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Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground App
Yahoo Message Number: 144140
Ted doesn't know I'm about to advertise for him, but his App for public campgrounds is SO awesome that I gifted it to my RV'ing Dad.

I had to look up how to gift an App, but it worked so well that I will share how, in case anyone else is interested.  For $4.99 it is a very useful and handy gift:

1.  Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad (I'm sorry I'm not familiar with others)

2.  Search for "Ultimate Campground" app in the search box at the top

3.  When you see the Lazy Daze on his app, select that app by touching anywhere on the app (I did NOT click "open" as that would take me out of the app store).  This opens all the screens sharing info on that particular app, and you are still within the App store.

4.  See at the top right of the page- there's a little square with an arrow pointing up?  Click on that square with an up arrow.

5.  At the bottom of the screen, up comes some choices- you want to click on "Gift"

6.  You'll need to enter your gift recipient's email address.

7.  Then Dad then got an email saying that I had sent him an App as a gift.

8.  Then Dad "Accepted" the app by clicking on a link in that email that he received and he entered his Apple ID so it would download onto his phone.  He loves his new Ultimate Campgrounds App too!

Hope that helps someone who is looking for a fun gift for a wonderful RV friend!  Happy Holidays to you all!

Tessa in TX, headed to TN in the Ciao Baby! 4 days and counting...
Re: Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground App
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144142
Tessa (or anyone else),
 I thought that your suggestion that Ted's Campground App would make a good  gift was good, and I tried it, but I have problms:
 When I search the App store on my iPad for 'Ultimate Campground', all that  comes up is something called 'iCamp' which does not appear to be Ted's  app.

When I go to the online version http://www.ultimatecampgrounds.com/uc/index.php all I see is the POI list for GPS's, nothing about the iPad App

What am I missing?  Any thoughts?

Barry

From:
Sent: Monday, December 16, 2013 9:54 PM To:lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Subject: [LD] Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground  App

Ted doesn't know I'm about to advertise for him, but his App for public  campgrounds is SO awesome that I gifted it to my RV'ing Dad.
 I had to look up how to gift an App, but it worked so well that I will  share how, in case anyone else is interested.  For $4.99 it is a very  useful and handy gift:

1.  Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad (I'm sorry I'm not  familiar with others)  
2.  Search for "Ultimate Campground" app in the search box at the  top  
3.  When you see the Lazy Daze on his app, select that app by touching  anywhere on the app (I did NOT click "open" as that would take me out of the app  store).  This opens all the screens sharing info on that particular app,  and you are still within the App store.

4.  See at the top right of the page- there's a little square with an  arrow pointing up?  Click on that square with an up arrow.

5.  At the bottom of the screen, up comes some choices- you want to  click on "Gift"  
6.  You'll need to enter your gift recipient's email address.

7.  Then Dad then got an email saying that I had sent him an App as a  gift.

8.  Then Dad "Accepted" the app by clicking on a link in that email  that he received and he entered his Apple ID so it would download onto his  phone.  He loves his new Ultimate Campgrounds App too!

Hope that helps someone who is looking for a fun gift for a wonderful RV  friend!  Happy Holidays to you all!

Tessa in TX, headed to TN in the Ciao Baby! 4 days and counting...
Re: Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground App
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144143
OK,  my wife found it by searching on the Category of  'RVCamping'.
 The general search only finds it if you put the US in:  "ultimate us'  brings it up as a suggestion.
 Unfortunately the App will not work on my iPad1.  It requires a later  version of the IOS than the original iPad will run. (The highest for the  original is apparently iOS 5.1.1)

Barry
Re: Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground App
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144146
Thanks Mary,
 I did find it, and bought one for me (on my wife's iPad Mini), and one as a  gift for my brother.
 For those of you who haven't looked at the iPad version of the 'Ultimate US  Campground' app,  it is very well done.  It knows where you are, and  shows the campgrounds around you, gives some info on them, and automatically  looks them up on Google, etc if you push the right button.  It also shows  Google Earth pictures of the campgrounds.  It has lots of nice  features.

Try it, you will like it.

Barry

From:
Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 10:24 AM To:lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [LD] Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground  App

Perhaps you can  locate the app using the following link?
 https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=698323700&mt=8
Re: Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground App
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144177
If you have a wi-fi only ipad, how does it know where you are? I don't have  an ipad (yet) but was considering a wi-fi only mini retina. Can't really justify  getting one with a cell plan - I barely use the data allowance on my smartphone  anyway. I really wish the wi-fi ones came with GPS.

Mary Lou

From: Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 9:15 AM To:lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [LD] Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground  App

Thanks Mary,
 I did find it, and bought one for me (on my wife's iPad Mini), and one as a  gift for my brother.
 For those of you who haven't looked at the iPad version of the 'Ultimate US  Campground' app,  it is very well done.  It knows where you are, and  shows the campgrounds around you, gives some info on them, and automatically  looks them up on Google, etc if you push the right button.  It also shows  Google Earth pictures of the campgrounds.  It has lots of nice  features.

Try it, you will like it.

Barry
Re: Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground App
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144180
"If you have a wi-fi only ipad, how does it know where you are?"

Mary Lou

See if any of the Millenicom iPad Minis are still for sale, For $268, you get the Mini, which has a GPS and is 4G compatible, coming with 3-months of T-Mobile data. The data can be turned off at the end of the trial and.use as a stand alone GPS, or if WiFi is available, to access the net for email, surfing, etc..
 I'm bought one of the iPad Minis and will be using using the hotspot, in my iPhone, to provide WiFi for the Mini.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground App
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144183
"If you have a wi-fi only iPad, how does it know where you are?"

The short answer is "It doesn't."

Wi-Fi-only iPads don't include a GPS chip. Although they will do their best to guess at your location, based on whatever Wi-Fi signals they pick up, this is inaccurate at best. In a big city, it can get within about a tenth of a mile of your true location, compared to 10 feet for a GPS-equipped iPad. Out in the boonies, where the only Wi-Fi signal may be from your Millenicom MiFi, it's all but useless.

If you plan to use an iPad for navigating, you must buy one with cellular and GPS capability, even if you have no intention of using it on a cellular network. You don't need to activate a cell plan in order to use the GPS, but only those iPads that Apple describes as "Wi-Fi + cellular" contain a GPS chip. (It's actually the same chip that handles the cellular connection; that's why the two features are linked together.) Apple does little to make this clear, but it's very important for RVers.

You can, of course, buy a Wi-Fi-only iPad and use it that way, relying on a Nüvi or similar standalone GPS for navigating. But you'll be missing out on a whole host of things that a tablet can do based on knowing your location: find nearby rest stops, locate cheap gas, provide local weather reports and emergency notifications, recommend local restaurants... and of course find nearby campgrounds.

If your budget can't handle even a low-end iPad, Google's $229 Nexus 7 is an affordable Android tablet does have GPS. But if you can get a $199 iPad Mini from Millenicom while they still have them, that's obviously a better tablet at a lower price. Supplies seem to be intermittent, but they have been getting in new batches from time to time. I recommend calling them (800-996-1285 ext. 1) to ask about availability.

Andy Baird
http://www.andybaird.com/travels
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground App
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144188
Mary Lou,
 I use the app on my iPhone and iPad. My iPad is only Wi-Fi so if stopped somewhere with free Wi-Fi, you can use the iPad but the app works very well on the iPhone, just not as much screen real estate available as you have with the iPad.

Mary

From: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com [mailto:lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of mlknackjm@...

If you have a wi-fi only ipad, how does it know where you are? I don't have an ipad (yet) but was considering a wi-fi only mini retina. Can't really justify getting one with a cell plan - I barely use the data allowance on my smartphone anyway. I really wish the wi-fi ones came with GPS.

Mary Lou
Ultimate Campground App
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144166
Hi, folks,
 I've refrained from participating in this discussion until now over fears of it being considered commercialism, but I felt it was time to offer some suggestions and comments .
 There are at least two ways to find the Ultimate US Campground guide app:
 1  . On your device, go to the App Store and do a search for "ultimate us"
 - Two options will appear, select "the ultimate us public campground..."

2  . If you want to download through your computer, you can go to:
 https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=698323700&mt=8

3  . There is also a version of the app that will run on Mac computers:
 https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=737369000&mt=12

There is link to both those addresses on the Home page of www.ultimatecampgrounds.com on the upper right side .
 The data on the web site, the app and the downloadable POI List is all the same  . The big advantage to the app is the ability to filter on all sorts of criteria to narrow your search range.
 Yes, the name on the app is William Modesitt .  Bill is the fellow with whom I partnered to develop the app  . He's the app guy and I'm the data guy  .  I think he has done an outstanding job and he continues to come up with enhancements to the app .
 I guess you could say I'm a bit partial with my choice of the icon graphic  . That's a photo I took at Kirk Creek CG on the CA coast about 5 ½ years ago . My son merged the photo with some graphic design work to make the icon  .

I'm hoping sometime to come up with an Android version as well  .

Thanks for indulging me in these comments .

Ted H  .
@  Fort Bliss ,  El Paso , TX
 PS: Reviews of the app would be most welcome, and if you have any issues with the app, contact me for issues involving the data and Bill for app issues  .

1c .  Re: Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground App Posted by: "Mary Fowler Leek" mleek@comcast . net mleek@sbcglobal . net Date: Tue Dec 17, 2013 7:24 am ((PST))

Perhaps you can locate the app using the following link?

https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=698323700https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=698323700&mt=8> &mt=8

It says the seller is someone named William Modesitt but the photo of a Lazy Daze is on the app page  .

MEL
Re: Ultimate Campground App
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144205
Hi,
 I had previously bought the "Allstays Camp & RV" app for my iPad.  But I decided to take a look at the "Ultimate Campground Project" app too.

I like them both for different reasons.
 I took some screen shots from each app showing the same campground areas and the info screens for the same campground.  The link for the screen shots is below.   If you look in the right hand section of the picture info, you'll see the name I gave each screen shot so you'll get a general idea of what you're looking at.  Select the first picture and then right cursor through the pictures.

https://plus.google.com/photos/106937315275848305784/albums/5959351644772839873?authkey=COHZsr358vDrGw
 When you look at the pictures of the San Diego and the Yosemite area camp sites, you'll find that Allstays has more camp sites listed than Ultimate.  This is pretty obvious on the San Diego back country screen shots.  I also show a screenshot of a typical Yosemite camp site with information provided from Allstays and Ultimate.

They're both nice apps.
 One of the nice features that I like about Ultimate is that it has a direct link to YouTube and you can "sometimes" find a video showing pictures of each campsite at that campground.  This is a nice time saving features.  You can do the same thing by searching, but I'm lazy and like things easy.
 You need to look at the screenshots carefully and compare the both of the San Diego and both of the Yosemite campsites (compare apples with apples) and decide for yourself what is important to you.
 As I said, I like them both for different reasons.  I think Allstays is more complete, but Ultimate has some nice features that are missing from Allstays.  If I was going to pick only one app, I would go with Allstays.  The Ultimate is $5 and the Allstays is $6 (I think??), so it's a big investment.  Buy them both and have fun playing with each of them.

Bob
2000 MB
Re: Ultimate Campground App
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144206
You have to copy and paste the screenshot link into your browser because it wasn't recognized as a link in the post about the campground apps.  I copied and pasted the link and got an error on my iPad but it took me to the pictures regardless of the error notification.

Bob
2000 MB
Re: Ultimate Campground App
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144208
Bob,
 Thanks for your post regarding the Allstays versus Ultimate Campground app comparison  . As the guy behind the Ultimate Campground data, I need to respond . For some reason your screenshots of the Ultimate Campgrounds app do not accurately reflect the data it contains . It certainly looks as if you might have had some filters turned on or off that prevented all campgrounds from being shown .
 I've built a comparison page similar to yours at: http://www.wxtoad.com/Apps/UCAS1.html
 For example, to use your San Diego  area, when I filter out the Group campgrounds, I get the screen you show  . When all filters are "On" I see the same campgrounds that Allstays shows .
 As for Yosemite , both Allstays and Ultimate Campgrounds show 11 national park campgrounds, and Ultimate Campgrounds shows more USFS locations in the vicinity of the park .
 And just to toss in another comparison, you ought to take a look at Canyonlands NP in Utah : Allstays shows 3 campgrounds in the park, while Ultimate Campgrounds depicts 27  .

Regards, WxToad  aka Ted H .

Posted by:  rkarrow@cox . net rbkarrow Date: Thu Dec 19, 2013 11:09 pm ((PST))

I took some screen shots from each app showing the same campground areas and the info screens for the same campground .   When you look at the pictures of the San Diego and the  Yosemite area camp sites, you'll find that Allstays has more camp sites listed than Ultimate .   This is pretty obvious on the San   Diego back country screen shots .  Bob
Re: Ultimate Campground App
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144210
You're right, I did have the group campgrounds filtered out.  I'm usually not interested in group campgrounds because I don't travel  in a group.  That's the reason why I filtered groups.
 The campgrounds shown in the San Diego area as group on Ultimate are not just group campgrounds.  They are open to individuals too (been there done that).  I've seen campgrounds that are restricted to groups only and that's why I filtered groups.
 I've reset my Ultimate app with everything on and it shows everything that Allstays does.  There being no difference in campgrounds shown on either app.
 If I don't filter groups on Ultimate, how will I know that it's open to individuals also???

Bob
2000 MB
Re: Ultimate Campground App
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144214
Quote
On Dec 20, 2013, at 1:09 PM,

You're right, I did have the group campgrounds filtered out.  I'm usually not interested in group campgrounds because I don't travel  in a group.  That's the reason why I filtered groups.
 The campgrounds shown in the San Diego area as group on Ultimate are not just group campgrounds.  They are open to individuals too (been there done that).  I've seen campgrounds that are restricted to groups only and that's why I filtered groups.
 I've reset my Ultimate app with everything on and it shows everything that Allstays does.  There being no difference in campgrounds shown on either app.
 If I don't filter groups on Ultimate, how will I know that it's open to individuals also???

Bob
Re: Ultimate Campground App
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144215
Hi, Bob,

Not a problem - I've done the same thing with the filters myself.
 As for the group campgrounds, I can only go by the individual web sites for each location. If it shows that individuals are allowed use it as well, I'll include that info.
 As an example, I just checked the web sites for the three group campgrounds in the area you showed in your San Diego  screenshot: El Prado CG - there is no mention that individual use of the facility is allowed.  The same applies to Horse Heaven Group CG and Wooded Hill Group CG.
 If you'd be willing to share with me verifiable info about the campgrounds with which you are personally familiar, I'll be happy to include that info in the data.
 For anyone: if you see problems with data in the app, please use the contact method included in the app; there is also a contact form on the web site.
 I've been working on this data for over 5 years now, and it's not an easy task to ensure 100% accuracy. Just as I'm sure there are errors in my data, I've found lots of errors with Allstays campground data, with Don Wright's books, and even with the official websites for locations. But Allstays, Don and I are all doing our best to present the best data available.
 In the past few years I have removed about 1200 locations that I had originally included - they turned out to be duplicate entries, locations that do not offer camping, have been permanently closed, etc. I also have another list with about 2700 entries (the Phelps List referenced on the web site) that I do not include in the database for I have not been able to confirm enough information to feel that they are legitimate camping locations.
 At the end of the month I'll be adding another 200 locations to the data while deleting about 110. The web site and app are always a work in progress.
 So again, anyone with corrections or additions is encouraged to contact me about them. I'll thank y'all in advance for helping to ensure that Ultimate Campgrounds provides the most accurate data.

Thanks, Ted H.

Posted by:  rkarrow@... rbkarrow Date: Fri Dec 20, 2013 11:09 am ((PST))

You're right, I did have the group campgrounds filtered out.  I'm usually not interested in group campgrounds because I don't travel in a group.  That's the reason why I filtered groups.
 The campgrounds shown in the  San Diego area as group on Ultimate are not just group campgrounds.  They are open to individuals too (been there done that).  I've seen campgrounds that are restricted to groups only and that's why I filtered groups.
 I've reset my Ultimate app with everything on and it shows everything that Allstays does.  There being no difference in campgrounds shown on either app.
 If I don't filter groups on Ultimate, how will I know that it's open to individuals also???

Bob
Re: Ultimate Campground App
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144218
Ted, I never meant to diss your app and I apologize if I did.
 Earlier I said that if I had to choose only one app, I would select Allstays.  I want to amend that by saying both of these apps belong on your iPad or iPhone.  But if I was going to select a "campsite only" app, I would buy Ultimate.
 Both apps have a very minimal cost and anyone that can afford an iPad or iPhone should be able to easily buy both.  Ultimate is a campsite only app and is very good.  Allstays shows a lot of other things, such as the nearest Costco or Walmart.  These apps have different features to offer and I personally like that.  What one app may lack, the other may offer.
 Your remarks about Canyonlands National Park are very interesting as Ultimate shows dispersed campsites and that's another feature that I really like about Ultimate.  Allstays doesn't show dispersed campsites.  I personally do mostly dry camping and dispersed sites are of great interest to me.  That feature alone makes Ultimate a must have app for me.

Bob
2000 MB
Re: Ultimate Campground App
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144229
Morning, Bob,
 No offense was taken and no apology is needed at all.  I didn't take your comments as a "diss" at all. I probably ran on a bit more than I should have in my previous post, but I was just trying to explain my approach to the data I present.
 Allstays has a very good app with a lot of content other than campgrounds, and it's quite useful. However, I prefer to focus solely on publicly-owned camping spots and try to be the best at it.
 Some folks on the group may remember my East, Central and West POI lists from a few years ago. That was a pretty meager start to this and I had no idea that it would become what it has. It's lot of fun doing the research and keeps me out of trouble. At least Liz knows where I am.

Thanks for all your comments.

Ted H.

Posted by:  rkarrow@... rbkarrow Date: Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:02 pm ((PST))

Ted, I never meant to diss your app and I apologize if I did.

Bob
Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground App
Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144187
Mary Lou: I just found about this gadget yesterday and want to get one  . It's a Bluetooth GPS receiver that will communicate with a GPS-less device such an iPad or iPod without built-in GPS (such as I have):
 http://gps.dualav.com/explore-by-product/xgps150a/

Also, you can still use the campground app without a GPS . You can manually enter your current location and work from that .

WxToad (aka Ted H . ) @ Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX

Posted by:  mlknackjm@gmail . com mlknack Date: Wed Dec 18, 2013 8:18 am ((PST))

If you have a wi-fi only ipad, how does it know where you are? I don't have an ipad (yet) but was considering a wi-fi only mini retina .  Can't really justify getting one with a cell plan - I barely use the data allowance on my smartphone anyway .  I really wish the wi-fi ones came with GPS .

Mary Lou
Re: Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground App
Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144191
If you already have a Wi-Fi-only device, a Bluetooth GPS receiver is a way to add that capability.

But it costs almost as much as the price difference between a Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + cellular (+ GPS) iPad. And it's one more gadget to carry around and keep charged. Given the not insignificant cost of this accessory GPS unit, if you're currently shopping for a tablet, I think it makes more sense to buy one that already has GPS capability built in.

Andy Baird
http://www.andybaird.com/travels
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
cellular/wi-fi ipad
Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144199
Thanks for all the info. It hadn't occurred to me I could buy a cellular  ipad and not *have* to go through the cellular companies.  It's not a  budget thing, it's just my perceived sense of value. I've currently got an  Android cellphone thru Verizon, but am not thrilled about either Android nor the  data costs for VZ for adding another device. Question - are the new retina minis  really an international version even tho the Apple store says they need to be  configured for a particular cell company? Or would I need to get the T-mobile  flavor to be international?
 The idea of a tablet came up because my partner and I are planning an  Australia trip next summer and want to keep the electronic weight down. So  instead of two laptops and my ereader, just one netbook and a tablet might do. A  tablet rather than an ereader since it can do almost everything a computer can  do plus be an ereader. The netbook would serve to download the cameras' photos  and be easier to write with. I have high (and probably unrealistic) hopes of  keeping up with my blog in real time.
 I honestly haven't yet made up my mind about iOS vs Android on a tablet. I  left the Apple world in 2000 when company policy mandated new computers be  Windows AND I bought my first home computer. I had been frustrated with the  price of new hardware for the Mac at work and lack of programs (vs the PC), so I  reluctantly made the change even tho I loved the operating system. Now ~14 years  later, I go into an Apple store for the first time and fall in love with the  hardware again. System has significantly changed, but I was able to pick up the  gestures easily enough. But the prices!!! Including adding Parallels and Windows  for some programs that do not seem to have a counterpart on the Apple side.  Sigh. Sorry for the digression, I guess I just need to think out loud. Good ole  emotional lust vs practicality. The PC world is much cheaper, but I do have the  money to flip over if I wanted to. It's just the pain of making the transfer and  wondering if I would really be happier.
 LD content: I'm a former owner of a '96 TK and am hoping another LD is in  my future. My new (to me) partner has never RV'd before but I miss the leisurely  pace and COMFORT very much. We've taken several road trips around the US now and  I'm tired of hotels and the implied need to DO SOMETHING everyday because you  can't just sit around the hotel. Not that comfortable to do anyway. Emotional vs  practical again here. I emotionally want another TK ('08 or '09) but practically  I think a MB ('08 or newer) is better suited to a couple. Sigh. I guess I'll  just keep watching the listings.

Thanks for listening.

Mary Lou http://skip2mlou.blogspot.com/

From: Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 1:45 PM To:lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Subject: [LD] Re: Gifting Ted's Ultimate Campground  App

If you already have a Wi-Fi-only device, a Bluetooth GPS receiver is a way to  add that capability.
 But  it costs almost as much as the price difference between a Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi +  cellular (+ GPS) iPad. And it's one more gadget to carry around and keep  charged. Given the not insignificant cost of this accessory GPS unit, if you're currently shopping for a tablet,  I think it makes more sense to buy one that already has GPS capability built  in.

Andy Baird
http://www.andybaird.com/travels
 
Re: cellular/wi-fi ipad
Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144203
"are the new retina minis really an international version even tho the Apple store says they need to be configured for a particular cell company?"

Those who've tried it say that that they are.

"Or would I need to get the T-mobile flavor to be international?"

Because T-Mobile (AKA Deutsche Telekom) uses the older GSM signaling system--a system used in most of the world outside the US--phones and tablets that work with T-Mobile will also work in most other countries. But that doesn't mean you have to buy a T-Mobile phone or tablet.

To summarize:

1. A "plain" (non-Retina) iPad Mini can be used internationally only if it is the T-Mobile version. In the US, however, it cannot be used with any network except T-Mobile's--even if you switch SIM cards.

2. A Retina iPad Mini can be used with just about any carrier in the US or abroad, assuming you have the appropriate SIM card.

"instead of two laptops and my ereader, just one netbook and a tablet might do. A tablet rather than an ereader since it can do almost everything a computer can do plus be an ereader."

Sure, that would work. And the iPad can be used like a laptop, especially if you add an inexpensive Bluetooth keyboard.

"The netbook would serve to download the cameras' photos..."

Or you could download them to the iPad, using Apple's Camera Connection Kit, via SD card reader or USB cable. When I'm out shooting, I occasionally download images to my iPad this way, just so I can see them on a big screen and share them with friends.

"I honestly haven't yet made up my mind about iOS vs Android on a tablet."

If you want cheap, Android is the answer--no question. If you want freedom from malware, a large selection of tablet-optimized apps (iOS; 500,000+; Android: Google won't say, but all reviewers agree that there are not enough), and good long-term support, iOS is a better choice. There are other differentiators, but if we get into that argument, the many RVers here who couldn't care less about tablets would probably get out the tar and feathers. ;-)

"I emotionally want another TK ('08 or '09) but practically I think a MB ('08 or newer) is better suited to a couple."

Agreed--it gives you separate spaces and much more flexibility.

Andy Baird
http://www.andybaird.com/travels
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"