Overland Navigator: New product launch
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
StumpXJ
SE Expedition Society
Craig, forgive my retardedness. I just purchased an HP TX1000z notebook/tablet touch screen computer, for use in my vehicle, with your software and a few other things.
I will be using this primarily on the east coast, so I will have to make due with the USA basemap in the 1:100K scale. I am ok with that. My questions: (bare with me)
1.) Just confirming, I need to buy the software AND the USA Map Pack correct? And if I want a specific map, I just buy that map itself. Once I buy the software, I can buy or add any map pack I want to right?
2.) I *thought* I remember seeing on your website something about "what GPS units are compatible"... I cant find it now, am I going crazy or? I have a "on road" style GPS with USA road maps, will the softare be able to use this GPS signal, or does it have to have a specfic GPS system?
3.) This doesnt really have anything to do with your software, but perhaps you can answer. How do I hook the GPS to the computer? Does the Overland Navigator automatically recognize the GPS signal?
I am probably making this way more complicated than it is, but I just dont want to buy something that wont work for me.
~James
I will be using this primarily on the east coast, so I will have to make due with the USA basemap in the 1:100K scale. I am ok with that. My questions: (bare with me)
1.) Just confirming, I need to buy the software AND the USA Map Pack correct? And if I want a specific map, I just buy that map itself. Once I buy the software, I can buy or add any map pack I want to right?
2.) I *thought* I remember seeing on your website something about "what GPS units are compatible"... I cant find it now, am I going crazy or? I have a "on road" style GPS with USA road maps, will the softare be able to use this GPS signal, or does it have to have a specfic GPS system?
3.) This doesnt really have anything to do with your software, but perhaps you can answer. How do I hook the GPS to the computer? Does the Overland Navigator automatically recognize the GPS signal?
I am probably making this way more complicated than it is, but I just dont want to buy something that wont work for me.
~James
Abel Villesca
Explorer
overlander
Expedition Leader
I'll take a stab at this. I had Delorme Topo (2007 version I believe) for my Toughbook before Overland Navigator became available. Now that I have OJ, I don't even have it loaded. Once Craig has all the maps available for all the states, I think Topo is going to be in real trouble. Delorme has tried to make the software a 'jack of all trades" in my opinion, and added ton's of features I have no interest in at all. This makes setup and usage of basic functions overly complicated. Many features are not intuitive at all. The one advantage I think Topo does have over other map programs is their database for searching for named places/landmarks. Unfortunately for Topo, the excessive "feature-palooza" they have going on has caused everything to be pretty much menu format, which would be a nightmare trying to use on the move in a vehicle. Zooming, panning, etc. all require precise mouse clicks to interact with, not at all compatible with a codriver trying to interact with a laptop while on the move on alternative corregated roads or 1+ trails. This is where Overland Navigator reigns suppreme...the moving map format. I am just overwhelmed with how intuitive the front end interface is on Overland Navigator. Nice big buttons for fat fingers on a touchscreen bouncing down a corrugated road. Buttons all disappear when you arent' touching the screen or the mouse isn't moving, so you can see all the terrain features, and no screen space is taken up by "fluff". I love how panning works. just touch the screen and scan, then it automatically snaps back in a few seconds after you stop. you also have the choice of staying in panning mode. Once configured, the gps will auto connect as soon as you have a signal..and that is any standard serial nmea signal, which is 90% of the GPS units out there. if you lose a connection (say during repeated hibernation), a quick touch of the gps button on the screen revitalizes the gps signal.
Overland Navigator "seems" to be pretty resource friendly as well. I'm running mine with other apps, with no issues on my machine. Using a com port splitter program (I have xport), I have dedicated coms for overland navigator and my street navigation software (Iguidance), which I can run both concurrently sharing the same gps feed, and bounce back and forth on street versus topo moving maps all day long. Thats pretty much what day trail riders and expo travelers need. Perfect situational awareness. Intuitive moving map so I can use orienteering to validate my route off road is all I need. Topo is probably the better tool if you are doing trail/off road PLANNING, but once you leave the pavement, Overland Navigator is the hands down winner.
I know that Craig is working on some nice to have features based on beta tester requests. I can't wait to see how he can make the software even better. I'm stuck in Iraq right now, but can't wait to get back and take my Rover out with Overland Navigator and start trail riding with moving map. How cool is that? :victory:
overlander
Expedition Leader
I have a CF-18. My Defender has a car computer installed though, with a 7" touchscreen, which will be my main application for use of Overland Navigator. Any laptop with a touchscreen however, mounted in an expo vehicle, would be a perfect application of Overland Navigator. Also keep in mind that for an expo vehicle install, you don't need to have a touchscreen. it's not a requirement. There are multiple kinds of install scenarios that one can use, to include just using the laptop touchpad. touchscreens are the ideal though. and for the cost of a hand held gps with the way to small screen for vehicle use, someone can add a 5"-7" vehicle touchscreen to their rig. They come with long monitor cables, and the touchscreen hooks up to the laptop with a usb cable. That, a usb gps and a small inverter for the laptop power source, and one can have a car pc with moving map.
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daverami
Explorer
I have an Asus EeePC 1000HE. It works quite well with Garmin nRoute, Overland Navigator, and OziExplorer. I have my Garmin GPS attached to it. It's power connection is either 12V adaptor or 110V AC from my in-cab inverter. The screen is great. When it is really bright, there is always some glare, but the 1000HE screen is anti-glare. All hardware is attached by RAM mounts.
Here's a pic of my setup.
cactusjk
Explorer
I think the Asus 1000 HE looks like a great way to go. Do you recommend 2G ram? I know the T91 is coming out (at about 2x the cost of the 1000 HE!) so I am inclined to go the 1000 route for now.
I have an Asus EeePC 1000HE. It works quite well with Garmin nRoute, Overland Navigator, and OziExplorer. I have my Garmin GPS attached to it. It's power connection is either 12V adaptor or 110V AC from my in-cab inverter. The screen is great. When it is really bright, there is always some glare, but the 1000HE screen is anti-glare. All hardware is attached by RAM mounts.
Here's a pic of my setup.
cactusjk
Explorer
daverami
Explorer
From what I read about the 1000HE, I didn't even bother with the 1Gig of RAM. I ordered 2 gigs when I bought it and put it in.
This is what I used for the mount:
http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045086066045049051056045083087049/Default.aspx
All the separate parts are broken down.
I didn't need to use the double swing arm. I took it apart and just used a single.
I found the kit on Ebay for 100 bucks.
I used the Tough Tray II for my 1000HE.
http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045050051052045054/Default.aspx
The regular Tough Tray that came with it is too big.
This is what I used for the mount:
http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045086066045049051056045083087049/Default.aspx
All the separate parts are broken down.
I didn't need to use the double swing arm. I took it apart and just used a single.
I found the kit on Ebay for 100 bucks.
I used the Tough Tray II for my 1000HE.
http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045050051052045054/Default.aspx
The regular Tough Tray that came with it is too big.
esh
Explorer
Looks very nice!
Night mode- I've seen this in Ozi, IIRC. Overlay red or blue to ease night vision. Does this exist?
Also about data set integration- Does ON allow for, say, the satellite data to exist on a 32G CF card and not require me to "install" into the typical map data directory?
I am running an Itronix ruggedized tablet- touchscreen, works great for this type of application. Problem is I have limited space with a 40G drive (it is ruggedized with some unique connections and I haven't found an upgrade for it yet- not your typical laptop drive). However the unit has a few flash slots, including CF.
(would also love to see it for Android and Linux!)
Night mode- I've seen this in Ozi, IIRC. Overlay red or blue to ease night vision. Does this exist?
Also about data set integration- Does ON allow for, say, the satellite data to exist on a 32G CF card and not require me to "install" into the typical map data directory?
I am running an Itronix ruggedized tablet- touchscreen, works great for this type of application. Problem is I have limited space with a 40G drive (it is ruggedized with some unique connections and I haven't found an upgrade for it yet- not your typical laptop drive). However the unit has a few flash slots, including CF.
(would also love to see it for Android and Linux!)
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