Hello all.
I am a solo surveyor and I have been mulling over possibly getting an iPad for use as a replacement for my laptop that I carry when I am out in the field. I know they have their limitations, but I mostly would be using it for doing web research for pricing survey work when people call while I am in the field. I am also thinking about using it with GoToMyPC when I need remote access to my desktop computer back in the office. I am figuring that the iPad probably would not be ideal for this, but i could get by in a pinch. Is anyone out there using an iPad for work like this? Also, I am thinking of the Mini version (7.9" screen). Any Suggestions?
I'm using an iPad right now.
I think you might be happier with an Android or Windows tablet for work, a lot of websites don't work on iPad (no flash being one issue).
> I'm using an iPad right now.
>
> I think you might be happier with an Android or Windows tablet for work, a lot of websites don't work on iPad (no flash being one issue).
The reason I am thinking Apple is because of my familiarity with the iOS platform. I know flash and Java are an issue, but my son's android won't run them either. The Windows tablet would probably run them, but i am concerned about the app availability.
I know that this does not answer your post.
But if you had a Mac book or ox in the office it would be seem less with the iPad and iPhone.
Apple has that perfected.
I really like my IPad but the only surveying related Apps that I use are the HP41 emulator with the survey module. When I updated my IPhone recently, they gave me an Android Tablet. It seems to do everything that the IPad does. I have found a Benchmark App that. I think might be better than Find A Control. I haven't had it in the field to check it out yet but it appears that you can take pictures and do a recovery on a BM very easly from the field. I can't tell from the documentation if it sends recovery to NGS or the Geocache website. Many of the Android tablets have the ability to expand memory with a Micro SD card.
I like my IPad and hope that someday it will become more useful as a surveyors tool. We have Leica total stations at work. I think a great App would be one that acted as a terminal for the onboard Dara collector and trigger measurements via Bluetooth. Having Google Earth in the field is also handy.
Now that things are busy at work, most of my visits to Beerleg are with my IPad. It is bad when you are so busy during the day that you can't take a few minutes to visit beerleg.
I need to try it on the Android but I can't do anything with OPUS Projects with the IPad.
I have Samsung note 10.1 and Note 3 phone.
Both have a stylus which are proprietary Samsung ones (built in) and they are brilliant in use.
I find You tube works ok, most sites are okay but as said has limitations.
Neither brilliant in sun, okay in vehicle.
If you want 7 or 8" then Samsung make one also with stylus.
These stylus are far and above the cheap ones you buy for other devices.
They interact with programs and are pressure sensitive also.
Syncs well with PC. Never an issue.
I run go41cx and surveying programs.
But! Samsung is Samsung! Probably no bigger an issue than Apple is Apple! They sort of take over and there are Samsung applications that apparently many don't use. Me included.
That said they are very good devices in my opinion.
I do emails and downloads for all my needs and don't have any problems recommending.
I am also solo and have had an ipad mini in the van for a year now, with the same goal in mind as you, however it did not work for me as well as planned, it can kinda work, but the work arounds are to laborious.
I found a good solution in a ipad mini for reading emails and short email replys while moving between jobs ( I have a driver / assistant ), trip / road navigation to site, texting and whats apping..... ipad works well, anything else, well I have a macbook air 11 inch dual booted to windows in the back seat with a lap desk, this is for doing quotes on the fly, loading and downloading jobs from the data controllers before getting to site and after leaving site, answering emails that need attachments added. Loading autocad drawings or editing them. Also for loading KMl's into goggle earth.
You need drop box to tie them both together. I go though about 3-4 gb a month in mobile data use.
Whilst it is possible to do most of the above with an ipad, just to slow and time consuming for some tasks.
I now have an iphone 6+ and rekon you could get by with just that and a small 11inch laptop. Anything thing bigger is to unwieldy in the car and consumes to much power.
If the IPAD will run chrome you don't need the flash player. Just do the browsing in Chrome instead of safari. It works on our IMac at home.
