Best Tablet for WinTotal

[dmang1223]

With all the new Tablets coming out, I am looking to purchase the best available tablet for my inspections. Not sure if 7" or 10.1" is best.

Have used tape & clipboard for 27 years, making the big jump all at once.

I want to use this for 1) filling in forms data, 2) sketching (will be adding a disto laser soon), 3) Pictures of house and comps (Camera with flash/zoom).

I have read that some prefer Mobile for Total, while others like the larger tablet and having the complete appraisal on-screen.

I appreciate any recommendations on which way I should proceed.

 

[Deleted member 128537]

I have used electronic note taking and sketching since PocketTotal came out. You won't regret getting rid of paper and pencil. It will take you slightly more time in the field, but back in the office it will make it sooo... much easier and faster. I save at least 15 to 20 minutes a report since the sketch, pictures, notes, all sync in and I don't have to manually do it.

I use the IPAD 2. I have an android phone and I don't like the sketching program for the android system. I think the IPAD sketching program is way better. It is easier to draw angles, and I have lots of houses with angles in my area.

The TOTAL 2013 IPAD program is a big improvement over the previous program. There are still flaws with it however. But what I like about it is that you can take reasonably decent pictures of each room and they are automatically labeled. The biggest problem that I see with the IPAD is that the camera doesn't have a wide enough angle. So don't throw your camera away. There are times where you just can't get back far enough from a house to get a good shot, but most of the time the IPAD works fine. There is a lens that can be purchased to make the IPAD camera have a wider angle, but I haven't sprung for it. PS. No flash with the IPAD. So on REO's with no lights, I use my camera for dark rooms. Again you can't totally throw the camera away.

If you are making the jump all at once I suggest that before you go into the field with the laser you practice 20 or 30 minutes on your own house learning to measure in different ways. Buy the red glasses to help see the dot. You will definitely need them on bright sunny days. Also there are all kinds of tricks in using it. You need to give yourself a good month to get reasonably good with it. And you will, and you'll think, "Why did I ever use a tape measure?" (Take tape measure with at all times however in case the electronics go bad or the batteries run out; and always keep a good supply of batteries in the car)

Buy a REALLY good case for it. I use an otterbox. It's water resistant and really protects the IPAD. YOU WILL drop the thing, so don't even think about going in the field without a good case. I have dropped my IPAD a half dozen times. That's why I DO NOT use a full computer set up in the field. Just too much to carry and if that's dropped YIKES.

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

I use the iPad in the field. I don't use it for pictures because I take 30+ pictures per report. The Disto D5 is better than previous models and is rather easy to use. I am not sure if it really saves time because I almost always have to edit the sketch on the desktop after transfer.

 

[Randall Garrett]

dmang1223,

Since you mentioned "all the new Tablets coming out...", I would definitely wait until late Q3/early Q4 before making a purchase. The devices out now are at the end of their generational cycle. Much better devices are due before the end of this calendar year and the ones which are (IMHO) most viable for appraisers will have features/benefits which will positively affect your daily usage scenarios - longer battery life, lighter/thinner, better displays and slightly lower costs. New device releases also generally mean a drop in the prices for the existing inventory of devices, so even if you end up with a current generation device, you save some money. You may find some of my threads on Tablets interesting for the details, my thoughts and the feedback from other users, too. Some posts in some threads have some pictures attached...


Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

/end/

 

[MoTim]

I have used slate computers in the field for the last 3 years and just purchased a Fujitsu t901 convertible. I still take camera photos and use a cord to connect to my computer. I also take 20-30 pics a report. I like the fact I have a full keyboard to work with and the full version of Wintotal instead of one of the others. The IPAD program made a lot of changes recently that helped it, I may give it another try. I didn't like the way it handled photos previously. Yes this is a little heavier, but not so heavy that I can't handle it.

I like using the slate/convertible because I'm "old time" and take quite a few notes. I have "virtual paper" with Windows Journal and the stylus with these are so much better than anything I can find to use with my IPAD. I still do an inspection where I draw the sketch and take notes so need something that has a little finer point. I know its a little slower, but I can reference anything when I get back to the office. I may incorporate voice recording into my inspection, but I have thought it would be tough to do this with the homeowner standing there. If you wait until you get back to your car, then, to me, that's wasting time doing something I could've just written down during my inspection. Just my 2 cents.

With this Fujitsu, I'll have the slate to draw/take notes, then convert it to laptop once inside to input data, etc. and link the photos. I can also search comps, answer email, transfer report, etc. during lunch, etc. or even while I'm sitting there, my Android phone is a hotspot. This convertible is also touch controlled like my IPAD, so I will use it when I'm taking comp photos, a process I can explain later. I'm planning on going to a bluetooth Disto in the future to help speed up the drawing process. My plan is to walk out of the home with sketch drawn, front page filled out including nearly all, or all, comments, photos uploaded and labeled and ready for comp input and final comments.
We'll see if I can pull that off or not!

Either way, congratulations on taking the leap. It is well worth it time wise. You won't regret it, in anyway. Please post any shortcuts you find that you haven't seen anywhere else. I learned quite a bit just reading this forum.

Just my take on it. Good advice from Homesweethome about the IPAD however.

 

[dmang1223]

Good advice, thanks guys.

Does the iPad work with disto lasers now? I've read that there were proprietary issues with iPad.?.

I'm also wondering about the best Tablet size, is 7" too small, or is 10.1" too bulky?

And is there Any tablet good enough (zoom/flash) to handle All picture taking, interior and exterior? I take 20-30 pictures per appraisal (including comps).

And do All disto lasers require the red glasses?

This Tech-challenged appraiser appreciates any and all suggestions

 

[MoTim]

Just saw Randall's post after I hit the reply.

Sorry to disagree with Randall, but my advice is to not wait. The time savings going from paper to electronic are so great, you can purchase a unit now, use it and pay for it with productivity increases, and then sell it if you see something come out later that is better. I have purchased 3 slate computers, used, and have had good luck with all 3. 2 were Fujitu's, 1 was a Motion Tablet. I can't recommend the Motion, though I know a lot of appraisers use them. I also have an IPAD that I thought I would use, but WinTotal for the IPAD wasn't to my liking. I still use it for other purposes however.

Make the leap. Even a basic IPAD (non-internet) is not much more than 1 appraisal, I guarantee you that you can pay for it in a very short time. I was advised to wait myself, which I did for a few months, and then regretted it tremendously, after I got started and saw what I was missing.

Also, get the bigger screen. Much more landscape to work with. I'm approaching 50, and find I need all the help I can get.

Don't be intimidated by the electronics and don't give up on it. Appraisers have been using them for years and years in the field and doing just fine. Get started yesterday with something! Other than waiting, all of the other advice is worth heeding. Its just what you personally prefer.

 

[MoTim]

dmang,

Not sure about bluetooth and IPADs, out of my wheelhouse.

Yes, get the red glasses. You'll need them. On the brightest days, no laser is bright enough. I personally use a RYOBI laser measurer. The specs are exactly the same as a DISTO. I have used it for over 3 years now, with no malfunctions. I have seen them for as little as $75, but I believe RYOBI discontinued them. I will probably go to a DISTO soon, with the bluetooth function. If you can afford it, I would say, do that.

I have found drawing on my IPAD is ok, until I get to the largest houses. I use a 12" slate now, in a bump case and do fine with it. Others may have different experiences,not sure what works best for you. I went to a local leather shop and had "holsters" made for my laser and camera with clips. I carry my slate by the handle, reach in for my camera, take a picture, put it back in the holser, and enter my measurement on my slate. By having holsters, I can use 2 hands for my slate.

I still use a point/shoot camera and carry the connection cable with me. I put a rubber band around it to compact it some. I like separate components i.e. if my battery dies on my slate, etc., I can still do my inspection. I've used my phone camera before as well, when my camera battery died. It takes very good photos as well just not as good as my P/S camera. I still have my IPAD to, as a 3rd backup camera. I take as many pics as you do and find my camera does a better job. However, I am not an expert on cameras on tablets in anyway, so others may have differing views.

Hope it helps, don't be afraid to jump in. Good luck!

 

[NC Appraising]

dmang,

Yes, get the red glasses. You'll need them. On the brightest days, no laser is bright enough. I personally use a RYOBI laser measurer.!

Red glasses? :laugh:



You need to upgrade to a Disto with a view finder. I has a zoom too. You can then give them back to Elton John.

 

[MoTim]

Good NC Appraising! However, I'm still on a budget. Yes, they look a little dorky, but sure do come in handy when they're needed. Only on the brightest days do I have trouble.

And where we come from, we typically use something, and patch it when it breaks, till there is no "good" out of it anymore. My RYOBI is still going strong with no issues after over 3 years and thousands upon thousands of measurements. Can't justify an upgrade unless it breaks or I see a marked productivity increase. And the red dot is exactly the same intensity as a DISTO, I fully checked them out prior to buying. I'm trying to see how the Bluetooth feature will work with my convertible laptop that's arriving today.

From my understanding, the battery life on the DISTO with the zoom and view finder features, is much less than standard units, as expected. If it needs recharging every 2-3 days, I can probably live with that. My RYOBI will go 6-8 months without recharging. At least 150-200 inspections. I would imagine you don't have to use it all the time so may affect how it is affected. Since you have one, would you post what your experience is with it?