 Gb card in it as well that I use to store my music, etc. If you use the keyboard, you have access to 3 USB 3.0 ports. I plug my card read into one and my portable drive into the other to dump photos after a chase.

 

[Nick Nolte]

I've chased the last two seasons exclusively with a 128GB flavor of the original Surface Pro and I love it.

I have it held in a RAM mount with the X-Grip III and it's very sturdy and robust. I use the TomTom GPS MkII which is a bluetooth GPS. I keep this underneath my armrest plugged into the accessory power there and it has no problem obtaining signal. I opted for bluetooth GPS over the BU-353 puck because the Surface only has a single USB port and I'd rather keep that open for other things like downloading photos/video. I know Globalsat (the BU-353 guys) also have bluetooth receivers, but I haven't tried one.

For mapping I use the Microsoft Maps app. I can't remember if it's a default program or if you have to grab it from the Windows Store, but either way I prefer it over other mapping software because it's very touch friendly. It requires connectivity to use it, of course, so I have Streets and Trips on the desktop to fall back on if I lose signal.

There is a caveat to using GPS devices with Windows Apps (read: non-desktop applications) in that it uses Windows Location Services. This does not normally interact with serial devices. The Surface tablets do not have a GPS receiver built in, this is a bummer. To get around this problem you will need a NMEA/COM to Location Services middleman software which you can find here: http://www.turboirc.com/gps7/ I actually need to look at that myself since it's been updated, but the GPS Direct application is what you'll need. This will allow your Windows Store Apps to use your COM port GPS either directly or via GPS Gate. I have a whole writeup on this I did on my blog a couple years ago here: http://www.nicknoltewx.com/blog/2013/03/15/gps-devices-in-windows-8-apps/ How I have it setup is GPSGate grabs the Bluetooth signal splits it out to 4 virtual COM ports, one of which I use as the input to the GPS Direct (GPS Sensor 7 software), then that forwards it to Windows Location Service automatically which allows for GPS stream use in apps. Desktop software like GR or Streets and Trips use one of the Virtual COM ports like usual.

GRLevel3 is definitely usable with the touchscreen. It takes some getting used to if you need to tap some of the toolbar icons, but it's not a problem for me. Pinch to zoom and swipe to pan works as expected, double tapping on a radar site switches and things like that. But, as you describe, you may have trouble tapping play/pause in GR if you're driving down a washboard road.

I don't find the poor organization or lack of apps in the Windows Store to be a big problem. There are solutions to most problems, otherwise you can always use the desktop. I can understand how this might be a dealbreaker for some, but it's a non-issue for me.

As far as computing power goes, I have no problems downloading video to the Surface, tossing it into Sony Movie Studio Platinum, doing some edits, rendering and uploading via FTP. Lightroom works great on the surface, although the screen space is a little cramped since it has all kinds of panels everywhere, but you can adjust that to work best for you. The power is there, it's not a problem.

I'm happy to see more and more people picking up tablets for chasing. I think it is an obvious solution as it eliminates some cabin clutter as well as a physical keyboard in favor of a more compact and lightweight footprint with a very high quality touchscreen. I think people who have talked to me know I'm pretty much a Surface Pro fanboy, but it gets the job done for my needs better than anything else I've used, and I've chased with a Dell Mini 9, a regular Toshiba Laptop and an iPad over the last 5 years. But, each person has their own needs and preferences. I'm thinking about upgrading to a Pro 3 for this season, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet

 

[Todd Rector]

I am currently chasing with a Surface Pro and a Samsung Galaxy 10.1.
I use GRLevelX on the Surface Pro with good results. Sometimes I have issues with menu dropdowns and fat fingers, but generally it's not too bad. I keep the stylus velcroed nearby in case I need it. The Surface Pro is considerably more heavy than an iPad or the Galaxy, which ended up being a bit of a mounting challenge. I started out using a The Joy Factory mount, but the "fingers" aren't big enough to hold the Surface Pro with an Incipio case.

The biggest issue I have encountered so far has been touch-screen related. I had my door and back hatch open, and got nailed by a 60mpg wet gust, which got rain on both screens. Both tablets promptly freaked out at a time when I would have *really* liked to have been looking at current radar. I ended up shutting them both down, wiping them off thoroughly, then booting them back up. It fixed the problem, but cost me time. I keep a towel in my camera bag now for just this occurrence.

I also use the Arkon extendable-arm suction-cup windshield mount for my Galaxy 10.1, and as others have noted, bumps do tend to shake the mount around. I put a ribbed silicon hotpad on my dash with a wash cloth on top so the arm can rest on that to dampen the bouncing. Probably not the best solution, but it makes a noticeable difference. A beanbag would probably work better.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

I've only chased with a tablet. Started a few years ago with my first gen iPad using radarscope. Use an Arkon seat bolt tablet mount, and aside from a little jitteryness when on dirt roads, it's pretty stable. Plan this year is to actually run two tablets...iPad running radarscope, and gPad running maps/music/web. All via my G3 hotspot sitting in a Wilson Sleek cradle.

I've rarely had any connectivity issues, and never once have I thought "I should have a laptop for this or that."

 

[ngjere]

I recently began setting up a Toshiba Encore tablet (Win 8.1) for the express purpose of replacing my notebook computer and mount yet, keeping the overall functionality. I've loaded the typical apps (GRL3, GPSGate, Spotter Network, etc.) Which all seem to operate well in desktop mode. The problem I'm now running into is Incorporating "Metro" applications into the mix. Primarily mapping programs which require "Windows Location Services"

I've followed the advice and instruction of Nick Nolte's installation of "GPS Direct" and have not had any success in getting that particular app to function as it should. I can direct known good COM ports with good GPS data to this application and it basically does nothing. I can't find any recent updates to this app since others have pointed out that this app seemed to break when a recent update was applied. My question is if anyone has had recent success installing this in an 8.1 tablet or if they are seeing the same issue as I? I don't want to spend any further time on this if it is irreparably broken or if support has gone away. But it seems to be the only option when incorporating an external GPS into 8.1 Metro applications.

 

[Brett Roberts]

I recently began setting up a Toshiba Encore tablet (Win 8.1) for the express purpose of replacing my notebook computer and mount yet, keeping the overall functionality. I've loaded the typical apps (GRL3, GPSGate, Spotter Network, etc.) Which all seem to operate well in desktop mode. The problem I'm now running into is Incorporating "Metro" applications into the mix. Primarily mapping programs which require "Windows Location Services"

I've followed the advice and instruction of Nick Nolte's installation of "GPS Direct" and have not had any success in getting that particular app to function as it should. I can direct known good COM ports with good GPS data to this application and it basically does nothing. I can't find any recent updates to this app since others have pointed out that this app seemed to break when a recent update was applied. My question is if anyone has had recent success installing this in an 8.1 tablet or if they are seeing the same issue as I? I don't want to spend any further time on this if it is irreparably broken or if support has gone away. But it seems to be the only option when incorporating an external GPS into 8.1 Metro applications.

I recently went through this fiasco on my new tablet, too. GPSDirect is a finicky program that doesn't seem to operate in the way that something like GPSGate does, where you open it, leave it running, and viola -- everything works. Instead, it installs the driver for a fake "device" which creates the link between your COM port and the Windows Location Services position. It looks to me like all it does is perform this installation, and that starting the program on subsequent boots doesn't do anything in particular to re-activate the COM-WLS link.

After installing the driver in GPSDirect, if you go to Device Manager, you should see a device called "gpsdirect" under the Sensors category. The key for me was that every time I reconnect my bluetooth GPS puck, this virtual device needs to be disabled and then re-enabled. Re-enabling it seems to force Windows to "look" for the data on the COM port again. You can do this manually each time, but it's kind of a pain. What I've done to help out is to use Task Scheduler in Windows, along with a free program called devmanview, to force the disable/enable action to happen 30 s after startup -- this way, as long as I turn my bluetooth puck on before or during startup, GPSGate is already sending information to the virtual COM port by the time gpsdirect starts looking for it. One could also create a batch script that calls devmanview and does the disabling/enabling, then place that script on your desktop for an easy one-click action after you've connected your GPS puck. The *program* GPSDirect is never needed beyond the initial driver installation (at least, WLS is now getting my GPS position after doing the disable/enable without the program ever running).

Of course, this all assumes that the driver installation is working and that you're getting data into WLS during the initial install. From your post, I can't tell if you're having trouble with that as well. For me, if I remember correctly, I had to play with the baud rate a couple times before it worked. If you choose the correct COM/baud and then click "Install," you should see accurate GPS data begin showing up at the bottom of the window (under "Testing") shortly afterwards. If you don't, try clicking "Get ILocation" just to make sure.

If you have any more trouble, let me know, and I can double-check my setup. One thing is for sure: this process alone will make me think twice about ever reformatting/reinstalling Windows on my tablet!

 

[ngjere]

Have you ever seen it to fail that once a "tried and true" function develops using Windows, Microsoft finds some way to just completely obliterate it under the guise of "improvement" or "solution"? What Microsoft was trying to achieve with WLS that wasn't being handled already fairly reliably using NMEA is completely beyond my level of comprehension. I will never understand why they are always providing "solutions" in search of a "problem"...

That being said, thanks for your input. With the exception of screwing with the actual driver through enabling/disabling, I've pretty much exhausted the other avenues you suggested. To my observation, I think there are several items in play here, all of them requiring a level of trial and patience that I'm really short of these days with Windows 8.1

The GPS puck and GPSGate work basically flawlessly in 8.1 through the desktop once of course you get the whole COM port assignments issue squared away. At this point, I'm actually using two GPS pucks. One USB (The one that came with an edition of S&T several years ago) and a Bluetooth Puck which I acquired recently. The USB unit is ported through GPSGate and it's output(s) sent to GRL3 and the Spotter Network App which reside on the desktop side of 8.1. The Bluetooth puck I've setup as a standalone device for the time being with it's own separate COM ports being assigned by Windows when the drivers were installed.

After several attempts at allowing GPSGate to auto assign everything and ending up conflicting with the Bluetooth COM ports previously assigned, I opted to just manually assign ports. Problem solved.

On the "Metro"/WLS side of things, completely different story. Attempting to take an output COM port assigned through GPSGate and passing it to GPSDirect yields essentially nothing. I will try your suggestion of enabling/disabling the driver but I don't hold out much hope. The Bluetooth puck is seen by WLS, but when assigned to an application, is unreliable to maintain a connection with the application for any appreciable length of time.

I've never quite seen an a piece of software like GPSDirect. where the apps sole purpose is to "install" and "uninstall" a driver? So am I to understand that once a proper configuration is successfully found that those details are handed off to the GPSDirect driver when it installs the driver and then is not needed any further? Meaning the driver remains in place until or unless the configuration is changed? If this is the case, how convoluted is that?

Does anyone know if they continue this WLS fraud in Windows 10?

 

[Mark Blue]

Are you using the free version of GPSGate or the full version which allows for more than two simultaneous connections?

 

[ngjere]

Oh, I've used the full version for years now. It's been a bargain given the problems it has solved for me.

 

[Chris Gullikson]

I thought I would add to the discussion with my recently purchased setup.
I picked up a Windows 8.1 tablet from Best Buy - the 10.1" "Unbranded" for 180 bucks at the store. This tablet has a built in GPS sensor.

I used GPS Reverse http://www.turboirc.com/gps7/ and paid my 10 bucks or so to allow GPSGate to see the GPS sensor which I can then use for GRLevel3. So far it seems to work well as does the Metro Bing Maps app.

I have an Allison House account and I loaded up a bunch of placefiles in GRLevel3 - including satellite - and it seems to handle it with no issues. Some of the menus and icons are too small to accurately hit the first time, especially turning placefiles on and off. I do have a Bluetooth mouse and that connected easily and I will plan on using that if needed. Otherwise pinch to zoom and dragging work quite well on the touchscreen. A quick swipe in from the left allows easy swapping between grlevel and Bing Maps. (still learning Windows 8)

I have a glass mount tablet holder but will also pick up the 18" flexible one to attach to seatpost bolt. Same brand mentioned earlier that you can pick up on Amazon.

I need to figure out which mapping software to use in the event Bing does not work out or if you all suggest a better one. Bing does seem to cache map files as I drove around without connected to my hotspot and it was still showing detailed roads. I also need to figure out how to log my GPS location...I used to do this Delorme Street Atlas but I don't expect to be using that on this tablet. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Nice to see Stormtrack active again!

Chris

 

[ngjere]

I thought I would add to the discussion with my recently purchased setup.
I picked up a Windows 8.1 tablet from Best Buy - the 10.1" "Unbranded" for 180 bucks at the store. This tablet has a built in GPS sensor.

I used GPS Reverse http://www.turboirc.com/gps7/ and paid my 10 bucks or so to allow GPSGate to see the GPS sensor which I can then use for GRLevel3. So far it seems to work well as does the Metro Bing Maps app.

I have an Allison House account and I loaded up a bunch of placefiles in GRLevel3 - including satellite - and it seems to handle it with no issues. Some of the menus and icons are too small to accurately hit the first time, especially turning placefiles on and off. I do have a Bluetooth mouse and that connected easily and I will plan on using that if needed. Otherwise pinch to zoom and dragging work quite well on the touchscreen. A quick swipe in from the left allows easy swapping between grlevel and Bing Maps. (still learning Windows 8)

I have a glass mount tablet holder but will also pick up the 18" flexible one to attach to seatpost bolt. Same brand mentioned earlier that you can pick up on Amazon.

I need to figure out which mapping software to use in the event Bing does not work out or if you all suggest a better one. Bing does seem to cache map files as I drove around without connected to my hotspot and it was still showing detailed roads. I also need to figure out how to log my GPS location...I used to do this Delorme Street Atlas but I don't expect to be using that on this tablet. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Nice to see Stormtrack active again!

Chris

If you've got GPSGate working, you can configure an output to a log file just as you would a COM port. It works great!

Glad to hear you're having better success with things!

 

[Todd Rector]

I saw an earlier comment about GPS tracking software and thought this would be a good opportunity to mention something I came across a few weeks ago for Android. It works great on my Galaxy 10.1 tablet.

It's by greenalp.com and is called Real-Time GPS Tracker 2. The free version serves up ads, which you can eliminate for a few bucks ($3.99, if I recall). On your tablet screen you can track yourself in real-time against google's regular road map or the satellite view. So far I have been quite impressed. If I could figure out a way to get a radar overlay I would use this as a backup to GRL3.

You can download your tracks after the chase as GPX or KML files and view them with Google Earth or any other program which supports this file type. Once you sign up (free) you can send your friends/family a link so they can watch you chase in near real time.

For example, here is my tracking link which shows my last week or so of local driving activity:

http://www.greenalp.com/RealtimeTracker/index.php?viewuser=TREXstormteam

Anyway, something to consider.

TR

 

[Chip Redmond]

How does this software handle times of no service? Does it continue to log or does it skip until you regain data signal? Seems to be a good background app to run to log positioning, thanks for sharing.

Chip

 

[Todd Rector]

How does this software handle times of no service?

I have no answer to this since I am still familiarizing myself with the software, but I acknowledge your question is quite relevant and important to chasers. (myself included).

Since PC/Tablet GPS data is independent of cell coverage, it would be logical for the software to log GPS information (with timestamp) to a local file when cell/wifi was unavailable and report back when a connection was established. Sadly, a lot of the GPS tracking software out there is aimed toward people cyber-stalking their partners rather than reporting storm chaser locations. I will reach out to the vendor with your question (because I am curious as well) and report back with their reply.

 

[Brett Roberts]

For Android tablet users, I'd easily recommend MAPS.ME as a rough equivalent of Windows programs like DeLorme or Streets & Trips. It allows you to download and store all data locally, eliminating the concern over losing cell coverage and being SOL. It uses OpenStreetMap data, which is slightly rougher around the edges when it comes to things like lakes and other landmarks, but for basic navigation on the gridded roads of the Plains it's perfectly adequate. In my opinion, MAPS.ME is every bit the quintessential Android/iOS chaser app that PYKL3 and RadarScope are.

Having just purchased a Windows tablet, I'm quickly realizing that there's really no equivalent in the Windows app store. This is unfortunate, but something I fully expected. The native Maps app (powered by Bing) is nice, snappy and very touch-friendly, but shares the same serious flaw as most other options: data cannot be cached locally.