AJ Lightfoot
 | | 04/17/2009 11:02 AM |
 Alert | Posted By Craig Miller on 04/17/2009 10:54 AM
How wide is the base on that pod?
I have a single round base on mine, and a larger one would definately be more stable. I put a huge backing plate on mine, but the dash has some flex, so a wider top plate would help some; especialy since your computer is bigger than mine.
It looks like the Pod itself sits on a 1.5" ball that is connected to a snake. But the Laptop tray will mount to a 2.5" ball that is connected to the pod. Here's a picture of what it looks like.
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98 Discovery I - The Master Chief - KF7DCD
"Did that kid just drop a pretzel? I like pretzels. I really like pretzels." | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 04/17/2009 11:40 AM |
Alert | The portion that secures the Netbook, the ball that it is attached to, and the short arm below that ball are all very stout; The flexy arm seems a little loosy goosy for this application. I'd shoot them an email. They've always been really good about responding to my inquiries (though it has taken a day or two).
Craig | |
My Overland Adventure Blog | |
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AJ Lightfoot
| | 04/17/2009 12:02 PM |
Alert | That is exactly what I thought too.
They also offer this one, although mounting options are a bit more limited. But think this is the one I ultimately may buy, even though the part is listed as a marine part I think it will work just fine. |
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98 Discovery I - The Master Chief - KF7DCD
"Did that kid just drop a pretzel? I like pretzels. I really like pretzels." | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 04/17/2009 12:20 PM |
Alert | I think you'll need a larger base than that for your computer, and you'll definately need a backing plate (I made mine).
Do they have anything bigger? | |
My Overland Adventure Blog | |
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AJ Lightfoot
| | 04/17/2009 12:30 PM |
Alert | Not really that they offer with the netbook options. There is also this one which may be better. This is why I hate online shopping and wished I could go to a brick and mortar shop to touch and test. Now i'm totally undecided on what to buy. HAHA! |
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98 Discovery I - The Master Chief - KF7DCD
"Did that kid just drop a pretzel? I like pretzels. I really like pretzels." | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 04/17/2009 12:51 PM |
Alert | AJ,
You can mix and match *any* of their products together to come up with a custom solution. If you email them with your requirements they will email you back with a suggested parts list. If they get it wrong, let them know and they will suggest something closer to what you are after.
For example, I know they have large rectangular bases w/ the ball on top. They also have more rigid floor mounts that don't use the flexy tubing.
I agree... a store would be ideal.
Craig
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My Overland Adventure Blog | |
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AJ Lightfoot
| | 04/17/2009 1:14 PM |
Alert | Just fired them off an email. I'll also continue to poke around and see what I can mix and match.
Thanks for all the help Craig.
I will update what I decide and post some pics of the install once it's completed. Very excited!!!
AJ | |
98 Discovery I - The Master Chief - KF7DCD
"Did that kid just drop a pretzel? I like pretzels. I really like pretzels." | |
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Joe Koegler
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Todd Eliason
Title Sponsor
| | 04/20/2009 11:06 AM |
Alert | | I cant wait to see the netbook Tuesday! AJ, I will bring what I had in my old truck for you to take a look at. It had 3 legs like the one I see on your example. I think one wouldn't be enough. | |
93 LR Defender 110
05 Land Rover LR3 | |
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AJ Lightfoot
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AJ Lightfoot
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Jay Erickson
Member Sponsor
| | 04/24/2009 12:31 PM |
Alert | Mmm, gadget pr0n! Looks good. Looking forward to your install thread. | |
Traded in all my project vehicles for my 2009 Xterra, not an ounce of buyers remorse. | |
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Andy Hough
| | 04/24/2009 12:55 PM |
Alert | | That's nice, I am interested in this build as I am planning to do a tablet PC in a similar fashion to this. I would have used a netbook, but the supreme commander would not allow the purchase since I already had the tablet and wasn't using it much. | |
DD: 2009 Chevy HHR 1LT
Toy: 1999 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 | |
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AJ Lightfoot
| | 04/24/2009 1:04 PM |
Alert | Jay,
I love these types of things too. I was so like a kid with a new lego set. I love putting things together. haha. It will be fun to install.
Andy,
IMHO I think the tablet will be a better fit, especially with the setup I did. The reason is the height of the screen and height of the mount itself. With the room you have between the dash and mirror it doesn't look it, but it's really cramped when you try to cram a computer and mount into it. This is why I'll be not using the mount bracket I bought and working on a alternate method to install.
Thanks for the looks and hopefully I can get installed tonight so I can go out to TSF tomorrow and test it out a little bit.
WOOOOO!!!!
AJ | |
98 Discovery I - The Master Chief - KF7DCD
"Did that kid just drop a pretzel? I like pretzels. I really like pretzels." | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 04/24/2009 1:05 PM |
Alert | So, what's the plan to fit the bracket? Cut a hole in the windshield? Put it in the oven and hope it shrinky-dinks? Sorry to hear the install isn't going as smoothly as you'd hoped. | |
My Overland Adventure Blog | |
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AJ Lightfoot
| | 04/24/2009 1:26 PM |
Alert | Right now i'm looking into alternatives to the base plate. The base plate is about a little over 2 inches tall, add on the swing arm and it's almost 3 inches which puts my laptop screen covering my rear view mirror.
The base plate itself is no more than steel with a cylindrical fitting to house a bolt that operates the swing arm. I'm going to negate the base plate itself by switching to a flat piece of metal that I will drill the holes I need to mount to the dash and the hole in the center to still utilize the swing arm. I hope it's not difficult to visualize what i'm typing. I'm sure once you see pictures it wil make sense what i'm doing. Basically i'm taking the cylinder portion of the mount out so reducing the overall height by around 2 inches dropping the screen well below my rear view and in a better position for regular use.
Although the oven idea sounds appealing. haha.
Craig to be honest, the install is going much smoother than originally planned. Remember I originally didn't think they made netbook holders and was going to have to fab a whole tough tray basically. haha, so in that aspect, A LOT smoother. Thanks for all the good pointers. | |
98 Discovery I - The Master Chief - KF7DCD
"Did that kid just drop a pretzel? I like pretzels. I really like pretzels." | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 04/24/2009 1:40 PM |
Alert | Yeah, it took me a couple of tries too. Those Asus R2H guys had it easy... buy a RAM mount kit, bolt it to the dash, and they were good to go.
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My Overland Adventure Blog | |
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Jerry Horn
| | 04/24/2009 10:09 PM |
Alert | Nice setup! Exactly what I need to cure the bifocal/magnifying glass blues.  | |
JERRY
Enjoying the backroads of the Pacific Northwest | |
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Dale Avery
| | 04/25/2009 9:26 AM |
Alert | Speaking of Tablet Notebooks, I am beginning to look for something other the the R2H that I presently am using. Here is one of the tablets I've looked at. This one will probably be gone before I order it, but it has basically the stuff I'm interested in; brightscreen technology, fast processor(s) and big hard drive.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4468081&CatId=219
I will also let me get and send email whenever I get near wifi site during my travels. It is pretty light weight and comes with a warranty.
I am having similar problems that Jerry talks about; progressive glasses don't work well with the R2H's screen size. The R2H is great for one or two of Craig's Navigator state programs, but I'm interested in covering most of the northwestern part of the country, and 60 gigs harddrive isn't working for me.
So who has real-world experience with a tablet mounted in their rigs? I'd like to hear from you. I'd like to see how you mounted it too. I'm trending toward a RAM mount again, as they make one for my Taco.
Dale | |
After 35+ years running on four wheels, I've gone to the dark side and am playing on two.
2002 BMW F650GS Dakar dualsport
2006 BMW R1150RT sport touring bike | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 04/25/2009 2:18 PM |
Alert | Dale,
Have a look at Chris Marzonie's tablet setup in his Taco. There are a couple of pictures of his setup in the "Testimonials" section of the http://spatialminds.com website.
Craig
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My Overland Adventure Blog | |
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