My netbook based GPS setup

[robertk61]

Hi All.

I just thought I would share my setup with you.
EEEPC based running ozi and 25k maps.
Got the cradle off ebay from the UK, it has a suction cup at the screen but found it as too flimsy, so made a bracket and it now screws to the dash under the pen mat.
GPS reciever is from Holux and connects via bluetooth.
Costs:
$320 for the EEEPC (on special)
$45 for the Holux
$45 for the bracket
$130 for ozi
Free 25k maps (off a mate)

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/robertk61/Walhalla/DSC01587.jpg't=1287313932

Rob.

[Bushie]

Pretty much identical to the set up I've been running, MSI netbook, bluetooth GPSr, setup just sits on top of the centre console most of the time closed (but ozi running) up unless we need to see something in particular.

I did find that it would occasionally freeze after running for a week or so requiring the GPS to be shut down and restarted.

We recorded something like 450000 track points over the six weeks we were up the cape. (see sig)


Martyn

[LowRanger]

Have been waiting for someone to post something like this.I have been thinking the way that I would like to go,is to get a small netbook (perfect size for my not so young eyes)and have been thinking of running Memory-Map,as I downloaded their trial version and found it very easy to use.

Wayne

[spudboy]

Thanks for the info Rob. I have the exact same Netbook and have been thinking of getting a GPS for it.

Couple of things. Is the GPS receiver this one by any chance? (found it on eBay):
Holux GR-213U SiRF III Water Proof USB GPS Receiver - eBay, GPS, Electronics. (end time 25-Oct-10 01:08:28 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Holux-GR-213U-SiRF-III-Water-Proof-USB-GPS-Receiver-/280512959802?pt=AU_Electronics_GPS&hash=item414fe0153a)

Also - I can't see anything in the photo/video in your original post....

[miky]

Click on link above the grey box.

I was using similar set-up with 9" eeepc but have now changed to a 7" gps unit.
Unit comes with iGo, just had to install Ozi.

See my post here (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/gps/110720-7-gps-location.html#post1308888) on fixing the 7" unit.

.

[Hoges]

Great job Rob!:D
Have similar computer setup but have been 'struggling' for a successful home made bracket... you seem to have solved that..can you/would you put up a photo of the bracket details?
TIA
cheers

[robertk61]

OK lets try again as I can't even see the picture.

I have just tried to attach it, hope it works.

The Holux is a Bluetooth one, got it from deal extreme:

DealExtreme: $44.20 Holux Car GPS Bluetooth Receiver (M-1000B) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8840)

The bracket is this one:

UNIVERSAL 7-13 INCH NETBOOK CAR MOUNT KIT HOLDER LAPTOP - eBay, Other Laptop Accessories, Laptop Accessories, Computing. (end time 23-Oct-10 23:09:52 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/UNIVERSAL-7-13-INCH-NETBOOK-CAR-MOUNT-KIT-HOLDER-LAPTOP-/350359111863?pt=UK_Computing_LaptopAccess_RL&hash=item519307c8b7)

I made a bracket (I will post some pics later) out of a corner post bracket I got from Bunnings for about $5 and bent it up to fit in my vise.
I now screw it to the top of the dash and don't need the suction cup at all.
Tested on VERY rough roads and it hasn't moved at all in the bracket.

Hope this helps?

[robertk61]

A couple more pics of the bracket and how I mounted it.

[McBrain]

Looking at the specs of the GPS units above, they all mention a built-in antenna. Is there and option available to plug-in an external antenna?

Maybe the GPS receivers are a lot better nowdays but I've always had to use an external antenna with mine.

Cheers
Nick

[miky]

Looking at the specs of the GPS units above, they all mention a built-in antenna. Is there and option available to plug-in an external antenna?

Maybe the GPS receivers are a lot better nowdays but I've always had to use an external antenna with mine.

Cheers
Nick

Nick, go to my post above and look at where my 7" is mounted in the Puma station waggon. No problems getting sat lock.

[robertk61]

The Holux I use picks up satellites within 30 seconds (if it has been turned off for some time), then consistently picks up at leas 6 satellites, is very accurate and never drops out all through a $5 GPS receiver on the netbook.

[Bushie]

Same here, my GPS sat between the ash tray and windscreen in the defender hooked to 12V feed, and fixes and plots were fine, certainly better than I used to achieve with a Garmin 12XL a few years back. :)



Martyn