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PDA choices???

mark4567

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 30, 2009
198
0
58
NY
My wife got me a iphone for Christmas 2009. I just broke my 6th one since then tonight. (sat on 2, dropped one getting into the car at the start of a pursuit and ran it over, and 4,5,6 broke during arrests). So I'm looking for ideas on a separate PDA (cheap)to keep in the case with the rifle.NOT too impressed with iphone ballistic apps either.
ANY help?? (other than titanium armor for my electronics)
 
Re: PDA choices???

My iPhone has an Otterbox Defender case. Have you looked into those? I threw my phone across a room just to show someone how durable it is. My iPhone still looks and works as if it was brand new.
 
Re: PDA choices???

If that's the $50 one, I just trashed it and the phone in it! Try grabbing a large 300 drunk guy and throw him and yourself on top of it..they don't hold up...lol
 
Re: PDA choices???

When I was a LEO I never carried a PDA. I do not see the need for one on a gear belt. 99.99% of calls do not require a ballistic apps. If and when that call comes, get it out of your vehicle w/ the rest of your equipment for that particular call.

You could mount it in your vehicle or keep it in your sniper call out bag, et. al.
 
Re: PDA choices???

I run HP 211 with an Otterbox protective case and use FFP Delta IV software. The HP has a large screen that is bright when needed. Figure you will get a full days use 8-10 hours out of the battery running ballistic software with wifi and blue tooth turned off. I am looking into those portable solar panel chargers for multiple days in the field, have yet to find one with enough balls to charge in less than 8 hours or so?
 
Re: PDA choices???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BULLET SPONGE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I said I wanted to keep it with the rifle. I did keep my iphone (with ballistic app) with me but that's busted. </div></div>Sorry, for my misunderstanding.

I would probably not keep a cell phone with me either for most calls. I would keep it as an option in my gear bag to take out for more routine situations (taking reports, etc.). However, as a standard practice, I would not desire the distraction of it going off (in tactical situations - even a vibration at the wrong moment might not give you the result you were aiming for ...) and as you have already experienced the inconvenience of it breaking. When chasing a suspect I assume you have a portable radio which should be built to fairly rigid specs.

Here are some cell phone/PDA tests:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/reviews/4324010.html
http://wize.com/pdas
http://www.consumersearch.com/pda-reviews
http://reviews.cnet.com/best-pdas/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/116027/top_10_pdas.html
 
Re: PDA choices???

A Palm T/X with Atrag on it has served me well. Keep it in a Pelican 1040 case with a little extra foam padding. You can pick these up off E-Bay cheap.
 
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try the itouch leave it with the rifle same bullet flight app for the itouch as for the iphone get the lowest memory not to expensive 8gig for 199.
 
Re: PDA choices???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Used Dell Axim and Nightforce software.

http://nightforceoptics.com/nightforcescopes/SOFTWARE/software.html</div></div>

Dell Axim X51. I see lots of these on ebay.

What needs to be included in the package to get a ballistic program loaded and running?
 
Re: PDA choices???

You need a sync cable or cradle, so the program can be downloaded the the PDA, and that means you must be running Windows on your PC. That's it.

I recommend that you go directly to Perry Systems for the software. I don't know how often the Nightforce version of his software gets updated, but the Exbal version does more often.

http://www.perry-systems.com
 
Re: PDA choices???

Will Android work on a Archos 605 wifi? Since I already have one of those?
Thanks for all the imput guys! So far a Dell axim and Exbal looks like the cheapest route. And I'm going to go back to a razr for my cell, those seem to hold up a little better for me...lol
 
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Can anyone tell me why FTE on a iphone is $10 and Exbal is $70 or FFS $150 for a pda?? I'm not being a a$$ just wondering why the big jump? Is it harder to write programs for windows rather than mac?