Large Screen Gps System

There doesn't seem like a lot of activity here so I start something.

It's not that I'm as blind as a bat, but I'm not comfortable using those small hand held GPS systems, or for that matter those tiny GPS systems with those itty bitty display screens either. Although I do have a Garmin Nuvi 200 for the Toad. The Garmin works fine for local stuff, but really sucks a programming for large trips. But I digress...

I prefer using a laptop with the larger display. The only problem with that was I didn't really have a good place to 'mount' the laptop while traveling. Being somewhat of a tech geek I took a different route.

When I replaced my old 26 CRT TV with a 32 LCD HDTV I decided that it could also double as my display for my laptop. Since I wasn't happy with the location of my laptop while driving, I decided to put together a micro AT computer. I'm not a gamer, so I went the cheap route, pretty much a bare bone setup. I got the basic micro AT motherboard with 2G memory with sound and HDMI output, a small case, wireless (RF) keyboard with mouse pad and wireless card. All of this running on XP. I put everything together for around $300 (last year prices).

The only software installed on it is Firefox, OpenOffice, Streets and Trips 2008 and DeLorme Street Atlas Plus 2009.

I have the computer sitting on the floor under the left side of the dash. I routed the HDMI cable behind the molding running from the dash, along the vertical edge of the windshield into the overhead cabinets. The receiver for the wireless keyboard sits behind the access panel on the floor under the center of the dash.

My wife is now in control of the GPS system while we are traveling. She really likes doing this because it gives her a better idea of where we are. When I need to zoom in, change the 'forward looking radar' etc. she takes care of this for me. I was never fond of using the voice commands and having to wear some type of headset.

I've also installed a CradlePoint MBR1000 router that our Verizon Air Card plugs directly into. The air card is plugged into a Wilson amp using an external RV/Truck antenna mounted on our roof. We now have access to the internet while traveling down the road. My wife can check/send email, do internet searches, control the GPS system all while setting anywhere in the motor home while we are driving. She thinks this is the best 'mod' I've done to our motor home, she loves it!

I posted something similar to this on the 'other' forum and got slammed that it was dangerous to watch TV while driving. I'm not watching TV, I'm glancing up to look at a GPS screen that is much easier to read then those tiny hand held systems. For me it's safer, because I can take a quick glance versus having to concentrate on a tiny screen.

Here is what the screen looks like.
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CradlePoint MBR1000
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Omni RV Antenna with Spring Base
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I really hate to say anything, but after 25 years as a Cop and many of those with an MDT setup in the cruiser, you have set up, the most dangerous possible scenario out there. It is a known fact, that LE Officers have the worst rear end type accident history in the US, due to taking their eyes off the road to look at their MDT, setting dash level, but off to the right. In your case it is even more critical, as you will be especially concerned of directions when approaching an exit or intersection and just a quick glance at the screen above your head increases your probabilities of an accident many fold.
Like you, I don't care for the smaller screens of the current GPS offerings, but they do make a 7+" screen and that, set directly in your line of forward vision, is a much safer scenario than your setup. I set mine on top of the dash, directly behind the steering wheel so that when I look at it, I am also still looking in a forward direction at the road.
Would or could an Officer cite you for your setup, that varies with the state and their laws. Many now say, the use of an electronic visual display, visible to the driver is illegal and some still specifically state TV. I do know that in the southeast, you will most likely be stopped for it, if seen by the HP Officers and many will cite for the use of it, under the newer updated codes. It really boils down to each Officer and his/her thoughts on the safe use of the device.
So, to sum up my thoughts on your GPS setup, it is IMHO a dangerous setup that will distract you from your responsibility as a driver and that is the safe control of your vehicle.

I've used the smaller screen and honestly I find myself more distracted, taking longer to 'read' the small screen than to take a quick glance at the over head TV. I've been using this setup for over a year now and find it much easier to see than my old laptop sitting on the dash. This setup is not prone to sunlight washout like my laptop was. I guess the best setup would be a heads-up display. Sounds expensive and I don't know of any except in fighter aircraft.

So far in about 7,000 miles of driving no one has stopped or cited me. But you never know...

CrossCountryNomad, you could have gotten out cheaper by just getting a new pair of glasses. :D

I did - didn't help... :D

I definately find the smaller screen harder to read and require more time to see what I'm looking for on them. We use a laptop at the moment with a 15" screen and I seriously consider the only good use for a front TV in a MH is as a GPS screen.

This having been said, it is for the use of the co-pilot while I'm driving or me if I'm in the right hand seat. It is always better if the driver doesn't have to look at it.

Having also been in Law Enforcement and having driven computer equipped vehicles then and in conjunction with current work, I do agree that the driver using them has to be very careful restrict the use to when stopped or parked. Yes, I know this can't always happen so it is a bit of a safety issue. However this does seem to be the way things are going in our fast moving and complicated society. Heck in some areas bus drivers are having to read gps screens to follow routes in bigger cities and many trucking companies require the use of incab gps and routing computers for local and inter-city deliveries.

However, if it is set up and used by a co-pilot, great system!

I bought a netbook with an 8" screen, can run my VMSpc and Streets & trips on it. Put some velcro on the bottom and it stays in place just fine on the fabric dash cover. The small screen is right in front of me on the dash. Now I have a 4.1" GPS so I just run the VMSpc on the netbook.

Deen,

How did you load your Streets and Trips on the netbook. The ones I've looked at don't have a CD reader. Did you copy your CD's to a flash drive then load them on?

Thanks.

Diesel, I have an Acer with a 10.1" screen. I simply copied the S&T DVD to a flash drive and installed from there. It worked perfectly. Since then, I bought a CD/DVD RW.

Knowing Microsoft's bent toward preventing piracy, I was afraid there might be something that would prevent copying the DVD. There wasn't. I didn't violate any license agreements regarding the number computers to use the software.

Incidentally, the Microsoft receiver also worked flawlessly withe Acer.