What Is The Best Pad/tablet For Formfilling In The Field?

[Doug in NC]

I'm committing to increasing my productivity in the upcoming year and I would appreciate recommendations for what other appraisers have found to be the best tool to use in the field. I figure if I can learn to input data directly to my appraisal form once, and eventually do the same with my sketch, it is going to save me probably 30 minutes per report. Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[Doug in NC]

C'mon, I know some from this forum are using tablets or IPads in the field. I'm looking at the Samsung Galaxy 8 in. Tablet.

 

[Randolph Kinney]

I use the iPad Air 2 with Total from a la mode.

 

[Doug in NC]

I'm mulling over whether to go with the 8 inch size or 10 inch size. Which size do you think would be better? I'm guessing the larger size will be better for seeing more of the form fields at once, and easier to enter data, but will it be too big and awkward to carry around on site while doing an inspection?

 

[Randolph Kinney]

I have a strap on my iPad that allows me to wear it around my neck with both hands free. I like the iPad Air 2 because of its size to weight and its readability. I work with it in the rain carrying both 100 foot tape and Disto to measure. I also use Siri to dictate my notes as well as to input into the form. I also upload my Total report to the cloud while in the field so when I get back I download it from the cloud to my desktop.

 

[Doug in NC]

I looked up the iPad Air 2 and its specs say 9.4 inches height, so it is right in the middle of the 8 and 10 inch versions. I guess I'll probably go with something in the 10 inch size then. But the 9 inch size that you have may be ideal.

 

[Randolph Kinney]

Weight makes a huge difference hanging around your neck or holding in your hand for extended periods of time.

Maybe because I'm 68 years old and not a young guy, it makes a difference to me.

 

[bnmappraisal]

Weight is a big thing, no matter your age, Randolph! I'm 34. I carry a legal size manila folder, which I write my notes on the back and have my paperwork inside. This becomes/is my workfile. I also carry a small digital camera and my 100' tape. It'd be nice to drop the camera and folder to replace with the iPad...

I've been kicking myself every time I go out in the field without my iPad. I bought an iPad2 a couple of yrs ago and never took the time to get it where I wanted to. I think this thread is going to kick me in the @$$ and get me motivated to finally do it. I'm leaning toward the iPad Air2 myself. I like it's weight and the screen size. I also use Total and they seem to have a pretty good handle on their mobile app interfacing with their software.

 

[Randolph Kinney]

The iPad Air 2 has the Retina display with

• 2048-by-1536-pixel resolution at 264 ppi

That makes a big difference in the crispness of the display and readability.

• Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
• Antireflective coating

Great for bright sunshine and using your fingers to draw the drawing.

 

[Non Sequitur]

I own an iPad Air2 with LTE and a Surface Pro. Here's my experience.

There's no app for Windows but the Surface Pro can run the full program in the field. I found trying to populate the form to distracting, I tried to do to much in the field, and taking photos was cumbersome. The Surface Pro is the real deal, kicks the iPad Air2 in the rear end BUT I'm collecting data in the field not trying to crunch data or complete a report.

With the TOTAL Mobile app the iPad excels at data collection; You can set pull downs for most of the fields you need to populate, checking boxes is simple, sketching is limited but simple and effective, and tapping the room in the sketch to take a photo works perfectly.

In short my Surface Pro is literally collecting dust, on the other hand I have come to rely on my iPad and use it every day. A couple of more things to consider. Just about any accessory you can imagine is available for the iPad line (hand straps, water/shock proof cases, etc.), nearly nothing is available for the Surface Pro line. As far as price, the iPad Air2 with LTE is pricey, but not as pricey as the Surface Pro line and iPads hold their value, search eBay or Amazon for used iPads and Surface Pros and there's a big difference.

Either way you have to do what's right for you. Unfortunately you'll likely waste a decent amount of money before you settle on something that you're comfortable with, I wasted roughly $1,400 on my Surface Pro experiment. But I'm happy with what I have now, I'm so happy I don't regret spending the money.

Make a commitment and don't look back, you won't regret it.

Edit: I forgot to address your time saving question. Honestly in the field it doesn't save any time, for me it's a wash at best but I would lean to a few minutes more at each property. Obviously some time is saved back at the office because syncing the sketch, photos and data takes seconds as opposed to manually entering it into the report. IMO the time saving aspect is secondary, for me it's more of a work flow and organizational tool, and the more I use it the more uses I find for it. Whether it's pulling MLS data, checking in with clients, accepting orders, etc. having an iPad with LTE has changed the way I do business.