7" USB Touch Screen Monitor (1 Viewer)

[yohavos]

I wanted a small PC tablet that I could mount easily in the Troopie, but didn't want to pay a premium for some underrated POS just because it was small and had a touch screen. I run Overland Navigator, so an iPad was out. I'm not interested in buying more software, and prefer to keep things as simple as possible (I know, computer navigation = not simple, but you get my point)

I have a CF-74 Toughbook that I got for super cheap back in the day that I use to run Overland Navigator. It has my FSM on it, my OBD2 scan tool, and my navigation stuff. It runs everything very well, but is too big to have up front. I don't have a mount, and the doesn't want it mounted anywhere near her.

I refuse to purchase a RAM mount, because on top of spending hundreds of dollars, I would still be left with a full sized laptop floating around somewhere up front, which the isn't happy with, and neither am I, quite frankly.

I did not want to buy a new computer.

What I settled on was a leap of faith with a Proximus 7" USB touch screen monitor. I still run my CF-74 (this would work with any lap top with USB ports, PC or Mac) but leave it closed somewhere else in the vehicle. I interface with it through this monitor. The monitor has built in left click, double click, and right click technology, as well as a virtual keyboard if you need to type something. This allows for full functionality in windows, which I was concerned about having the laptop stowed behind me. With that in mind, I'm working on mounting it in a side panel in the troopie, but you could just as easily leave it under a seat or something. This little beauty runs on a single USB cable, that's it. No batteries, no power cables, just a USB cable from the computer into the back of it.

I already had a cheap Arkon universal tablet mount for my windshield that I have been using for my smart phone and Garmin. It was $11 and is a very strong mount... and very versatile.

What I found was that the mount, with it's universal "hand" didn't fit around my touch screen.

What I found shortly after that, was that the bolt that holds the "hand" on the mount is a direct match to the threaded nutsert on the back of the touch screen. This thing looks like it was designed for this.

Here's a more detailed write up: Wagons West » Navigation

 

[yohavos]

As a follow up, I suppose I'd like to add:

I recommend this route if you have a full sized laptop, or want to have a full sized but don't want the bulkiness up front with you.

If you're looking at buying a computer for navigation on a budget, there are some cheaper ruggedized tablets out there that are a bit older, but will work.

I did this because I didn't want to spend any more $ on another computer. This is about $100 for a small touch screen and a mount. Tied to a good computer, you get the best of both worlds... (the performance of a larger laptop, and the convenience of a tiny touch screen tablet).

The screen comes with a stylus built into the back of it, as well as a pretty pimp plastic cover.

Some of my concerns were how glossy the border of the LCD is. The screen is plenty bright, but I can see some glare being a possible issue with the border. I'm thinking some electrical tape, or maybe some flat black paint might be in order.

 

[UZJ40]

That looks really good! Are you happy with the display quality?

 

[yohavos]

That looks really good! Are you happy with the display quality?

Yes, so far. I have yet to drive it around on any super sunny days, but it's a sharp little LCD. I have tint all the way around in the truck, so I'm sure that will help as well.

I don't usually share things like this, but it worked so well I thought I would throw it up on here. I think this would be a great alternative for someone with an older laptop they don't care about that wants the benefits of a small touch screen.

I've been thinking about getting one of those protective film covers from a kiosk at the mall (the kind for tablets, ipads, cell phones, etc.) to protect the screen a bit, then painting the surrounding border with some some sort of matte color.

 

[RobRed]

As a follow up, I suppose I'd like to add:

I recommend this route if you have a full sized laptop, or want to have a full sized but don't want the bulkiness up front with you.

If you're looking at buying a computer for navigation on a budget, there are some cheaper ruggedized tablets out there that are a bit older, but will work.

I did this because I didn't want to spend any more $ on another computer. This is about $100 for a small touch screen and a mount. Tied to a good computer, you get the best of both worlds... (the performance of a larger laptop, and the convenience of a tiny touch screen tablet).

The screen comes with a stylus built into the back of it, as well as a pretty pimp plastic cover.

Some of my concerns were how glossy the border of the LCD is. The screen is plenty bright, but I can see some glare being a possible issue with the border. I'm thinking some electrical tape, or maybe some flat black paint might be in order.

Take the monitor apart / remove the front bezel and spray with plastidip. It can be peeled off later if you change your mind.

 

[yohavos]

I'll also add that this would make a decent addition to a current set up. You can run this as a second display off of your computer and mount it in the back with a DVD on for the kiddos, or in the case of a driver/navigator setup, you could clone the navigator's display onto this so the driver could see what he's seeing, in real time.

Or, use it as a second monitor on your desk at home so you've always got a picture of your Cruiser up!

 

[rusty_tlc]

Thanks for sharing. I'd like to do this.

Kind of OT but does the ON Software work for you? One of the complaints I've heard is that you cannot set it for Course Up, is that a problem?

 

[rusty_tlc]

Also do you have to modify the notebook to operate while closed or is that done in soft ware?

 

[RobRed]

depends on notebook hardware but most can operate with the lid closed - Dell has a setting for this specifically in a few of the models I had. Most of the time it's handled in the sleep function - check your control panel.

 

[yohavos]

Overland Navigator does not offer course up navigation, that is correct.

I prefer this for several reasons, the primary of which is the ability to look at my screen and be able to translate that picture over to a paper map very easily. The navigation software we used in the military was the same, so I'm also used to it. I don't like turn by turn GPS units, which probably puts me in a minority. Seeing my arrow facing up and the map rotating around me is annoying. This is just preference, and I'm sure there are many out there that will disagree with me.

The main reason I chose ON was that it's simple and straight forward. The buttons are huge, which makes it ideal for a small touch screen (they disappear and reappear when you touch the screen, so it's not restrictive) and there isn't a huge suite of options while you're in the program. I see myself on a topographic map, can add .GPX tracks to follow, save waypoints, and save my own .GPX.

If I want a GPX to follow, I make a route on Google Earth and use GPSBabel to turn it into a GPX track. I hate the idea of following a line on a map, so the most I've ever done was use GE to make a few waypoints (ie, guys will be camped here, meet up here, etc.) and stick them on my map.

I'm sure to some that sounds counter-intuitive, but all I really wanted was a step up from looking at my lat/long and referencing it on a topo map. I like my little red dot and the ability to scroll around. I understand there are more robust solutions out there, but that was my choice, and those are my reasons.







Any laptop can be set up to operate with an external display as primary while closed.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Now you need some USB rock cameras...

How much?

 

[george_tlc]

Overland Navigator does not offer course up navigation, that is correct.

I prefer this for several reasons, the primary of which is the ability to look at my screen and be able to translate that picture over to a paper map very easily. The navigation software we used in the military was the same, so I'm also used to it. I don't like turn by turn GPS units, which probably puts me in a minority. Seeing my arrow facing up and the map rotating around me is annoying. This is just preference, and I'm sure there are many out there that will disagree with me.

I run Oziexplorer and it also does NOT rotate the map, North up is the way it works.

IME I much prefer North up when navigating off road, in the bush or anywhere that is non-city. My reasoning is that I want to know where the heck I'm going. With a rotating map you are at the mercy of the GPS telling you where the next turn is (assuming you have any routing available at that level). With North up I know at all times the direction I'm heading and can choose to ignore a track or not and it makes me THINK about where I'm going. It also means that when I get out of the 4wd I have an imprint of the North up map in my head so if I hike away from the vehicle I still know the lay of the land.

On a recent trip to oz I had a friend with me that would rotate the tablet computer to keep course up. He often would say go left when he meant right or vice versa since he would be confusing himself and which way north was. Then when we camped he got himself lost for 20 - 30 minutes when going for a hike away from camp since he never quite knew in his head how the rotating map matched with North.

Course up is fine in an unknown city where you are putting all your faith in the GPS to get you somewhere, especially in mazes like San Francisco. I press HOME and pray the GPS will find me a safe and expedient way to exit that rats maze, all I need or want is to be told when/where to turn

cheers,
george.

 

[yohavos]

Exactly George, it just makes more sense to me.

The screen was $90, and the mount was something I already owned. It's $11.

The camera idea could work easily, but I'm trying to minimize electronics... the laptop/screen and my fridge are about as far as I'm going