Let's see your In Vehicle computers and Nav

[mrstang01]

I'm getting ready to setup my vehicles for in-car nav with a Dell 600 laptop and one of the USB pucks from the ASUS thread. I want to be able to swap this from my Expedition Runner to my dedicated trail rig, to my daily driver Rav4.

What are you guys using for mounts, and what are the most useful accessories, like USB hubs, drives, etc? What kinds of mice or other pointers are you using?

What's the most useful software for daily driving, off road, and expedition travel (if there is one piece of software that will do that).

I've done some research, and read a lot of helpful threads here, but wanted to get some opinions and pictures.

Thanks!

Michael

 

[TheRoadie]

I use a Motion Computing M1400 tablet (last generation, but easier to upgrade the hard drive and available on Ebay for great prices nowadays). Important option is the "View Anywhere" sunlight readable display. I use a RAM-mount base and a bunch of RAM arms to move it around. Retired the pictured laptop spring loaded tray mount in preference to a Motion Computing cover used as a snap-in tray mount.

It uses Wacom tablet technology with a stylus for a mouse, but I also carry a Gyration gyro-mouse and Bluetooth keyboard for when I'm stopped.

GPS-enabled software includes Delorme Street Atlas 2007 for on-road driving and finding gas stations and hotels., Delorme TopoUSA 7.0 for generic offroad, and National Geographic TOPO! for real Topo maps.

 

[1leglance]

I will have to dig up some pics of my setup but I know you can search my user name for thread showing it all
check out the www.jeniko.com mounts, rock solid and less money than most any other, I love mine.
Iguidance has been a great street nav setup for years
semsons.com for all my gps stuff with great prices
oziexplorer for offroad

post up a report when you are all done

 

[outsidr]

Here is what I did in the Chevy.

The Lowrance Baja mounted in the front console, then we mounted the Edge A2 system monitor (the thing with digital gauges changes to a map when you push the button) with tom tom software using audible turn by turn nav in the headliner. I can update the SD card with topo maps in the Baja for off road and use the tom tom for city to city.... I have been pleased with both products..

The rear view mirror has two hidden lcd monitors in it to switch from camera to camera to spot the beast off road or tight parking FYI...

 

[articulate]

Here's Lance's thread with the Jeniko mount:
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7760

Very cool.

My brother used the same mount in his truck. He's got a post on it here:
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=127108&highlight=jeniko#post127108

 

[mrstang01]

Just ordered the Jeniko mount for my Rav, with an extra mount for my 4runner. How is everyone mounting their power cords, and what options are the handiest for in-car computers? USB Hubs, mice, etc?

Thanks,

Michael

 

[Grim Reaper]

Nothing pretty or fancy on mine. A cheap $50 used Armada laptop running N-Route being fed by a Garmin GPSV with a mag mount antenna on the hood. I am using a Gamber Johnson mount with the laptop clamp replaced with ply wood (soon aluminum plate once I get my Brake built so I can bend it the way I want) so I could offset it the way I needed. Industrial 3M Velcro and a could angle brackets hold it in place.

Pics in the build thread in my sig. It looks tight but only blocks the clock and one vent from the driver side. My wife is small so it is not bad on her in the passenger seat and she can swing it right into her lap and surf the net on the go with my Cell or aircard modem.

 

[adventureduo]

We used RAM mounts for all our apps. Very satisfied with the strength and durability.

 

[IH8RDS]

Ram Pod. I use Delorme TOPO USA.

I also use the Jenson Nav System. It has been hacked to work like a computer and play any mp4 mov and divx

 

[Switch]

I'm getting ready to setup my vehicles for in-car nav with a Dell 600 laptop and one of the USB pucks from the ASUS thread. I want to be able to swap this from my Expedition Runner to my dedicated trail rig, to my daily driver Rav4.

What are you guys using for mounts, and what are the most useful accessories, like USB hubs, drives, etc? What kinds of mice or other pointers are you using?

What's the most useful software for daily driving, off road, and expedition travel (if there is one piece of software that will do that).

I've done some research, and read a lot of helpful threads here, but wanted to get some opinions and pictures.

Thanks!

Michael

I used a dell D600 as the base unit for my navigation/entertainment system. I use a port replicator to dock the latop. I use MS Streets and trips as the default map system and switch to National geographics TOPO when I want more detail. MS S&T records where I've been so I don't get lost. TOPO shows me trails not in the MS S&T system. I've tried to use a com port splitter without success, so my navigator (AKA wife) has to chose which program to use. Also, my system also does GoogleEarth, exploiting the 2GB cache file so I don't need to have internet access all the time.

 

[LC/LR4Life]

Wow... what a mess.... Nobody cares about clean installs??

I am looking at my options for Lowrance GPS etc in my 100. Most of what I have seen for options just don't look right, or there just isn't room. If I come up with something, I'll post up.

 

[FlyNdrive]

Here is what I did for the FJ Cruiser I got the idea form Air2Air on FJCforums. It has a large flat panel on the passenger dash. I used an 8X8 piece of aluminum and curved it on the top to match the 1.75 diameter rounded section of the top of the dash that also holds the weight. I used Velcro to attach it to the dash. I bought a Toshiba docking station and used pop rivets to hold it to the bracket.

The computer has a wide angle view, so it is easily seen from the drivers seat. I use a "floating mouse" that fits in the hand (I would like to build a roller ball into the center panel). The computer is a flat panel touch screen. I also got a small cordless keyboard that the passenger can use to surf the net via a Motorola air card and remote antenna on the roof.

-Ben

 

[Grim Reaper]

Wow... what a mess.... Nobody cares about clean installs??

I am looking at my options for Lowrance GPS etc in my 100. Most of what I have seen for options just don't look right, or there just isn't room. If I come up with something, I'll post up.

Its' "lived in" :jumping:

My mess moves between three vehicles. That pretty well means I can't permently wire.

 

[Pskhaat]

Wow... what a mess.... Nobody cares about clean installs??

I don't think any of them look unclean at all. Here's the product that I liked for the LC:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7908&highlight=ham+radio

 

[LC/LR4Life]

Its' "lived in" :jumping:

My mess moves between three vehicles. That pretty well means I can't permently wire.

I can understand that. We have several 4wds as well and I have done the same thing with my CB and GPS.

That's all gonna change now though... we decided the 100 will be 'the' off road expedition vehicle, so we're gonna bend our will towards installing things to look as good and function as possible.