Expedition GPS Laptop

[Good Times]

Anyone have any experience in this arena? though I already have a garmin quest, I'm looking for a more advanced gps system that I can use for my expeditions. The quest will be demoted but still be used as a secondary device. Basically going to be looking at using the good ol maps + gps laptop + quest. Figure this should cover all of my bases outside of going old fashion w/ the compass and sundial ;)

Based on the weeks of reading, this is what I've found so far:
Panasonic Toughbook CF-18,19,28,29
Itronix ix250,260 (hp nr3600)
Getac (looks to be very pricey on ebay)

What I want / to do:
GPS navigation
MP3 tunes!
DVD movies!

GPS Software I'm looking into:
Topo Fusion (http://www.topofusion.com)
Ozi Explorer (http://www.oziexplorer.com)
Google Earth (http://earth.google.com)
Delorme Topo USA (http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10045&minisite=10020)
Other suggestions?

touch screen is a must!
backlit keyboard is good too!
bluetooth/usb2.0 would be nice too!

This laptop will be mounted either by the ram mount or similar type and must handle the rugged terrain. Mounting hardware and laptop must survive the wheeling abuse that it'll experience. Size and weight will be critical as if the screen is too big it may interefere the driver and/or navigator. I have already factored that I will need a screen mount/holder so it doesn't move as I wheel.

Mounting vendors:
Ram Mount (http://www.ram-mount.com/laptop_mount/ramvb138sw1_laptop_desk.htm)
Ram Mount Ram Pod III (http://www.ram-mount.com/nodrillsystems/rampodiii.htm)
Jotto Desk (http://www.jottodesk.net/import-jotto-desk/import-jotto-desk-universal.htm)

I did consider a carputer (or similar form) but came to a conclusion that having a laptop that I can disconnect and configure some way points for the next day away from the 4runner would be a big plus. There are some concerns w/ the rugged terrain on the carputer so that's more food for thought. Dust will be very excessive so the equipment must be very durable.

Would like some input on what kind of laptop used in relationship to the type of exploration trails encountered. Speed on the laptop when using gps software will be key as well since I don't want a slow working computer.

Thoughts, suggestions?

edit:
If I don't go this route I'm looking at the following gps units:
Garmin 276c
Lowrance iWay 500c/600c (unit comes w/ HD which is concerning due to the vibration from the vehicle in offroad terrains)
Lowrance Baja 480c
...

it's madness!

[Good Times]

Update:

I ended up picking up an old retired laptop from work for next to nothing. It's a standard Sony Vaio Laptop with the basics except the added 1GB of ram :) It comes standard with the DVD/CDRW and a decent 15" screen. Though the battery life is pretty much worthless for next to nothing I couldn't say no. Figure I can test it out first and see how much mileage I can get out of this before going with one of the more tough notebooks.

Current softwares I'm experimenting with:
Topo Fusion
USA Photomaps (www.jdmcox.com)

I have Ozi Explorer installed but haven't been able to register it yet so until then I'll hold off. Just trying to get these maps downloaded really takes the fun out of just using them right off the bat!

Hardware:
Ram Mount for the 4runner (specific). I still have to order a few parts for them but once I get everything I'll post up photos. (next week or so).

[oly884]

I've got an older Sony Vaio picture book, got it for free, so not big deal here!

I also purchased Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 for it. It seems to work quite nicely for on road travel. I'm not too worried about off road travel because I've got some topo maps for that.

I'm going to be getting an external HDD for a couple of reasons.

#1 the laptop doesn't have the largest HDD. In fact I have more GB's of music than the laptop has in total capacity.

#2 I like the idea of being able to keep the HDD's safe, a foam case would provide this. Laptops + vehicle on rutted road = not so good things over time. An external HDD would be much easier to store and keep free of vibrations.

#3 Finally, I like the idea of being able to back up the laptop in case the vibrations take their toll on the laptop I'd be able to recover saved routes, pictures, etc.

Now I've just got to make a mount for it, I'll get some pics of it when I find some time.

[Robinhood4x4]

No help on the laptop, but have you been doing your research on geocaching.com?

The best prices I've seen on garmin stuff has been from www.gpsnow.com. You must add to cart in order to see the real discounted price.

[Goin]

Work issued me a Fujitsu Lifebook 4020. It is a laptop/tablet hybrid. It's screen swivels around to lay flat over the keyboard. There is a pen that you use on the screen when it is in tablet mode. I really like it and the handwriting recognition works way better than I expected. I have not played with the voice recognition yet. You might want to look in this direction when the Sony gets old.

[AxleIke]

Absolutely awesome lance. I think that computers are really the best option when using in vehicle GPS. The units are nice, but awfully small.

I too wish to pursue computer based GPS for my truck, though i'm going with a Carputer type, rather than a laptop, simply because i don't like the amount of room that the laptop takes up. I also like the fact that you can run all of your car stereo stuff off of the carputer, so CD, DVD, MP3, Satelite, GPS and Internet all with touchscreen usage.

Let us know as you get the laptop set up and the software loaded on how you like it. i've read a lot about people using this, but more info is always appreciated, especially if you have any problems or downsides.

[slosurfer]

Bump for any more info on what mapping software any of you guys are using. :D

I am thinking of doing something similar, one problem I may run into though is connecting my garmin etrex legend to the laptop. Right now I don't have a USB cord, it is the old school connector (not sure what it is called). Has anyone solved this problem?

Right now I am using gps (EasyGPS used to interface between computer and gps) and following along with a good topo map. Works great, but adding a laptop would be even sweeter.

[Seanz0rz]

i use iguidance 3.0 for streets, soon to upgrade to 4, and delorme topo usa for topo maps (though ihave yet to get a chance to try it offroad)

as for a reciever, its a Bu-353 usb gps puck. magnetic and water proof.

[Seanz0rz]

check out the forums on www.mp3car.com , they have TONS of info on all the different gps programs.

[reggie 00]

Bump for any more info on what mapping software any of you guys are using. :D

I am thinking of doing something similar, one problem I may run into though is connecting my garmin etrex legend to the laptop. Right now I don't have a USB cord, it is the old school connector (not sure what it is called). Has anyone solved this problem?



Here ya go.
http://www.compusb.com/usbtoserrsdb.html

[Ric]

what do you guys recommend for laptop GPS software ? and what else is needed ?
Most of you know that I have the Garmin handheld GPS, but got a new laptop, and will at some point make a mount for the 4runner :smokin:

[Robinhood4x4]

I've only used garmin mapsource with my garmin. I like it, but it's a little cumbersome to use. The programming is pretty old. Maybe they have newer versions now, though.

[AxleIke]

The new Garmin stuff is pretty good. It isn't quite as quick as a handheld when using it, but it is a LOT more powerful.

A guy I know LOVES the DeLorme stuff.

You can do all sorts of stuff, like go from topo to street and overlay them both on the fly, as well as get better route options and, of course, have a larger screen.

[Good Times]

ric,

try this thread:

http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=105.0

has a few softwares that I use on my pc. I also setup the same pc for slosurfer and he's been using it so you might want to ask him on his thoughts on some of the softwares on there.

[Ric]

Lance, i seen that thread after, i posted mine, sorry guys, your more than welcome to delete this thread :D some good info there :thumbup:

[Good Times]

ric, no worries, we'll keep this thread open regardless :D

I may merge the thread later on. (or right now I guess)

[slosurfer]

oh man! I was posting replies in both these threads just when you were merging them. Haha, needless to say, they both got lost.

Anyways, I don't have much to add as I haven't had any trips since surfnturf and I got the laptop right after that. I did play around with usaphotomaps on my desktop and really liked it. I need to learn how to do some things, delete maps that I don't want anymore and how to save to disk rather than the hard drive (if anyone figures this out and can explain it to someone who isn't extremely computer savvy, that would be really cool). Other than that, it is really easy to use and I can't wait to use it on a trip, although I guess I need to come up with two mounts, one for each toyota.

[Good Times]

Chris:

I have this: Ram Mount RAM-316-3BA1U
UNPKD RAM POD III W/ DBL BALL MNT (http://65.102.174.116/rammount/productdetail.aspx?partnumber=RAM-316-3BA1U)

I originally went with the one that was vehicle specific but did not like it as it took up too much of the passenger space so I ended up getting the universal one and by far is easy to use.

It's cheaper too :) check it out. If I get my 4runner up and running in time, I need to show you my setup because it's really nice :D

[slosurfer]

Thanks, that looks like it could work and possibly be easy to switch between vehicles. I can't wait to see your rig done and the setup you have.

[Ric]

thanks for merging them, been on flu meds :shake:sorry for the hassel

[Tanto]

Just as an FYI, Panasonic has introduced a new line of Toughbooks that has NVRAM storage which eliminates the conventional HDD so you won't need to worry about a bump causing your hard drive to go bad.

[glenyoshida]

I second the Globalsat BU-353, street price is about $50 shipped. It has very good sensitivity, sleek design, and it's weatherproofed. I have another one that will drop the signal fairly often, it's a Holux.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21PJ6S1OcPL._AA220_.jpg

I use Street Wizard, Microsoft Streets and Trips, and National Geographic Topo. I've heard good things about the Delorme topo and I'm planning on adding it on someday.

I'm pretty happy with the National geographic topo maps. It's not as up to date as I'd like though. I'd say about 10% of the time the map shows trails that don't exist now or it doesn't show the new trail. Even still, I don't know of a better map for the price. Maybe Delorme?

http://franson.com/images/gpsgate_client_cheme.jpg

Franson makes a GPS Gate client called Franson GpsGate (http://franson.com/gpsgate/) that splits your GPS mouse signal to multiple mapping software programs. This allows you to run more than one mapping program simultaneously on one GPS mouse. Very handy since one map will have info that another won't. I'd like to see a soft map that shows land ownership like in my paper map books that I also carry.

Lance, did you ever try out that GPS mouse I sent ya?

[NakSuKow]

I would check out some of the aviation moving map programs. I am not familiar with any (civilian versions) but if they don't allow for moving map mode or allow u to switch maps on the fly/ use imagery and georectify your own maps it not worth the investment.

Most of these programs are anemic on map tools as well....does anyone know of a civilian version of falcon view?

[DHC6twinotter]

Not sure how well this would work, but here is something interesting:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220261

They are dirt cheap, and supposedly run pretty well. My boss just ordered one to play around with, so I'm curious to see how well it works for him. It has solid state hardrive, so no worries with the HD. Plus, it is small and light.

Only problems with this, is that it doesn't have a large hard drive. Any movies and/or music would have to be played off an external hard drive. However, many people have been modding these things and soldering up 16 gig memory sticks. It also runs Linux, but XP can be installed.

Anyways, just thought I'd throw that out for you all to see.

Just my $.02. :D

[Good Times]

[hijack=on]

hey glen! welcome aboard. I really didn't get a chance to make it work. but before I had enough time to work on it I ended up crashing the 4runner so it's been on hold ever since. Been busy rebuilding :). I still owe you some big bucks for the gps unit so I'll be sending you some $ (I promise!)

[hijack=off]

[slosurfer]

Lance, what program were you using for the mojave trip?

[Good Times]

topo fusion

[Seanz0rz]

i just got a killer deal on topousa 7, i like topousa 6 and this is suppose to be quite a bit better.

if its worth it, ill give it a review here on the site.

[slosurfer]

thanks, it seemed to work pretty good. It was more accurate than my map on that one section in the lava fields.

sean that would be cool if you did a review

[dontdo_that]

Not sure how well this would work, but here is something interesting:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220261

They are dirt cheap, and supposedly run pretty well. My boss just ordered one to play around with, so I'm curious to see how well it works for him. It has solid state hardrive, so no worries with the HD. Plus, it is small and light.

Only problems with this, is that it doesn't have a large hard drive. Any movies and/or music would have to be played off an external hard drive. However, many people have been modding these things and soldering up 16 gig memory sticks. It also runs Linux, but XP can be installed.

Anyways, just thought I'd throw that out for you all to see.

Just my $.02. :D


Daniel you bastard! I was just going to post about that laptop!

Asus makes excellent products. I have used several of their motherboards for AMD Socket-A processor applications and they make some of the best "Workstation" series motherboards for desktop systems (IE: Workstation storage and expandability using desktop processors as opposed to server processors).

The laptop Daniel posted about is a small, 7" monitor laptop that has a Celeron M processor and a fair amount of RAM that can be used to run mildly demanding applications, connect to the internet and perform other basic things such as music/movie playback. Its price is listed at ~ 350 on Newegg.

[DHC6twinotter]

:D My boss loves the little thing. I've been thinking about getting one just to play around with since they are so cheap. Asus does make good stuff. I'm using one of their motherboards with a E6600 processor on my current PC.

[dontdo_that]

Another good feature is that it has a full qwerty keyboard and touch-pad mouse which allows it to act as a full laptop as opposed to a pseudo one more like modern PDAs. the 7" screen must be nice as it wouldn't get in the way of your AC/Radio/shifter, etc. if you decided to mount it right center between the driver and passenge seats (like police squad cars). Although I think I might go for something with a little more umph in it since I love technology.

This has been a known fact for a while now, but in case anyone missed it: Mobile Smartphones and PDA phones such as Blackjacks, Blackberrys, Iphones, Palms and other Windows based phones (perhaps even other random ones) have the ability to act as modems/network controllers for laptops. If you have a subscription to a data service, like having internet on your mobile phone which allows you to visit virutally any compatible site you want, you can set your phone to act as an access point for any laptops, effectively connecting them to the internet anywhere you have cellphone reception. For high speed data transfer, your laptop would be running off of the same connection/data network that your phone would normally use to connect to the internet. Naturally, this is only a good idea if you have unlimited data plans because it eats through download/upload bits rather quickly. Since I'm an AT&T customer and have been familiar with Cingular/AT&T's technologies for quite some time (and actually know nothing about Verizon, T-mobile or Sprint) I'll use AT&T as an example. AT&Ts most common data network is called EDGE and then they have 3G which is faster but less common. I have heard that experiencing 3G is almost like mobile Broadband. So if you have a mobile AT&T phone with a data plan, you either connect to EDGE or 3G based on your phone's capability and network availability. Your phone basically can also act as a link to connect your Laptop to the EDGE or 3G network.

Also, your smartphone/PDA phone can be used to act as a dial-up modem. If you have an old school dial-up service, your phone can act as a modem to connect your laptop to your dial-up service anywhere you have cellphone reception. I don't know much about this and I'm not sure if its as fast as 56k speeds but I know my Cingular 3125 Smartphone (not PDA phone) has the capability of doing both.

Some smartphones like the Blackjack can also do this wirelessly via Bluetooth. So as your crusing along on the road, you can be browsing the internet at semi-broadband speeds without connecting any wires!

I believe the Iphone is capable of also acting as a modem for your laptop but it does not work via Bluetooth and must be physically connected via USB. I'm not even sure Iphones have Bluetooth to begin with.

Having a phone that is capable of acting as a modem would really really enhance the usefullness of a expedition gps laptop. Maybe even posting some pics and stuff on UY while you're out on the trail! now thats an idea... ;)

[troyboy162]

i am using the asus eee-pc with iguidance4, MS streets and trips 09 and google earth.

google earth is best for off roading. you can store sat images for the area you are going to and then use google earth without the internet. it costs 20 bucks to get the gps portion of it to work. aka you have to buy google earth pro.

the asus eee-pc is a good choice for someone thats pretty tech savy. it has no cdrom drive so loading programs is different. most versions come with linux so switching over to windows is also tricky without a cdrom drive. you can also solder in a touch screen like i have to make it more user friendly.

id be happy to help anyone out with it though since they are dirt cheap used now.

[Good Times]

You think you can post a separate thread on the eee-pc? Would be interesting to read about the conversion you did. :wrenchin:

The introduction of the netbooks that are priced really low makes it ideal for a great expedition lappie. Solid state drives and a cheap usb gps makes it really nice compared to a garmin/lawrence gps. Would make for some interesting gadgets that gives you the "mobile pc" experience :)

[Erich_870]

You think you can post a separate thread on the eee-pc? Would be interesting to read about the conversion you did. :wrenchin:

The introduction of the netbooks that are priced really low makes it ideal for a great expedition lappie. Solid state drives and a cheap usb gps makes it really nice compared to a garmin/lawrence gps. Would make for some interesting gadgets that gives you the "mobile pc" experience :)


Yes, please do share more!! My brother has one of these little guys but he's not that tech savvy. I'd like to see what can be done with them on top of his anecdotal info.

[troyboy162]

Yes, please do share more!! My brother has one of these little guys but he's not that tech savvy. I'd like to see what can be done with them on top of his anecdotal info.


i put this post up to help explain a few things about the gizmo. i admit its a little breief but at least gives a place to elaborate on the use of netbooks
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=5852.0