| yogi799 |
Let me know if you can beat that. 15" screen, voice commands & directions, 1-3 meter accuracy, DVD, available internet (with optional wireless connection :) ).
Delorme Street Atlas 2004 & GPS |
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| vlam |
It's definitely an option for those without the OEM NAV but you have to consider this:
1. $120 + a laptop
2. Where are you putting the laptop if you have a passenger? |
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| perk |
The funny thing is that I did the same thing for many years. Back in the summer of 2000 my wife and I took a trip in my car from east coast to west coast and back over about 3 weeks. I already had Microsoft's TripPlanner and Streets. Both applications had the ability to import GPS data realtime. I had heard about GPS receivers and was determined to try one out with the TripPlanner software. So, being the engineer that I am, I shopped around until I settled on the Garmin eMap. Got it in the mail about 2 weeks before trip. Then I went to work preparing custom serial port connectors and the DC adapter that powered both laptop and Garmin. (Non-engineers should not be daunted by this because all the cables can be purchased as add-ons, if you'd rather go the easy route.) Then I bought a JottoDesk and installed it so that the laptop could be articulated all the way from driver to the passenger to an out of the way place against the center console. Next I connected the whole system so that it was easily visible to both me and passenger, but capable of being shoved out of the way when not needed. Long story short, the whole thing worked like a charm.
We plotted out the entire trip in advance on TripPlanner, complete with pushpins to mark all major stops along the way. As we proceeded along the trip, we created new pushpins for each place we visited, then kept a journal of sorts by using the textbox feature of each pushpin to detail everything we saw and did at each stop.
I'd recommend the same setup to anyone else, except now I'd use MS Streets and Trips 2003. The MDX GPS system is nice, but it lacks one seriously needed improvement. It has no ability to insert waypoints that would allow one to plan an entire trip at once, or keep track of an entire trip. For that reason, the laptop route, although bulkier, is by far the better GPS solution. |
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| cardingtr |
I got that setup before until I got tired of waiting for the computer to boot up, tired of wires dangling around, poor audio, no touch screen.
I looked around for a Laptop with touchscreen at the time but there is none good enough.
Good thing with it is you got a powerful navigator that is potentially more accurate and packs more features but using that cursor while driving is a ticket for disaster. It sits too low in the dash you completely takes you eyes off the road even your peripheral vision.
But for the price only pocketpc's beats it. |
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| DaleB |
| Hey, that looks like my VAIO! Nice choice for a good display. |
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| yogi799 |
1. Yes, need for a laptop is annoying BUT I take a laptop with me anywhere I travel anyway, so that's not a problem. And you can use the laptop for anything else you might need on the road - like DVD for kids in the back.
2. When I have a passenger - I make sure it is a cooperative passenger - like my wife. Besides, with this setup, I am only taking up about 5 inches of passenger'seat, so they still have the rest for them.
3. I've never had OEM NAV, but I'm sure it does not come close to that setup. You can't beat 15" 1024x768 screen with that OEM toy. Delorme displays the map, exact directions, including turns to take for another x hours, exact exit numbers, etc - there is no way all of that could fit on an OEM NAV. The only advantage of the latter is that it's built-in, nothing else, I suppose.
4. Agreed - pointing while driving 70mph is a almost guaranteed disaster. I got very good at it, though. Most of the time, you don't have to do anything, though - just stare at it every once in a while to check you current position.
5. MS Streets and Trips 2004 for GPS? - Forget it! I have both Delorme Street Atlas 2004, which is a TRUE GPS NAV software and MS Streets & Trips 2004. Delorme is a truly powerful nav application which shows a trail of your covered route, your speed, your direction, and all that awesome stuff. All the MS S&T does is shows your cureent location - nothing else - so forget it (it doesn't even show the direction you're pointing while driving - totally pathetic!). MS S&T is an excellent MAPPING software and the GPS positioning is just an add-on feature (so it is NOT a GPS software!). Delorme specializes in GPS NAV and their software beats OEM Acura NAV. Keep that in mind when you shop for these toys. I use Streets & Trips to map and plan my trip, but use Delorme EXCLUSIVELY to GPS me while I'm on the road.
6. OF COURSE IT'S VAIO!!!!! SONY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (that's my 4th VAIO in my laptop career!)
Hope this helps. |
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| yogi799 |
7. It's portable! I've taken it on a BOAT before and it did awesome too. The lake was so complicated, we would have gotten lost without the NAV.
8. IT IS ONLY $120!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| zafer |
a pro - no disclaimer screen
a con - how do you shift into D ? |
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| perk |
quote:
Originally posted by yogi799
7. It's portable! I've taken it on a BOAT before and it did awesome too. The lake was so complicated, we would have gotten lost without the NAV.
Yep, that's the second big use I've had for the GPS/Laptop combo. I installed Maptech's Offshore Navigator and use the whole setup on sailboat. We've taken the setup to British Virgin Islands twice and used it each time for two weeks straight. There's nothing better than good offshore charts plotted with realtime GPS. |
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| XchiKo |
quote:
Originally posted by yogi799
7. It's portable! I've taken it on a BOAT before and it did awesome too. The lake was so complicated, we would have gotten lost without the NAV.
8. IT IS ONLY $120!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can I get some more info on the laptop.
thanks |
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| zafer |
quote:
Originally posted by vlam
2. Where are you putting the laptop if you have a passenger?
Use one of these http://www.arkon.com/laptop.html :p
Although it might be wise to go the extra mile :p for your next laptop and get a tablet pc if you plan on continuing this method. I'm sure there's a decent way you could support one near the trip display, with something like a panavise mount, or a CD player stand that mounts to a seat bolt. |
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| nsn_mdx |
Not as cheap as $120, but definitely much cheaper than either
a laptop+software or the price to step up to a Touring with Nav.
It's called a Mitac Mio 168 (miogps.com).
Kind of like a Garmin iQue but much more compact and slim.
It runs the Windows PocketPC OS (which is a problem for some, not for me).
I've played around with it for roughly a day now and it rocks! It's small enough
so I can carry it with me on a daily basis and use it as a PDA for all my PIM needs.
It comes with all the accessories to make it usable in a car.
If you want more memory, you can buy more SD cards.
It has a pretty decent speaker and you can hear the voice prompts over the music.
Costs around $450, which is not bad considering it's both a PDA and a GPS. |
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| perk |
quote:
Originally posted by zafer
Use one of these http://www.arkon.com/laptop.html :p
Although it might be wise to go the extra mile :p for your next laptop and get a tablet pc if you plan on continuing this method. I'm sure there's a decent way you could support one near the trip display, with something like a panavise mount, or a CD player stand that mounts to a seat bolt.
That mount would only be useful for times when the car is sitting still. I recommend instead the JottoDesk Floor Mount. Used it on many, many trips and was very pleased with it. The desk articulates to allow the driver or passenger to use the keyboard. And the articulation also allows you to simply push the whole thing forward and out of the way when not in use. When the trip is over, you simple loosen the hand-tightened connector to remove the entire desk all at once. |
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| hockeyplayer |
| I wonder if the display is still fully visible after hard braking and the computer is flung into the passenger footwell. I like the idea but would not be too keen about leaving my laptop in my X during the heat of summer when I go places. I like the ability to upgrade as well. I too have a Vaio. How is YOUR battery life?? I have approximately 12 seconds of battery life on mine:( |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by hockeyplayer
I wonder if the display is still fully visible after hard braking and the computer is flung into the passenger footwell. I like the idea but would not be too keen about leaving my laptop in my X during the heat of summer when I go places. I like the ability to upgrade as well. I too have a Vaio. How is YOUR battery life?? I have approximately 12 seconds of battery life on mine:(
Mine is good for just over an hour under most conditions. But without maxing out the brightness of the display.
It looks great, but as you imply, it leaves me with some real reservations about the practicality of the whole thing. |
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| BaldEagle |
I purchased the DeLorme Street Atlas 2004 and the Garmen GPS for about $129 a few months ago. Use it in the Motorhome, the laptop sets on the dash, and there is a 110 volt plug up front for power. A nice setup for a motorhome but was difficult to use when I tried to use it in a car, not enough room. The Delorme & Garmen system will work with a PDA and that may be the preferable set up in a car.
Have not even begun to use all the functions of the system because so far I have not traveled much on roads I'm not familiar with. The system has a voice command feature that I have only briefly toyed with. It will tell you how fast you are going, how long till your destination, will print detailed directions, can calculate fuel stops, and can be updated with downloads from a web site. Has about 4 million POI's.
Over all a real bargain for only $129. The system is very popular with owners of MotorHomes. |
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| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by zafer
Use one of these http://www.arkon.com/laptop.html :p
I've got to get one of those. Then I can talk on the cell phone, drink coffee, eat a burger, and use the laptop....All while driving down the road. :eek: :2: |
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| yogi799 |
My battery will hold for about 60-90 minutes at the most. However, it is irrelevant in this setup since the VAIO is plugged into an electrical outlet. Long time ago, I bought one of those current converters that turn your cigarette lighter into a 110V home-type outlet. It cost me only $35 and works awesome! I may shoot a picture of that later. Anyhow, that little thing (about 4" by 6") sits on the floor and charges up the laptop at all times.
I've taken this setup on long roadtrips and it really performed excellently. Sometimes the area I drove into looked so scary and deserted (especially at 1am in the morning) - I almost thought I was lost. But Delorme Atlas had everything under control and told me exactly where to turn according to my pre-planned route (it said: shut up and drive:D :D :D ).
No kidding... I like this setup so much, I think I'd miss it if I ever got an OEM NAV. I just can't see how this small screen can fit anything useful with detail. Probably not very well. You do get 4 times that area on a laptop.
Oh, and as far as a laptop holder, I was thinking about something the cops use. But then, having it positioned just like the picture shows lets me accomplish as much without drilling holes in my X. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by yogi799
My battery will hold for about 60-90 minutes at the most. However, it is irrelevant in this setup since the VAIO is plugged into an electrical outlet. Long time ago, I bought one of those current converters that turn your cigarette lighter into a 110V home-type outlet. It cost me only $35 and works awesome! I may shoot a picture of that later. Anyhow, that little thing (about 4" by 6") sits on the floor and charges up the laptop at all times.
I've taken this setup on long roadtrips and it really performed excellently. Sometimes the area I drove into looked so scary and deserted (especially at 1am in the morning) - I almost thought I was lost. But Delorme Atlas had everything under control and told me exactly where to turn according to my pre-planned route (it said: shut up and drive:D :D :D ).
No kidding... I like this setup so much, I think I'd miss it if I ever got an OEM NAV. I just can't see how this small screen can fit anything useful with detail. Probably not very well. You do get 4 times that area on a laptop.
Oh, and as far as a laptop holder, I was thinking about something the cops use. But then, having it positioned just like the picture shows lets me accomplish as much without drilling holes in my X.
Which series VAIO, yogi... GRT, 505, or? |
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| yogi799 |
| FRV-27 if I remember correctly. |
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| XchiKo |
quote:
Originally posted by yogi799
FRV-27 if I remember correctly.
yogi99,
Where are u @ ?
Does your price include the laptop?
thanks |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by yogi799
FRV-27 if I remember correctly.
Just curious, they only have about 30 variations....:rolleyes: |
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| yogi799 |
quote:
Originally posted by XchiKo
yogi99,
Where are u @ ?
Does your price include the laptop?
thanks
:D :D :D You're kidding, right? :D :D :D
Of course not - $120 is the price for delorme GPS + Street Atlas 2004 Mapping software. Laptop sold seperately :D :D :D. You can, however get a cheap laptop from Ebay. A cheapo used Dell would perform the job just fine. You can get an earlier model for as low as $200-300. So it would still beat the hand-held tiny screen Garmin units which retail close to $1000.
NAV rules! |
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| yogi799 |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
Just curious, they only have about 30 variations....:rolleyes:
Yeah... Sony changes these model names like crazy too. They used to be called All-In-One units, then PCG, then FX, then FRV... and so on. Now this series is called A, I think (and they are no longer All-In-One since they have no floppy drive anymore).
FRV units were sold for only about 6 months! I was lucky to get the DVD-RW model during that period. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by yogi799
Yeah... Sony changes these model names like crazy too. They used to be called All-In-One units, then PCG, then FX, then FRV... and so on. Now this series is called A, I think (and they are no longer All-In-One since they have no floppy drive anymore).
FRV units were sold for only about 6 months! I was lucky to get the DVD-RW model during that period.
Similar thing here...I got the GRT-PCG ...they only had a couple of models at CC. Luckily they had one with all the features I wanted including the DVD writer.
The only thing I might have liked would have been a bigger HD..only got 40G...but I don't do tons of downloads.
Do you have the ultrabright screen? I have heard they look real good but could be a problem down the road. Add more cost than any advantage. I am more than pleased with the display...and the onboard editing a/v software is excellent for standard stuff. I think you can do better money-wise with HP/Compaq but their resident programs don't compare with VAIO desktop or laptops. |
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| yogi799 |
That may sound funny, but the main reason we fell in love with Sony laptops was ..... their looks! :D :D First one we bought about 4 years ago really stood out of the crowd consiting of ugly Dells, HPs, Compaqs and all those laptop imitations. These days most of them have improved dramatically (they took after Sony, no doubt). Japs have always had a nice design taste, didn't they? (just look at what forum are we on:D ). Only Fujitsu came close to Sony's looks several years back. Now, Dells look awesome, I could almost trade VAIO for Dell if I had a need to, but I'm not a traitor! :D :D
I don't know about my screen. It looks good.
What I wish I had on my VAIO is built in wireless (had to buy a PCMCIA which sticks out). As to the hard drive, mine has 60gb and this is NOTHING if you do digital video. I had to have more, so I found cheap external HDD on eBay - 80GB for just $70! That solved all of my problems. Plus I can backup all my stuff when time comes to replace VAIO for a new model. External HDs are awesome. |
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| mgtr |
| I have used the DeLorme system for years in my motorhome, which has a huge dashboard - no problem putting a laptop there, and the laptop is powered from 12 volts, the GPS is powered through the USB port. It works well. Cost? Well, I had the laptop, and a friend gave me the DeLorme system. In other works, zero cost. Hard to beat for the price! Now I am used to the way it works, and it has been a lifesaver at times. Example - towing a motorhome with four wheels down ( the only way to go) you suffer one major indignity - you cannot back up. So you sort of need to know where you are going before you go there. A good GPS helps out, and lets you know if dare go down road "X" or not. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by yogi799
That may sound funny, but the main reason we fell in love with Sony laptops was ..... their looks! :D :D First one we bought about 4 years ago really stood out of the crowd consiting of ugly Dells, HPs, Compaqs and all those laptop imitations. These days most of them have improved dramatically (they took after Sony, no doubt). Japs have always had a nice design taste, didn't they? (just look at what forum are we on:D ). Only Fujitsu came close to Sony's looks several years back. Now, Dells look awesome, I could almost trade VAIO for Dell if I had a need to, but I'm not a traitor! :D :D
I don't know about my screen. It looks good.
What I wish I had on my VAIO is built in wireless (had to buy a PCMCIA which sticks out). As to the hard drive, mine has 60gb and this is NOTHING if you do digital video. I had to have more, so I found cheap external HDD on eBay - 80GB for just $70! That solved all of my problems. Plus I can backup all my stuff when time comes to replace VAIO for a new model. External HDs are awesome.
Can't argue with that, they look great. But 'looks' was also why I almost got a Toshiba. I found just the right combination of everything I wanted with the VAIO. Including a built-in memory stick reader + firewire which meets all my imaging needs. Adding a wireless card was not a big deal, just got a big enough case so the laptop fits in comfortably with the card still inserted.
My next desktop will likely be a VAIO. Yah, they aren't cheap.
I am 'this' close to getting an external HD. They are awesome. |
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| yogi799 |
SONY is an awesome company, period (just like ACURA, isn't it?). I have always had a special taste in SONY, maybe because they were the most expensive? (even though I could never afford it!) All I can say is, today we have a digital camera and digital camcorder - all of them SONY, and I'd never consider anyting else. Why? USER INTERFACE. Noone comes close to the ease of use and intuitively set up options. I've had Canon, Panasonic, Sharp and other cameras - they are all way behind. It is worth additional 20% up on the price to get SONY.
Oh, yeah, get the external HDD. That thing is awesome. I am amazed at how it plays digital video using all available data transfer pipe and yet the VAIO sits "unused" because the built-in hard drive is idle. It rules! I was always used to waiting while something was occupying the HDD. No such problem with two. Since then, I would never trade two smaller physical HDDs for one. |
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| MK23666 |
Okay ... I wonder if the screen of a laptop could be converted to sit right atop the dash above the center vents? It could then fold down flat when you don't need it. I would recommend a 15" wide screen version or maybe a smaller 12" screen.
Imagine the possibilities.
Come to think of it ... I'd like to be able to separate the screen of my laptop and swap out for a better screen or just so I could use the keyboard/computer with a stand alone screen. I wonder if there is a market for this option? |
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| yogi799 |
quote:
Originally posted by MK23666
Okay ... I wonder if the screen of a laptop could be converted to sit right atop the dash above the center vents? It could then fold down flat when you don't need it. I would recommend a 15" wide screen version or maybe a smaller 12" screen.
Imagine the possibilities.
Come to think of it ... I'd like to be able to separate the screen of my laptop and swap out for a better screen or just so I could use the keyboard/computer with a stand alone screen. I wonder if there is a market for this option?
I don't know about separating the screen from the keyboard... Plus the screen sitting on the top of the dashboard could almost be a safety hazard blocking the view in certain situations. I wanted to come up with something else - a holder that would keep the laptop right above the shifter. This way the screen would be visible perfectly, keyboard accessible, and only the shifter would be hard to access, but hey - you don't do that on the roadtrips that often (and I don't use gps around town anyway) |
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| Cruiser |
| I have the delorme thing and the DVD NAV. I use delorme for my 2003 TL (which I didn't get the nav for). I've found the integrated system to be much better. Also, I have the service manuals, and when I was reading through the section on the NAV, noticed that the NAV ties into not only GPS, but a gyroscope and wheel speed sensor. That is how it is so accurate in maintaining which direction you're pointed in and in the distance to an approaching turn. |
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| cardingtr |
quote:
Originally posted by nsn_mdx
Not as cheap as $120, but definitely much cheaper than either
a laptop+software or the price to step up to a Touring with Nav.
It's called a Mitac Mio 168 (miogps.com).
Kind of like a Garmin iQue but much more compact and slim.
It runs the Windows PocketPC OS (which is a problem for some, not for me).
I've played around with it for roughly a day now and it rocks! It's small enough
so I can carry it with me on a daily basis and use it as a PDA for all my PIM needs.
It comes with all the accessories to make it usable in a car.
If you want more memory, you can buy more SD cards.
It has a pretty decent speaker and you can hear the voice prompts over the music.
Costs around $450, which is not bad considering it's both a PDA and a GPS.
I also got Mitac Mio( Navman PiN) for a month now. Its awesome. We use it for our other car. I am wondering if I download another GPS Mapping program like PocketMap, will it work with its built in GPS? Pocket map is awesome. If only Acura is looking at those features.. |
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| sushix |
I have been using PocketMap on my car for a while. I bought the CF GPS for $90 from ebay and got the software from my friend. I use it quite often in LA area. So far it has been error free. This program has many great features. Besides the voice navi, it also has the optional 3D map, night and day mode. The program also display car speed, estimated arrival time. It is very very accurate and there is no delay at all. I do think re-routes is a little weak. According the review here TomTom and Co-Pilot have the highest point among other GPS softwares. Co-Pilot even give you the phone numbers of POIs which is one of the feature PocketMap lack.
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| cardingtr |
:eek: Looks like we are going to have the same set up. I also have an Ipaq 2215. My concerns though. How is the volume? Its speaker is at the back (what are the engineers thinking), and the screen is a little washed out compared to my Navman.
I looked at Pocketmap demo and they have this "quick reroute", did you check that? How long is the initial fix? My Navman takes about 5min when driving and same while sitting on the parking lot. |
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| Blackura |
Just curious as to your opinion of Delorme's accuracy.
I bought Delorme SA 2004 and haven't had much time to play with it yet, but I did check out a map of my old 'hood (NJ burbs just outside of NYC) and *nothing* on the Delorme map is where it actually is in real life. Not even close.
I don't have the GPS unit, just the Street Atlas 2004 software for my Toshiba laptop/ Sony Clie NX80V (palm OS). I was very disappointed in the maps to be honest. FWIW, the points of interest I checked have all been there for decades so it's not like they're brand new, and this is a very densely populated area, not way out in the sticks.
Is your experience similar, or did they get the rest of America right an just screw up royally with my hometown? |
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| sushix |
quote:
How is the volume? Its speaker is at the back (what are the engineers thinking), and the screen is a little washed out compared to my Navman.
The volume is ok. I can hear it clearly. You have to leave a little space between the PDA and the PDA holder when you put the PDA on the holder. Depending on the weather condition, cold start can take 1 to 3 minutes and warm start will take about 30 seconds. I tried quick reroute once but I did not get a good result. I was in a traffic jam on the freeway. I was hoping it can reroute by local street. Intead it just rerouted to a different freeway. |
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| Cruiser |
I personally wouldn't trust any of these things too much - especially WRT points of interest. Anytime I'm trying to get somewhere, I get a street address and put that in. But that said, its still way better then not having anything at all! As far as accuracy, I like MS streets and trips better, but the GPS works better with the Delorme (no surprise there since it came with it).
quote:
Originally posted by Blackura
Just curious as to your opinion of Delorme's accuracy.
I bought Delorme SA 2004 and haven't had much time to play with it yet, but I did check out a map of my old 'hood (NJ burbs just outside of NYC) and *nothing* on the Delorme map is where it actually is in real life. Not even close.
I don't have the GPS unit, just the Street Atlas 2004 software for my Toshiba laptop/ Sony Clie NX80V (palm OS). I was very disappointed in the maps to be honest. FWIW, the points of interest I checked have all been there for decades so it's not like they're brand new, and this is a very densely populated area, not way out in the sticks.
Is your experience similar, or did they get the rest of America right an just screw up royally with my hometown?
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| mgtr |
| I have the DeLorme system as described, and am well satisfied with it. However, I use it exclusively in my motorhome, which has a huge dashboard upon which a 15" laptop is perfect. Seems like it would be too cumbersome in MDX or other vehicle. |
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