Happy belated New Year everyone!

I have been looking for a small notebook computer for use in the Tacoma for some time.  Before Xmas, I really started zeroing in on a few of the newer netbooks.  I narrowed the field finally down to the ASUS and HP's 1030.  The HP has a 10.3" screen and the 1030 version comes with a 16 Gig hardcard rather than the typical 60-80 Gig harddrive.  It also comes with 1 Gig of RAM which I think is expandable to 2 Gigs.I also checked with RAM and they should have a new mount for the netbooks out about now.  The HP has 2 USB ports.  I'll be using one for my GPS system.

I am worried about the shiny screen on the HP as it may relect/refract light a light more than the normal type of screens in an outdoor environment.  It also doesn't come in a 12 volt DC arrangement.  But I already run an AC/DC converter so that isn't too big of a deal.

Is there anyone on this site that has any actual experience mounting and using a netbook in their vehicle?  I plan on running DeLorme Topo and Street Atlas software, so the 16 Gig max memory is not a big concern for me.  All these netbooks are wifi ready, so I can also check in for email, etc. whenever I am in town....gotta have that Starbucks every now and then.

Craig, would your topo software run on this sytem?

Dale WU7X, 2000 Tacoma light expedition ready

Well this is getting better and better.  I do trust your experience, both of you.  I have never operated my notebook computer in tough terrain because of fear of damaging the hard drive.  Nor have I used satellite imagary in the field as it is not something I have had experience with.  The closest I got was aerial photography and stereonets.  Sounds pretty archaic nowadays I'm sure.  Perhaps now that it is the 21st century, I should away from mid-20th century technology.

Craig, is your software touchscreen compatible?  Does it work with a LT-20 for satellite input?

Nevak, could you please give me an example of the system you presently use?

Thanks in advance!

Dale

Dale,

If you are really worried about the hard drive and offroad use, you could put something like this Solid State Disk (SSD) drive in the laptop you choose:

http://www.sandisk.com/OEM/ProductCatalog(1396)-SanDisk_SSD_SATA_5000_18.aspx

It has no spinning disk so it doesn't suffer from bumping around, is more reliable and takes less power.  But it most likely costs a bit more.  You can get ones that would just replace the existing harddrive in most laptops.  Either 2.5" or 1.8"

Rick

Boy this thread lead me to look into SSD's....I would hold off on that technology for a bit, everywhere I looked was full of complaints.

We have had great success with the IBM ultralight (X300) notebooks at my office with the SSD drives. Everyone seems to love them and has had no complaints about the SSD disk.

i hate asking this because i am sure it is some where in another thread but i cant seem to find it. first i have been looking at tablet pc's and found this on new egg, i am not very knowlageable on computers but it seems good to me. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834147952 my intent for it would basicly be to run craigs overland software and have a gps feed to it. second, i have a yaesu VX-8R gps enabled hand held ham radio, would it be possible to use this as the gps reciever to link to the tablet? last question, would it be possible to display the APRS info on the computer? i think it would be pretty cool on the trail. your lead and trail rigs have APRS capabilities and to have them displayed on a moving map. that way you would always know how far your convoy is streached and if your trail has stopped for any reason. sorry again if this was answered else where, i couldnt seem to find it.

Terrance,

I am not knowledgeable enough to answer your questions, but I'm sure someone here can...

I do want to add something to what Craig mentioned.  I really, love my R2H, except for startup speeds.  The major problem there is that I have just too much software stuffed into the 60 Gig drive.  Craig suggested that I look into a larger capacity drive.  Someone else in this thread had mentioned the Sandisk SSDs.  I have been drooling over the new Sandisk G3 SSD.  It will come out in 60, 140, 240 Gig sizes, and estimated prices are $150, $250, and $499. Unfortunately, they are talking mid-year availability!

Do any of you techno folks know os someone I could get to install something like this on my ASUS?  I am having a bit of a problem finding someone over here in Snowkane to do the job.  All I want left on this computer would be the basic OS, a neat little GPS startup program that Craig came up with, and then the Overland Navigator suite, plus Topo 7.0.  Oh, and probably MS Outlook and Firefox for reading emails, etc. while away from home.

For those interested, I have found that Craig's Overland Navigator program, working with the GPS unit installed in the ASUS R2H, locks on the satellites much quicker than that other GPS oriented programs presently on the computer.  It could be that every time I have attempted this, the birds where directly overhead or something, but that isn't probable.

Finally, one last question; the in-house A.C. power supply for the ASUS provides 12 v D.C. at 3 amps.  I would like to install a permanent plug-in for the ASUS in the Taco.  Does anyone know of a D.C. harness that will work with this computer?

Dale WU7X

Terrance - I can't tell from the newegg advertisement if it is a touchscreen computer or if it requires the use of a stylus.  The difference being whether you can use your finger or not.  Otherwise, it looks great.

Any device that speaks NMEA0183 and that can be connected to your computer, either physically or via bluetooth, and present itself as a COM port can be used with Overland Navigator.

I personally like any SIRFIII enabled GPS.  My favorite, and the one I use, is http://mightygps.com/WeatherproofGPSReceiver.htm

I completely agree on the APRS goals.  It is something I aim to develop as a free add-on, but I probably won't do it until after we've completed several more important functions.  It's one of the reasons I created Overland Navigator.

Craig

Craig,

Thanks for the input.  I will dig up xplite and give it a try.  Actually, will have a computer freak buddy do it. 

BTW, It is amazing how accurate Overland Navigator is.  In rural areas I have been driving in, it tracks the USGS "roads" perfectly!  It is really great to be driving along in a small valley for example, then zoom out to get a better handle of the area topography and to see where the road is heading.  I have been using it for finding old trails that I could go snowshoeing or Xcountry skiing on. 

I used to have over 5,000 USGS topos, primarily 7.5', but also 15' and larger scale.  I donated them all to the geography dept. at EWU a couple of years ago after retiring.  Having a DeLorme or Falcon Press gazetter in the truck was helpful, but certainly not a replacement for those topo maps. I am finding that i really enjoy "seeing" the countryside via USGS and Overland Navigator. Pinpointing my exact location, with the lat/Long and elevation readouts is sweet.  Wish I would have had this setup when working in the field 20 years ago!  Would have made marking old mines and workings so much easier and more accurate.

Now, if I could only get MT and ID :-).  For now, guess I'll have to focus on northeastern WA and maybe central OR for a few weekender trips with the dogs this spring.

i looked at the pc again and found this which i assume means it can be used witha  finger or the stylus  "LCD Features <script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newline('High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Integrated Touch-screen, Convertible Display (1280 x 800). Panel rotates 180 degrees and folds flat. Rechargeable Digitizer for handwriting capture included'));</script>High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Integrated Touch-screen, Convertible Display (1280 x 800). Panel rotates 180 degrees and folds flat. Rechargeable Digitizer for handwriting capture included"

thank you for the info, i will have to read through my manual for the radio again and see if it is compatable

Dale,  Asus makes a DC-DC adapter. You could cut the cig. lighter connector off and fuse and hardwire it.

www.provantage.com/asus-90-ngvch1000t~7ASUL033.htm