Marshall GPS for Droid?

[Red Earth]

Has anyone heard when or if the DROID version is due out? Last time I called, they suggested I get an ICRAP phone!

PJ

[dboyrollz76]

Has anyone heard when or if the DROID version is due out? Last time I called, they suggested I get an ICRAP phone!

PJ
You could always find a used iPhone 5s or a iPad mini 2 on eBay for around 100.00. You could use it solely for the gps system.

[Red Earth]

Derek.... Well, I never thought of that!

SHopping now thanks!

[dboyrollz76]

Make sure it has a iOS rating that’s compatible with the system. You probably want to stay away from anything that can’t be updated to a later iOS

[goshawkr]

That implies that I have a desire to support crapple by running their crap though.

MRT - if you are listenting - there are a lot of customers (80% of the smartphone market share) that you are avoiding by being an apple only shop. I dont know the numbers for tablets, but Apple has only cornered that market in their own imagination as well.

[dboyrollz76]

I’m not a big fan of thier desktops or MacBooks. But I do love iPhone! Android phones are more prone to freezing and kicking you off when a error occurres. We got our 4 kids androids for Christmas. Less than 3 months all 4 developing issues. One shuts off without warning with a full battery. 2 have have the catch cleared and network settings reset every week or two and the other won’t except any as card we’ve tried. Granted the galaxy Luna pro is not top of the line. But I use a older iPhone now for 2 years with no issues.
In the last6 years we’ve bought 13 Android tablets and phones. The four new ones are still working, the rest are in a box waiting for the day I recover the gold and platinum.

[rkumetz]

Has anyone heard when or if the DROID version is due out? Last time I called, they suggested I get an ICRAP phone!
PJ

I spoke to Marshall just this week, and they said they are working on it, but have been focusing all of their resources on the new 4.0 version which will be released in April for IOS. There are some really cool features in that relaease. So much so that I am almost tempted to get an IOS device just to use it for the GPS system. (Geoff will send me a message off line to talk me out of that so I can continue to like myself as much as that is possible)

MRT is hoping to have Android 4.0 ready before the coming season. Developing Android apps which use hardware resources (such as GPS, accelerometer and compass) is much more difficult than a straight "display it on the screen and let them push buttons" kind of mainstream app due to slight differences in the hardware from manufacturer to manufacturer, etc. I can't blame them for exercising caution because I value the reputation of my company as much as they do theirs and I am reluctant to release things until I am absolutely sure they will work. Customers rarely tell other people when something works well but have one small thing go wrong and they will plaster it all over social media like it was an amber alert.

[jdrmd]

I know they are beta testing iOS 4.0. Wish they would fix the screen orientation problem. Have had it with 2 iPhones and an iPad. The direction of movement get confused between portrait and landscape mode.

[dboyrollz76]

One of apples strongest features as of right now that it has over Android is device security. In the past Apple devices had bugs that would allow a person to access the phone contents. Making it possible for someone to steal your phone access all your information and reset and keep and use your phone. Other than the recent chip flaw discovery Apple has had the tightest security after all of its updates. The expected update to fix the chip flaw actually is turning out to be s blessings for Apple now that they are in the process of updates that utilize this flaw as a secondary security feature. The chip flaw allows for the phone to send to different security protocols at the same time. Providing tighter security!
Android on the other hand, I can take any android device you want and access everything, erase every. And do what I wish. Set it up on windows if you like. The Android phones are great phones, but they are technically all the same.
And for those of that are thinking, your stuff is safe because of your google account security that it won’t let anyone access your stuff with out a password. Screw Google who needs them anyway! Sure your phone is locked by Google account. But the Android os is not completely integrated into google. Reason to many manufacturers to many designs. Not enough One Os for all android. Google has a while to go if it’s possible to get everyone on the same page.
With Apple you have safari browser, Apple account and a totally intergrated IOS and security. But Android has more game and apps. Oh, man they got me!

[rkumetz]

One of apples strongest features as of right now that it has over Android is device security. In the past Apple devices had bugs that would allow a person to access the phone contents. Making it possible for someone to steal your phone access all your information and reset and keep and use your phone. Other than the recent chip flaw discovery Apple has had the tightest security after all of its updates. The expected update to fix the chip flaw actually is turning out to be s blessings for Apple now that they are in the process of updates that utilize this flaw as a secondary security feature. The chip flaw allows for the phone to send to different security protocols at the same time. Providing tighter security!
Android on the other hand, I can take any android device you want and access everything, erase every. And do what I wish. Set it up on windows if you like. The Android phones are great phones, but they are technically all the same.
And for those of that are thinking, your stuff is safe because of your google account security that it won’t let anyone access your stuff with out a password. Screw Google who needs them anyway! Sure your phone is locked by Google account. But the Android os is not completely integrated into google. Reason to many manufacturers to many designs. Not enough One Os for all android. Google has a while to go if it’s possible to get everyone on the same page.
With Apple you have safari browser, Apple account and a totally intergrated IOS and security. But Android has more game and apps. Oh, man they got me!

Nope. I got an article today about security testing on both and IOS had more red flags. I can scan it for you if you would like to read it.

[goshawkr]

One of apples strongest features as of right now that it has over Android is device security. In the past Apple devices had bugs that would allow a person to access the phone contents. Making it possible for someone to steal your phone access all your information and reset and keep and use your phone. Other than the recent chip flaw discovery Apple has had the tightest security after all of its updates. The expected update to fix the chip flaw actually is turning out to be s blessings for Apple now that they are in the process of updates that utilize this flaw as a secondary security feature. The chip flaw allows for the phone to send to different security protocols at the same time. Providing tighter security!
Android on the other hand, I can take any android device you want and access everything, erase every. And do what I wish. Set it up on windows if you like. The Android phones are great phones, but they are technically all the same.
And for those of that are thinking, your stuff is safe because of your google account security that it won’t let anyone access your stuff with out a password. Screw Google who needs them anyway! Sure your phone is locked by Google account. But the Android os is not completely integrated into google. Reason to many manufacturers to many designs. Not enough One Os for all android. Google has a while to go if it’s possible to get everyone on the same page.
With Apple you have safari browser, Apple account and a totally intergrated IOS and security. But Android has more game and apps. Oh, man they got me!

Keep on drinking the kool-aide there Derek......

[dboyrollz76]

Keep on drinking the kool-aide there Derek......
That craps gross, I’ll take sweet tea anyday. But it’s true, pick any android you want I’ll unlock it. Piece of cake!

[goshawkr]

That craps gross, I’ll take sweet tea anyday. But it’s true, pick any android you want I’ll unlock it. Piece of cake!

Sure, I know you can.

I can unlock an crapple phone. Big deal. :) But then, I am a programmer with access to some hard core programming tools....

[dboyrollz76]

Then why can Apple not unlock a Locke iPhone. Even if your the original user. Geoff if you can do that theee are loads of bricked iPhones for sale. Ones with good esn that just have locked iTunes accounts. You could make bank because they are being sold cheap for parts. Because they are useless. The bad vibes you hear about Apple come from this. Pissed off consumers that have forgot their security passcode or phone pin, taking thier device to Apple thinking Apple can Help. Then getting made when they are told that they can’t. That Apple has not developed a software to crack its own encryption and override its security protocols. Doing such would compromise what Apple has done to tighten mobile security. And hose against Apples privacy policy.

[SkyRider]

Then why can Apple not unlock a Locke iPhone. Even if your the original user. Geoff if you can do that theee are loads of bricked iPhones for sale. Ones with good esn that just have locked iTunes accounts. You could make bank because they are being sold cheap for parts. Because they are useless. The bad vibes you hear about Apple come from this. Pissed off consumers that have forgot their security passcode or phone pin, taking thier device to Apple thinking Apple can Help. Then getting made when they are told that they can’t. That Apple has not developed a software to crack its own encryption and override its security protocols. Doing such would compromise what Apple has done to tighten mobile security. And hose against Apples privacy policy.

If I know one thing about technology, it’s that everything—and I mean everything—is hackable and crackable.

In regards to the original poster, I am surprised it’s taken MRT so long to develop an Android compatible app. With the success of GPS telemetry, I would’ve expected this to be a high priority for them. It’s good to hear it’s in the works though. It’ll be a great day when any phone user can link up to a GPS transmitter and find their birds.

[rkumetz]

If I know one thing about technology, it’s that everything—and I mean everything—is hackable and crackable.

In regards to the original poster, I am surprised it’s taken MRT so long to develop an Android compatible app. With the success of GPS telemetry, I would’ve expected this to be a high priority for them. It’s good to hear it’s in the works though. It’ll be a great day when any phone user can link up to a GPS transmitter and find their birds.

Remember that we are the lucky beneficiaries of the guys with the big bucks that keep companies like MRT enthusiastic about selling things to falconers. The number of falconers and disposable income here in the US is not enough to justify their huge R&D investment.

I would bet a paycheck that since it is faster to make an iOS app work they were smart and followed the carrot.

The middle eastern guys buy falconry equipment like we buy nuts and bolts- get what you need plus a handfull of spares. They wont blink about buying a seperate iPhone just for tracking their birds.

[jdrmd]

Remember that we are the lucky beneficiaries of the guys with the big bucks that keep companies like MRT enthusiastic about selling things to falconers. The number of falconers and disposable income here in the US is not enough to justify their huge R&D investment.


Great point Ron. I think we are very lucky to have a company like MRT, they create high quality equipment and provide excellent support!!!

[frigginchi]

I said I wouldn't buy an apple product. so I asked all my FB friends if they had an old one kicking around. I scored a shiny kinda new 5s for free. So I stuck to my not buying apple rule :D I tried looking for an apple iOS emulator app but it had been flagged by apple and you couldn't get stuff off of itunes. apple blows ;P

http://www.androidcrush.com/run-ios-apps-on-android/

[goshawkr]

Then why can Apple not unlock a Locke iPhone. Even if your the original user. And goes against Apples privacy policy.

That is not a case of can't, it's won't.

Apple doesn't need to crack their encryption, they built it. It can be undone by them with no effort at all.

A few years ago they were being subpoenaed to crack some high profile phones. They never said that they couldn't do it, which would have been a lie, they said they would not do it. That it violated their privacy policy. They also claimed they did not already have a toolkit to do it.

They also publicly stated that the FBI, NSA, etc were welcome to make their own keys to crack a iPhone open. I am sure that was done a long time ago. In fact the subpoena might well have been a way to hide that they could already do it because that particular case was not worth making that revelation over. Or maybe the agents involved just did not know the right folks in their agency.

Really it's not hard. Just takes a particular level of geek, and a lot of time. The few minutes to crack is Hollywood fiction. Current encryption technology is a matter of making it take more time to crack than it is worth. But there are other ways in by peeking at how the software works.

I have not looked, but I am sure there are tools already out there in the criminal hacking world that will pop your iPhone open like an egg. It never takes long for that stuff to show up. The bad hackers want you to feel safe, so they do not like that news to get out.

[dboyrollz76]

That is not a case of can't, it's won't.

Apple doesn't need to crack their encryption, they built it. It can be undone by them with no effort at all.

A few years ago they were being subpoenaed to crack some high profile phones. They never said that they couldn't do it, which would have been a lie, they said they would not do it. That it violated their privacy policy. They also claimed they did not already have a toolkit to do it.

They also publicly stated that the FBI, NSA, etc were welcome to make their own keys to crack a iPhone open. I am sure that was done a long time ago. In fact the subpoena might well have been a way to hide that they could already do it because that particular case was not worth making that revelation over. Or maybe the agents involved just did not know the right folks in their agency.

Really it's not hard. Just takes a particular level of geek, and a lot of time. The few minutes to crack is Hollywood fiction. Current encryption technology is a matter of making it take more time to crack than it is worth. But there are other ways in by peeking at how the software works.

I have not looked, but I am sure there are tools already out there in the criminal hacking world that will pop your iPhone open like an egg. It never takes long for that stuff to show up. The bad hackers want you to feel safe, so they do not like that news to get out.
Exactly, if you remember correctly a comment from Apple. Was we’ve worke very hard to tighten our security and that the software that would be needed to crack it has not been developed. The only reason the FBI was able to gain access to the phone was because it was running a older version of iOS that had a bug that would allow you to access the phone through the accessory screen. By goin into your camera access your photos send a photo as a text to access the home screen. But that bug is long dead now. There’s a new Apple challenge coming soon because of the chip flaw. Whoever can find away to get into or access a new locked iPhone, buy finding a bug or flaw. Gets 1million cash.

[rkumetz]

Exactly, if you remember correctly a comment from Apple. Was we’ve worke very hard to tighten our security and that the software that would be needed to crack it has not been developed. The only reason the FBI was able to gain access to the phone was because it was running a older version of iOS that had a bug that would allow you to access the phone through the accessory screen. By goin into your camera access your photos send a photo as a text to access the home screen. But that bug is long dead now. There’s a new Apple challenge coming soon because of the chip flaw. Whoever can find away to get into or access a new locked iPhone, buy finding a bug or flaw. Gets 1million cash.

The big security issues with iOS devices have nothing to do with stored information. The red flag issues had to do with being able to remotely access things like the camera without the owner's knowledge. I would never store anything important on a phone or a post it note that I carry in my pocket. Once it is out of your possession all best are off no matter who made the device.

[gemiller]

That implies that I have a desire to support crapple by running their crap though.

MRT - if you are listenting - there are a lot of customers (80% of the smartphone market share) that you are avoiding by being an apple only shop. I dont know the numbers for tablets, but Apple has only cornered that market in their own imagination as well.

That market share reference gets used all over the technology world, normally as an "android selling pitch" but the reality is the web traffic use is almost evenly split with countries like the UK and US lead by iOS devices (https://deviceatlas.com/blog/ios-vs-android-market-share-across-whole-2016 and theres many more articles if you care to look), especially in the tablet world the iOS takes the traffic lead(https://deviceatlas.com/blog/android-v-ios-market-share-2017-review). Having 80% market share against apple isn't hard when you complete in market sectors that apple does not. Apple doesn't have those cheap "for the kids" or old time "i dont need a fancy phone" priced products, which is fine, and realistically i'm sure part of Apple's marketing scheme to appear as more elite.

GPS for falconry is a market that in the vast majority of cases isn't targeting those that barely know how to use a phone or those types of people are still whining about the transition to UHF yet alone purchasing a phone to adopt and run the software. The reality is it's not "Android has the lions share of high end tech users" and more probable its a pretty even split in those likely to adopt a GPS product to sling to their mobile (if you factor in tablet use its probably skewed towards apple in that case as they do hold the larger share of the tablet market).





MRT is hoping to have Android 4.0 ready before the coming season.


They had posted multiple times on their GPS User Group that the Android release would be launched backdated on 3.5 and not on 4.0, did that change recently? Also I know they had posted that the Android release would come with device limitations (certain brands/phones will be approved, but not all). They posted pretty regularly about the Droid stuff for a while on their facebook. They had posted a bit about a lot of struggles with the GPS system being not as accurate and lock times being 3-4x as long as the iOS counterpart. I think you are definitely right they are playing the smart route and not releasing something that would be a nightmare for the userbase.

[rkumetz]

They had posted multiple times on their GPS User Group that the Android release would be launched backdated on 3.5 and not on 4.0, did that change recently? Also I know they had posted that the Android release would come with device limitations (certain brands/phones will be approved, but not all). They posted pretty regularly about the Droid stuff for a while on their facebook. They had posted a bit about a lot of struggles with the GPS system being not as accurate and lock times being 3-4x as long as the iOS counterpart. I think you are definitely right they are playing the smart route and not releasing something that would be a nightmare for the userbase.

When I spoke to them a week ago they said that they had committed to adding additional resources to the Android development effort. I didn't ask whether they planned to launch 3.5 or hold out for 4.0.

I can't speak for all industries but when my company looked into having apps to control some our products we found that the hoops we would need to jump through to give away an app would not
be worth it for an iOS app so we went with Android. After about 5 years exactly 1 (one, uno.....) guy has complained. So I can say that broadcast engineers are using Android. Most have the same sort of "I will do with the gizmo that I bought whatever I damn well feel like" attitude that Geoff and I do so that more than likely explains it.

This iOS vs Android thing will go on and on and neither company is predisposed to having us know the real numbers. I believe it was either Mark Twain or HL Menken that said "first collect your facts and then you may distort them at your leisure".

[goshawkr]

Having 80% market share against apple isn't hard when you complete in market sectors that apple does not. Apple doesn't have those cheap "for the kids" or old time "i dont need a fancy phone" priced products, which is fine, and realistically i'm sure part of Apple's marketing scheme to appear as more elite.

Well, Apple certainly does have a corner on the market of those who think "everyone who is not using an apple product is a plebeian". My experience in the industry is that Apple actually has managed to land close to 100% of this market, and it has consistently locked up that market going clear back to the late 80s.


The reality is it's not "Android has the lions share of high end tech users" and more probable its a pretty even split in those likely to adopt a GPS product to sling to their mobile (if you factor in tablet use its probably skewed towards apple in that case as they do hold the larger share of the tablet market).

Apple's share of the high end tech users is not even close to 50%. Last I took a peak at single manufactures that had the lead of tablets, Amazon was the king of the hill with their Kindle fire, but that was some time ago. But that still wouldn't be the real point I was making. There are a lot of companies out there that that buy into Apple's story that they have the entire market.


They had posted multiple times on their GPS User Group that the Android release would be launched backdated on 3.5 and not on 4.0, did that change recently? Also I know they had posted that the Android release would come with device limitations (certain brands/phones will be approved, but not all). They posted pretty regularly about the Droid stuff for a while on their facebook. They had posted a bit about a lot of struggles with the GPS system being not as accurate and lock times being 3-4x as long as the iOS counterpart. I think you are definitely right they are playing the smart route and not releasing something that would be a nightmare for the userbase.

Having device limitations is common on the droid ecosystem. Its actually something of a necessary reality since it is such a complex area. I do hope that they will take the stance that many do of letting their app be downloaded to devices that are not on the approved list. Sometimes app developers make take a hard line stance about that. I have yet to run into an app that dosnt work just fine on my device despite not being in the "tested and approved" category.

[rkumetz]

Geoff,
I got the impression that MRT's position is simply use a device that we have not tested at your own risk and don't blame us if it doesn't work.

[Captain Gizmo]

TinyLoc is doing a GPS dog tracker that uses a Direct Radio Link to a handheld receiver. Their dog collar also has a plain beep on it (about 2X the range of the same transmitter pushing data). The handheld also acts as the plain beep receiver. When you are getting a data stream it will Bluetooth the information to an Android phone or tablet for moving map display. If or when they shrink the dog transmitter down to the under 15 gram class required for hawk transmitters one would guess that it will come Android capable.

Price for a beep only receiver plus one UHF transmitter is E630 (about $660 U.S. when you back off 15% VAT and multiply by 1.23)

About a previous question on commitment to service. They sell a refurbishing kit for the receiver with new antennas, battery cover, coax jack rubber cover and volume button rubber cover plus miscellaneous screws for E60.

Regards,
Thomas of the Desert

[rri32701]

Any word on android yet.I bought everything the end of last season then decided to wait till this coming season to see If I needed to get an Iphone.

[Tanner]

Robert- An easy solution is to get on craigslist and buy an ipad mini. They are a nice screen size for the field and can be picked up cheaply if you get a used one.

[rri32701]

Will check it out.Thanks Tanner

[rkumetz]

Robert- An easy solution is to get on craigslist and buy an ipad mini. They are a nice screen size for the field and can be picked up cheaply if you get a used one.

There are a significant amount of iPhones on Ebay and Craigslist that have bad ESN's. They are essentially phones that the owner did not pay the bill on and Verizon, AT&T, etc cut them off and locked the phone out so it is useless as a phone. They can be had for very reasonable prices.

Or deals like this on refurb phones pop up too: https://www.woot.com/plus/iphone-6-6s-6s-plus-sdgsm-unlocked-your-choice?ref=w_cnt_gw_dly_wobtn

To me it is simply a matter of principle. I can't bring myself to buy anything from Apple so I will remain optimistic that MRT will deliver on Android soon.

[FredFogg]

This entire thread cracks me up! If MRT had come out with GPS transitter and the pocketlink and their own little display device that cost $500, none of you would be batting an eyelash! What's the freaking difference dropping that $500 for their display device or a used iPhone or iPad? I will tell you why you all make a big stink out of it, you just don't like Apple! Period! Success sure makes folks jealous! LOL

[rkumetz]

This entire thread cracks me up! If MRT had come out with GPS transitter and the pocketlink and their own little display device that cost $500, none of you would be batting an eyelash! What's the freaking difference dropping that $500 for their display device or a used iPhone or iPad? I will tell you why you all make a big stink out of it, you just don't like Apple! Period! Success sure makes folks jealous! LOL

Sorry Fred you miscalculated this one. I don't actually own an Android phone to use the MRT stuff with. I plan to buy one when I figure out the best
one to use and I only plan on using it for the GPS. I will probably buy one off Ebay that has a bad ESN. I like my flip phone and don't need a phone that clutters my life with crap. I get calls and I can make calls. Just what a phone is supposed to do.

I simply refuse to buy a product from a group of arrogant bastards that presume to know what I should and should not install on my device and how I should use it. I will also not be in line for an autonomous vehicle any time soon.

[JRedig]

Ron, I’m sorry, but for the benefit this gives falconry, you and others are over thinking this Apple things waaaaaay to fricken far. Buy an iPad mini for $150 and don’t use any of the other apps. It’s not an emotional decision but wow you guys are make it one.

[goshawkr]

This entire thread cracks me up! If MRT had come out with GPS transitter and the pocketlink and their own little display device that cost $500, none of you would be batting an eyelash! What's the freaking difference dropping that $500 for their display device or a used iPhone or iPad? I will tell you why you all make a big stink out of it, you just don't like Apple! Period! Success sure makes folks jealous! LOL

Actually, as I mentioned before, Apple is not nearly as successful as they claim. They do make a lot of money, and have a lot of people buying their stuff. But its a bean counter trick that props up their market. Apple does have about 100% of the market share of iPad users, but that is only ~10% of the market share of tablet users. And this ratio has actually been pretty constant since the iPad hit the market.

And you are absolutely correct that if MRT had a display device I could buy separately, I would be fine with buying it (provided it was obscenely expensive) and I would not question what the underlying OS is on that device. I have many such devices in fact. Where you are incorrect is in thinking that Apple would allow a device that is branded to MRT to run their OS. There are lot of devices like this running the Droid OS (for example, my DJI Drone controller that has a built in screen, my Kindle Fire tablet) and there are a lot of devices like this running a windows based OS (like the hand held scanners used in most big box stores and for that matter, most modern cash registers and 98% of ATM machines).

I have good solid reasons for not buying into Apple's ecosystem or for owning their stock. Not at all because I am jealous of their success.

I have cash set aside for the GPS whenever Marshall wants it from me. All they need to do is a little tiny bit of extra dev work to support my existing device set. I have a smart phone and a tablet already that work great. Its enough to shell out the cash for the GPS without the demand to buy new devices.

What is the real crack up is that there are toolsets out there that will do 98% of that dev work in about 15 minutes or so, all fully automated. So clearly, my money is not worth 15 minutes of Marshall's time. I would say the same thing about Ron's cash, but he was silly enough to buy the GPS and put it on a shelf until non-Apple support came along.

Marshall is not the only company that has bought into that kool-aide that Apple is where to invest exclusive effort on app support.

[jdrmd]

NAFEX finally feels like it is back to normal with Fred posting again. peacee

[goshawkr]

Ron, I’m sorry, but for the benefit this gives falconry, you and others are over thinking this Apple things waaaaaay to fricken far. Buy an iPad mini for $150 and don’t use any of the other apps. It’s not an emotional decision but wow you guys are make it one.

Its more a principal thing.

I have tablets coming out my ears - at least three that I know of, and probably a few more lying around.

I have at least 4 working smart phones in a drawer.

Marshall does not want my business bad enough to support my devices.

And of course, I do not want their product badly enough to go buy another tablet.

[jdrmd]

Sounds like a whole lot of capitalisim is going on here.

[wyodjm]

If I know one thing about technology, it’s that everything—and I mean everything—is hackable and crackable.

In regards to the original poster, I am surprised it’s taken MRT so long to develop an Android compatible app. With the success of GPS telemetry, I would’ve expected this to be a high priority for them. It’s good to hear it’s in the works though. It’ll be a great day when any phone user can link up to a GPS transmitter and find their birds.

I agree. Twenty years ago, I could have really used a GPS system, when I was flying passage eagles. They would catch a piece of air and disappear in the clouds! I encouraged them to do it! In some very rough country in Wyoming. They'd be gone for over half an hour! But they would always find me and come down. But I had no idea where they were. How high does a female Golden Eagle have to be to speck out of visibility? I probably would have paid for the necessary GPS equipment to have it. But of course it wasn't around.

Today, I'm hawking ducks with passage falcons in Kansas. I have a Droid phone. A GPS system would be nice to have. But I just want to hawk ducks. I believe in my current telemetry system.

I've been watching this thread. It's very interesting. There's a very fine, faint hint suggesting that if you want to be a real falconer, you better get the Marshall GPS system and anything and everything necessary to see it happen.

Let's hope I can come home at the end of the day with my bird. Oh, and a duck! :)

All my best.

[Saluqi]

I've been watching this thread. It's very interesting. There's a very fine, faint hint suggesting that if you want to be a real falconer, you better get the Marshall GPS system and anything and everything necessary to see it happen.

Let's hope I can come home at the end of the day with my bird. Oh, and a duck! :)

All my best.

Hi Dan,

I think it takes much bigger huevos to fly your bird without gps if you're in situations where you can regularly fly your falcon, eagle, or soaring RT "high and wide", or from thermals. I aspire to these kinds of flights and my birds have occasionally complied, and when they do and are out of sight for extended periods it's unnerving not knowing where my birds is and when I should flush. Last season I was out with some friends for a weekend of duck hawking, and one of them has a 9 year old peregrine that loves to thermal and with GPS we were able to "watch" her for 30 minutes as she climbed to over 3000 ft and was out about a mile, she eventually came over at around 1500' when we knew we could flush for her, she wasn't successful by the way. I really liked the peace of mind that gps offered.

I just bought a Marshall system and an iPad, my phone is a Samsung android, I don't think it makes me a real falconer, I see it more as an investment in preventative health care, if I can avoid periods during the day where my blood pressure is elevated for an extended period, then I think it's worth the investment. Just a few thoughts...

[jdrmd]

I don't think it makes me a real falconer, I see it more as an investment in preventative health care, if I can avoid periods during the day where my blood pressure is elevated for an extended period, then I think it's worth the investment. Just a few thoughts...

Bingo!! Just makes the entire endeavor more enjoyable and I hunt squirrels with a red-tail.

[JRedig]

I've been watching this thread. It's very interesting. There's a very fine, faint hint suggesting that if you want to be a real falconer, you better get the Marshall GPS system and anything and everything necessary to see it happen.
.

I hope I’m not contributing to that mentality. Its purely for the benefit of the entire falconry experience. It’s better, it’s easier, it’s more fun with this system because of the piece of mind it gives. And that’s after I lost a very nice gyr when the system failed. Having a dedicated iPad mini that you even buy used (less than $100?) which really doesn’t support Apple or profit them in any way is worth having that piece of mind. And it’s cheap given the 10,s of thousands of dollars we all spend on this lifestyle.

[wyodjm]

Hi Paul and Jeff:

You guys are my friends and you know I respect your opinions. Always have.

I don't think it takes any more huevos to fly my bird without GPS than it did 10 years ago, before any of us even heard of it! I didn't want to elaborate on me thermaling my eagles.

When I did begin to thermal an eagle, it had pair bonded with me first. After intermewing a time or two. This is one of the best kept secrets with passage eagles. If you cultivate the relationship, they will switch on you. Not imprint, but real pair bonding. Many falconers under estimate just how smart Golden Eagles are! This is what, in my opinion, makes passage eagles, kept and flown for falconry priceless! Once that pair bonding happens, it's almost impossible to lose them. And I don't mean being careless with them. They love you and will always stay with you. Even if it's 5,000 ft above you and a mile away. They will come look for you. I just couldn't see them. GPS would have given me valuable information on how high and how far away they played in the sky!

Does having GPS make your falconry better? That has to be a matter of personal opinion. Extra security? Well...probably ly! I don't have it and probably won't in the near future. Should I become so insecure that I stop flying birds and get out of falconry? I don't think so. I'm just learning how to hawk ducks with a passage falcon! Prior to GPS, people were very successful doing it. Why can't I.

All my best guys.

[Captain Gizmo]

I quote myself on the subject of VHF conventional telemetry:

"The FCC has allocated the 216 band to the Low Power Radio Service for use in "medical and hearing assistive devices". You can make a case that you are a falconer and the beeping in the earphones is palliative for the recurring anxiety attacks and preventive for the occasional paranoid episodes associated with this particular mental disorder."

Regards,
Thomas of the Demented

[qdgban]

GPS is quite simply amazing and will change your falconry for the better ,no ifs buts or maybes
as for who makes it and angst at paying for an Iphone ,if i worried myself silly at theoretical "ethical" choices id be walking everywhere living in a cave in a sackcloth chewing lentils
get the best you can get and GPS is it


Dan it would have blown you away with eagles,i had a flight last year with my peregrine shes was 1.8 miles away and 3115ft up
i watched her position on my phone waved her over and flushed ,i never saw her until the final thousand odd feet
pre GPS id have been waving a receiver around

[dboyrollz76]

android sucks. It’s a open market anyone can develop a device powered by android install the firmware and rock out. Security sucks on android. Apple on the other hand is a private developer and dose not sell its firmware to the highest bidder or allow random hardware developers to use iOS. This has given Apple of the tightest security of any device. I can open, reset and get any info from a android device. You just can’t do that with Apple.
Haters

[dboyrollz76]

But on another note, I used my gps everyday all day this year on two separate birds. I used telemetry on a third female that didn’t have a track pack. When using the gps I felt no less secure flying the birds than I did with the one that had just radio telemetry. Only real difference is instead of constantly checking for a signal finding direction and getting a mental picture based on only that, to where I can find the bird, the gps just shows you. If your going one way and you think you have the bird pinned down. But for some reason it bumps as your heading to it and flies back the other way. Then throw in a bounced signal or a very weak one. It could take you a minute to actually find the bird.
GPS on the other hand that stuff rocks. It will save you time, money and mind, no guessing.
Wther it runs on Android or Apple it’s going to work pretty much the same. But I’m a Apple fan.

[Hunner]

Apple or Android!!! Oh the agony!!! Please, the arguments IMHO would hilariously
funny, if it weren't such a serious issue. Dell, Compac, Commodore, Samsung, Blackberry, Microsoft, Apple, Mac, iPad, iPhone, software, hardware blah blah blah! If you want to communicate with smoke signal from mountain peak to mountain peak...knock yourself out.
This Marshallradio equipment is what we have wanted forever and IT'S HERE. RIGHT NOW. If Apple is making a buck or two off of me then that is just fine. So yes I drank coolaid and it was DELICIOUS. Difference being, I fly with a new level
of comfort. These birds are to valuable, at least to me, to pass on the most effective and up to date methods of retrieval.
When a GPS system has a transmitter that when out of GPS operating range switchs over to the most powerful transmitter that I know of.... and you folks have an issue with one piece of support technique, an Apple product, that you staunchly are opposed to then I wish you the best.
Spare me with all of the justified reasoning. I've heard it all.
You all had the opportunity to capsize the boat last week with an offer to good to be true. Cutting technology, Android based. The shining ray of light you needed. What happened? It really doesn't matter, because you were all to cautious to drink that coolaid. Face the music people...we're making a fresh batch of coolaid and I'm sure it won't last long.

[Saluqi]

Apple or Android!!! Oh the agony!!! Please, the arguments IMHO would hilariously
funny, if it weren't such a serious issue. Dell, Compac, Commodore, Samsung, Blackberry, Microsoft, Apple, Mac, iPad, iPhone, software, hardware blah blah blah! If you want to communicate with smoke signal from mountain peak to mountain peak...knock yourself out.
This Marshallradio equipment is what we have wanted forever and IT'S HERE. RIGHT NOW. If Apple is making a buck or two off of me then that is just fine. So yes I drank coolaid and it was DELICIOUS. Difference being, I fly with a new level
of comfort. These birds are to valuable, at least to me, to pass on the most effective and up to date methods of retrieval.
When a GPS system has a transmitter that when out of GPS operating range switchs over to the most powerful transmitter that I know of.... and you folks have an issue with one piece of support technique, an Apple product, that you staunchly are opposed to then I wish you the best.
Spare me with all of the justified reasoning. I've heard it all.
You all had the opportunity to capsize the boat last week with an offer to good to be true. Cutting technology, Android based. The shining ray of light you needed. What happened? It really doesn't matter, because you were all to cautious to drink that coolaid. Face the music people...we're making a fresh batch of coolaid and I'm sure it won't last long.


Damn straight Allen! Thank you!

[rkumetz]

Apple or Android!!! Oh the agony!!! Please, the arguments IMHO would hilariously
funny, if it weren't such a serious issue. Dell, Compac, Commodore, Samsung, Blackberry, Microsoft, Apple, Mac, iPad, iPhone, software, hardware blah blah blah! If you want to communicate with smoke signal from mountain peak to mountain peak...knock yourself out.
This Marshallradio equipment is what we have wanted forever and IT'S HERE. RIGHT NOW. If Apple is making a buck or two off of me then that is just fine. So yes I drank coolaid and it was DELICIOUS. Difference being, I fly with a new level
of comfort. These birds are to valuable, at least to me, to pass on the most effective and up to date methods of retrieval.
When a GPS system has a transmitter that when out of GPS operating range switchs over to the most powerful transmitter that I know of.... and you folks have an issue with one piece of support technique, an Apple product, that you staunchly are opposed to then I wish you the best.
Spare me with all of the justified reasoning. I've heard it all.
You all had the opportunity to capsize the boat last week with an offer to good to be true. Cutting technology, Android based. The shining ray of light you needed. What happened? It really doesn't matter, because you were all to cautious to drink that coolaid. Face the music people...we're making a fresh batch of coolaid and I'm sure it won't last long.

I put my money where my mouth is. I bought the MRT GPS system and I will patiently wait for Aerovision Android.

Your comment is noteworthy: the MRT GPS transmitter is a powerful conventional telemetry transmitter. A great feature assuming falconers don't get lazy and forget how to use it because GPS is so easy to use like people who can't add because they own a calculator.

[jdrmd]

Ron,
Do you know how to use a slide rule?

[rkumetz]

Ron,
Do you know how to use a slide rule?

Doesn't everyone? :) I actually own one too. Came across it a few months ago during a mandatory spouse pleasing cleaning session and though it took
a few minutes I was actually able to make it work. I see little connection to my comments about telemetry though.

MRT retained the conventional telemetry mode as a backup for a number of reasons. Ultimately it has more range and if your Pocketlink or phone die you can use a telemetry receiver as can your falconry buddies who don't even own a GPS. My concern is that falconers will become so enamored with the convenience of the GPS that they either forget how to use "old style" telemetry, ditch their receiver or ,in the case of new falconers,
never actually learn to use it.

My experience with human nature is that convenience works a lot like gravity and we are all drawn to the easiest way regardless of whether or not that is in our
best interest. I include myself. Despite conscious efforts to avoid doing so I find myself giving in more often than makes me comfortable.

[goshawkr]

android sucks. It’s a open market anyone can develop a device powered by android install the firmware and rock out. Security sucks on android. Apple on the other hand is a private developer and dose not sell its firmware to the highest bidder or allow random hardware developers to use iOS. This has given Apple of the tightest security of any device. I can open, reset and get any info from a android device. You just can’t do that with Apple.
Haters

What is the point you are trying to make, and how does it even come close to the core point of the thread, which was to ask - politely - when Marshal is going to expand its business and support droid?

I dont hate apple, I just simply refuse to dance to their tune for some very sound reasons. Not the least of which is that I have already invested time and cash in the devices I have. The windows based tablets that the NFL uses can be dunked in a duck pond and will still function. I have one of those, and would love to use it with Aerovision (although that would involve them also supporting windows 10). No one has suggested that those of you on their ecosystem should stop. It does appear very consistent that apple also has 100% of the market share for those who violently hate all non apple products. They have had that market sewn up tightly for about 30 years.

Some of us are just asking for inclusion. Marshal can have my money just as soon as they are ready for it. All it takes is an investment in a programming tool that costs less than one GPS system and 15 minutes of their time converting their code to another platform and a bit of test/debug time - which I would be happy to help them with free of charge.

Oh, and by the way, I have 25 years+ in the industry, making money on computers. I am not a village idiot that just fell off the turnip truck. Neither is Ron. Security is not my area of specialty, but it is something I know quite a bit about. Your statements are all more myth than substance, but you are far from the only one spouting the myths. You are welcome to try and crack open my phone. I will buy you a new bird of your choice when you do it. You will be never be able to pull it off, but you would be disappointed if you were able to, as there is not anything worth snooping through kept on my phone which is of course the first rule of security.

Apple is a pretty tight ship, security wise. However, the first computer virus ever was on the apple platform. For a decade and a half Apple used to brag that no one bothered to write malware targeting their platform because there was not enough of a user base to make that worth while, and odd as that is as a marketing statement, it was largely true. Security through obscurity is the tech term for that, and it works. Most secure system I ever worked on was a 30 year old mainframe. There were about 100 systems like it running in the world at the time. Our security profile was really an open door. We had hackers get in all the time who then had no idea what to do. We used to laugh at the log traces as they tried to have fun once they got in. Happened about once a week, and none ever lasted more than 30 minutes before they got bored and shut down their session.

Anyway, as soon as apple gained a respectable market share, they got an equal portion of malware and hackers. Shows up on their stuff all the time, although Apple does a good job of keeping it quite when it happens, usually. A key example of that was not kept quiet was the huge scandle with celebrities that had their nude selfie photos stolen by hackers - that was all on apples ecosystem. Largely in their iCloud accounts, but some of that was related to phone breaches as well.

But again, that is not the point........ And Ron and I are not the only ones patiently waiting for support on our platform. I know several others.

[goshawkr]

This Marshallradio equipment is what we have wanted forever and IT'S HERE. RIGHT NOW. If Apple is making a buck or two off of me then that is just fine. So yes I drank coolaid and it was DELICIOUS. Difference being, I fly with a new level
of comfort. These birds are to valuable, at least to me, to pass on the most effective and up to date methods of retrieval.

You know Al, the most effective way to retrieve your bird is to not lose track of it in the first place. :)

That is the method I employ. I used my receiver twice last season, apart from the preflight function test. And that was actually double my seasonal average.

[Hunner]

Yes Geoff! I agree with the best efforts of don't loose your damn bird!! That is one, of many things, that we all agree on.
The problem is that I fly my falcons at the farthest limits of elevation than be achieved. I offer no excuses for my preferred style. The down side is that it can be very dangerous. I prefer my falcon to be "gone" visually. It's nothing new to me except for now I know where everything is located. Me, dog, game and most importantly my falcon. Stoops from these extraordinary elevations are what I live to see. But walking the razors edge of a stoop junky can go crosswise REALLY fast. The difference now is that you can react immediately to a yet to be identified threat. The list is monumental. But instead of standing on a butte in the Palouse speculating, my game has been upped exponentially. Recovery is the name of the game because when 2 lbs is slicing earthbound from the heavens they can revise "their" flight without your consultation or approval!! No apologies here. I'm hopelessly addicted. And always looking for the next big high.
Im sure this sounds like a dead end sort of life, but I'm afraid it's a little to late for reprogramming.
We're on the same page, it's just that the same picture we view is perceived so very differently.
Its all good and I really hope that the system variations that are needed by you folks comes SOON. As they say, "It's a game changer.
Has your molt finished? Have a great season

[rkumetz]

Im sure this sounds like a dead end sort of life, but I'm afraid it's a little to late for reprogramming.
We're on the same page, it's just that the same picture we view is perceived so very differently.


I am sure that most people that look at what we do think it is a dead end life but why fight it? I for one am not seeking a cure. crazyy

[Clanggedin]

What is the point you are trying to make, and how does it even come close to the core point of the thread, which was to ask - politely - when Marshal is going to expand its business and support droid?

I dont hate apple, I just simply refuse to dance to their tune for some very sound reasons. Not the least of which is that I have already invested time and cash in the devices I have. The windows based tablets that the NFL uses can be dunked in a duck pond and will still function. I have one of those, and would love to use it with Aerovision (although that would involve them also supporting windows 10). No one has suggested that those of you on their ecosystem should stop. It does appear very consistent that apple also has 100% of the market share for those who violently hate all non apple products. They have had that market sewn up tightly for about 30 years.

Some of us are just asking for inclusion. Marshal can have my money just as soon as they are ready for it. All it takes is an investment in a programming tool that costs less than one GPS system and 15 minutes of their time converting their code to another platform and a bit of test/debug time - which I would be happy to help them with free of charge.

Oh, and by the way, I have 25 years+ in the industry, making money on computers. I am not a village idiot that just fell off the turnip truck. Neither is Ron. Security is not my area of specialty, but it is something I know quite a bit about. Your statements are all more myth than substance, but you are far from the only one spouting the myths. You are welcome to try and crack open my phone. I will buy you a new bird of your choice when you do it. You will be never be able to pull it off, but you would be disappointed if you were able to, as there is not anything worth snooping through kept on my phone which is of course the first rule of security.

Apple is a pretty tight ship, security wise. However, the first computer virus ever was on the apple platform. For a decade and a half Apple used to brag that no one bothered to write malware targeting their platform because there was not enough of a user base to make that worth while, and odd as that is as a marketing statement, it was largely true. Security through obscurity is the tech term for that, and it works. Most secure system I ever worked on was a 30 year old mainframe. There were about 100 systems like it running in the world at the time. Our security profile was really an open door. We had hackers get in all the time who then had no idea what to do. We used to laugh at the log traces as they tried to have fun once they got in. Happened about once a week, and none ever lasted more than 30 minutes before they got bored and shut down their session.

Anyway, as soon as apple gained a respectable market share, they got an equal portion of malware and hackers. Shows up on their stuff all the time, although Apple does a good job of keeping it quite when it happens, usually. A key example of that was not kept quiet was the huge scandle with celebrities that had their nude selfie photos stolen by hackers - that was all on apples ecosystem. Largely in their iCloud accounts, but some of that was related to phone breaches as well.

But again, that is not the point........ And Ron and I are not the only ones patiently waiting for support on our platform. I know several others.

FYI.. Apple's security that was compromised during "the Fappening". The hacker used social engineering through a phishing attack to get the passwords to the celebrity accounts. It was the dumb celebrities that gave him their passwords.

https://techcrunch.com/2016/03/15/prosecutors-find-that-fappening-celebrity-nudes-leak-was-not-apples-fault/

I just picked up my first Android device as I am using an RTL-SDR device and an Amazon Fire Tablet as my telemetry receiver. The benefit is I can track both UHF and VHF by just changing the antenna. Of course I can use a UHF antenna to track VHF, but it's not as good. My whole set up cost less than $120. I would love a GPS telemetry unit, but it's too cost prohibitive for me. Maybe some day the cost will come down enough for me to enjoy GPS tracking.

I am surprised that a solution has not been made available on Android. Hopefully they will release an app before the next Sky Trials.

[Captain Gizmo]

I just picked up my first Android device as I am using an RTL-SDR device and an Amazon Fire Tablet as my telemetry receiver. The benefit is I can track both UHF and VHF by just changing the antenna. Of course I can use a UHF antenna to track VHF, but it's not as good. My whole set up cost less than $120.

Scott,

Brian Andrews has a posting for an RTL-SDR plus Android phone receiver solution on the Missouri Falconers Association Web site.

https://www.missourifalconersassociation.com/index.php/diy-android-phone-receiver/

Please contribute the details of your version. The Cheap Beep thread in Telemetry would be a good place to post.

I have plans for UHF and VHF receive antennas available. They are clumsy to post but I can email them easily enough. Includes a Yagi and a Quad version that require no test gear to build, just cut to dimension and go. Details in the CBP thread. Gain for the Yagi is about 1 dB better than the old Antronics and the Quad is about 2 dB better.

With used scanner receivers getting less common on the used market I am looking at the RTL-SDR dongles as the next generation of low cost telemetry receiver solutions. Perhaps with a selective preamplifier ahead of the receiver to bring sensitivity up for the occasional long haul weak signal search. The price of commercial preamps always surprises me, given that I know how little there is in one of them. Also most of the commercial preamps have way too much gain.

Regards,
Thomas of the Desert

[kelseyradley]

Most people who observe what we do undoubtedly believe it to be a life in a dead end, but why fight it? Personally, I'm not looking for a cure.
Bitlife (https://bitlife2.com/)

[Saluqi]

Most people who observe what we do undoubtedly believe it to be a life in a dead end, but why fight it? Personally, I'm not looking for a cure.
Bitlife (https://bitlife2.com/)

Hi Kelsey,

Are you by chance related Boo Radley? Brother maybe?

Just curious.