Setup for in car laptop

ladysman217

ladysman217

New Member
G'day,

Does anyone know the best way to set to use a GPS with a laptop in a car? I am thinking of a bluetooth GPS with Oziexplorer. Is that a good idea or not?

I want to be able to keep track logs and also be able to have some idea where I am. :)

Cheers
 
M

myjk

New Member
I my self have oziexplorer and yes having your laptop to log your tracks is a very smart move. Have you looked on eBay yet for a usb GPS I got mine for about 50 bucks and it works faster than a bluetooth unit just as small and you do not need to recharge it, or get a GPS that is PC compatible I also have this setup. I like it more because you can cross reference and if the laptop stops you are not lost
 
ladysman217

ladysman217

New Member
Hey Myjk,

Thanks for the info. I picked up a Solar powered bluetooth GPS. Seems to work pretty well. It is supposed to have about 40 hours without a recharge, which should be enough. Oziexplorer seems pretty good.
 
Guppy

Guppy

New Member
GPS stuff

If you use a laptop I found some good software but a bit expensive , good for logging
travelmate.valkron.com
 
T

the evil twin

New Member
I run a lappy under the seat with an 8 inch screen on the centre dash, trackball mouse and usb GPS under the dashmat... means all I have to do when I park anywhere is hide the screen and trackball.
Software on the lappy is OziExplorer. Trackranger is a bit easier to use but doesn't have near the same amount of 3rd party support or users. Also having Ozi means I can swap maps between my PDA

I also run an ASUS 636 PDA beside the binnacle on the drivers side with Tomtom and Ozi CE. Tomtom gives me auto voice routing on the blacktop and OziCE gives me manual voice routing offroad (not that I use the voice all that much as I am usually exploring)
 
MickO

MickO

New Member
I have apanasonic toughbook mounted in my patrol and have both Ozi and Trackranger programs loaded. I've used Trackranger primarily as it's easier to use as a novice. I have a Franson GPSgate so I can use both programs simultaneously from the one GPDS receiver. I've found the USB mouse GPS to be the best as it doesn't need charging, sits easily on the dash and no issues with connectivity.

Cheers. Mick
 
Quozie

Quozie

4x4 Earth Contributer
Hi,
I use a laptop with BT GPS receiver and it works great, powered by a 300watt invertor, i took this option over a car charger due to price of car charger and multilple uses of the invertor (better value for money). My biggest delema is comvincing the handbrake to hold it. I've looked around for reasonable priced brackets and only come up with a tripod thing from the states. Another suggestion/thought was to cut into the dash (no airbag) and put in a draw. The most inexpensive way is to put the LT under the seat, run a touch screen installed into the DIN area for the stereo (replace).
I am currently running my Magellan 315 along with my Navman PDA then up loading the tracks to laptop. I'm finding this keeps the handbrake happy and I get to log my routes.
If you need mor einfo, PM me
 
Quozie

Quozie

4x4 Earth Contributer
I'm using a Blue tooth unit I got off ebay, works great, can't give you a brand yet as it's packed with all my gear from Sherah, should be able to get it out on the weekend
 
grit

grit

Member
my original laptop had RS232 GPS connection. when it died I replaced it with one without this connection and had to get an adaptor to usb (plus driver). This connection is fickle to say the least. I now use my desktop (has all connection options) to load maps to & from gps - then network that to my laptop. waiting on a group buy on Garmin 60CSX - great for geocaching and easy fast connection to my laptop.

The cup-holder is not the best mounting position for the laptop - I'm slowly convincing her that a 7" touch-screen with reverse camera, mpeg4, mp3, and memory slot for my tunes is the best option.
 
Pure Yobbo

Pure Yobbo

Moderator
Need Some Info

Ok You guys have me very interested in this whole GPS / Ozi - Explorer stuff.

I have never given it much thought because I really didn't want to spend the coin. But after reading what you good fellow 4x4 earth members have written I might be able to pull this off.

A couple of questions.

1) Can you buy an adaptor to run your laptop on 12V. Or is an invertor the way to go.
2) Could I use my Tom Tom as the receiver for the Laptop or should I purchase oneof these $50 jobbies I have read you guys chatting about?
3) Should I buy an invertor? That way I can run my Laptop and do my hair???? :D I have an old laptop that I would use - the current laptop is to good to take trashing around in the bush.

Thanks in advamce for your help.

Cheers
 
Quozie

Quozie

4x4 Earth Contributer
Pure Yobbo said:
Ok You guys have me very interested in this whole GPS / Ozi - Explorer stuff.

I have never given it much thought because I really didn't want to spend the coin. But after reading what you good fellow 4x4 earth members have written I might be able to pull this off.

A couple of questions.

1) Can you buy an adaptor to run your laptop on 12V. Or is an invertor the way to go.
2) Could I use my Tom Tom as the receiver for the Laptop or should I purchase oneof these $50 jobbies I have read you guys chatting about?
3) Should I buy an invertor? That way I can run my Laptop and do my hair???? :D I have an old laptop that I would use - the current laptop is to good to take trashing around in the bush.

Thanks in advamce for your help.

Cheers
Click to expand...
I'm currently looking at an under the seat computer system on Ebay, It looks like it's a go for me.
If starting out though, I suggest an invertor so as to not spend dollars on a divice you can only use the laptop on. I utilise mine for the fridge as well at times (3 way) and yes, can use a small hair dryer if the handbrake really does need it. The $50 reciever allows you to utilise the laptop for tracking, keep the Tom Tom for directions, (use both). Ozi Explorer is great and definately worth the purchase.
I hope to have my setup in the new rig for LCMP & Memorial Run
 
Pure Yobbo

Pure Yobbo

Moderator
That would be good Quozie - I would love to have a look at how it works. Been thinking about it for a while but didn't really have heaps of coin to splash out.

Cheers
 
sdollery

sdollery

New Member
Quozie said:
Hi,
I use a laptop with BT GPS receiver and it works great, powered by a 300watt invertor, i took this option over a car charger due to price of car charger and multilple uses of the invertor (better value for money). My biggest delema is comvincing the handbrake to hold it. I've looked around for reasonable priced brackets and only come up with a tripod thing from the states. Another suggestion/thought was to cut into the dash (no airbag) and put in a draw. The most inexpensive way is to put the LT under the seat, run a touch screen installed into the DIN area for the stereo (replace).
I am currently running my Magellan 315 along with my Navman PDA then up loading the tracks to laptop. I'm finding this keeps the handbrake happy and I get to log my routes.
If you need mor einfo, PM me
Click to expand...

If you're after a mount for the laptop try johnny appleseed gps RAM-VBD-122-SW1. I've seem one modified and used in a BMW. Not cheap but they'd do the trick.

Cheers,

Shane
 
helterskelter

helterskelter

New Member
has anyone gone to eeepc way, either with a usb or BT gps.

seems an easy way to go as the unit is small enough to maybe have mounted off the centre console and would save having to have screen and pc remotely mounted. also possibly easier to remove from car????
 
4X4

4X4

Moderator
helterskelter said:
has anyone gone to eeepc way, either with a usb or BT gps.

seems an easy way to go as the unit is small enough to maybe have mounted off the centre console and would save having to have screen and pc remotely mounted. also possibly easier to remove from car????
Click to expand...

A couple of people have tried them on this site .:GPS Australia:.
 
Guppy

Guppy

New Member
This all sounds wonderful but the truth is Windows has the market sewn up
EEPC runs on Linux and does not have the functions of a windows based machine.

HP 2133 Mini-Note Review HP have a 2133 notebook same size as EEEPC with BT and webcam etc
Add a BT GPS I use a quartz BT1000 never let me down and Oziexplorer. This is all you need. I also have a PDA woth Ozi but to be honest the Laptop is nuch better as you actually see a bigger area. with the PDA you need to have a paper copy map as well.

Use a laptop and you chuck the PDA away Laptop I also use a Telstra wireless USB modem for Internet connectivity while out on a trek requires windows.
Whatever you buy do a test run first.;)
 
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