There are a range of Windows based mapping applications, both fee-based as well 
as free\open source, all of which should run fine on such a Windows 7 tablet PC.
>From the "top of the line" (price wise) GIS software suite (ArcGIS and\or 
>ArcPad (which can be several hundred to several thousand, based on your 
>agencies license http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcpad) down to one of my 
>preferred free suites: MapWindow (http://www.mapwindow.org/).
All would let you: load and use USGS digital raster graphic (DRG) image 
backgrounds and then create\update\edit vector-based point\line\polygon 
features using your GPS locations. (since the USGS data are seldom actually 
edited themselves). You would need an external GPS unit (of which there are a 
wide range, including wireless blue-tooth connectable as well as cabled). 
Pretty sure if you phoned the sales folks at whatever tablet vendor you were 
considering, they would give you a range of (working) options. 
I've run 6-8 versions of combinations of the above mentioned technologies all 
on much older systems, so have little doubt the vast improvements over the past 
5+ years will provide a range of workable options. (though, again, have not 
used the Motion CL900)

-j

John Mickelson
Geospatial and Ecological Services
501 Stage Rd.
Monroe, NY 10950-3217
(845) 893-4110
[email protected]

--- On Wed, 1/9/13, Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> wrote:

From: Wayne Tyson <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets?
To: [email protected]
Date: Wednesday, January 9, 2013, 7:53 PM

John and Ecolog:

Thanks, John--this is a big help. So much help, in fact, that I'm simply not 
computer-savvy enough to understand all of the terminology. However, I found 
the writing quite clear and competently done, a rare feature among 
product-pitches. That alone impressed me greatly.

I hope that you and others will comment further, particularly those who have 
used it.

Can anybody tell me if there are any mapping applications that will work on the 
CL900? I want to be able to use USGS maps and be able to modify them in the 
field via GPS.

Thanks,

WT


----- Original Message ----- From: "John Mickelson" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 1:01 PM
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets?


> Here's a side-by-side comparison of several units (including CL900... which, 
> just to say, I have no stake or interest in save for having looked at and 
> considered it).
> http://ruggedpcreview.com/3_slates_motion_cl900_full.html
> 
> John Mickelson
> Geospatial and Ecological Services
> 501 Stage Rd.
> Monroe, NY 10950-3217
> (845) 893-4110
> [email protected]
> 
> --- On Wed, 1/9/13, Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
> From: Wayne Tyson <[email protected]>
> Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets?
> To: [email protected]
> Date: Wednesday, January 9, 2013, 3:35 PM
> 
> "Reasonably rugged" also can hold a range of value. The cost of damage to the 
> project can, in reality, far exceed the cost of the right equipment. I will 
> certainly look into these, and would like to know how they compare, say, to 
> the Panasonic, "Tough Book" series.
> 
> Anybody have any info on such a comparison? Even if it's just based on 
> claims. Actual experience is best, however.
> 
> WT
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Mickelson" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 11:08 AM
> Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets?
> 
> 
> Yes, while the term "affordable" can hold a range of value, we were impressed 
> with the office visit that a rep from Motion Computing presented, 
> specifically looking at their CL900, which is ~2# and runs Win 7. Reasonably 
> rugged (can be augmented with proper cases\enclosures) and (as of last year) 
> started at about $1k.
> http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/tablet_pc_CL900.asp
> 
> John Mickelson
> Geospatial and Ecological Services
> 501 Stage Rd.
> Monroe, NY 10950-3217
> (845) 893-4110
> [email protected]
> 
> --- On Tue, 1/8/13, Jamie Sheahan <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
> From: Jamie Sheahan <[email protected]>
> Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for affordable Field PC Tablets?
> To: [email protected]
> Date: Tuesday, January 8, 2013, 5:41 PM
> 
> I am looking for recommendations from other field scientists for Tablet 
> devices that we can use in our water monitoring programs. There has been an 
> explosion of tablets on the market and We are in need of an AFFORDABLE device 
> that is rugged enough to be dropped occasionally, lightweight, glare 
> resistant, and useable while it in the rain or snow. We will use it to record 
> field measurements and also to download data off of monitoring equipment and 
> data loggers. For this reason, it needs to be able to run Windows based 
> software programs (from Campbell Scientific PC200 and Hydras 3LT). We will 
> not have internet access while out at field sites. and we aren't in need of 
> the device to have GPS ability either. If you have experience with using any 
> tablets out in the field, please send your suggestions and recommendations to 
> [email protected].
> 
> 
> Jamie Sheahan
> Hydrologist
> Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
> ph. 541.553.2028
> [email protected]
> 
> 
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