Bonz (Vic) replied:

Well you'll need some software, OziExplorere is a good start for about $130, I assume you have a GPS as well as a laptop, then you'll need a comms cable from the GPS to the laptop, about $60-$100 depending on what you need from GPSoz.com.au, then you're setup, if you want something that tells you to turn right or left then you'll need different software I reckon, someone else'll know about that.

Go for it.

geocacher (djcache) replied:

Don't forget some way of securing the laptop safely as 5kg floating around the cab in a bingle is a bit on the dangerous (lethal) side. The Minister of Finance may not appreciate it in front of her all the time either unless it's a very small notebook.

Maybe a better option would be a pocket PC like an IPaq or similar running OziExplorer CE which is much smaller. I haven't tried it but I know someone who aquired the software off one of the Pocket PC's by NAVMAN and runs it on their PocketPC just fine.

Either way a RAM mount is the best way of mounting them.

RAM Mounts

Dave

The Explorer replied:

Here are a couple of web pages to get you up to speed with what other people use - no idea who these people are but they seem to know what they're talking about:)

Navigation

Digital Navigation

Cheers
Greg

Member - JohnR (Vic) replied:

Richard, I agree with the guys above but suggest you go for a much lighter laptop and find that a 12" screen is fine and not anywhere as obtrusive. You can buy them cheaper too. Mine is only 1.6 Kg if I don't need the CDRom/DVD there at the time. They can be connected when I want.

I have a RAM mount too that is tailored to my requirement and mounted behind the centre console off the floor. Pictures for my setup is easy to dismount for when you don't use it.

Some travellers with plenty of space light to take a desktop replacement which is ok with the room. Taking a laptop means you can do all the usual email things easily or write reports for here if and when you would like to. I have written mine going along as a passenger sometimes on the arm shown above. Something I would hate to do on my PDA.

Footloose replied:

An interesting question and answers. I think many people would like to ask these sorts of questions but don't feel comfortable with their lack of knowledge.
What sort of mimimum specs would his laptop need ? Where can you buy a mount for the laptop ? If he buys Oziexplorer does he just load say "Desert Tracks" into his CD and away he goes ?
Lotta questions I know. Are they covered in the archives somewhere ?

Nick R replied:

if you already have the laptop try a search on gps mouse on ebay, a garmin 100 is about $160 with software if I remember correctly, comes with serial or usb connection, serial also needs 12v power.
NickR

Member - Moggs replied:

I have a laptop and Mobiledesk mount for sale in the trader section if anyone is interested....will break up the package and am flexible re: price...

XS Challenger replied:

Thankyou to everyone who responded, I will do some further research and when I get it going I will come and ask you all how to use it (ha ha ha ha)

Thanks again

Richard