AHI in AR Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 I'm considering using one of the little HP PDA/GPS units. I currently run InspectExpress software but do not use the mobile version. If it saves time entering general info in the field which does not require editing it seems like a good product. For comments which need typing, I can't imagine that carrying around a BT keyboard and mouse on site would be better than simply waiting until I got back to the office and synced it to my main computer. Anyone have any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonOfSwamp Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 The fastest way to get custom-written (not boilerplate) words into a report is to touch-type on a full-size keyboard, using 9 or 10 fingers. Carrying multiple gizmos and gadgets (which may not have any backup) into the field, then synching gadgets back at the office, is sure to take a lot longer. Bonus: After a year or so of service in the field, a decent laptop will still be useful as a school-kid or Internet-surfing computer. That probably won't be true of pocket-size gizmos. Laptop-on-kitchen-table typist, WJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 I'm with Walter. I bought a Dell XPS 1210 a couple of months ago and love it. It weighs less than three pounds, has an extra nine-cell battery with nearly four hours of cordless power, and a built-in wireless card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 I have the PDA set up now with a HP 2495hx and a BT keyboard. Its what I have so thats what I am using. In hindsight, I wish I would have just went with a regular laptop. If I had a laptop I would still use canned comments whenever possible but I cannot imagine ever being able to produce a quality report without typing some custom comments. The laptop also has the capability of reading CD's like IRC on site. I'm not sure if I can upload that kind of stuff to the PDA or not. Live and learn... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonOfSwamp Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 One can install the digital version of the IRC codes on a laptop. Having the code info on the computer, at the house, is a wonderful argument-settler, particularly on new-construction inspections. I suppose there's a way to suck all the code info onto a memory card, then put the card in the PDA, and have the code words, tables, charts and drawings available on a little bitty unreadable screen, but why would anybody want to do that. Real computer. Real display. Real keyboard. Ten human fingers. It works. WJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI in AR Posted October 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 I appreciate the replies, gentlemen, but it appears that I did not state the question clearly enough. I have no interest in trying to generate the entire report on a handheld. I have a laptop already; the keyboard on that is too small for me to want to use it for the entire report. And I don't like sitting in someone else's home for an hour and a half while I write the report. I'm much more comfortable sitting at my own desk later with a full size keyboard given the amount of customizing I do in my reports. What I was wanting to know was if the data that can be entered "as-is" in the field with a simple touch of a stylus would justify bringing along yet another piece of equipment. Inspect Express software has drop-down sections for such things as A/C and furnace brands, etc., where the info could be entered on the site quickly, (and later -- I think -- quickly synced to my desktop) rather than making a note on site and entering it into the main computer later. That was why I was asking specifically about this software. I am not about to try to produce a quick but vague report on site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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