Using a Computer in car

Hi Bigbear,

My husband has made up a table which sits in the open glove box. The computer sits on foam (to cushion the bumps) and the inverter sits in the glove box behind. The GPS feeds into the cpr.

Only problem, you need a passenger to read the maps!! Can cause a bit of arguing if they read maps like I do.

This works really well in our car (an NP Pajero) don't know how it would work in other vehicles.

Lynn

Hi Bigbear,

I am in the process of fininshing the setup on my vehicle.

I will post photo's when complete.

My requirements for the setup were to do the following:

1. GPS Mapping
2. Play dvd movies for kids
3. Able to download photo's from camera when the memory card was full.

I have purchased a "Trek MobileDesk" as per link below

MobileDesk

I hope to mount in front passenger seat for gps stuff and mount behind centre console for kids to watch dvd's on. You need to buy extra bases so it is easily moveable.

Hope this helps

Tony G

Bigbear.
I have a "Mobiledesk" unit mount in my Jack. Not a cheap option but very flexable. Laptop can swivel so both can use it.

Regards

Look up laptop brackets in the forum , I have posted Pics of my set up

Hi Bigbear
I have just hooked up a Garmin etrax to a HP iPAQ 2210 Pocket PC and use OziExplorer CE to run my maps which are converted using ozi software i can view all my maps loaded on to CF or SD cards and can down load them at night while not driving.
It's smaller and can be mounted on the dash works quite well
regards
Richard

I purchased a 7.2 inch LCD screen with remote and car mount from ebay for $130 + postage, which is attached in the centre of the dash. My laptop hangs off the cargo barrier between the two front seats in a cotton canvas bag (you know the type they hand out at conferences...) with ventilation holes in the right places so it doesn't overheat. In the mornings I fire it up, switch to moving map, load my route for the day and whack it back in the bag. It's easy to see and generally no need to touch the laptop again until you're finished for the day - just remember to switch off the screensaver!!
Cheers
Gerry

G'day Bigbear,
My system as follows -
HP / compaq notebook (wont go into details)
Lilliput 7.2 inch touchscreen (VGA - 1024 x 768)
Magellan trailblazer XL GPS
powerbox 300w inverter
Oziexplorer
Oziexplorer 3D
entire state (vic) at 1:25,000
entire state (vic) 3 second Digital elevation model
20mW crystal locked PLL FM stereo transmitter
Sony DSC10 5megapixel cybershot camera

Basically, the laptop lives in an aluminium "aerolite" box, (foam padded interior) with filtered cooling fans. Also inside the box lives the GPS and the FM transmitter.
The touch screen TFT display has been mounted in my out back overhead console. It's in the forward section, where most people mount UHF CB. Some fairly serious mods to the console need to be undertaken, and the screen is mounted using a 4" RAM mount, so it can be folded up out of the way, or angled for the driver, passenger or rear passengers.

The Touchscreen controls the laptop beautifully, VGA monitor out from the laptop, USB back, (for control.) Laptop plays DVD's MP3's and the Audio out is fed to the FM transmitter and then I tune the stereo into the correct frequency for perfect audio.Touch screen comes with drivers CD.

The gps antenna is a trimble active antenna, mounted on the snorkel head. Data from GPS goes to com port1 of laptop.

The sony USB lead is permenantly in USB port 2, with the sony end coiled up out of the way. - a 128Mb card downloads in about a minute, also controlled by touchscreen.

The touchscreen comes with a small stylus, but i made a pen size unit, turned up from soft teflon. ( The screen gets grubby quickly if using the fingers!)

Windows XP pro has an onscreen keyboard (check it out under Start,all programs,accesories,accessability,on screen keyboard.) I have a shortcut in my toolbar This is perfect for naming waypoints track file names etc.

Ive got Heaps of time saving tips for yourself, or anyone else interested if you decide to go down this path. Also have heaps of pictures of the entire install before ,during and completed construction.

The whole lot is mounted in my 100 series cruiser and just spent the last week touring the alpine nation park. Didn't miss a beat (computer/touchscreen etc)

If you want see any of the pics, or see the install in person, (or anyone else considering a similar idea) I'd be proud to show of my handywork.

I'm in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne...

Jarrod.

Thanks to everyone who posted ideas. This has given me a lot to work with, and some dollars to spend :).

Bigbear

Peter, the touchscreen came with all approriate leads i.e. VGA, ( usb lead builtin to end of 15pin DB connector), USB to twin Video and mono audio and power in, and Two separate Power leads. 1 for mains, 1 for 12V. The main lead used here is the VGA lead, a 9 core shielded lead that is unfortunately only about two meters long, so had to be extented, easiest way was to section in a lenght of 9 core shielded monitor cable, available for a couple of bucks a meter.

Any body else interested or other questions, hit me off line at jarrodokane@bigpond.com.au

P.s., easier for me to send pics from here than post them any where...

Cheers,

Jarrod.