What hardware are you chasing with next year?

[Rob H]

Last year I chased with a big clunky MacBook Pro. The battery was dying so it always had to be plugged in, and the metal casing got really hot, so I'm not planning on chasing with it this coming year.

I'm curious what other chasers plan (or hope) to chase with, especially considering new software options and plenty of new hardware options. Also, why you chose your platform.

Personally, I'm excited to see some of the Android tablets that are coming out next year. ARM processors mean awesome battery life, we're getting some useful OS enhancements finally (with Froyo, Gingerbread, etc.), and some vendors are starting to use dual-touch technology to allow you to write on the screen with a pen and still use multi-touch well. A cheap tablet that is lightweight and has amazing battery life would be great for chasing.

I normally work in C#, and am working on a few different weather-related apps, but I might ditch Windows as a platform of choice if I can find an Android tablet that does everything I need it to.

To throw a wrench into things, people are suspecting Microsoft will announce ARM compatibility with Windows. I can't wait for CES product information to get leaked over the next few weeks..

 

[rdale]

You should make those checkboxes and not option buttons, I'd bet I am not the only person who uses more than one of those

 

[Rob H]

You should make those checkboxes and not option buttons, I'd bet I am not the only person who uses more than one of those

Oops, don't think I can edit it now. Now you have to decide which is your primary chase device

Feel free to discuss other devices in your car. I'm sure I'll have a laptop, iPhone, and Droid X with me when I chase, but I'd like to make an Android tablet my primary device.

 

[Brett Roberts]

Can't see myself moving away from a Win 7 laptop and data card setup anytime soon. A few reasons why:

- Better reception with data cards than phones, in general.
- Ability to save GPS tracks in DeLorme/GPSGate/etc.
- Locally-stored GIS data in MS/DeLorme programs vs. constant downloading of new tiles using Google Maps on a phone/tablet.
- GR3 still beats RadarScope and any other mobile app any day of the week, simply because of the platform limitations inherent in the latter. Placefiles, shapefiles, 20-volume looping...
- Just spent $300+ and countless hours installing a custom-built laptop stand last spring.

 

[Jeff Duda]

Until I have more money coming my way (so in other words, not for several years) I will be sticking with a laptop with Windows Vista. It worked just fine for me last season.

 

[Skip Talbot]

My '06 Core2 Duo is hanging in just fine with Vista. If I have to get something new anytime soon its going to be an i7 with Win7. I'm also looking to get an Android phone to replace my Razr. That will make a nice backup.

 

[Nick Nolte]

Traded in my netbook for a real laptop (Win 7). It sufficed for radar, time lapse recording and GPS stuff last year, but with plans for streaming and higher res video, decided to get some processing power.

Last year I rented a Verizon card from daypasswireless.com and used that for data, and whenever that dropped, I could drop back onto AT&T with my iPhone. I've been thinking about springing for one of the Verizon USB cards so I can go month to month.

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

I'm pretty sure I could get by with an iPhone for realtime radar data and a laptop for mapping and data wifi stops (unless the iPhone allowed tethering). As it is I think I'll be stuck with the current setup which is a laptop and a mobile wifi hotspot.

 

[Andy Jackson]

This year I used a Linux laptop with Sprint data card. I am using Linux for various reasons and probably will continue unless otherwise compelled.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

One nice thing about a big 'clunky' laptop, is that you can appreciate that large screen later on that night in your motel. I bring 30 or more DVD's with me. It's like having my PC on the road when the day is done . . .

 

[Jason Boggs]

I'll be using a combo of my laptop with Vista and my iphone.

 

[Jason Foster]

After years of playing, reading, experimenting, trials, etc., etc. I've got it down to a science (I think) as far as computing, streaming, etc.

The laptop (on windows for me) is still the most versatile IMO. Yes, there are great options and the list is full of useful tools. But I still am not convinced they are 'replacements' for full on chase duties (and expedition style chasing I do).

I had considered taking an iPad for almost the sole purpose of 'showing it off' and marketing. There are great apps no doubt, but for me, I simply would have used it to use a source of something else to blog about and get more twitter followers to gain more followers (which hopefully would turn into revenue). But after doing the research, I think that is a stretch and hence I won't be getting one (unless I all of a sudden happen into some big money).

NOW the task is getting the chase car (Subaru Legacy GT Wagon) in tip-top shape and ready for the plains. That is the really piece of equipment that is critical.


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Rob. Get netflix (or blockbuster) for the road....and leave the 30 space hogging DVDs at home. Just a suggestion.

 

[Jason Boggs]

NOW the task is getting the chase car (Subaru Legacy GT Wagon) in tip-top shape and ready for the plains. That is the really piece of equipment that is critical.

+1 on that! I've been doing a lot of routine maintenance on my xterra lately. The car is the most important tool in chasing. Of course this is a whole other thread.

 

[Brandon Jenkins]

Also using my 17" Toshiba laptop (windows XP) tethered to my iPhone. I replaced my conventional cell amp with a Wilson Sleek cradle and I simply cannot praise it enough. I will have a Verizon Mifi ready to slip into the cradle if necessary but so far I've had great luck with the Sleek.

 

[Skip Talbot]

One nice thing about a big 'clunky' laptop, is that you can appreciate that large screen later on that night in your motel. I bring 30 or more DVD's with me. It's like having my PC on the road when the day is done . . .

The nice thing about the large screen on a laptop is that I can actually see it while I'm chasing. I can't imagine trying to drive a gravel road while holding a phone with a tiny screen, squinting trying to see where the roads are and what the storm is doing. That screen real estate is priceless while chasing.