Touch Screen and USB

G’Day Troll,

First of all, the USB port problem. Yes, by including a USB Hub you will overcome the problem re lack of available ports.

Keyboard: If you are using a Touchscreen, why do you need a Keyboard? That is the whole purpose of a Touchscreen, to eliminate the need for a keyboard.

GPS: “The GPS receiver will be Bluetooth so I will need another USB port for that”
Are you sure? You can buy a GPS CF Card, which fits in to a PC Card slot of your Laptop. This may be a better and cheaper solution for your needs, unless you require a stand-alone GPS from time to time. Check out the ExplorOz Shop.

OziExplorer: I assume you may be referring to the moving map feature of OziExplorer.
The GPS coordinates (your actual location) are displayed on the loaded map and as you travel, the map moves (scrolls) in the direction of travel, so the location is continually updated to display your position. The cursor can be set to show towards the top, bottom, or the centre of the map display.

Touchscreen: I am still “out to lunch” as to the value of a touchscreen, especially for OziExplorer. If you are only using it for the moving map feature then it is OK, but if you wish to enter a waypoint, or activate a menu icon within Ozi, then in my opinion, the display is just too small, even if using a “pick stick” instead of your finger.

I mount the touchscreen in between the front seats, above the console, but when we want to perform some function within Ozi, we usually pull out the Laptop from under the seat and place it on the navigator’s lap. Basically, a PITA.

I would recommend you check out OziExplorer on your Laptop before you lash out on other hardware you may find you don’t really need. OziExplorer is very good and you can purchase it for around $120. (Also available in the “Shop”)

Can’t help you with nRoute. I have never seen it. Just be aware that if you wish to use this, it would appear that you will be restricted to a Garmin GPS unit, rather than the GPS CF Card mentioned above.

I would recommend that you re-evaluate exactly what functionality you require from a GPS system, then research places such as www.ja-gps.com.au/gps-travroute.html and www.gpsoz.com.au/index.htm for additional information and solutions.

Hi Troll
Have a look at these guys they may help with your setup
" target="EOF" class="lbg">www.bitdistribution.com.au/?g=1
www.happyg.mine.nu/carpc/index.html

That map from landcruiser well I don't think I would rely on that to much, it's more of a rough guess of where you are going.
I'm from the noosa area and we are planning on heading out there for the expo next month might see you there

Lorne........

There are two types of Maps that you can load into OziExplorer.

Map Images - i.e. JPG, TIF, BMP, PDF etc. These are just ordinary pictures. Before you can use them in OZI you need to calibrate them - tell Ozi which part of the map is which co-ordinate - it's not hard but takes time.

Maps already calibrated for Ozi - these have 2 files per map - the image file itself and a calibration file *****.map.

How accurately your postion appears on a map depends on
- map accuracy - even aerial photos need correction
- calibration accuracy - you may need 9 calibration points
- gps accuracy

Mike

Troll

Your problems seem to echo those of others who regularly post on this site with similar questions.

As I am also a bit challenged in these area and probablyt wanting to duplicate a similar set up as yours I wonder if it would be worth conducting some workshops in the various states so that we can all be instructed in the correct set-up, pitfalls etc.

I am sure if we contacted various trade houses, ozexplorer etc they would be more than willing to help.

Just a thought

Have fun

Don't USB hubs require an external power supply?

otherwise you may be drawing too much power through a single connector

Troll,
You obviously have access to the internet so you can do what I do. Get onto the gpsaustralia web site and check out the forums. www.gpsaustralia.net These guys specialise in oziexplorer. There is a free download available called Mapgrabber. It has a name search in it.
Click on name search, and type in a town name or scroll down to find the town you need. Double click on town name and click on preview. Direction key will take you to maps in the vicinity. There is a key toward the bottom which will save map and creat .map file. Save in a folder in oziexplorer. In oziexplorer with the first map opened and gps turned on and in moving map mode, your position will be displayed on the map. When the cursor reaches the edge of the map it will automatically load in the next map and continue doing so as long as you have maps for the area you are in.
I have done this for a trip from Mareeba to Townsville. You may want to unclick the find map with more detail button to avoid maps changing frequently when you approach the junction point of several maps.
I think someone on this forum has also been attacking this from a slightly different direction.
Hope this helps.
Mac