Which PDA do you use?

[rolltide]

Hey guys, I read a lot here, and I'm getting into the longer range shooting more and more. Often, I read accounts where you are using a PDA to assist in the scope adjustments. I like the idea of using a PDA to assist in the field, but I'm not sure which way to go. I've heard people talk about going the cheap route, Palm Zire for $70 bucks, to the top end versions from Palm, HP, Dell etc.

I would really appreciate your help here as the only experience I have is with an older Palm that no longer works correctly.

As for the uses, I have the land available to shoot out to 900, but aside from a couple of 1000yd matches at Oak Ridge, I have little experience past 300.

Thanks again for your help,

Chris

 

[Kevin]

Hello, I have a Palm Tungsten T2. Currently I just use a Free excel spreadsheet program on the Palm but would like to get an actual program for it. That palm cost me $140 a year ago. The excel program runs a little slow takes about 5 seconds to change the zero and about 30seconds if you change all the variables. A palm with any slower processor would probably be a little anoying with my program.

 

[Ankeny]

I use a Dell X51 with Exbal. Too bad I can't see the screen outside in the sun. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Ian M]

I have the Dell Axim X30, have the same problem with this cheaper model as Ankeny does with his higher end model. Got the Nightforce program, it is based on XBAL and relatively easy to get into. More I use it the more I trust it.
If you are in a blind waiting for a deer you can while away time with a few thousand games of Solitair - **** thing is sure hard to win.

 

[daj]

I now use a Palm Z22 (the entry level Palm) and the PSSF program for my long range shooting.

The only negative for the Palm Z22 is that the screen needs to be shaded in full sunlight. Otherwise, it's a gem.

PSSF - Sharpshooter Friend, is a free Russian program that runs well on the Z22 and on the more expensive models.

To download PSSF, go to http://www.freewarepalm.com/calculator/pocketssf(sharpshooterfriend).shtml

"Description:
Ballistic calculator based on equations from A. Pejsa.
Support non metric units, subsonic velocities, databases for used bullets and weapon. Many features for work with Mil-Dot reticle (including come-up corrections).

Main features:
- Solve vertical & horizontal corrections, needed for successful shooting
- Solve B.C. from result of practical shooting
- Database of used weapon
- Database of used bullets
- Mil-Dot calculator

Nice things:
- Support non metric units: inches, yards, fps, gr, inHg, hPa, Fahrenheit degree
- Different program styles: military, hunting and sport
- Solve come-up corrections (from previous shot to current)
- Show Mil-Dot reticle with ***
- Interface optimized for fast input of data"

It also fully supports metric units and mixes of metric and imperial, and corrects for input target elevation angles, station pressure, temp. etc. About the only omission that comes to mind is a lack of RH input but that is inconsequential.

 

[royinidaho]

[ QUOTE ]
If you are in a blind waiting for a deer you can while away time with a few thousand games of Solitair - **** thing is sure hard to win.

[/ QUOTE ]

The secret is to deal until you get a couple of Aces and some face cards showing along with at least one 2. Increases the odds quite a bit. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Can't take a magazine to the stall at work but they haven't caught on to the PDA!!

Back on track, I have an Ipaq w/bluetooth for the GPS and Trimbles EZ Map for keeping me informed of where I'm supposed to be.

Getting a really Loooooong Range Rifle sometime before spring so will be looking for some software to help out. Exbal seems to be popular along with the Nightforce software.

My old knoggin needs the most user friendly version.

Any recommendations.

 

[Ronin]

Iv'e a Palm Tungsten T2, so far it has functioned fine although I keep it out of our "fine" UK weather as much as possible bringing it out only when I need to do a calculation on Exbal. The screen is a little bright for my taste, I think you can alter the brightness, but haven't got round to that yet /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I also have "the thing" on memory card as a back up but this works very slowly as opposed to Exbal on this PDA. It would be nice is Palm made a weatherproof cover! At the moment I use an outdoor type mobile phone case to protect it.

 

[Brown Dog]

daj,
I've downloaded that link and unzipped it...I'm stumped at how to run it....will it run on a pc? ...any clues gratefully received!

 

[Eaglet]

rolltide,
Dell Axim X50V... you can't go wrong, as of last month it was the fastest processor you can get on a PDA. I all depends of weather you need all the features or not. I paid over $500.00 for mine with some accessories but they can be had for a lot less... www.ebay.com
I took the picture down below to show how readable it is under the sun, believe me it's much more clear than what the picture shows. You can see it's running Exbal and I really like it. Ok! it's also running the Bible in English and Spanish! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif It's got many features, can use a wireless GPS ETC. ETC. here is some info about it:

[ QUOTE ]
What does it have on the inside?


Microsoft® Windows MobileTM 2003 Second Edition operating system with Windows Media Player 10 Mobile

Powered by the Intel® XScaleTM PXA270 Processor at 624MHz

Brilliant 3.7" color TFT VGA display with 640x480 resolution

Integrated Intel® 2700G multimedia accelerator with 16MB video memory

Integrated 802.11b and BluetoothTM Wireless Technologies

Packed with 64MB SDRAM and 128MB Intel StrataFlash® ROM

Integrated CompactFlash Type II and Secure Digital / SDIO Now! / MMC card slots provide flexible expansion

VGA-Out Support with optional VGA Presentation Bundle

Removable Primary Battery with optional High Capacity Battery

3.5mm Headphone / Headset Jack for Headsets to support VoIP and voice recognition applications

Built-in microphone and speaker for easy recording on the go

USB Cradle including Battery Charging Slot

Sleek, stylish design


[/ QUOTE ]

If I'm facing the sun I can't see the screen, but when the sun is behind me, find the right angle and you'll love it.
JUST SOME CHOICES... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[IanF]

BrownDog

It needs to be installed onto your Palm operating system PDA to run - it will not play on a pc.

At risk of teaching you to suck eggs........

Place the unzipped file on either pc desktop or in a folder you can find.

Go to the palm desktop prog that you have loaded to your PC or laptop. Under 'install' you either browse or simply drag and drop the unzipped PSSF elements (math lib AND Eng) to the palm desktop. Then do a 'hotsync' with your PDA. The program will appear ready for use.

I've got it - and am delighted. PM me if you have problems - we can chat it through in no time.

rgds Ian /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Brown Dog]

Ian,
Thanks...I've sent you a PM

 

[rolltide]

Wow,

Thanks guys for all of the posts. I've heard good things about the Axim. That is probably the route I'll go. Do you find that the PDAs a major pain to take care of in the field?

Thanks again,

Chris

 

[Eaglet]

On the Axim photo, look at the top left corner, the paint is chipped off... well, I bent over to pick something up and that did it... I've gotten used to not bending over if my Axim is in my loose shirt pocket!!! Now, last month we went on a 3 days hunt, used it every day, in my top left shirt pocket and having a sweater or jacket on kills the bending over problem. It just does not get in the way, easy to access in the original case that comes with it. I bought the aluminum one for hunting purposes but I like the original one better, in fact the aluminum one clips onto your belt and some folks might like it but I just love the original case that comes with it. It never did come out of my pocket when hunting and the experience was quite pleasant. I did have trajectory table printed on paper on my back pocket just in case! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[daj]

Brown Dog,

Sorry for the delay in replying.

If you don't have a Palm yet, you can run Palm software on your PC by downloading and installing a Palm emulator and emulator ROM on your PC first.

It's simple to do. Just go to the Palm site, register as a new user, download and install the following zipped files:

emulator-win.zip and

PalmOS412_RelROMs.zip


When properly installed, a Palm image will appear on your desktop and you can run it like the real thing.

To run PSSF (or any other Palm software) on your PC, once you have downloaded and unzipped it, run the emulator, right click on the Palm screen and select "install application/database". Select the appropriate folder (containing PSSF etc.) and away you go.

Good luck.

daj