Technology

[Thern Newbell]

I am considering investing in some technology over the coming year to improve my efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer service. I am considering a convertible laptop/tablet pc or a Disto device. Is anyone in Tennessee utilizing any of these devices. I have been a little skeptical of the Disto devices. Ideally, I would like to try one out before comitting several hundred dollars to buy one. I don't know of any brick and mortar stores that sell them where you could test them out, so it looks like I am limited to an online purchase.

I would say that I am leaning toward the PC purchase, but don't know if the extra cost for a convertible PC is worth the benefit of having a tablet device.

Any thoughts?

 

[TC]

Go for the Disto, you can pick one up for $239.00 these days, definitely worth it. Personally, I'm holding off on a tablet until the quaility improves and the price comes down.

TC

 

[Willie]

I am considering investing in some technology over the coming year to improve my efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer service. I am considering a convertible laptop/tablet pc or a Disto device. Is anyone in Tennessee utilizing any of these devices. I have been a little skeptical of the Disto devices. Ideally, I would like to try one out before comitting several hundred dollars to buy one. I don't know of any brick and mortar stores that sell them where you could test them out, so it looks like I am limited to an online purchase.

I would say that I am leaning toward the PC purchase, but don't know if the extra cost for a convertible PC is worth the benefit of having a tablet device.

Any thoughts?

Thern, I'm kind of in the same boat. I'm what you call a old fashioned younger appraiser. I still use graph paper and I'm late 30's. While I tend to resist change I always am watchful. Personally of what you have mentioned, I would tend to get one of those $100 devices and try it out before the disto. I still pull a tape, but I have a sonar that has been helpful for the last 5 years. One time this year it allowed me to measure a front porch when the owners dog would not let me on it. The other day the sonar broke so now I'm going for a Craftsman or Stanley laser. The $100 devices will do same or better than my sonar. Disto is a cadillac and may be worth the money. Matt Johnson might let you test one out or something.

I've never been interested in the small hand held stuff, so I would go with a laptop. I'm considering expanding my area into some of the more rural areas and a laptop with one of those Verizon cards might let me pull my comps from the field.

Are you using a GPS? I was in a class w' a couple of fellows from Fayetteville and they had Garmins. Very nice. They punched the restraunt button and off we went.

Good luck. I'll be following this one.



EDITED, I was posting. 200 and change ain't bad for a DISTO.

 

[TN Pro]

The two greatest devices I have purchased and which have made a large impact in my work, my GPS and my Fat max. I bought the Fat Max laser device as an introduction to laser measuring, my thought was that I would upgrade to a Disto if I liked it. Well, I love my Fat Max which I purchased I think from Lowes or Home depot. As I only use it to compute basic measurements, I have no need to upgrade.
Living and working in Rural areas, where apparently local kids get joy in removing street signs, the GPS was by far my best buy. My Tom Tom has never let me down.
My wife bought me a hand held pocket PC about two years along with Pocket PC clickforms which then downloads all of the information to my Desktop PC. So far, the only time in 2 years I have used the pocket PC was during a 4 day Realtor orientation class (YAWN!) where I took advantage of their WIFI and played online poker...

 

[BlueDog007]

Thern-

I'm in the same boat! I bought the FatMax, it wasn't exactly accurate. I measure and draw my sketches to the exact inch. I also bought and tried the Bosch DLR165 unit (see my other recent posts). This device was MUCH more accurate however support is just not there, online or at Lowes. Actually, the people at Lowes don't know anything about either device. You can learn more by simply reading the box.

I tried both and took both back. I would have kept the Bosch for $165 if there was more support. I really liked it. I will most likely buy a Disto before the end of the year (tax write off). I also use a Dell Axim Pocket PC and LOVE it. I am also in my late 30's and have been appraising for 14 years. I'm kind of old school myself but these "tech" devices give you and advantage, for sure. I agree with TC about the tablet's. They seem like a great idea but give it a year, I bet you will save a lot of money and get much better quality. Follow comments posted by TC and Brian Kirksey. I agree with a lot of what TC says about this and many other posts...I just never tell him that! ......and Brian is a tech guru!........Go with the Disto first.......and ease into this tech stuff is my opinion....Good luck!

TC........the Disto for $239??? Where man?

 

[TC]

TC........the Disto for $239??? Where man?

I purchased the A3 2 years ago for that price. It's now listed at 299, but it seems every 6 weeks or so I get an email showing the discounted price of 239. You should email Matt Johnson and check with him.

TC

 

[BlueDog007]

I emailed Matt yesterday and haven't heard back. He may have bad weather or something. I am looking at the D3 or the new A5. Does anyone know which is a better unit? I can get the new A5 for $350.

 

[TC]

Ric,

I like the A-3 due to its size and weight, fits into a shirt pocket. The A-5 seems bigger and bulkier and the only difference is the Py feature, which I never used on my old Disto Lite.

TC

 

[BlueDog007]

TC-

Do you use it for interior and exterior.....some of both....or what? I am still baffled by the straight 55' wall along the side of a house....and how you can measure that accurately.

 

[TC]

Interior for condos and 2nd floor openings. There is generally a downspout to hit on the house. I can nail the corner of a vinyl sided overhang without much problem. Using the add/subtract buttons makes it very easy to measure.

TC