Laptops in vehicles
- Thread starter StumpXJ
- Start date
Sharkman
Observer
James,
Here are a few
>All the benifits of a regular GPS+
>Large viewing area for maps
>The ability to use street software to get you there and then switch to topo software for on the trail.
>Ariel photo storage for the areas you might be visiting
>Service manauls for your vehicle
>Digital photo storage
>A place to keep your equip list (which one of the 5 pelicon boxes has my toothbrush in it?)
Here are a few
>All the benifits of a regular GPS+
>Large viewing area for maps
>The ability to use street software to get you there and then switch to topo software for on the trail.
>Ariel photo storage for the areas you might be visiting
>Service manauls for your vehicle
>Digital photo storage
>A place to keep your equip list (which one of the 5 pelicon boxes has my toothbrush in it?)
Grim Reaper
Expedition Leader
You can also plug into the vehicles ECM and run real time diagnostics on the engine with program like like these. http://www.aldlcable.com/
In our Suburban when puling our Airstream it will also be used as a DVD player for the kids to watch movies and pass the time in addition to running our Navigation needs on cross country trips.
With a Aircard the passenger can surf the net as we roll. Even book campground reservations on sites like http://www.reserveamerica.com/
Add a TV tuner set up and you can use it as a TV as well.
In our Suburban when puling our Airstream it will also be used as a DVD player for the kids to watch movies and pass the time in addition to running our Navigation needs on cross country trips.
With a Aircard the passenger can surf the net as we roll. Even book campground reservations on sites like http://www.reserveamerica.com/
Add a TV tuner set up and you can use it as a TV as well.
mike h
Adventurer
I think it depends on how laptop savvy, or simply dependent, we may be. I always travel with one because it is my primary form of communication and research, but I don't yet mount it 'live' in the vehicle. As a nav device, a laptop is much more robust and easier on the eyes than a GPS or in-car nav display. You can use an external hardrive or bring a CD/DVD wallet to hold additional data sets.
I shoot a tremendous amount of digital photos, and I need a laptop or ipod to upload to if I'm out for more than a couple days.
I'd like to get a used Toughbook for mounting in the vehicle fulltime and running realtime GPS, my current laptop is a $3000. mac powerbook, so I'm a little more protective of when and where I use it. But I rarely go anywhere without it.
I'm always a bit surprised when people need a GPS or nav system to drive across the US on route 80. To me, the GPS and nav stuff is only needed when the pavement ends and paper maps get vague.
m.
I shoot a tremendous amount of digital photos, and I need a laptop or ipod to upload to if I'm out for more than a couple days.
I'd like to get a used Toughbook for mounting in the vehicle fulltime and running realtime GPS, my current laptop is a $3000. mac powerbook, so I'm a little more protective of when and where I use it. But I rarely go anywhere without it.
I'm always a bit surprised when people need a GPS or nav system to drive across the US on route 80. To me, the GPS and nav stuff is only needed when the pavement ends and paper maps get vague.
m.
Scott Brady
Founder
So I can write stories and get work done while on the road 
Verizon card, hook to the internet and make $$$ while driving someplace cool.
Verizon card, hook to the internet and make $$$ while driving someplace cool.
upcruiser
Perpetual Transient
For me its primarily allowing me to work remotely from on the road. Alot of my email correspondances and even posts on this forum are done from a vehicle alot of the time. I don't have a fixed mount at this point but was considering one in the future, especially if I start messing around more with integrating GPS. Since I have my sleeping arrangments laid out inside my 80, I've been known on a few occasions to watch DVD's when I'm chilling out in the evening and the weather is foul outside. I hook it through the truck's stereo system and get a theater experience.
RoundOut
Explorer
Sound systems, too
I use mine like everyone else, plus as an awesome sound system. The sound cards these days in computers are as sophisticated as any stereo system.
I like the fact that the abilities of all of the navigation, DVD, radio, tv, backup camera viewing, rock camera viewing etc. can be combined on one platform in a computer. Someday, I'd like to have carputer replacing the radio head unit and laptop, with just the larger screen as an external component.
I use mine like everyone else, plus as an awesome sound system. The sound cards these days in computers are as sophisticated as any stereo system.
I like the fact that the abilities of all of the navigation, DVD, radio, tv, backup camera viewing, rock camera viewing etc. can be combined on one platform in a computer. Someday, I'd like to have carputer replacing the radio head unit and laptop, with just the larger screen as an external component.
kcowyo
ExPo Original
Sharkman said:
That's an excellent idea that I hadn't considered. Very good call. :REOutArchery02:
For me, I've gone completely mobile. I dumped my landline and desktop PC a year or two ago and my film camera has sadly been retired as well.
My laptop, cell phone and digital camera are almost always on my person whenever I leave the house. I don't have a hard mount installed in the truck since I roll with the windows down too much and don't want to expose my laptop to dust.
Having access to my contacts, the 'Net and the ability to take, download and distribute photos in a matter of minutes has streamlined the whole process of keeping in touch with my peoples and researching the world around me, wherever that may be. Watching DVD's during inclement weather in camp is a luxury I'm considering as well.
mike h
Adventurer
Sharkman said:
I burn the service manuals and parts catalogs, plus any anecdotal tips like trail repairs that other folks write up on-line, to CDs as PDFs. That way, even if I don't have my laptop, I can access the data from any computer. I keep them in the glovebox all the time.
StumpXJ
SE Expedition Society
Great answers guys... thanks! Makes a lot of sense now. Just have to figure out if its something "I" can justify using in my truck. Ive got a spare laptop that i used for service work in the motorcyle world back when I was in the states. Its just sitting in the drawer now...hmmmm....
Bad thing is, I already have a GPS, I have an indash DVD player (no screen) and I already have a camera system with a 7inch monitor(the DVD player also uses this), so im not sure it would be worth it? Im a sucker for electronic gadgets, but im running out of room in the Taco, the Laptop would be the pushing it over the top... My wife already says it looks like a boeing 747because of all of the switches and crap in the truck...But she doesnt have to drive it right?...lol
~James
PS, the internet would be cool to have in the truck though....
Bad thing is, I already have a GPS, I have an indash DVD player (no screen) and I already have a camera system with a 7inch monitor(the DVD player also uses this), so im not sure it would be worth it? Im a sucker for electronic gadgets, but im running out of room in the Taco, the Laptop would be the pushing it over the top... My wife already says it looks like a boeing 747because of all of the switches and crap in the truck...But she doesnt have to drive it right?...lol
~James
PS, the internet would be cool to have in the truck though....
devinsixtyseven
Explorer
If you want something with a lower clutter factor, try PC104 platforms--mini computers. The outputs are the same as a fullsize, and the form factor is stackable...you want another DAC board? Just stack it on. You can even get 640x480 flip down eyeglass monitors with twiddle keyboard and mouse, so you can look like the Borg driving through DV.
More realistically, you can stick the PC104 somewhere in your dash, or behind a body panel, or in the glove box, with a couple drives (DVD+RW, floppy, USB) sealed in a box if you need to connect them and connectors for drives, KB and mouse hidden under the dash. The CPU and bus can be hidden away wherever you want. All these small form factor units can run completely headless...boot and go. You can attach touch screens, regular monitors, LCD screens, whatever you like. A KVM-like switch lets you swap between cameras, nav units and computers. All you need exposed is the screen, the keyboard and mouse can hide until they're necessary. With a touch screen, you don't even need the KB and mouse...location + pressure = mouse click. Of course, you'll need to be a decent programmer to work that out.
There used to be a PC104 unit manufactured specifically to replace the stock HU, but I don't know what happened to it. Sometimes they show up on Ebay.
The downside to this sort of setup is that the computer becomes part of the truck...you can't take it in to the restaurant or next to the fire in camp.
-Sean
More realistically, you can stick the PC104 somewhere in your dash, or behind a body panel, or in the glove box, with a couple drives (DVD+RW, floppy, USB) sealed in a box if you need to connect them and connectors for drives, KB and mouse hidden under the dash. The CPU and bus can be hidden away wherever you want. All these small form factor units can run completely headless...boot and go. You can attach touch screens, regular monitors, LCD screens, whatever you like. A KVM-like switch lets you swap between cameras, nav units and computers. All you need exposed is the screen, the keyboard and mouse can hide until they're necessary. With a touch screen, you don't even need the KB and mouse...location + pressure = mouse click. Of course, you'll need to be a decent programmer to work that out.
There used to be a PC104 unit manufactured specifically to replace the stock HU, but I don't know what happened to it. Sometimes they show up on Ebay.
The downside to this sort of setup is that the computer becomes part of the truck...you can't take it in to the restaurant or next to the fire in camp.
-Sean
JohnC
Observer
Jotto Desk
http://www.jottodesk.com
I made my own: used a keyboard tray (the ones that tuck underneath your desk), a closed circuit camera mount (pivots in all directions) and some tubing. Mount it on the tranny tunnel and voila.... you all set to go.
I use MS Street & Trips and Delorme GPS S/W. I can hear the driving instructions better than on a regular GPS.
http://www.jottodesk.com
I made my own: used a keyboard tray (the ones that tuck underneath your desk), a closed circuit camera mount (pivots in all directions) and some tubing. Mount it on the tranny tunnel and voila.... you all set to go.
I use MS Street & Trips and Delorme GPS S/W. I can hear the driving instructions better than on a regular GPS.
ShearPin
Adventurer
Ram Mount
My brothers had good luck with Ram Mounts - modular mounts for anything and everything.
http://www.ram-mount.com/
He's used both the computer and GPS mount. Washboard roads etc. the mount is solid. Attached is his Hummer Ram Mount install....
http://www.4x4freedom.com/hmcs.htm
8 more shots at the bottom of the page....
Henry
www.4x4freedom.com
My brothers had good luck with Ram Mounts - modular mounts for anything and everything.
http://www.ram-mount.com/
He's used both the computer and GPS mount. Washboard roads etc. the mount is solid. Attached is his Hummer Ram Mount install....
http://www.4x4freedom.com/hmcs.htm
8 more shots at the bottom of the page....
Henry
www.4x4freedom.com