LCD TFT Dash Monitor VGA-AV plugs etc...

John
Q1
Geez you sure know to ask a stumper, Harvey Norman , maybe Terlins , Uniden GNS8600 for Australia www.ja-gps.com.au/uniden_gns86001.htm has a very good sized monitor/GPS. The last time I was in Olbis at Rocklea Qld they had a good range , they do internet sales www.olbis.com.au/
The Garmin StreetPilot 7200 Site Link has a large screen, and then there is the beauty advertised on EO The NavNet www.navnet.org.au/

Q2
if it works , then keep going with it.

John
I am enjoying this chat, fair Dinkum, If it's the dash your worried about it won't break , made of steel, and these Mounts are designed for the purpose you want , check out the website

www.ja-gps.com.au/ram-mount3.html



Doug

John
Not sure what that RAM Mount is made of but they are made for 4x4ing etc, but if you want something strong then as I would do is get my little welder out and make one , and if people told me 1/2 inck tubing will do the job then the old brain starts ticking and off I go and make it with 1 inch or 1/2 inch but double the thickness , anyhow if you have a look at the one Willem made you will get an idea , there is talk about it at PostID: 45759

The single RCA type plug and socket is a composite? video signal. Whereas the VGA has seperate leads for each colour RGB and seperate sync signal.
Each lead has it's own screen (earth connection) less noise and sharper image is the end result. Less roll off at the high frequencies, which means sharper resolution for your maps.

Of course I stand corrected

cheers

Hi John,
About a year ago, I hooked a computer up to my 7inch indash screen using a VGA to composite video converter. The resolution was not good. And I then used a TabletPC until I broke it.

But last month, I revisited the idea - I got hold of an old Tosh laptop that had a yellow RCA socket (composite video out) that hooked directly to the screen - its now quite acceptable. We used it for the first time last week in the GVD, and having the mapping on a screen that popped out just above the stereo was very, very nice. The resolution was good enough for both the Auslig and Hema to be very readable. I wondered whether the screen would shake off with the corrugations, but it was fine - just needed a velcro strip to stop it from flopping down.

I would suspect that with the recent screens, a direct VGA or composite video connection will suit your needs.

Cheers
phil

Cheers
phil

G'day John,

I like your description of a 75 series troopy's gentle ways when the going is rough! You really get the feel of the road when it's corrugated, and so does everything in the vehicle. For this reason we have NOT gone for a rigid mount for the screen.

A few words about screens: Your laptop probably provides a 1024x768 image, that is 1024 pixels wide, 768 high. You should be able to plug in an extension screen, but to get the best from it, that screen's resolution should match the resolution of the laptop. VGA is 640x480. Most VGA screens will be smart enough to do the conversion from 1024x768, but it will not be as good as the original laptop picture. Better to look for a 1024x768 screen, often called XGA. Another very useful feature available on some of them is the touchscreen - this takes the place of the mouse - easier to use than a mouse and one less thing you have to carry. Some have other options such as having both a VGA input and a video input which could be used with a reversing camera. Others include a TV tuner.

Mounting - We use a 9" touchscreen. Our troopy has on top of the dash a plinth to carry the fuel gauge for the second tank. Our screen is suspended in a sling - a closed loop of strong material about 6" wide, which goes from the bottom of the screen, passes under the plinth, up the back (windscreen side)of it , over the top and onto the top of the screen. The screen is free to jump up and down a few inches, though it rarely does. The standard screen mounting has been discarded - far to frail for a troopy - and the screen itself is mounted in a cloth satchel which is attached to the sling with velcro. This system has survived some pretty horrible bumps and corrugations. The only downside is that the screen hangs in front of the second fuel gauge and the radio. Hardly a problem since the mounting is so flexible and the screen can be lifted out of the way when necessary.

A picture would be worth at least 1000 words, if you're interested I'll see if I can get one and post it here.

HTH

John

i went thru this about 10 months ago in perth and could not find many on display.
things might have changed but strathfield hi-fi and alberts stereo do some stuff.
you really should use vga for a screen, not all tft have a vga input.
i was contemplating changing my 2-din cd player for a 1-din cd player and a 1-din motorised tft with vga.
unfortunately the other half saw the quote.
there was some tft's on the net (from hong kong etc) if you are game.
one more powerball.

Noticed a few at Jaycar the other day while looking for something else. Didn't take much notice of the brands or what sort of setup they got tho. Might be worth a look.