making a GPS laptop?

[mellowyellow]

is it just me, or wouldn't it be easy to make your<br />own GPS from an old cheapo laptop? these $500+<br />units are just 486/pentium units aren't they? and it<br />looks like there are places to download the <br />software for free on the web...<br />has anyone done this so I don't have to re-invent<br />the wheel?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

Don't think it can be done with the laptop alone. You need the receiver. These can be had relatively cheap at places like Best Buy and what not. De Lorme makes an excellent map program that comes with a receiver to plug into your laptop for about $125. All it is basically is an antenna receiver that you plug into your computer. Nice big color display! They work as good as any of them.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

Right. Get an antenna and you're GPS'ing!<br /><br />As laptops are not as sturdy as dedicated GPS units (lid hinges, not splashproof, open connectors, power consumption) it may have a hard time surviving.<br /><br />Display definately is a major gain compared to most GPS's, though.<br /><br />I've used my Garmin IV as antenna for my laptop with Garmin/AutoRoute software and it works fine, so it is possible...<br /><br />Onboard my boat, in a car or when out I use the Garmin. Much easier.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

Most of the mid to high-end marine electronics manfs offer the software for pc versions of GPS/chartplotting, sounding/fishfinder, and radar products. The laptop versions of just about everything are way better than what is offered in a package with hardware.<br /><br />Btw, there are free e-charts and viewing freeware for pc’s available on NOAA’s website. I’ve been playing with it a little bit. I plan to start some treads on this after I get a chance to get into it in more detail. Go figure…we paid for the survey, we own the data…we should have access to it at no charge! <br /><br />I suspect that eventually you will only have to pay for GPS hardware and all the charts will be free downloads.

 

[sloopy]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

I saw a small antenna at office depot for $40.00 and it came with some basic software.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

Originally posted by mellowyellow:<br />these $500+<br />units are just 486/pentium units aren't they?

No, they aren't just a regular computer. They will have custom procesors designed to do just what they're doing. An old laptop is going to be slower, much much less reliable, and you'll have to wait for it to boot up every time you want to use it. Also the screen will be nearly impossible to see in daylight. Old laptops are even worse than newer laptops, and I can't read the screen of my brand new dell outside during the day...

 

[neumanns]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

Answered my own question

 

[JB]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

Many times I have lusted for the big color display of a laptop for the output of my GPS reciever. <br /><br />That's all it can do, even with mapping software aboard. . . display. Gotta have a GPS reciever to run it.<br /><br />I started thinking about weatherproofing it. . . hmmm, not that easy. Definitely not that cheap. But in the truck, maybe it would be okay.<br /><br />Still thinking about it.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

mellowyellow, Any of the Garmin e-tex models can be hooked directly to a laptop. I don't know about other models but they probably can too. I think the cheapest e-trex runs about $100.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

DR – I presume if you plug a Garmin into a laptop you basically enhance the display??? When I looked into this about 10-years ago there were a handful of small companies that made gps cards that fit into desktops. I would think some would make units to plug into the access port of a laptop. Not sure if the cards do any advanced signal processing…if they do you might as well go with a Garmin. There was software available that will run a gps application with nothing more than an antenna plugged into a pc. I’m not sure of any chartplotting functions.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

The e-trex series give you full GPS function on your laptop. You still need to get one of their "Mapsource" programs. The e-trex will show "Maps" on the laptop when you install the Garmin mapsource CD rom. It's basically the same thing as getting the DeLorme program that I mentioned earlier, except with the DeLorme you have to have the laptop to use it. With the e-trex, of course, you can use it with or without the laptop. I'm sure other Garmin models will do this too, I'm just not familiar with them.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

still researching... about $100 for the USB GPS<br />receiver plus software. some sweet software out<br />there, some costs $5K? yikes!<br />found NOOA chart downloads here:<br /> http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/download.htm <br />but how do you run them? what program/software?<br /><br />I know, I know.... "why don't you invent one Edison!"<br />

 

[18rabbit]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

MY - follow the links on the NOAA web page to the freeware viewers for their e-charts. I think there are 3 different ones. I am using/playing with the one by 7-C's.<br /><br />We are definitely going to need some serious discussions about NOAA's free e-charts.

 

[Troy_from _Oz]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

Hi all, Im currently looking for some freeware/shareware to be able to post-plot where I have been and overlay this on a digital map (wanting to plot my tracklog and see where i Didnt catch fish). <br /><br />Just came across some software called GPS Utility<br /> http://www.gpsu.co.uk/index.html which looks like it will also plot on a moving map - hence you could hook your $100 Garmin up to a laptop and use it as a mpving map GPS??? <br /><br />I havent installed or used it yet but thought you might be interested. If anyone has used it - id be keen on hearing your feedback.<br /><br />Cheers<br />T

 

[Keithw]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

I am using a handheld Magellan SportTrak GPS connected to my laptop. The Mapping software is called SeaClear and it is freeware. <br /><br />www.spring.com/seaclear<br /><br />You can use any charts eg. bmp,jpeg you convert the chart to Seaclears format, then calibrate the chart with a couple of known Lat + Longs and away you go. <br /><br />It works and is free.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

some charts and sofware here also:<br /> http://stores.ebay.com/The-Chart-Store <br /><br />so far: laptop (already have), GPS receiver like<br />this:<br />

<br />about $100<br />charts and software??? free from nooa maybe...

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

high end garmin engine... add display and ???<br /> http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/garmin/25.htm

 

[BrianTindall]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

For boats with an enclosed cabin the laptop would do a fine job. For an open boat or bridge, no way, can't keep the water out.<br /><br />JB, I use the DeLoerme software with a GPS connected to my laptop while on the road. It's always up and running. Can't tell you how many times it saved me from getting stuck in traffic and construction! I actually made a table that straps to the seat for it.

 

[neumanns]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

Keep us up on the progress...I'm quietly following your adventure.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: making a GPS laptop?

For those of you with entirely too much money, there are marine-ized versions of laptops available. A couple years ago I read of a few lt manfs making them. They have appropriate rubber port covers, weatherized keyboard and screen… Costs the same as a typical lt plus 50% more.