my knowledge probably extends less than yours does on it. i know that i wouldnt be able to get large title video game going on it but others could. did not try usb thats a good point.
What is the cheapest, small form factor (large cell phone size), light weight device (with a screen) that can easily run full windows versions on it that you all might know of?
I want something to run this on other than an actual laptop:
I got one on a good sale price, at the time I think I thought I could even use my USB OTG adapter which would allow me to use my android galaxy s7 as the “screen” or device to view the apogee software and sensor reading on. Though I might have also thought that using a laptop wouldn’t be a big deal. But it is. It’s quite annoying and cumbersome if you want to take spot measurements in a tall canopy. I want something handheld size that I can hold and view in one hand while holding the sensor out over the canopy on it’s “wand”.
Please provide suggestions.
(I did spend some time looking for options, year(s) ago, and found some pretty obscure stuff. But I wanted to ask here now. I want something cheap, available to canada. It doesn’t have to be new, or be able to game or any of that. It needs a screen, windows (or mac os, I suppose), and hand held/managable size).
I wish Apogee would just make/port/whatever the software over for mobile devices, but that would cut into the profits they make from their lineup of stuff, like the bluetooth device that would allow this to work that’s very pricey.
I wish someone would just mod/hack this basic looking software to work on mobile phones like android.
Thanks.
@FieldEffect @sfzombie13 @avr1 (in case you might have any ideas I haven’t come across)
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Do you already have the laptop in that room? It looks like the cable is 4.5m long. Here is what I would do if I didn’t want to spend money. Connect the sensor to the laptop as usual. Then use a program/app to remote from your phone into your laptop. So whatever shows on your laptop will show on your phone. Downside is your laptop has to be within 4.5m, you need internet, and it take a second to “remote” into the laptop.
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Does the software work with Windows CE because that is what would be on the Windows phones?
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Have you tried the ApogeeConnect for Android App with your phone? Or you have tried it and it didn’t work?
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Damn. Those are pretty expensive. Too bad, otherwise I’d pick one up and try to reverse engineer it and make it work with a raspberry pi…
Casio used to make a tiny touch screen windows machine, but I don’t think it could run modern windows to be compatible with this.
I hope you can find something! Keep us posted how it works
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I was going to say I have a SAMSUNG ATIV S SGH-T899M that I have no use for and you could just have it but that’s ok. Good luck.
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There seems to be quite a few sub-$100 CAD options for Windows tablet computers on eBay.
Unfortunately Apogee doesn’t offer a programming guide or API, I can’t imagine the interface is much more than a USB-Serial Adapter IC inside given the low data rate.
Apogee offers a line of BT enable systems, this doesn’t appear to be one of those units.
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You’re right. I just went to the app store and looked it up:
“This is not for interfacing with Apogee USB sensors. For USB sensor software, see Apogee’s Software Downloads: Software Downloads - Datalogger Programs | Apogee Instruments”
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This particular unit looks like it is used more for standalone use and data downloads later.
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it says it works on a mac so it should be able to work on linux. i have a pinephone that is just a linux computer and you can install programs on it just like a regular computer. it only cost about $150 or so if i recall correctly. i’d check that out. i haven’t tried to install windows on it (why on earth would i want to?) but it should be possible. if not you should be able to install win 7 on a tablet if it won’t take 10 or 11. but that is another something i have no need to try.
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This is an interesting idea. Thanks. The laptop I used is an old macbook pro, I don’t even use it really aside from this or arduino fumbling, so rarely. I don’ t know what app would allow me to do this, but I might look into it.
That, I don’t know.
I tried it and it doesn’t work. Asked them about it too.
The sensors/sensor+meter combos? Yea, pretty expensive. If I’d known I’d need to spend what I might need to spend for a display, I’d have opted for the version with a meter/screen. I assumed the usb interface model of sensor would provide more options.
Thanks. I considered a windows phone, but don’t know if it’d work. I’d guess the apogee connect software requires a “full” version of windows or mac os.
I’d come across several, yea.
I guess this is what Pulse release; their API. Allowing some to get access to the software and do some integration stuff with their products/sensors.
Apogee makes a “bluetooth” micro-cache nonsense thing that would allow me to see the sensor data from my usb par sensor on a mobile phone (when in bluetooth range, I assume). The micro-cache device costs over $600 CAD. Six, hundred, dollars.
I don’t have the skills to “make it work” on anything other than it’s intended to work on, as far as operating systems I mean. I know of the pinephone, I still get updates about their things sometimes. That’s cool.
Usually when someone is saying they need/want windows it’s only because they need some compatibility with some software or other, or pc gaming, yea. Windows sucks.
You guys would know better than I, but it feels as though having their apogee software work or be…“ported” over to work for android would be easy for them to do. But who’s going to buy their bluetooth nonsense if they did that?
I duno what to do with this yet. Thanks guys.
The remote software I have used or know is anydesk, TeamViewer, gotomeeting. There are more, old school pc anywhere. Haha. Just look for one with mobile phone support. All those are computer based but may do mobile also
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I would reach out to Appogee and ask. If it will work with the phone I mentioned above, I would happily let you have it. I also have spare laptops with Windows 10 on them. I rebuild them and give them to charity. You are welcome to one if it helps you out. You would just need to pay to ship it. Shouldn’t cost much, we are both in Canada.
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The ones used to remotely gain access to people’s pcs and “scam” them? That’s what I figured. Haha. Ok, maybe I’ll try one of those out and see.
Thanks, Doug. I’ll check with them and see what they say about mobile windows, and/or windows ce.
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No they are used to help others out with problems, or show others how to use something. If some idiot let’s someone access their computer that’s their own fault!
Edit. I’m sure Doug uses a remote software of some type. Be it built into the OS or a paid version.
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That’s free and easy. I used it to help my boomer mom while overseas. It works.
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Apogee said it doesn’t work with windows CE.
Edit: I wonder what the smallest, lightest, cheapest device with a screen that will run a “full” version of windows (or macos) is. I’ll search the cheap “windows” tables, and stuff, later tonight if I have time.
Edit 2: While I’m here. I need to upgrade the original 12+ year old ssd that came with thinkpad w530. It’s a bit small (only for OS and apps) at 128gb (I assume, shows “x-gb” free of 118-gb). I wanted to take advantage of the fact it has an Msata ssd space inside. This is the correct me if I’m wrong comes in, as I just refreshed my layman’s knowledge of sata vs msata vs m.2 (which can be sata or nvme, right). nvme would be pointless in this computer. m.2-sata…might “fit”, maybe(?) but no advantage over just plain m-sata.
But if m-sata is no cheaper gb for gb than 2.5" ssd (and no better), then I might as well just get a standard 2.5" ssd, right?
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If you want a laptop I can give you a Toahiba Tecra R950 with windows 10 on it.
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i think i’ve seen a raspberry pi with windows installed on it, pretty sure anyway. doesn’t get much smaller and cheaper than that.
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