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| Subject: | RE: [gislist] Tablet PC (SUM) |
| Date: |
07/08/2004 08:15:01 AM |
| From: |
Neil Havermale |
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The first tablets were based on 286 processors and Windows 3.1 for Pen.
There were several early models by NEC, IBM, and Toshiba. There may have
been others but I can not remember. The ones we worked with were Toshiba
and had a "transflective" style screen technology meaning the more light on
them the more reflection and easier the Windows 3.x was to see. We used
these for heads-up feet-down field inventory, crop scouting, and farming
equipment monitoring. The GPS systems we used required a local broadcasting
of differentials calculated locally by our benchmarks. We liked the
Magnavox (now Leica) six channel receivers that provided an over-determined
GPS solution.
Several issues that we discovered about tablets is if you can not hang them
with a stout strap, it was when not if when you would drop one and crack the
screens. Pay attention to the screen surface as well. The pens can
eventually scratch the surface where you repeatedly pick up pen types and
the menu options. Dust is distructive! We also found that the screen
orientation should be easily changed from portrait to landscape with out
drama. Pens should be attached to the unit by a string otherwise you'll
loose them and at $80 each the string solution paid for itself many, many
times over. Another handy issue is to make certain that you can power it
with voltages that most auto batteries provide, not 12 volts but 14.5. Check
for a voltage range of 9 to 24 volts as well as being smart if you reverse
polarity. You will find that avoiding "converters" is a wise move when you
are outstation and all you have are car and motorcycle batteries. Our
Toshibas had serial ports and they readily integrated to most GPS receivers
with NMEA GPS serial devices. I would prefer these days Bluetooth as the
"optimal" connection solution but few GPS devices have integrated Bluetooth
wireless. What is great though in the last several months Bluetooth serial
to serial solutions have hit the market ($80 to $140 per side) that are easy
to integrate if you make certain that pin 9 on the serial ports are powered
at 5 volts (no power conversion blocks! or wires).
Avoid a "touch" screen as anything that might dangle on the screen can
trigger events. Better to have an "active" pen in this case as noted above.
Its also smart to make certain that you can pop open a virtual keyboard.
I have two of these original 286 Toshibas running as I send this monitoring
my RTK benchmark, both almost ten years old! I have used several models of
the Panasonic Toughbooks and in today's market they are the hardware we
suggest. I would suggest that you not bet on an integrated GPS solution as
an integrated antenna will be blocked by your body or by a vehicle's roof,
better to have an antenna outside or on your shoulder.
So these are some hard knock suggestions... bottom line avoid hardknocks and
put the strap around your neck...
MidNight Mapper
Aka neil
-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Timbrook [mailto:stimbroo@co.jackson.mi.us]
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 10:13 PM
To: gislist@lists.geocomm.com
Subject: Re: [gislist] Tablet PC (SUM)
Thank you to Adam, Rob and Korine for your responses. The three
tablets that people mentioned are the Panasonic Toughbook, Compaq
TPC1000 and the Fujitsu Lifebook T Series. The Panasonic is durable
for fieldwork and has a built in GPS antennae. The Fujitsu Series and
Compaq are not ruggedized and are difficult to view in sunlight.
It is recommended to buy a tablet that has a reflective screen not one
that is backlit. Reflective screens help when working in bright
sunlight. Both the Fujitsu and the Compaq require a cable convertor or
USB to connect to an external GPS receiver. Other recommended
accessories include a shoulder harness and protective cover for the
tablet.
I would love to here comments from any other tablet users.
thanks
Steve
>>> "Steven Timbrook" <stimbroo@co.jackson.mi.us> 7/2/2004 11:44:38 AM
>>>
Here are a few basic questiosn for list users with experience using
Tablet PC for field applications. What tablet PCs are recommended for
purchase? Would you suggest using ArcPad or ArcGIS Desktop? Is it
possible to use GPS with tablet PCs? Thanks for your help.
Steve
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