Portable Office

[Nickrosis]

SilverBlue?

 

[alanarbor]

I've been using the Garmin Ique 3600 Integrated GPS palm pilot. works really well for getting around, and keeping track of appointments. I'd used and excel spreadsheet to do all my time reports when using it as a PHC tech, and I almost never have to use a map anymore. It runs on Palm OS, and ther is tons of software out there.

 

[SilverBlue]

No updates Nick it is still going through development, when all the bugs are worked out I'm sure that some large service will take over the tech.

 

[Nickrosis]

Cool. Keep us posted. I'd have emailed you, but you have that option turned off. I'd have PMd you, but I have that option turned off.

Alanarbor, that sounds like a sweet, expensive device! What kind of accuracy can you get with it? Sub-meter?

 

[SilverBlue]

email should be on. I will check

 

[Nickrosis]

Working now!

 

[Marky Mark]

Silver I would love to know what provider you are using with live video. what do you have cameras on your trucks. At 2.3mb that's twice the bandwidth of a T1 I sell wireless T's at about 850usd a month. PLus you need a dish the size of a volkswagon Beetles hood. Being that you are the only one with the info could you forward me the company's name I would love to talk with them and sell there package.

 

[SteveBullman]

just ordered myself an ipaq 2210. gonna have some fun with that.
you can pick up the sat nav kits to go with them on e-bay real cheap also.
hard to believe that its more powerful than my first pc 10 years ago and only just a bit bigger than a calculator

 

[SilverBlue]

Hey Marky, I’m still bound by a confidentiality agreement, the camera is hooked into a laptop which is connected to the high speed wireless modem. I’ll let you know when they decide to release the hounds

 

[Marky Mark]

Hey Silver, How about you let me set up a VPN Virtual private network connection, from there I could capture your live video and feed it to all the guys. This way here we can see all the traveling you do. Hell for that matter I would love to invest in this make believe company.

 

[Nickrosis]

Originally posted by alanarbor
I've been using the Garmin Ique 3600 Integrated GPS palm pilot. works really well for getting around, and keeping track of appointments. I'd used and excel spreadsheet to do all my time reports when using it as a PHC tech, and I almost never have to use a map anymore. It runs on Palm OS, and ther is tons of software out there.

Didja get my question? What kind of accuracy are you getting?

I've got an iPaq 1930....my brother picked up an Axim. I still like mine but will upgrade sometime soon. I don't think the Axim is an upgrade, though...

 

[caryr]

 

[alanarbor]

Nick,

Check it out at www.garmin.com

I haven't used it to pinpoint tree locations yet, I don't think you get sub meter accuracy, I'll check it and get back to you. It runs about $5-600 as I recall. I imagine an external higher gain antenna would get better accuracy. But it has been really, really handy. Especially because you can link appointment locations with the GPS software, and just run through a day. I Bought versions of word and excel for it, and I can do I/R transfers, so I imagine a printing device would be handy, but still I find the old pen and paper quicker for on site estimates. The real deal is the credit card swiper availible for nextel phones, allowing you to instantly take deposits, or get a job paid for upon completion. I think there's one for laptops too, via USB and a software package. People would love it, especially if they get a lot of air miles. We're not using it yet, but i'd love to hear from someone who has.... I still think the co. website needs e-commerce capability, where a client can log on, get a history of the services provided at their property, view their account, PHC scouting reports, and pay their bills on line. People are essentially lazy, and if you make it easier, a good number of them will pay extra for that.

 

[alanarbor]

A little more specific on the webaddress: http://www.garmin.com/products/iQue3600/#

 

[SilverBlue]

Cary, I cannot provide any specs, other than saying that it's a wireless modem and range is dependant on cell tower location sorry, Marky has already slammed the door shut by insulting me.

 

[Nickrosis]

Originally posted by alanarbor
A little more specific on the webaddress: http://www.garmin.com/products/iQue3600/#

Nice. Where can I get it for $5?

With IR, you can get a Sipix A6 printer for $30, but if I were you, I'd get an inkjet for ~$200 that's battery powered and uses IR.

 

[alanarbor]

Just a note it probably wouldn't be all that great for extremely precise measurements, best accuracy I got today was 6 ft. A chart plotter type GPS would probably be better for say tree inventories, where that sub meter accuracy is needed. But since this is largely a navigation tool it works just fine.

Another note:

I think the tablet PC will be the real deal for us sorts, it's about the size of a clipboard, so you could still have the convenient handwriting capabilities, and the clarity of a printed estimate, plus the ease of editing, if a customer changes their mind on the scope of work. Expensive though, I bet.

 

[Nickrosis]

Oh, for sure. I think of the tablet as a transition...taking the functionality of larger computers and making them a little more portable with all the assumed features of a portable. But you can't hold it up to your ear for a phone call or put it in your pocket. It's those devices that will just get better - be it submeter accuracy or voice recognition - until they get the widespread acceptance (when the price drops). That's' my take.

For now, though, a laptop or tablet PC is probably the best choice for collecting field data. I like the handhelds, though..