What do you use to view images/videos in the field?

[BSK]

Although it's a minor complaint, I've always wished I had a nice device to view images in the field. Although all my cameras have little viewing screens in them, honestly, I can't see squat on those little 2" screens. I've been plugging the SD cards into an adapter with a USB-C port and plugging that into my phone, but my phone really doesn't like that. Gets a little screwy, plus you have to select the video/image files one at a time. You cannot scroll through images/videos.

I've always wondered if a tablet might be the way to go. I've looked at them many times, but because of the price, couldn't really justify the cost. Well, yesterday I noticed Best Buy had a sale on some of their cheaper models. So I bit the bullet and bought a Lenovo Tab M11. I realize it's somewhat of a low-end brand, but all I want to do is see my images/videos on a large screen. The Tab M11 has a 1920x1200 11" screen. I also bought a drop-proof external case, like an Otter Box. I've tried SD cards in the adapter and the tablet recognizes them and allows me to scroll through and play vides in high-res full color with sound.

Anyone else go to this trouble?

If it were only pulling the cards from a couple cameras, I wouldn't go to this trouble. But I'm servicing sometimes more than 30 cameras on clients' properties, and there's nothing worse than swapping cards, getting home, and realizing a couple of the cameras are aligned wrong. Review in the field allows for correcting problems right then.

 

[CrossVolle]

I usually lug my ipad in the SXS.

 

[Antler Daddy]

It is your job and a business expense. There was a ipad last week with 64k on Amazon for $199.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

How much did you get it for BSK? I also hate looking at them on my phone - they do get screwy. And half the time, the phone doesn't delete the card completely.

 

[BSK]

It is your job and a business expense. There was a ipad last week with 64k on Amazon for $199.

That's a GREAT price!

 

[BSK]

How much did you get it for BSK? I also hate looking at them on my phone - they do get screwy. And half the time, the phone doesn't delete the card completely.

I paid $139 for a 128 GB Lenovo Tab M11.

 

[CrossVolle]

I paid $139 for a 128 GB Lenovo Tab M11.

I prefer Lenovo over all. My ipad i have is work related so no expense to me. If i bought that is where i would go too.

 

[Antler Daddy]

It is hard to imagine life without tablets anymore. Ipad is 229 now...worth every penny depending on your use.

Amazon.com

 

[BSK]

It is hard to imagine life without tablets anymore. Ipad is 229 now...worth every penny depending on your use.

Amazon.com

What kills me is the cost of some of the tablets. $1,500 for a 13" iPad Pro M4????? What in the Hades? You can buy a good laptop or desktop for a lot less than that! What could make a tablet worth $1,500????

 

[backyardtndeer]

I just bring my cards back home and view then in my laptop. That's one thing that's nice about the cell cams.

 

[Mr.Bro]

LowDown.
Look it up!

 

[ZachMarkus]

I bring my Mac book in my backpack then air drop the photos/videos to my iPhone. Sometimes I swap cards and bring them home to view them.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

LowDown.
Look it up!

Those look very promising!

 

[Hunter0678]

I carry my laptop in a backpack when i run my camera's, I tried a galaxy tablet a few years ago and the processor speed was so slow transferring thousands of photos to the tablet I gave it up and bought the 500.00 laptop.

 

[BSK]

I carry my laptop in a backpack when i run my camera's, I tried a galaxy tablet a few years ago and the processor speed was so slow transferring thousands of photos to the tablet I gave it up and bought the 500.00 laptop.

Luckily, I'm not trying to transfer the images to the device, just reviewing them on the SD card with the device. I ran into the same problem with transferring images when a client loaded all of his photo census images onto an iPad. Turned out, transferring them back off the iPad was virtually impossible. It would only transfer 3 or 4 images at a time. That's fine until you've got 40,000 images and need them all copied to a PC quickly. We NEVER got those images off the iPad.

 

[Carlos]

I have 59 videos on an SD card from a couple weeks ago, and I still haven't been able to view them yet.

It's a pita because none of the devices I have around here will open the videos. They do fine with images though.

Anymore recommendations?
That Lenovo seems like a pretty good deal.

 

[Carlos]

Although it's a minor complaint, I've always wished I had a nice device to view images in the field. Although all my cameras have little viewing screens in them, honestly, I can't see squat on those little 2" screens. I've been plugging the SD cards into an adapter with a USB-C port and plugging that into my phone, but my phone really doesn't like that. Gets a little screwy, plus you have to select the video/image files one at a time. You cannot scroll through images/videos.

I've always wondered if a tablet might be the way to go. I've looked at them many times, but because of the price, couldn't really justify the cost. Well, yesterday I noticed Best Buy had a sale on some of their cheaper models. So I bit the bullet and bought a Lenovo Tab M11. I realize it's somewhat of a low-end brand, but all I want to do is see my images/videos on a large screen. The Tab M11 has a 1920x1200 11" screen. I also bought a drop-proof external case, like an Otter Box. I've tried SD cards in the adapter and the tablet recognizes them and allows me to scroll through and play vides in high-res full color with sound.

Anyone else go to this trouble?

If it were only pulling the cards from a couple cameras, I wouldn't go to this trouble. But I'm servicing sometimes more than 30 cameras on clients' properties, and there's nothing worse than swapping cards, getting home, and realizing a couple of the cameras are aligned wrong. Review in the field allows for correcting problems right then.

It doesn't look like it has a slot for the standard SD cards, only the micro SD cards.
Is that correct?

 

[BSK]

It doesn't look like it has a slot for the standard SD cards, only the micro SD cards.
Is that correct?

That is correct. However, I already have an SD Card adapter with a standard USB connection on one end and a USB-C connector on the other. I use this to download SD Card content to my PC (USB) and also to view it on my phone (USB-C). No problem plugging the reader into the Lenovo tablet and seeing the videos with the USB-C end.

However, one word of caution about using a tablet, IF you plan on placing it inside a drop-proof case. These cases are thick, which can prevent some adapters from reaching the USB-C slot. I had to buy a new SD card reader that has a USB-C connector at the end of a flexible wire so I could get the reader to be able to fit through the case. Luckily, these card readers are cheap.

 

[BSK]

So far, I am VERY pleased with how the Lenovo tablet works. It has truly solved my problem of not being able to clearly see my images/videos in the field. And the drop-proof cases is extra insurance for the bouncing and banging anything I have with me receives in my route from camera to camera.

 

[Carlos]

So far, I am VERY pleased with how the Lenovo tablet works. It has truly solved my problem of not being able to clearly see my images/videos in the field. And the drop-proof cases is extra insurance for the bouncing and banging anything I have with me receives in my route from camera to camera.

Thanks for the info- I ordered one late last night. Sounds like it's exactly what I need since I have trouble viewing the video clips.