Selecting & nounting my navigation computer in my 4x4's...

[off-roader]

I was tired of using 2 gps' for both topographic maps and street maps. Also the tiny screen is all but useless if you need to glance at the gps to find your bearings while driving off road. I knew I needed a better gps solution.

Of course there are also the more expensive gps systems w/ large +7"screens but don't have both topo and street navigation in one unit for a reasonable price. After searching for months I decided this isn't an offering any of the gps manufacturers are addressing currently nor would they be addressing in the near future as 99% of their clients haven't been asking for it.

I decided my best bet was to use a ultra light, ultra mobile laptop with a gps & topo/street mapping software.

Like the gps makers, I couldn't find gps mapping software providing both high res topo data along with street navigation data. I ended up using 2 software packages. National Geographic's Topo for California (which I already owned anyway) and Microsoft's Streets & Trips (also because it included a USB GPS receiver.

For hardware, I had been looking low and high for a suitable system.
Must Haves...
SSD (solid state drive) instead of a hard disk drive. I've heard all the nightmares with using a hard drive in rough off road terrain (it kills them quick) so an SSD was a manditory requirement.
8-10" LCD screen that was viewable in the vehicle.
Light weight: Less than 5 lbs if possible
Windows OS: As much as some people dislike it, it's still the most widely supported OS ON THE PLANET. Linux? Too much effort PERIOD.

I reviewed several netbook PC's including the ASUS eeepc and the Acer One. Both offer SSD's, Window OS, in a small light package. I also reviewed other lesser known manufacturers but I felt uncomfortable with their reliability.

I chose the Acer One primarily because of cost and availability. At $300 it was nearly $200 cheaper when I purchased mine!:Wow1:

I then installed both the National Geographic Topo Software and the MS Streets & Trips software on the laptop's 1st SD card (8GB) and it fit perfectly with a few megs of memory left over to spare. Since this laptop doesn't come with a CD drive I mapped my other laptop's cd drive via my home network in order to install it.

Next I needed to find a place to mount them on my 4x4's.
I own both a 1989 Mitsubishi Montero and a 1996 Montero. As part of their design both employ a center mounted gauge pod above the dash area between both passengers. This pod is of course mounted there with screws and I was able to fabricate a mount to fit both locations.

You can see the finished mount for my 96 in here... http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=97

I'll post pics from my gen I shortly as well.

HTH some of you who may be thinking about where to mount a computer in your rig. Sometimes a bit of good old creativity is a better answer than a high $$$ alternative like the commercially available mounts from companies like RAM, etc.
:smiley_drive:

 

[T-hacha-P]

Thanks for the write up! This is exactly what I've been thinking about doing. How hard is it to switch back and forth between vehicles? I've been trying to figure out a solution that can be quickly swapped between my truck and my wife's Civic, that can handle both on-road trips and off-road trips.

 

[off-roader]

Thanks for the write up! This is exactly what I've been thinking about doing. How hard is it to switch back and forth between vehicles? I've been trying to figure out a solution that can be quickly swapped between my truck and my wife's Civic, that can handle both on-road trips and off-road trips.

My pleasure. I hope it helps others who are looking for a solution.

As for attaching the laptop, I simply used 2" wide pieces of adhesive backed Velcro. I used the soft side on the laptop (so I can still put it on my lap) and the rough stuff on the mount. They're more then strong enough to hold the laptop even with the harshest off road bounces. This is also a key reason for using a netbook versus a larger laptop.

 

[sundaypunch]

As for attaching the laptop, I simply used 2" wide pieces of adhesive backed Velcro.

3M Dual Lock is a good option. Basically an industrial strength Velcro.

 

[ScoutII]

Good post. I've been looking and those ACER type P.C. Might be an option.

Question, does the software track where you have been? like the e-trek units. There are times when I head into the back woods and if it snows you will play hell finding your way back out.. What looks like the road could be a ice covered pond:wings:

 

[off-roader]

Good post. I've been looking and those ACER type P.C. Might be an option.

Question, does the software track where you have been? like the e-trek units. There are times when I head into the back woods and if it snows you will play hell finding your way back out.. What looks like the road could be a ice covered pond:wings:

Yes the Acer IMHO is a better solution than the Asus which is probably its closest competitor (also offer SSD option) however the Acer is only $300 and the Asus was alot more expensive when I purchased mine 3 months ago. That may have changed now with the renewed competition.

The Nat Geo Topo does. Not sure about other Topo Mapping products.

Not sure if the MS Streets and Trips does but I don't believe so or at least I've never seen this feature in it.

HTH.:coffeedrink:

 

[off-roader]

3M Dual Lock is a good option. Basically an industrial strength Velcro.

What I'm using for this mount is the standard velcro but in 2" wide strips.

I'm not sure if it's their dual lock velcro but I've used a 3m velcro that was 'like' velcro but instead of hooks and loops it had balls on the end of shafts that stuck out of the tape (shaped like the end of a some hair brush tips). This is on both sides and locks together nicely.

The only problem I've found is that if they don't line up properly when put together, it doesn't hold as well. Because of this reason, if you do elect to use this Velcro, you should put the two velcro sides together first. Then peel one side to reveal the adhesive and stick this where you want on the laptop (w/out detaching the 2nd velcro piece from the other side). Next, peel the plastic to reveal the other velcro pieces and position the notebook above the surface and place it carefully so that the pieces are properly aligned.

I hope that's not too confusing. :Wow1: