Larry Grubbs 
Lake Oswego, OR
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| 07/02/2008 9:40 PM |
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After doing a lot of research on possible replacements for my very old Garmin V I have decided to just build my own... Ultimately the topo maps of all the available GPS's just don't suit my needs as they are at least 1:100k which seems like too little detail!
I've always been jealous of the guys with the full size laptops mounted in their cars. However the shear size and the fact that my wife might be pissed if I made her sit by that thing have kept me at bay. Now since I've discovered the UMPC's I think I can make something work, finally.
Specifically looking at the Samsung Q1 with Windows XP. My main concern is how well it will hold up with the slightly dusty environment of a truck. And also of good high quality mapping software available for it.
Any advice?
Edit: The mispelled advice in the title is driving me crazy, just thought I would mention that I know I mispelled it... |
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Nevak Risew
Seattle, WA
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| 07/03/2008 1:02 AM |
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Mapping is fun and useful. I've used two different laptops as offroad nav stations over the years, and both still work fine. Dust doesn't have to be a big issue. My first was a 12" Compaq running W95. Now I use an old PowerBook running MacGPSPro, which gives a choice of 250k, 100k or 24k USGS topos, depending on the nav needs. Both use/used the same Garmin eMap. The Mac app can be used with just a USB antenna if I was inclined to change my habits. But it ain't broke, and I like the backup tracklog of the gps unit.
Overland Navigator should be on your list.
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Paul Wilhelm
Snohomish, WA
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| 07/03/2008 7:05 AM |
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| I just bought an ASUS R2H off ebay for under $600. Wifi, Bluetooth, 7" touchscreen, Sirf III GPS built in, Windows XP, multiple USB. A little more than 1" thick and 2 pounds. I've only been able to play around with it for a few days but I'm quite happy with it. I bought it only slightly used and it came with the little iGo folding bluetooth keyboard and a 2G RAM upgrade. Street price new is around $850. Ram Mount makes a base for them too. That's next on the list. |
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93 SWB RRC (trail rig)
93 LWB RRC + 81 Series III 109 = (hybrid to be) |
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Larry Grubbs
Lake Oswego, OR
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| 07/03/2008 8:47 AM |
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Posted By Paul Wilhelm on 07/03/2008 7:05 AM
I just bought an ASUS R2H off ebay for under $600. Wifi, Bluetooth, 7" touchscreen, Sirf III GPS built in, Windows XP, multiple USB. A little more than 1" thick and 2 pounds. I've only been able to play around with it for a few days but I'm quite happy with it. I bought it only slightly used and it came with the little iGo folding bluetooth keyboard and a 2G RAM upgrade. Street price new is around $850. Ram Mount makes a base for them too. That's next on the list.
I saw the Asus, didn't realize the built-in GPS was a sirf III chipset. Curious if you'll still need an external or if the internal works find. Also, how bright is that screen? Any problems viewing it inside the truck?
Actually the RAM mounts are what sealed the deal for me. They enable me to mount it on the dash and out of the passengers way.
Regarding Overland Navigator, does he have much for Oregon yet? |
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Craig Miller
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Larry Grubbs
Lake Oswego, OR
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| 07/03/2008 10:29 AM |
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I'll have to check it out then.
Been looking at that Asus, deep in the documentation it does verify it's the SIRF III chipset. That officially puts it at the top of the list. Anyone know how many memory slots it has? I would assume two, but could be wrong. |
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Paul Wilhelm
Snohomish, WA
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| 07/03/2008 10:11 PM |
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It has one SD slot on the top
2 full size USB 2.0 and 1 mini USB
1 wired ethernet port and an expansion bus port under a little cover
1/8" mini plugs for microphone, headphones, and a/v out too
Built-in 1.3 M camera and mic
The GPS has a "flip-up paddle" but no reception unless you plug in the external antenna.
The front panel around the screen also has various buttons for joystick navigation, scrolling, mouse buttons, fingerprint scanner for logging in, etc.
In most reviews I read they mentioned slow processor (900mhz Celeron), heat and short battery life as negatives. For what I've messed with so far, none of this has been a problem. The battery goes for a couple of hours at full tilt usage (it has options for slowing speed and dimming display). The screen is daylight readable though not especially great when wearing sunglasses with polarizing lenses.
I am concerned about dust getting sucked in though. I'm thinking about this issue and might rig up a tiny 12v CPU fan/prefilter for it.
The GPS comes with a nice voice guided street map. I like being able to scroll and zoom the map around to see where I am (like Overland Navigator which I need to buy ASAP) and with one tap on the screen button I'm back seeing my location on the 2D or 3D map. The voice gives PLENTY of warning for upcoming turns.
I'll let you know how well my iTunes install goes 
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93 SWB RRC (trail rig)
93 LWB RRC + 81 Series III 109 = (hybrid to be) |
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Larry Grubbs
Lake Oswego, OR
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| 07/03/2008 11:32 PM |
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| Regarding speed, the main problem is that it runs Windows Vista a notoriously resource hungry O/S. If I end up getting one I will probably try to take it up to 2GB of memory. I personally don't care about the battery life, but the heat could be a problem. I'm thinking the suction cup Ram mount for my truck. However sitting in the sun all day, I worry it will bake the PC. Hopefully you'll get a chance to flog it over the next couple of weeks before I plop down the money. |
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Paul Wilhelm
Snohomish, WA
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| 07/04/2008 12:06 AM |
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Mine has Windows XP tablet edition (extra touchscreen goodies). I don't see a reason for running Vista on it. Only negatives right now. By the time Vista is ready for primetime I'll be getting a newer piece of hardware anyway.
As far as overheating, it might be a concern. I would think it is similar to having any notebook in a car. I plan on taking it out of the Ram Mount anyway if I was out of the car for several hours hiking or shopping. Nevertheless, temperatures inside a parked vehicle can get extreme. I wouldn't leave it overnight at 20 degrees to often either.
For me it's a value that's hard to beat. It really is about getting a form factor with the features you want that fits your budget and goals. |
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93 SWB RRC (trail rig)
93 LWB RRC + 81 Series III 109 = (hybrid to be) |
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Larry Grubbs
Lake Oswego, OR
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| 07/04/2008 4:28 PM |
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| Paul, so if I find one on eBay for around $500 it's a pretty good deal? I usually watch things for a few weeks before bidding so I know if I'm getting a good price. |
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Paul Wilhelm
Snohomish, WA
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| 07/05/2008 2:36 PM |
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I'd say $500 is very good. If it's much lower than that it probably has issues. I am very happy with mine for $582 which included the extra RAM, keyboard, and shipping. My max bid was $700 though. I hope that info helps. |
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93 SWB RRC (trail rig)
93 LWB RRC + 81 Series III 109 = (hybrid to be) |
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Larry Grubbs
Lake Oswego, OR
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| 07/06/2008 7:14 PM |
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| I had one at about $450 but wasn't "committed" enough to really set the price and get it... After spending the weekend trying to navigate Mt Hood National Forest with my Garmin V I think I'm about ready to commit to something else, anything else. |
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Paul Wilhelm
Snohomish, WA
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| 07/06/2008 11:03 PM |
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I'm sure you weren't lost but I know trying to determine whether or not you are on the right road can be a frustrating time waster. I'm glad you made it back ok though.
I think $450 would have been a pretty good deal. Before I went this route I was looking at a Garmin 760 CSx for about $350. Then I decided to spend a couple hundred more and get something more capable and better suited to what I planned to use it for. |
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93 SWB RRC (trail rig)
93 LWB RRC + 81 Series III 109 = (hybrid to be) |
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Craig Miller
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| 07/06/2008 11:27 PM |
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When considering the cost it helped me to remember that besides navigation, a UMPC can be used to:
- Store a RAVE manual
- Download and store photos
- Read an OBDII code
- Send an email or surf the web via the free WiFi available at many rest stops.
- Keep a travel journal
- Store and play music, movies, etc...
- ????
Craig
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NW Overland Society Badges - Still Accepting Orders - (Click Here)
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gabriel m. itaya
Clinton, WA
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| 07/07/2008 1:31 AM |
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| sorry guys, but what is a UMPC? |
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4 out of 3 people dont know fractions well... |
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Larry Grubbs
Lake Oswego, OR
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| 07/07/2008 1:58 AM |
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| Ultra Mobile Personal Computer. |
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Paul Wilhelm
Snohomish, WA
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Larry Grubbs
Lake Oswego, OR
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| 07/24/2008 2:45 PM |
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| Also noticed the Motion LS800. It has an 8.4" touchscreen and some better mounts available from Ram Mounts. Plus it's a 1.2GHz proc and some even have the 16GB or 32GB SSD drives installed. Sounds pretty cool. Only downside I can see is it doesn't have the built in GPS. |
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Todd Eliason
Sherwood, OR
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| 07/24/2008 3:44 PM |
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| Larry, Send me a note when you figure out which one you are going to get and let me check our prices on it. I bet you get a better deal through a large discounted but you never know.... |
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dang |
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Craig Miller
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