Setup for in car laptop

ladysman217 · 11-01-2008, 04:37 PM

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

myjk · 11-01-2008, 10:24 PM

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 · 30-01-2008, 09:55 PM

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 · 17-05-2008, 08:38 PM

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

the evil twin · 24-05-2008, 04:57 PM

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)

grit · 13-08-2008, 01:39 AM

I have nRoute for voice on my laptop - tried it once. I prefer the peace & quiet

MickO · 23-08-2008, 09:46 PM

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 · 24-08-2008, 09:58 AM

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

Offrdn60 · 25-08-2008, 03:34 PM

What Brand of USB GPS are you guys using?

Thanks Nick

Quozie · 25-08-2008, 05:56 PM

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