a few GPS questions

[DassaW]

Hi guys, new to this side of GPS's, just wanted to ask a few questions.

What would be the best set up for 4wding and gps navigation? Am i best off getting a handheld, like etrex, or utilise a laptop?

Not sure how to set up a laptop to be used as a gps, guess i would need the software (oziexplorer?) and a gps mouse? but does that mean I dont need an actual GPS unit?

Laptops can then be relayed to a screen on the dash which shows our location on a contour map with tracks??

I m just trying to get my head around it at the moment. Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

[Bush65]

I use a laptop and gps mouse.

My laptop fits on a ram mount (good units). The gps mouse is fixed inside the snorkel head. The gps mouse has a usb interface, so gets its power from the laptop. A dc/dc converter powers the laptop from the cig lighter.

I run oziexplorer for mapping software.

I find the topo maps on the laptop screen much better than the gps recievers I used before. I need glasses for reading, and had to put them on to use the gps, but can use the laptop while driving.

Having a touchscreen is also good for in car use.

[DassaW]

ok, that sounds like a good setup, fairly cost effective if you already have a laptop. Can the touchscreen be hooked into the laptop? so your not actually using your laptop screen?
Whatis this ram mount you are talking about?
Cheers

[feral]

I have the same setup as Bush65. My laptop is under the drivers seat, out of the way and run it through a 10.4" touch screen. Using a usb mouse which is wedged between the dash and windscreen works perfectly.

I have Oziexplorer, Nat Maps DVD, UBD Australian City Streets 4 and UBD Regional Cities & Towns 3. This setup is for touring.

The 'Ram Mount' is a pedestal tripod frame which bolts to the floor of your vehicle. It has an adjustable mount at the top to rotate your laptop to any position you want. Very good piece of kit but very expensive. It appears to be a permanent solution too. You can remove your laptop quickly but so can anyone else. One of the good reasons to have your lappy under the seat.

Cheers.

[CraigE]

I have the laptop under the back seat and an 8" monitor on the dash, runs no problem. Utilising Trackranger and gps mouse (no gps unit as such required).
The screen is supposed to be touch screen but have had a hard time getting it to work as a touch screen (disc supplied) anyone have any thoughts?? Will be hooking up a reverse camera next.
Dont mean to hijack this thread.

[HangOver]

What would be the best set up for 4wding and gps navigation? Am i best off getting a handheld, like etrex, or utilise a laptop?
If you have a laptop it can be used as long as you dont mind it getting bumped about or maybe look at a dedicated "carputer".
The off the shelf gps systems are pretty rubbish IMHO unless you can add your own maps. Some pda's and handhelds are good but again you would need to find one that you can add maps to. Most off the shelf give you gazzeted roads only.

Not sure how to set up a laptop to be used as a gps, guess i would need the software (oziexplorer?) and a gps mouse? but does that mean I dont need an actual GPS unit?
yes you need a GPS reciever, usb mouse, bluetooth (no wires) take your pick.
I bought a bluetooth unit from ebay that's runs on battery and solar so no wires at all and 30hrs per charge. $100ish works outside and in. the only time I have lost a fix was going through a tunnel. can't praise it enough.

Laptops can then be relayed to a screen on the dash which shows our location on a contour map with tracks??
yes, they can be connected to a dash mounted screen by the VGA out on the laptop, some also use s-video. Make sure what ever connection your laptop has your dash mount screen needs the same input.
With a laptop the maps are as good as what ever maps you use.
You can buy them, scan them from a book, scam them from elsewhere

[HangOver]

I have the laptop under the back seat and an 8" monitor on the dash, runs no problem. Utilising Trackranger and gps mouse (no gps unit as such required).
The screen is supposed to be touch screen but have had a hard time getting it to work as a touch screen (disc supplied) anyone have any thoughts?? Will be hooking up a reverse camera next.
Dont mean to hijack this thread.

touch screens usually need a connection to the laptop via usb cable or older ones serial cable, do you have one?

[HangOver]

Can the touchscreen be hooked into the laptop? so your not actually using your laptop screen?

yes it can, buy a new touchscreen and you should get all the drivers and cables you need. The newer ones come with remote controls too.

[Franz]

I have the same setup as Bush65. My laptop is under the drivers seat, out of the way and run it through a 10.4" touch screen. Using a usb mouse which is wedged between the dash and windscreen works perfectly.

I have Oziexplorer, Nat Maps DVD, UBD Australian City Streets 4 and UBD Regional Cities & Towns 3. This setup is for touring.

The 'Ram Mount' is a pedestal tripod frame which bolts to the floor of your vehicle. It has an adjustable mount at the top to rotate your laptop to any position you want. Very good piece of kit but very expensive. It appears to be a permanent solution too. You can remove your laptop quickly but so can anyone else. One of the good reasons to have your lappy under the seat.

Cheers.

Do you have any pics of the Ram laptop mount in the vehicle - I have been looking at them but have not purchased yet as I was not sure how well they fit - how much they obscure etc.

Any pics would be most helpful - TIA

[Blknight.aus]

What would be the best set up for 4wding and gps navigation? Am i best off getting a handheld, like etrex, or utilise a laptop?
If you have a laptop it can be used as long as you dont mind it getting bumped about or maybe look at a dedicated "carputer".
The off the shelf gps systems are pretty rubbish IMHO unless you can add your own maps. Some pda's and handhelds are good but again you would need to find one that you can add maps to. Most off the shelf give you gazzeted roads only.

Get one that is a PDA first and a GPS second. Ive had a mio digiwalker 168 and now a mio digiwalker a701 both run ozi wihtou any problems that arent already acknowlodged on the ozi site. the a701 can also set up as a bluetooth/usb gps if you need it AND its a tri band gsm mobile phone as well

Not sure how to set up a laptop to be used as a gps, guess i would need the software (oziexplorer?) and a gps mouse? but does that mean I dont need an actual GPS unit?
yes you need a GPS reciever, usb mouse, bluetooth (no wires) take your pick.
I bought a bluetooth unit from ebay that's runs on battery and solar so no wires at all and 30hrs per charge. $100ish works outside and in. the only time I have lost a fix was going through a tunnel. can't praise it enough.



Laptops can then be relayed to a screen on the dash which shows our location on a contour map with tracks??
yes, they can be connected to a dash mounted screen by the VGA out on the laptop, some also use s-video. Make sure what ever connection your laptop has your dash mount screen needs the same input.
With a laptop the maps are as good as what ever maps you use.
You can buy them, scan them from a book, scam them from elsewhere

some laptops dont have the greatst USB setups and dont like to read more than 1 device at a time, If you have a GPS unit in one port so long as it is "Talking" on the usb interface nothing else will, This problem is exasperated if you use the cheapo versions of the 4 port usb hubs and plug everything out of that. If its possable Setup one to the 9 pin serial port on the back of the laptop as that will generally have a higher priority for data than the USB ports and if its a decent port will have a buffer for when the CPU cant talk to the port.