Tablets

[Overimprovement]

I use total, only residential reports, most are basic 1004's. Considering getting a tablet and doing the form-filling (as much as possible) on-site, and integrating disto/sketches as well.

For anyone who is doing this, what combination of tablet/laser are you using, and have you seen any noticeable decrease in total (pardon the pun) time spent per report by being so tech savvy?

 

[Brian W Street]

I have been buying tablets since the HP Jornada days but call me old fashion, I still use the first page of the URAR with a grid sheet printed on the back. Sure it might save some time using a tablet but I like sketching where I can also write notes on the sketch. Tablets in my local weather can sometimes be hit or miss when it gets cold and it gets cold enough in Indiana where a tablet will not start. But if I were buying a new tablet today and I had an iPhone I would stick with Apple, they just work. If Android was my thing my last 3 tablets have been the smaller 7" Samsung tablets, good screens and easy to carry. Maybe others can chime in on the Microsoft Surface tablets, expensive but more capabilities. And to be honest, while I have bought a dozen or so tablets over the years thinking that I was going to give it a good shot I use them for a few inspections and give up so maybe not the best effort on my part.

 

[Tom Woolford]

I've used 5 different devices over the years and currently are using an iPad Pro. I find there is a definite time savings using both Tablet and Laser, but others say they don't while others haven't even tried but just can't imagine it could. One word of caution though: none of these devices like cold or wet weather. I had a Motion Tablet I could put in a ziplock and it worked just fine. That doesn't work with an iPad. None of them are very tolerant of the cold. That's only been an issue for me four or five times through the years. You have to give it a fair chance. There is a learning curve that you just cant master after a "few inspections", After you get over the hump, you'll save time both in the field and in the office.

 

[SF_Valuator]

I was going to start a new topic but figured that I would just piggy-back on this one instead. I am new to the appraisal game and just getting started. That being said, I figured that it would be best for me to start with the latest version of technology. I just ordered a DISTO D2 and am debating over the use of a tablet or my iphone x. Has anyone on here used their iphone for inspections or are folks just sticking to tablets?

 

[Overimprovement]

I was going to start a new topic but figured that I would just piggy-back on this one instead. I am new to the appraisal game and just getting started. That being said, I figured that it would be best for me to start with the latest version of technology. I just ordered a DISTO D2 and am debating over the use of a tablet or my iphone x. Has anyone on here used their iphone for inspections or are folks just sticking to tablets?

I've still not purchased a tablet yet, but I did start using my iphone 6 and total for mobile app for data entry while on site, and I will say it is working fine. It took me about 10-15 inspections to get a good flow, so if you try it, don't give up after a few. I do the sketch on the phone too--again this takes time to get competent with the small area to do the sketch on, but I am pretty fast at it now.

One thing I like is the phone easily fits in a shirt or coat pocket, so while I am using my laser, I can easily switch devices. A tablet would take a more creative solution like a tool pouch or something.

 

[Mr Rex]

iphone. Yep!

 

[Artemis Fowl]

My company does tens of thousands of inspections every year. Time/money saving methods have been investigated on multiple occasions. We still use a pencil and paper.

 

[Mr Rex]

And you are wasting time by not utilizing technology.

 

[Ladybug]

I have been buying tablets since the HP Jornada days but call me old fashion, I still use the first page of the URAR with a grid sheet printed on the back. Sure it might save some time using a tablet but I like sketching where I can also write notes on the sketch. Tablets in my local weather can sometimes be hit or miss when it gets cold and it gets cold enough in Indiana where a tablet will not start. But if I were buying a new tablet today and I had an iPhone I would stick with Apple, they just work. If Android was my thing my last 3 tablets have been the smaller 7" Samsung tablets, good screens and easy to carry. Maybe others can chime in on the Microsoft Surface tablets, expensive but more capabilities. And to be honest, while I have bought a dozen or so tablets over the years thinking that I was going to give it a good shot I use them for a few inspections and give up so maybe not the best effort on my part.

I bought a Microsoft Surface Tablet and it does not work with Total Mobil. It is almost impossible to sketch with it. Instead, I use it as work laptop now and use a ipad mini. The mini works well, even in cold weather. I live in Colorado and we get some cold days. It is sometimes hard to see the screen and has a glare to it. The camera does not have a flash and I have to use my phones for dark pictures. It also sometimes turns total off as I am working and it is very frustrating. I am looking for a new tablet now.

I have tried using my samsung phone and found that I sometimes would accidentally hit the wrong number or the number would not work especially when it is cold. I found that using such a small screen did not save me time. I do still have Total mobile on my phone just in case something happens so I have a backup. I have had to use this once and it was a life saver.

If you find one that works well and has a great camera please share

 

[andrew81]

in 2010-2011 i used a convertible notebook with wintotal. it had the full keyboard but could be folded into a touchscreen tablet. it was definitely nice having the information transfer into the report, including the sketch.

i dropped it down a flight of stairs and have been using pen and paper ever since. i prefer paper because its quicker for me to take notes in shorthand and quicker to make changes to the sketch while im walking around distracted by the appointment contact. also snow, rain, cold, sun glare, and flights of stairs are nicer to a good old fashioned piece of paper and clipboard. i still use a laser measure, $90 Bosch i found on ebay, 8 years and still going strong, ive been through 3 cameras in the same timeframe.