Mobile Data Terminals (MDT's)

[DepDog]

Our Central Dispatch is currently in the process of getting all new MDT's in our patrol cars. I am on the committee to pick the new hardware that will get installed, how it will get mounted etc...

We have had MDT's in the cars for over 5 years. We currently have Microslate laptop computers in our patrol cars using Cerulean's PacketCluster for the software.

We are looking at Motorola and Xplore Technologies and we have to get a bid from another company for the hardware (laptops).

We are going to be using Open Software Solutions (OSSI) for the software.

Was wondering what other agencies use for laptop MDT's, manufacture and model?
What kind of a mount you use in your patrol cars.?
Do the computers withstand abuse? ie: driving down bumpy dirt roads, excessive heat and cold, coffee and pop spills...
If anyone has any experience with OSSI software?
Any other ideas or recommendations on MDT's?

[HK45cal]

I loved having an MDT in my car; however my department has gone to the new Panasonic Tough Books. These laptops can endure some beatings not too mention everything is touch screen

visonair software

[mcsap]

We have the Dell P IV 1.8 laptops.

We run Cerulean Packet Cluster but are considering another kind but don't know what it is.

The MDT is pedastal mounted and can swing left and right in about a 130 degree arc.

They have been pretty good at taking abuse from spills and the bumpy roads have only caused me to type badly.typing on bumpy roads has led to a new dialect in the english language. :D

[gdowkpc]

We use the Motorala Mobile Data Computers. They are not built like laptops. The processor is in the glove box. The keyboard and touch screen are mounted in a bracket. You cannot take it out of the car and use it in the coffee shop like you could a laptop.

We use Motorala TX Messenger software.

The package seems pretty good.

Motorola has discontinued our MDC's, so I'm sure we will be submitting a grant application to the feds soon to upgrade to the new ones. We have about 400 units.

[mcsap]

We have the ability to IM other cars as well as main dispatch to reply or confirm something.

One keystroke of the f4 key "transmits" the words "message received "instead of typing the whole thing out.

F8 = enroute to the call
F9 = on scene

Each of the above result in a different color font as well as the aforementioned wording.

[nealopp]

How many of you LEO's actually use the MDT to run plates, DL's, etc? I don't think I've ever heard a stop on the radio when the officer/deputy hasn't had dispatch look it up for them.

[vadep]

Panasonic Toughbooks

We use GEAC software, connected with Sprints CDMA & VPN technology.

It's grade A sh!t. Doesnt work worth a darn, connectivity is horrible, and it's like trying to watch full length porn over a 28.8 dialup connection. Sllllllooooooooooowwww.........

[Stump]

Originally posted by nealopp
How many of you LEO's actually use the MDT to run plates, DL's, etc? I don't think I've ever heard a stop on the radio when the officer/deputy hasn't had dispatch look it up for them.

AMEN brotha!!! :D
I actually don't mind running them. I'd rather have my guys driving the car or watching the suspect than fiddling around on his computer.

[mcsap]

We run drivers license checks, license plates, local warrants, statewide warrants, NCIC all fom our cars ALL of the time.

We get it back faster than if we go through dispatch ( not saying they are slow mind you) Please Stump, don't throw anything at me !

The only time we use dispatch for this is when we are in a hurry or busy out of the car. Also our motorcycle officers have no MDT.

I have gotten 2 people under suspension this past week simply from running tags in traffic.

1st guy is gettinga $1,000 fine PLUS 90 days in jail.

2nd guy gets $1,000 fine and 30 days in jail.

I ONLY found them through running tags while in traffic. ;)

[Stump]

Originally posted by mcsap
We get it back faster than if we go through dispatch ( not saying they are slow mind you) Please Stump, don't throw anything at me !

Dude, some of these depts I have ridden with.. I can understand your feeling. My dept is different. Once he calls out with a plate and location, I immediately have the plate info on my screen, and am sending it to him as I verify his location. If I can't say "Corner of Walk & Don't Walk - plate comes back valid on 2000 Chevy 4d purple to a Kickass St address" the INSTANT he takes his finger off his mic, then they worry about me. LOL

[gdowkpc]

Originally posted by mcsap
We have the ability to IM other cars as well as main dispatch to reply or confirm something.

One keystroke of the f4 key "transmits" the words "message received "instead of typing the whole thing out.

F8 = enroute to the call
F9 = on scene

Each of the above result in a different color font as well as the aforementioned wording.

We have no message received hot button. If we need to confirm, we type a quick message. "TO 741.K" On that unit's screen he will see "K".

Enroute and On scene are hot buttons on the screen. See the bottom of the screen displays menu options that change based upon the type of screen you are using. The buttons p[laced around the screen then operate that menu option.

All of our "F" keys bring up a pregrammed mask, like one that sets it up to make it easy to run a person or car, or to create a call.

[gdowkpc]

Originally posted by nealopp
How many of you LEO's actually use the MDT to run plates, DL's, etc? I don't think I've ever heard a stop on the radio when the officer/deputy hasn't had dispatch look it up for them.

All traffic stops are annmounced on the net for safety peurposes. I always look up the info myself. Dispatchers are more than happy to do it for us, bust courtesy dictates that if you are the car, use the MDT and save the net for those officers away from the car.

We can dispatch a traffic stop on our MDT, but then surrounding offices have no idea a traffic stop has been made unless they happen to check the unit status. We like other officers to know so that they can swing by if they are near.

I have self-dispatched a traffic stop only when the net is busy with other traffic. As soon as the net clears, I announce to the dispatcher that "TRAFFIC IS ON THE BOX". She then reads off my stop location. It has the same affect but without interrupting the transmissions that were going on before.

[gdowkpc]

Originally posted by mcsap
We run drivers license checks, license plates, local warrants, statewide warrants, NCIC all fom our cars ALL of the time.

We get it back faster than if we go through dispatch ( not saying they are slow mind you) Please Stump, don't throw anything at me !

The only time we use dispatch for this is when we are in a hurry or busy out of the car. Also our motorcycle officers have no MDT.

I have gotten 2 people under suspension this past week simply from running tags in traffic.

1st guy is gettinga $1,000 fine PLUS 90 days in jail.

2nd guy gets $1,000 fine and 30 days in jail.

I ONLY found them through running tags while in traffic. ;)

License tag lottery is what someone called it on this board. I usually have a partner and we now play the lottery. (we always did, we just didn't have a name for it). Now thast we have a name, it's a game to see who can run the tag that gets the suspended or warrant hit.

The other day we were assigned to seperate cars. He sent me a message that he hit the lottery on the first try. He's good.

[DepDog]

Most of the Officers I work with run their own LEIN on MDT's in cars. If we have to confirm a suspension or warrant we will run it through dispatch.

The new system we are getting are supposed to be CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) enhanced. That will allow us to see exactly what dispatch types into the computer system and check for any prior history of an address. It will also allow us to add notes to the CAD for future reference. It will also have a mapping capability to help finding addresses and to locate where we are at.

[mcsap]

Our MDT's get the EXACT SAME info that our 911 center gets whether it is a warrant, NCIC hit or a license plate. We don't need to confirm anything that we already see.

If the screen says you have a warrant, you have a warrant !!