Durable PDA?

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mdshunk

mdshunk

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I have resisted the urge until now, but the handwriting is on the wall. It looks like a PDA is in my future. I have an old Palm, mostly to run certain lighting control and PLC software, but it's not quite up to modern standards. The iPhone seems like the latest and greatest, but I'm somewhat concerned that a 500 dollar PDA might not jive with everyday jobsite conditions. Of those who own and use PDA's every day and also work with tools, what do you use? How's it working out for you? Ideally, I'd mostly like to sync in my Outlook contacts and calendar, along with receive my email.
 
mdshunk said:
I have resisted the urge until now, but the handwriting is on the wall. It looks like a PDA is in my future. I have an old Palm, mostly to run certain lighting control and PLC software, but it's not quite up to modern standards. The iPhone seems like the latest and greatest, but I'm somewhat concerned that a 500 dollar PDA might not jive with everyday jobsite conditions. Of those who own and use PDA's every day and also work with tools, what do you use? How's it working out for you? Ideally, I'd mostly like to sync in my Outlook contacts and calendar, along with receive my email.
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Im on my second blackberry 7100g, I just recently bought a used one to replace my original that was starting to show signs of age, I got my second one on ebay really cheap, I just wanted it to get me by until the new blackberrys come out later this year. mine has been in the heat, the cold, been rained on, dropped a million times (once from a catwalk on a billboard 50' up, that time required a screen replacement) over all I have no complaints on its durability...
 
iwire said:
The company just gave me a Blackberry 8800, I immediately bought an OtterBox case for it. I am hoping it makes it put up with day to day use.

http://www.otterbox.com/
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Is that more or less like rubber armor for the Blackberry?

Tell me about these Blackberry's. They run Windows? and will snatch my Outlook contacts and calendar?
 
mdshunk said:
Is that more or less like rubber armor for the Blackberry?
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Hard plastic shell, rubberized exterior and plastic membrane over screen and keys providing some water resistance.

Tell me about these Blackberry's. They run Windows? and will snatch my Outlook contacts and calendar?
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I have only had it about a week, I don't know if it could run windows. Mine is not, it has a web browser and you can add applications.

It can import address books, handle emails, etc.
 
If the PDA had regular internet access, like it seems the iPhone does, I'd be golden. I can log into my Outlook over the net through the exchange server.
 
mdshunk said:
If the PDA had regular internet access, like it seems the iPhone does, I'd be golden. I can log into my Outlook over the net through the exchange server.
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Check with your current cell provider as to what they offer, I use Sprint, they have PDA's, blackberry's, and all sorts of other goodies. The Iphone is overpriced IMO.
 
stickboy1375 said:
Check with your current cell provider as to what they offer, I use Sprint, they have PDA's, blackberry's, and all sorts of other goodies.
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We are also on Sprint, I have no idea about the costs involved.
 
stickboy1375 said:
Check with your current cell provider as to what they offer, I use Sprint, they have PDA's, blackberry's, and all sorts of other goodies. The Iphone is overpriced IMO.
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I'm gonna do that, but I really don't see myself putting much weight to their advice. I figured I'd ask some guys who are actually using it for the same things, and in the same environment, that I will be. The 20-somethings at the AT&T store don't inspire my confidence. I'm still going to ask them, but only to get a general idea of what's availble to me.
 
iwire said:
The company just gave me a Blackberry 8800, I immediately bought an OtterBox case for it. I am hoping it makes it put up with day to day use.

http://www.otterbox.com/
Click to expand...


I have a blackberry 8330, their newest one, and immediately bought an otterbox case for it as well, actually had the case befoe I got the phone. It is WELL WORTH the investment. I have used it in the field for the last 2 months or so, and its very durable. I was told my my friend, who works at sprint, that blackberries are known for their durability. It will sync to an exchange server or any other email account. It can not sync with an outlook calendar, as it does not run windows.

It has its own browser, or you can load opera mini on it. I have actually posted here a few times with my blackberry.

A blackberry is the way to go, unless you require the windows intagration.

~Matt
 
Never had a palm that did not crash - and eventually die due to it's own software - but did run one through a washer machine not once but twice and resurrected it with some corrosion-X and some light use of a hair dryer. I have given up on PDA's though for site work - too limited in function. Typing an e-mail on any pda is stupid IMO - PITA to do much else but some simple text....

Anyway - I would say though - steer clear of Treo - buttons get gunk-ed and they stick, or otherwise gather metal filings on the mic and speaker for the phone - in my experience anyway....

However - a decent reliable phone for the pocket - and a laptop in the truck have served me well. I can drag the laptop in on site to do a few things once I have created an 'office' for myself - i.e. power to a make-shift table of plywood cantilevered from a stud wall. Chuck an old wifi hub in for the site on the GC's account most often - they use it much more than I. Otherwise locate a neighbors open wifi from my truck - which often is readily available for some reason????? As well as many drive-by-wifi locations that I frequent - supply house in next to a coffee shop so I often just open my laptop - go get coffee and a muffin - come back and read my new e-mails (On occassion stop in here :roll: ) - then go into the supply house and get stuff and only need to park one time. (It is also a short walking distance to the permit desk - how convenient!)

I have been tempted to get a cell modem - but why buy when you get the milk for free???? But short of "EV-DO" (Spotty and not available everywhere) - I think it would be a big waste o money and drive me stupid with the lack of speed - when a N wifi is boomin' in comparision - and often free.
 
iwire said:
We have the same one 'The World Edition'
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Pretty cool phone huh? Did you get the all black otterbox, or the yellow/black one? I went with the yellow/black.

iwire said:
Have you tried that, I am not impressed with the supplied browser.
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Yes. Opera mini is way better then the one built in.


iwire said:
I have as well but no spell check. :roll:
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Great minds think a like :D

~Matt
 
iwire said:
We are also on Sprint, I have no idea about the costs involved.
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We have hybrid phones at the moment, Sprint voice/Nextel walkie talkie, when you work in the woods, you need all the options you can to get a call out... :grin:
 
stickboy1375 said:
We have hybrid phones at the moment, Sprint voice/Nextel walkie talkie, when you work in the woods, you need all the options you can to get a call out... :grin:
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I have that as well, but they could not get us direct connect capable Blackberrys so now I have two company phones. The BlackBerry and Nextel Sprint direct connect.
 
e57 said:
Otherwise locate a neighbors open wifi from my truck - which often is readily available for some reason?????
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Technically, that is theft of service. Just because its not locked down with a WEP key doesnt mean its OK to use it. Would it be ok for you to walk by someones truck and take a tool out, just because the doors were unlocked?


~Matt
 
iwire said:
I have that as well, but they could not get us direct connect capable Blackberrys so now I have two company phones. The BlackBerry and Nextel Sprint direct connect.
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We had the same problem, they told us they are working on it... No way am I carrying two phones...
 
TOOL_5150 said:
Pretty cool phone huh? Did you get the all black otterbox, or the yellow/black one? I went with the yellow/black.
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Dude, look at my avatar,:grin: all black for me thanks.

I also put a 4 GB card in it, need room for some tunes.
 
TOOL_5150 said:
Technically, that is theft of service. Just because its not locked down with a WEP key doesnt mean its OK to use it. Would it be ok for you to walk by someones truck and take a tool out, just because the doors were unlocked?


~Matt
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I do the same thing, I have an older HP PDA with a wifi card and you would be surprised at the amount of open hotspots.
 
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