Navigation System
In the past I had a "carputer" that did everything (AM/FM/CD/NAV/MP3/DivX/DVD etc). The trouble with this setup was that I was always worried about it if I left the truck at a hiking trailhead. I like having a PC in the car though, as I can use it for Nav, as an OBDII scanner, store my Rave manuals, store photos, write up trip reports in the field, surf the web, and check email. I decided to go with an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) so I can quickly remove it from it's RAM mount and store it in my locking drawers when not in use.
After a fair amount of research into UMPCs and ruggedized hardware in general I found the TabletKiosk EO Tuftab v7112XT. This is a compromise computer. It isn't as cheap as say an Asus R2H ($650 used), but it isn't as expensive as Toughbook tablet ($4000) either. It has a sunlight visible touchscreen and has a ruggedized case. For use in an enclosed vehicle it sounded perfect to me.
I purchased the Tuftab along with the VESA compatible docking station. Pulled the metal bracket off the docking station, drilled it, and shaved it to make a permanent low profile bracket that would mate to a VESA mounting plate from RAM.
The Mighty GPS through hull antenna is really easy to mount. Mounted by popping out rear dome light, drilling a hole, threading the cable through the headliner and down the A-pillar, and popping the dome light back in. Took about 30 minutes including the time to get the drill from the shop. Some people worry about drilling a hole in their truck. When you go to sell, either leave the GPS in, or you can get a rubber plug from Home Depot. Many trucks with factory GPS options have rubber plugs in the roof these days.
I've been using this system for about 6 months now and really like it. The processor on the Tuftab is a little bit slow but it keeps up enough to not frustrate me.
The software I'm using is my company's software, Overland Navigator. We have a new version out, and will put up a DiscoWeb promotion in a week or two.
* TabletKiosk EO Tuftab v7112XT - Sunlight Visible 7" Touchscreen, Semi Ruggedized, Bluetooth, etc
* MightyGPS Weatherproof through hull SIRF III GPS
* RAM mount securing it to the dash
* ElmScan 5 Bluetooth OBDII Reader
Software:
* Overland Navigator - Touchscreen Topographic Mapping Software
* Scantool.Net OBDII Software
* Windows XP Tablet Edition
In the past I had a "carputer" that did everything (AM/FM/CD/NAV/MP3/DivX/DVD etc). The trouble with this setup was that I was always worried about it if I left the truck at a hiking trailhead. I like having a PC in the car though, as I can use it for Nav, as an OBDII scanner, store my Rave manuals, store photos, write up trip reports in the field, surf the web, and check email. I decided to go with an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) so I can quickly remove it from it's RAM mount and store it in my locking drawers when not in use.
After a fair amount of research into UMPCs and ruggedized hardware in general I found the TabletKiosk EO Tuftab v7112XT. This is a compromise computer. It isn't as cheap as say an Asus R2H ($650 used), but it isn't as expensive as Toughbook tablet ($4000) either. It has a sunlight visible touchscreen and has a ruggedized case. For use in an enclosed vehicle it sounded perfect to me.
I purchased the Tuftab along with the VESA compatible docking station. Pulled the metal bracket off the docking station, drilled it, and shaved it to make a permanent low profile bracket that would mate to a VESA mounting plate from RAM.
The Mighty GPS through hull antenna is really easy to mount. Mounted by popping out rear dome light, drilling a hole, threading the cable through the headliner and down the A-pillar, and popping the dome light back in. Took about 30 minutes including the time to get the drill from the shop. Some people worry about drilling a hole in their truck. When you go to sell, either leave the GPS in, or you can get a rubber plug from Home Depot. Many trucks with factory GPS options have rubber plugs in the roof these days.
I've been using this system for about 6 months now and really like it. The processor on the Tuftab is a little bit slow but it keeps up enough to not frustrate me.
The software I'm using is my company's software, Overland Navigator. We have a new version out, and will put up a DiscoWeb promotion in a week or two.
* TabletKiosk EO Tuftab v7112XT - Sunlight Visible 7" Touchscreen, Semi Ruggedized, Bluetooth, etc
* MightyGPS Weatherproof through hull SIRF III GPS
* RAM mount securing it to the dash
* ElmScan 5 Bluetooth OBDII Reader
Software:
* Overland Navigator - Touchscreen Topographic Mapping Software
* Scantool.Net OBDII Software
* Windows XP Tablet Edition
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