Tablets: a new era in chasing?

[ngjere]

Brett, (and all) Check out "Maps Pro" in the Windows App Store. It's being touted as the replacement to S&T. Lots of mapping options, ability to cache maps, I purchased it the other day and am working with it. It's still a work in progress but has great promise.

 

[Jason Boggs]

I've been a tablet fanatic ever since I had a ipad with AT&T data given to me by one of Warren Faidley's clients in 2011. I still use it to this day. I also have my old phone which is basically a small tablet (Samsung Note), and I also own a Samsung tablet. While chasing yesterday, I had the ipad going for radar data, and the Samsung note going with maps.me for navigation. On April 1st, I will get upgraded to a new Verizon hotspot (Jetpack MiFi6620L) , and the Verizon data will be used on the Samsung tablet. Having a tablet going with AT&T data along with Verizon data helps me to better my chances of always having data. As a last resort, my Samsung phone has Radarscope and maps.me on it if needed. To me, tablets are much easier and stress free compared to a laptop. I have a laptop, but it's mostly used for morning forecasts in motels, etc.

 

[Todd Rector]

On April 1st, I will get upgraded to a new Verizon hotspot (Jetpack MiFi6620L) , and the Verizon data will be used on the Samsung tablet.

I *really* like my jetpack MHS-291L, and using it with an external antenna I am able to get a signal WELL off the beaten path. I just downloaded MAPS.ME this morning, and I can immediately see the value in being able to download map/street files in advance of a chase. I really like my two-tablet setup (Galaxy Note 10.1 and MS Surface Pro) but as I mentioned in an earlier post, they freak out if you get rain on the touchscreens.

 

[Drew Terril]

I've been a tablet fanatic ever since I had a ipad with AT&T data given to me by one of Warren Faidley's clients in 2011. I still use it to this day. I also have my old phone which is basically a small tablet (Samsung Note), and I also own a Samsung tablet. While chasing yesterday, I had the ipad going for radar data, and the Samsung note going with maps.me for navigation. On April 1st, I will get upgraded to a new Verizon hotspot (Jetpack MiFi6620L) , and the Verizon data will be used on the Samsung tablet. Having a tablet going with AT&T data along with Verizon data helps me to better my chances of always having data. As a last resort, my Samsung phone has Radarscope and maps.me on it if needed. To me, tablets are much easier and stress free compared to a laptop. I have a laptop, but it's mostly used for morning forecasts in motels, etc.

Everything I have is on Verizon (including my iPad), so I've been thinking about getting an AT&T hotspot for the same reason you just described. Plus, I can activate and deactivate as needed.

 

[Jason Boggs]

In my opinion, it's always best to have service from AT&T and Verizon if you can.

 

[Todd Rector]

If you had an AT&T hotspot and a Verizon hotspot both operating at the same time, I feel like you would have so much interference in your vehicle (even if you were on different channels) you would have a lot of problems. Unless one of the hotspots operated at 5ghz and the other at 2.4ghz.

 

[Jason Boggs]

I've never had a problem running both at the same time. Of course I dont actually use 2 hotspots.

 

[Todd Rector]

Maybe I misunderstood. It sounded like you were going to run an ATT hotspot and a Verizon hotspot at the same time.

 

[Stephen Szulborski]

I would agree tablets and smart phones are bringing in a new era in chasing. Combine this with great coverage networks of AT&T and Verizon allows many the ability to get great radar data through apps such as Radarscope in pretty much every location up and down the Plains. I have done the laptop and data card route in years previous but now with my Galaxy S 5, I just don't see the need for it when I can get the information just as fast over my smart phone.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Yes Todd....I have AT&T data on my ipad and I will have an updated Verizon hotspot that I will use. Using this type of setup in the past, I've never had any problems running both at the same time.

 

[Todd Rector]

If you are using ATT cellular-only on the ipad with a Verizon hotspot for 802.11, I don't see that as a problem. Using two different 802.11 units in small space such as a car, I would think would bring all sorts of interchannel interference. Of course, I have no actual experience doing this so it's sheer speculation on my part.
My problem to date is when I transmit on 2 meters, it desenses my hotspot and causes me to lose my signal. I have my antennas farther apart this year, which will hopefully help with this.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Yeah, I agree that there would be interference with that scenario you mentioned.

 

[Todd Rector]

How does this software handle times of no service? Does it continue to log or does it skip until you regain data signal?

Regarding greenalp.com Real-Time GPS Tracker 2 - Today I drove around for about 45 minutes without an internet connection, just to see how the app handled it. As soon as I connected to a stable connection, it uploaded the data. So far, this is still the number one contender for tracking my chase routes this season.

 

[Drew Terril]

Yes Todd....I have AT&T data on my ipad and I will have an updated Verizon hotspot that I will use. Using this type of setup in the past, I've never had any problems running both at the same time.

That's exactly the opposite scenario I plan on running if I go with a hotspot. I figure it will work ok. We'll see what happens when I transmit on 2m. My dual band antenna will be mounted a good distance away relative to my hotspot, so I don't see many issues.

 

[Todd Rector]

I am hoping my desense issue is more bad device placement in relation to my 2m antenna. Last year my hotspot was velcro'd to the B-pillar right above where the seatbelt ring attaches. This was physically only two feet away from my 2m antenna in the center of my roof. I have a new chase vehicle this year and have used the opportunity to rethink things as I route wiring and consider antenna locations. Now the hotspot is located on the other side of the car from the antenna, and the hotspot antenna is across the roof from the dual-band antenna instead of only 3 feet from it. I haven't had a chance to test yet, but I am crossing my fingers.