Surface 3 Info
 

Got my Surface 3. Observations so far:

Setup is outlined with accompanying paperwork. Straight forward. No more need to be within update window to do windows updates. That was only for Surface 2.

Initial windows updates are going to take a while. Don't be alarmed if it takes an hour or more.

I had over 200 downloads and 18 must reads in SCL to download initially.

In Jepp app, when you click icon for updates, the page that pops up shows current date, date next update available and date next update effective. Totally different look. Looks like slider bars.

One big difference is after you setup your personal account and you sign out of personal account, you will not see the Delta pilot account as a sign in option. You will see"other account" and you sign into that one with Delta email and deltanet password.

So far battery life seems better than my POS "2" had. Extra battery is fairly big and has a charge port as well as two USB ports to charget surface or phone,etc.

You can switch between tablet mode and desktop mode .

There is a "crew links" icon on home page that has links to deltanet or icrew mobile.

It has bluetooth, cellular, mobile hotspot, gps (location), battery saver, airplane, etc modes.

Biggest pain in initial setup was time for Windows Updates to complete.

Otherwise easy. Hopefully it doesn't freeze up and screen go blank all the time like my 2 did.

Have used mine for 8 days of flying so far. The recommended technique is to use the battery pack to power the tablet during the day. I've done that, and as an FO, the cord only gets in the way of my drink. The tiller might be an issue for a captain (or stick for Bus drivers). If you use the battery pack, your only have to charge that each night. Seems much better than RT, quicker and less issues than the Dos...

On the 717, do you really need to keep the thing plugged into the battery during the day? Perhaps plug it in between legs (you know, when you have a 1:45 turn at SFO or the like...)

The company shipped me two of them. When I called IT to ask where to send the duplicate, they said to give it to the Chief Pilot.
"Here, Mr. Chief Pilot...I know you don't have other things to do...so take care of IT's problem for me, please.":rolleyes:

Probably could use the tablet battery for most of the day. By using the pack, I only have to plug in one item to charge at night.

After just one day of use I like the S3 better already. It actually behaves like a real tablet. Issues I did notice were with the new placement of the power button. It takes great effort to put it in the window mount without accidentally turning it off. I am sure I will get better at that trick over time. Also, it seems to get turned on somehow every time I carry it around in my little black cooler bag. Thankfully with the extra battery this is not a big deal and sooner or later I will figure out how to stop that. So far I am giving 4 out of 5 stars but we shall see.

Nice writeup 53x11 (do you ride bikes btw?)

My experience with the 3 when I was still at SkyW was similar; overall good and the battery would last all day without much worry. I did have to manage it by not leaving the screen on all the time and/or fully shutting it down on long sits but otherwise it was great.

For those who have received yours, are you 777 or 717? I'm a new guy on the 717 and haven't seen the shipment info yet.

Yes, ride everyday I'm home usually. Just got home from a nice 45 mi ride. I'm 717 ATLB. UPS delivered mine Monday and contrary to company info, they left it at door without anyone signing for it. LOL I start next trip on Friday, so I'll see how it does. Like a poster above, the power switch is still in an odd position relative to the cradle clamps.

Hammer down!

Right on, I almost brought a bike with me to training but the logistics were tough. Looking forward to completing training and getting back on the bike.

It's an improvement. I agree with the previous comments regarding the side-buttons -- we need new cockpit mounts.

If you ever get the chance to bring your bike during any extended training, couple recommendations. Head up to north GA and go to Brasstown Bald. Highest point in GA. I think 4 or 5 bucks to get in park. Parking lot is huge and you can warm up making laps. If you keep the sticker they give you upon entrance, you can leave, go down the mountain and come back without paying again. I did it last Oct and the foliage was worth it. Don't do like me though. I forgot to bring my compact crank. HAHA Going up sucked!! Also, over in Athens (Watkinsville) they have a huge group ride on Saturdays.

I sacrificed riding for a while to get settled in and it was worth it. Now I'm catching up. :D

My son schooled me on new Surface. I noticed it had an option to download Windows updates from other computers/networks. He said aww dad that's a new W10 thing. If you are on your home wifi or some other secure network, it will pull windows updates from other W10 computers instead from Microsoft servers. I guess less server traffic. Also, if you have a hotmail acct, it will pull the homepage background from your main PC to surface as background. Dang kids.

Does the S3 have to be on to charge, like the old one?

I did a little research and it has the same charging problems,but one tidbit that may help. I found where a test was done where you plug the micro-usb charger into the Surface 1st then connect to the wall outlet. They tested it a bunch that way and it charged properly every time. You don't have to have it on during charging. Of course, so dang gun shy from the 2's charging inadequacies.

I got my S3 as well and here are my observations so far:

I didn't have to sign for it.

It is still sitting on the kitchen table where I left it.

Good info, thanks!

They still handing out surface 3's at INDOC?I'm not a surface guru...should I buy a keyboard for INDOC or trips?

I would imagine that you will get a S3 in indoc. It comes with a keyboard so you won't need your own. It has Windows 10 which will work for the indoc online training as well as the aircraft systems that you get on USB.

No, brother. Welcome to the big leagues! All you have to pay for is your housing during training.
That, and your uniforms. The keyboard is courtesy of Delta!

Just a lonely ExpressJet pilot here, but for those of you that have the S3, what version of Jepp do you have on it? We just got 8.3.1, and it's significantly better than the previous versions.

As far as charging goes, it doesn't need to be on to charge.

Right on, I'll hit that up someday I remember that climb when the Tour of Georgia was still a thing. I'm more of mountain biker but have a gravel bike coming my way to replace my roadie. That'll come with me next time I'm down here for a stretch.

I remember racing in Athens during collegiate nats many moons ago, fun place to ride!

I believe we have 8.3.2. The biggest difference from the S2 to S3 for Delta is the ability to save flight plans. Does 8.3.1 do that?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Dang... I'm 52x12, and that's a lot of ratio.

"But these goes to 11..."
:D

Yes, it does.

My S3 freezes on the startup page, cant enter PIN or do anything else for that matter.

I really don't like having to lug around the extra battery, cords etc. Other than that it seems to perform just like the S2.

imo just sucks a bit more.

I got mine today, a jumbo of cords, Chargers and assorted other crap.

I have had my S3 for a couple months. I am not impressed.

The extra battery is a burden. Heavy, awkward and an accident waiting to happen.

The S3 itself is lighter but that is because the keyboard is lighter due to the fact there is no battery in it. I know our S2 battery keyboard fits the S3. I am wondering if we can use it for flight? This would be a better option than lugging the external brick battery around.

The S3 is just as slow as the S2 when utilizing or opening Jepp and Content locker.

The S3 has been freezing more than the S2.

Sometimes the S3 kicks off the wifi signal, thus needing to restart.

Overall, I am not impressed with S3. Its cool not having to do paper revisions but I am spending a lot of time restarting, downloading, uploading, rebooting and worrying about the S3. Plus, my bag seems much fuller and heavier compared to the previous flight bag I had filled with Jepp paper charts.:)

TEN

All of this!

personal account
 

Is there somewhere that teaches you how to setup the personal account on the s3? I tossed all the instructions already. Thanks!

[QUOTE=rvr350;2222589]Is there somewhere that teaches you how to setup the personal account on the s3? I tossed all the instructions already. Thanks![/QUOTE

Go to deltanet and click my division, then select EFB in bottom right region of screen, then Surface 3 setup instructions. #8. Personal Profile Setup on page 10.

Thank you!

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Great idea, but the battery in the S2 keyboard is 12v and the S3 is a 5v machine. So unless you want to simulate a Samsung Galaxy Note 7, do not use the old kybd with the S3 Surface. (The good news about the S3 battery is that it has a standard USB micro plug and essentially ANY USB plugged charger will charge the S3 including my iphone charger!)
.

Be aware that you currently can't install programs like easybid on the personal side. Makes it kind of useless.

Any question for any S3 experts out here (Since IT was pretty much reading scripts, and not able to help:).

I signed in using a personal msn account, but i changed my mind, wanting to create a new sign in just for this tablet. How do i do that? Once I signed in, i can sign out, but i cannot switch or create new personal account again.

Anyway we can use a different keyboard styles other than the ones they have? I just want the old keyboard style, without hitting 2 buttons just to switch back and forth between alphabets and numbers.

This and the need to type in a full email/password to enter the corporate account seems very annoying to me.

Thanks for that!!!! Did knot know!

TEN