PDA

[qhinspect]

This question is directed to anyone that uses a PDA for their report data collection. Even though there are different methods for collecting information, I would like to focus on the PDA.

Over the years I have done data collection by pen and paper, tablet, laptop & voice recording. I am now looking at a PDA to help collect information. I was wondering what your experience is with PDA when it comes to viewing, ease of use, battery life, etc when it comes to the home inspection software you use.

I know different programs that use PDA's will have different results but I'm just looking for the overall opinions about these little toys before I spend the money.

At this time, I'm looking at the Pharos Traveler 535e PDA http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod ... lid=584388

or the Mogul GTS 6800 http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/o ... martphones. Located at the bottom of the website page.

Both have about 4 hours of battery life and come with a voice recorder which I still think is nice to have when doing home inspections.

[dcmeagle]

Originally posted by qhinspect

This question is directed to anyone that uses a PDA for their report data collection. Even though there are different methods for collecting information, I would like to focus on the PDA.

Over the years I have done data collection by pen and paper, tablet, laptop & voice recording. I am now looking at a PDA to help collect information. I was wondering what your experience is with PDA when it comes to viewing, ease of use, battery life, etc when it comes to the home inspection software you use.

I know different programs that use PDA's will have different results but I'm just looking for the overall opinions about these little toys before I spend the money.

At this time, I'm looking at the Pharos Traveler 535e PDA http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod ... lid=584388

or the Mogul GTS 6800 http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/o ... martphones. Located at the bottom of the website page.

Both have about 4 hours of battery life and come with a voice recorder which I still think is nice to have when doing home inspections.

You said you've tried laptop's & tablets. There is one other class of computers between tablets and pda's called UMPC's you might not want to forget about that are becoming popular with inspectors. Examples of these are the Samsung Q1: http://product.samsung.com/micro_manual ... ng_Q1.html (7" screen) and the Fujitsu U810: http://store.shopfujitsu.com/fpc/Ecomme ... eries=U810 (5" screen). PDA's average about 2.5". Then run the full version of windows xp or vista so they can run any inspection program your normal computer can.

[hausdok]

You mean like these?

OT - OF!!!

M.

[dcmeagle]

I actually have a EEE PC as several of our users started using them and I have had to make adjustments to our software to fit the screen better (they run at 600x480 resolution). They aren't too bad, but they aren't touch screen YET (those are coming soon, though right now there are a few hacks you can make to solder a touch screen in for about $80). So you lose out a little on the time advantage of having a touch screen system. Also, our software is the only software that will run on the Linux version of the EEE, so make sure you get the Windows XP version if you're using any other inspection software program.