Winter Project Help - Building a Laptop-Based Charting GPS

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Hi all,<br /><br />Here's my big winter project, hoping to gain some advice or at least support from those that may have done it or at least something similar to it. <br /><br />I happen to have a nice 15" color TFT screen which fits perfectly on my boat dash. Only problem is that it's not weatherproof. To this end I'm going to make (or buy) a clear plastic cover to go over it to keep it dry and happy. Will also be inside a full bimini enclousre and be easily detachable for storage and cleaning. <br /><br />Also happen to have nice laptop that is getting no use. <br /><br />The plan is to permanantly mount the laptop safely in the cabin of the boat, to serve as both a little entertainment center to play DVD's for the wife and kid, and to run the GPS software and pipe the display out to the screen on the dash. <br /><br />I see having to put out $300 for this project. I plan to use the free NOAA ENC charts found at the link below, so cost there is $0. I already have the charts for my area on my PC at home just to browse them now and then. http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/mcd/ENC/ <br /><br />As stated I have the other hardware, the laptop and external screen.<br /><br />I will need a GPS reciever for the laptop, about $100, like this one:<br /> http://www.mightygps.com/triptracer/tn-200.htm <br /><br />I will also need to purchase the FUGAWI marine ENC viewer that supports interfacing with a GPS reciever, $200 here:<br /> http://www.fugawi.com/docs/marineenc.html <br /><br />So that's the plan. <br /><br />This is all still in the planning stage so I'm open to suggestions. Given the cost of color GPS recievers, let alone one with a 15" screen (is there even one out there?), and given I should be able to pull this off for about what I can sell my current Garmin GPSMAP230 off for, I really want to do it. <br /><br />So let me hear it. Any ideas, suggestions, comments, etc? Am I nuts? I mean I know I am nuts, is this idea nuts? Anyone done this before?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Winter Project Help - Building a Laptop-Based Charting GPS

BONUS - I just remembered I can get the data cable to hook up my handheld Magellan to the laptop, no need for another reciever. <br /><br />MellowYellow, I see in my searching you were thinking of doing this. Get anywhere with it?

 

[jollymon]

Re: Winter Project Help - Building a Laptop-Based Charting GPS

1. I think you will have a lot of problems trying to the the 15" TFT weather proof and visible. That will be the biggest problem to overcome.<br /><br />2. If you mount the laptop inside, you will need some type of external antenna for the GPS, most likly you will not get and maintain a signal inside.<br /><br />3. Entertainment for the wife and kids, may just be changing from GPS software to watching Lion King at the moment that you want the GPS the most!!! Good Luck

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Winter Project Help - Building a Laptop-Based Charting GPS

Not sure if the screen is actually TFT or what. I fired it up in direct sunlight and though not as pretty as indoors it is still readable. On the boat it's under a full time bimini so should be at least shaded at all times. As for weatherproofing, I'm going to enclose it in plastic. Or maybe plexi. I can work with both. <br /><br />The antenna I linked to is external, magnetic mount. <br /><br />The DVD aspect of it would be for overnights, etc, that kind of thing. No en-route movies. It is daddy's boat!

 

[chuckz]

Re: Winter Project Help - Building a Laptop-Based Charting GPS

Say good bye to the laptop. It won't survive long in the salt water environment. The hard drive isn't going to be too happy about being pounded in rough seas either. The military has spent a lot of money ruggedizing computers for similar environments and it's no easy task.<br /><br />Damp, salt laden air and electricity don't mix. Copper disapears from circuit boards and interconnects real fast.<br /><br />The display may survive if all the circuit boards are conformal coated.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Winter Project Help - Building a Laptop-Based Charting GPS

Good point about the hard drive. <br /><br />Like I said still in the planning stages. Even the best plans are subject to cancellation at any time. Maybe I'll sell the screen, laptop and old GPS and fund a new color gps? haha. <br /><br />Gotta think about all this stuff. The salt air is a definite concern.

 

[bruoff]

Re: Winter Project Help - Building a Laptop-Based Charting GPS

Well guys, there is a much easier way to accomplish very nearly the same things. There is a company on Ebay, based here in Florida that markets a complete GPS/Charting system for your area for around $40. The name of the outfit is "Worldwide Waypoints". If you already own a GPS, I can make you an adapter to input the NMEA signals to your laptop. (You can also buy these at a rather inflated price from oyur GPS manufacturer) I now have about 20 computers going on shrimp boats, crap boats and large commercial fishing vessels. I too was worried about the effects of the salt air, but to this point even the 'puetrs that are in unair conditioned ares are working fine!

 

[bruoff]

Re: Winter Project Help - Building a Laptop-Based Charting GPS

Darn it's been a long day. Sorry for the poor spelling!!!!!

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Winter Project Help - Building a Laptop-Based Charting GPS

Worldwide Waypoints web site:<br /><br /> http://www.worldwide-waypoints-inc.net-software-download.com/

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Winter Project Help - Building a Laptop-Based Charting GPS

The more I thought about it the more the screen I have to work with on the console of a walkaround, won't work. On my next boat I'll have a climate controlled pilot house so it won't be an issue......