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Tablet my most valuable tool?

January 01, 2017, 05:56:57 pm

When I started four months of upgrading our coach, I didn't expect the one indispensable tool to be my iPad.    I have been using my iPad in its military casing for so many things.  Schematics can be taken to your local FEDEX store and scanned.  I could then enlarge them to virtually any size and since it is lighted be able to read it when I took it with me under the coach.  It also permited me to compare many of the excellent pictures of projects on this site to parts for ID or project planning.  And then of course there is YouTube.  How to on tools I had never used.  How nice was it to sit on the roof installing solar and review video on connectors etc..  I would think any of the other tablets would work as well.  Loved the utility of the iPad for underway info but such a great return on updating as well. 

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Re: Tablet my most valuable tool?

Reply #1 – January 01, 2017, 06:13:21 pm

We think the same.  If you don't have the free AAA for route planning it is a great tool..and Allstays Camp and RV (not free) is invaluable for the way we use it.  Paid for itself many times over.

You can use your iPad as a VMSpc display as well with a small PC running the code.

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Re: Tablet my most valuable tool?

Reply #2 – January 01, 2017, 07:33:57 pm

All Stays is invaluable.  Just added inRoute for planning.

Is VMSPc adaptable for a mechanical engine?

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Reply #3 – January 01, 2017, 07:43:44 pm

G & S, funny you should make that comment to the Pad being invaluable, as I called our provider 3 days ago & cancelled my Data/Phone and texting as I did not use it and was a waste of money for me. I have one of them with just the "Roam Mobility" service that gives me unlimited US and Canada calling with 500 mb a day data just while we are in the USA- mainly for emergencies but nice to keep up with forum and Family back here in BC, all for just $5 a day. Once in Mexico it stops but I am at our friends so have Data there.
JohnH

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Re: Tablet my most valuable tool?

Reply #4 – January 01, 2017, 09:39:52 pm

George, doesn't look like it will work on the 8.3 Cummins.  I didn't notice which coach you had.  It does work on the M11 from 97.

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Re: Tablet my most valuable tool?

Reply #5 – January 01, 2017, 09:51:14 pm

Roger I would love to have had it on the coach.  I had the Banks IQ on my 2006 5.9 Ram CTD.  Very nice to have EGT etc.

John we use Verizon on the road for data 5g for 50.  Did not get in on the unlimited...big mistake.

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Reply #6 – January 01, 2017, 10:00:09 pm

George, we use Verizon as well, I do some remote work on the road, 3 PCs, 2 iphones, 2 ipads, 1 android tablet.  It is pretty easy for us to use 12 GB/mo.  AT&T has an offer right now, free iPhone 7 + line charges and data.  You can add Directv unlimited streaming (free data) for $35/month.  Tempting.

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Re: Tablet my most valuable tool?

Reply #7 – January 01, 2017, 10:02:36 pm

We were very fortunate and got in on the Verizon $100/year unlimited MiFi card. We left it on all the time on our last trip. The card gets hot but has not failed yet.

Pierce

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Re: Tablet my most valuable tool?

Reply #8 – January 01, 2017, 10:25:53 pm

Going to have to noodle on that Roger.  Steph teaches online, the only way I could get her to retire, and we have been as high as 10g on our last trip.  At one time Verizon's coverage was much better for us but this one is tempting.  I have had an unfounded belief that the original offer will reappear...wishful thinking.

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Re: Tablet my most valuable tool?

Reply #9 – January 01, 2017, 10:32:12 pm

Pierce, as you will remember I had one of those Mi Fi and verizon but the darned thing bust while on our last round trip while in Florida and the techs could not revive it. Offered me a new one for $400 + $50 a month but as I do not use that GB it was too expensive. It is tough being Canadian and trying to get a Verizon account. I did have one for Mifi but a week ago tried to log in online and because my # is no longer there I could not do it. The pay as U go is best for us but if you do not use it for 3 months then that falls away too. So having to pay for a year is not good for us.
JohnH

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Re: Tablet my most valuable tool?

Reply #10 – January 01, 2017, 10:54:36 pm

John,

Yes, I remember the difficulties you went through. We were lucky as ours still works. After I saw the one Ken H had at our first Q, I had to have one. It's only 3G but will still stream movies.

My daughter lives in Brisbane, OZ where her iPhone plan is super cheap and works in most countries. I think the plans here are the most expensive in the world. Glad to see they are starting to get a little cheaper.

Pierce

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