Mini Laptop/GPS Mount

MSGGrunt · 01-24-09, 05:18 PM

I just bought one of those mini laptop computers (Lenovo) to use in the cruiser to run my DeLorme Street Atlas and Topo program. It also has the advantage of wireless internet. I fabricated my own mount using a Ram suction windshield mount as the base, a 6" extension and on the end of that a ball mount. To the ball I mounted two 1" strips of aluminium bent to my liking. The computer is held in place with Velcro. I took it for a shakedown cruise and don't see any issues. Feel free to comment.

MSGGrunt · 01-24-09, 05:19 PM

By the way, the cruiser is new to me and the wood trim will be removed when the weather gets warmer.

e9999 · 01-24-09, 05:28 PM

Nicely done, elegantly simple and ergonomic. Amazing that this held during the shakedown (!

) run. Must be some strong cups up there...
How far apart are these strips?

Unfortunately, I don't think the PRK would allow that. Surprised the PRM does. Or do you go by creativity beats bureaucratese -as it well should-?

MSGGrunt · 01-24-09, 05:49 PM

The suction cups are pressed on and then a lever thrown to cause a vacuum. They really hold well. Ram makes a great product. The strips are only about 2 inches apart. The computer has a 10.2" WSVGA (1024x600) AntiGlare TFT display, is 9.8" wide, 7.2" deep, 1.1" high, and weighs 2.6 pounds.

I like that it is bigger than a traditional GPS, but smaller than a full size laptop.

RAM Mounting Systems, Inc.

retrofive · 01-24-09, 06:16 PM

Is that the S10 model? (Leovo/IBM), doe those come with built in GPS? If not what are your using?

M23TLC · 01-24-09, 06:26 PM

Thats a great idea. Think it will hold a 15" laptop?

KLF · 01-24-09, 06:54 PM

I have the same kind of thoughts, I want to use one of those Dell Mini 9's.

A Mass State cop will pull you over for that, though.

MSGGrunt · 01-24-09, 06:57 PM

It is the Lenovo S10 and no it doesn't come with built in GPS. I am running DeLorme Street Atlas. I want to try National Geographic for Topo software. I think it would hold a 15" laptop. The aluminium may have to be a bit thicker to support the extra weight of a full blown laptop. The mini laptops are a lot lighter than a regular size laptop. The Ram Mount is very well built and will support just about anything. I also run an Itronix ix325 in the same mount and this is a lot heavier than the Lenovo S10.

MSGGrunt · 01-24-09, 07:02 PM

I doubt a trooper would worry about this as it really doesn't obstruct my view. Maybe he would say something secondary to being pulled over for some other reason. I could always quickly close the screen. I've had no problems in the past running larger computers like my Itronix IX250 or the tablet Itronix IX325.

tennesseejed · 01-24-09, 08:31 PM

nice build. i am rocking the carputer also, http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...-carputer.html

did you hook it in to your audio line for surround sound?

Brian894X4 · 01-24-09, 11:34 PM

Nice set up. My laptop, even though its an IBM X31 (the original mini), is pretty big and while I like my set up, it's getting old and time for something smaller. I've considered one of those mini-touch screens where you can run the laptop and all it's functions remotely from a smaller screen up front.

Your set up is a very nice alternative. I use suction cups all the time for such including ram cups. They work, but do tend to lose grip over time. I've found that both extremely cold and extremely hot weather beating down on the windshield will cause the suction cups to rapidly lose suction for some reason. Just keep in mind. If it were me, I'd probably find some way to brace it from the bottom to minimize vibration and take some of the load off the windshield cups.

fjfar80 · 01-25-09, 03:54 AM

Is that a D90 in the garage?

Exiled · 01-25-09, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLF

I have the same kind of thoughts, I want to use one of those Dell Mini 9's.

A Mass State cop will pull you over for that, though.

Ken, wait a few weeks, the new Dell Mini 10 coming out to replace the Mini 9 has built in GPS. Same dimensions, same weight.

Cheers!

Henry

MSGGrunt · 01-25-09, 07:22 AM

Thanks for the advice on the suction cups. I will keep an eye on them. I've used both a tablet with touch screen (Itronix ix325) and a laptop with touch screen (Itronix ix250) and I don't like having just a touch screen with no keyboard. I feel the mini is the best of both worlds. Small and light, I have a keyboard so I can use the touch pad and keys, and can live without the touch screen. The Itronix ix250 had both the keyboard and touch screen, but it very, very heavy....

The other truck in my garage is a comletely rust free 1987 Suzuki Samurai, SOA, 33" BFG MT, 6 to 1 Trail Gear transfer gears, with a Fuel Injected 1.6 conversion out of a 1990 Geo Tracker.

Next to that is a 1997 FZJ80 that I am thinking of doing a FZJ45 conversion on with a 4bt Cumminns. This will be my Post Deployment project.... Maybe....

KLF · 01-25-09, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exiled

Ken, wait a few weeks, the new Dell Mini 10 coming out to replace the Mini 9 has built in GPS. Same dimensions, same weight.

Cheers!

Henry

Excellent! I was >this< close to calling our campus store tomorrow and picking up a Mini 9, they have a bunch in stock they're trying to get rid of. For some reason they're not selling as well as they thought.

Looking forward to the specs on the new unit. Got any other insider intel you can share?

Exiled · 01-25-09, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLF

Excellent! I was >this< close to calling our campus store tomorrow and picking up a Mini 9, they have a bunch in stock they're trying to get rid of. For some reason they're not selling as well as they thought.

Looking forward to the specs on the new unit. Got any other insider intel you can share?

Not if I want to keep my job, but suffice to say that I was ready to pull the trigger on a 9 and am not waiting for a 10. I plan to use it on my Cruiser with a mount similar to MSGGrunt's excellent design.

Grolar · 01-25-09, 04:14 PM

Great setup and x2 with e9999 on the troopers.
Do you plan to use the central A/C vents to cool the motherboard?

Greg_B · 01-26-09, 09:37 PM

Nice. These new generation mini-laptops are a new wrinkle into my thought process. I've been a toughbook bigot for a few years, but the size of mounting the books up front just take up too much room in a personal vehicle so I've been looking at options.

I've used the toughbooks at work for years (latest in use are the CF-30's) and I can recall only once any of the books we have in service having any hardware issues, which IT solved with a new hard drive. They are not treated kindly, and I sometimes think the mounts induce more vibrations; however they seem to simply keep on working. I have a few CF-28's which I've built up a bit with the help of the folks in the Panasonic forum at Notebookreview.com. Ultimately I think a carputer which would include a remote touchscreen is where I will end up. A built up remote mounted toughbook, through to a CF-VDW07 unit and mounted on a swivel is the dream.

But, these new mini lap-tops look like a quick option. Thanks for the write-up, and the other carputer thread.

MSGGrunt · 01-27-09, 04:13 AM

I too am wondering how well it will hold up to the vibrations of being in a vehicle. I did find one limitation yesterday..... The computer did not boot up at -10. I used the truck vent to blow hot air on the computer for a few minutes and it booted fine once warmed up a bit.

hill · 01-27-09, 07:11 AM

how are you powering that lap top?

Greg_B · 01-27-09, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSGGrunt

I too am wondering how well it will hold up to the vibrations of being in a vehicle. I did find one limitation yesterday..... The computer did not boot up at -10. I used the truck vent to blow hot air on the computer for a few minutes and it booted fine once warmed up a bit.

Interesting. Some notebooks can be spec'd with hard drive heaters, which warm it up before allowing it to spin up.

MSGGrunt · 01-27-09, 02:46 PM

I am powering it with an adapter that plugs into the cig. outlet. Made in China like everything else, but is better than 110 off a converter. For the price I am not surprised that these don't have a hard drive heater. Understand that I am asking the computer to do way more environmentally than I probably should. ie vibrations, extreme hot and cold, dust to some extent, etc... I always have my Itronix is325 tablet as a back up. Now that is a tank...