What laptop to work with a Garmin GPS 18 in my truck?

[JB]

Haven't decided finally on a GPS 18, but if I do I need a laptop to go with it. I want to use it in my truck. It turns the laptop into a powerful GPS processor and display.<br /><br />Looked on eBay and found a power adapter to run a laptop from 12v. That makes it a very attractive option.<br /><br />But then I started looking for a small laptop. OMIGOSH!! Dell, Gateway, HP, etc., etc. Leventy bazillion different models with more bells than Notre Dame and more whistles than NYPD.<br /><br />I know I need a windows unit with usb port or RS232 serial port and a CDROM drive. I can select the GPS 18 for either. Also needs a bright enough screen to read in daylight. . . even sunlight.<br /><br />Would be nice to have a modem, too, but I want to keep it small. . . maybe even small enough to put it on the dash.<br /><br />Who knows about laptops? Can you help me out? The prices on the ones on eBay look very low compared to retail.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: What laptop to work with a Garmin GPS 18 in my truck?

brand new dell with warranty is only $789 on<br />their websight : http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs <br /><br />a used cheapo ebay one will work just fine as a<br />basic gps display, just make sure it has<br />windows pre-loaded and comes with an official<br />COA (cert. of auth.)<br /><br />also see if your GPS needs a specific graphic<br />interface (doubt it) but CYA. I have one gatherin<br />dust here that's basically unused, maybe we can<br />barter? got anything good to trade? LOL<br /><br />I would go with the Dell JB.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: What laptop to work with a Garmin GPS 18 in my truck?

JB, I have 2 laptops, an IBM T23 and an older Compaq Armada. Both have USB ports and serial (DB9). I run Win2K on both with no problems. <br />In the van , for power, I use a 12 Volt inverter. Laptop 120 volt line cord (or powerpack) plugs into inverter. Some of the optional 'travel'12 volt power 'adaptors' are chargers only, they won't power the laptop directly, they only have enough output to charge the battery. The 12 volt inverter solves this problem, it charges the batts and powers the laptop at the same time.<br /><br />As I posted before, the Garmin unit appears to be a GPS unit(USB type) and mapping software. The units for sale on Ebay (search for BU-303) are the same TYPE of GPS receiver. There are serial versions of the same GPS unit too if your laptop doesn't have a USB port (some older laptops don't!) The USB version are powered from the USB connector, the serial types usually have their own seperate power plug for 12VDC. I find the USB version to be easier. <br /><br />As for a laptop. look for one that has a 'touch-pad mouse' built-in, I find them much easier to use.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: What laptop to work with a Garmin GPS 18 in my truck?

JB get one with a readable screen. Regardless of the amount you spend if the screen can't be read in full daylight than it's useless.<br /><br />Probable need to be looking for a LCD.<br /><br />Bob

 

[wajajaja]

Re: What laptop to work with a Garmin GPS 18 in my truck?

Im setting up my globalmap 100 to work on my laptop, the problem i had was the lowrance data cord only came in serial port and the lap top only in usb. found a adapter at circuit city for 30 bucks that took care of that.<br /> i use microsoft maps/streets program, very nice.

 

[plasticfailure]

Re: What laptop to work with a Garmin GPS 18 in my truck?

finding one with a screen bright enough for daylight will be the trick. Pretty much any laptop will have the usb and cd-rom. How much processor and RAM do you require?