LandCruiser Tough Laptop Install (GPS)

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MSGGrunt

MSGGrunt

Joined
Dec 2, 2004
Threads
178
Messages
1,417
Location
Athol, MA
I finally found a laptop to run my DeLorme GPS that is both affordable and rugged enough to withstand the abuse of off-road travel as well as everyday use in a vehicle. It is made by Itronix to US Army MIL-STD 810E specifications and I got mine off Ebay for $300.00 plus shipping.

It is the Itronix GoBook ix250 w/touchscreen LCD.

The processor is a 850MHz Celeron
256 MB PC133 SDRAM (will support up to 512MB's)
20 GB Hard Drive
High-resolution SVGA LCD 12" touch screen
CD-ROM drive
87-key Nitevue keyboard. It glows in the dark.
15-pin VGA port
25-pin parallel port
9-pin seria; port
PS2 port
RJ-11 modem jack
RJ-45 network jack
USB port
PC Type I, II, or III, 32-bit CardBus cards
RF external antenna


This laptop doesn't have a bit of plastic in it. It is wrapped in layer after layer of shock-resistant foam, rubber seals, watertight covers and die-cast magnesium alloy. US Army MIL-STD 810E is a process that invloves spraying water at the laptop from all sides at a rate equivalent to a monsoon-style rainfall, and dropping the machine repeatedly from a height of three feet onto concrete with no failures. All that have seen it remark on it being built like a tank.

I just ordered a Jotto mount and will be installing it in my cruiser as soon as it arrives.
 
Pics
 
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Does it do any better than 800x600 resolution? Looks pretty good for the money, I wasn't aware of those before, thanks!
 
Yaa that does look promising.

Did you get it through an auction or was it a buy it now?
 
I am unsure of the resolution... The screen resolution is perfect for in vehicle use running my GPS software.

These were the 1st generation of the GoBook I, II, III that are currently being used by the military in not so friendly places. They model the Panasonic Tough Book as well but at a much better price. Considering it is made entirely out of cast magnesium alloy and built to be shock, dust, water and soldier resistant I thought it would hold-up to some mild off-roading.
 
It was a buy it now from a company in Syracuse, NY. Very friendly. They originally informed me that because of legal reasons it would not come with an operating system.... But, when it arrived and I fired it up it had Windows XP installed. So much for the $175.00 I spent on Windows 2000...
 
Nice find.
Are you going to need to run an AC/DC inverter for power, or (wishful thinking) can it be powered directly off the 12V from the car?
 
Being only 850mhz, does it update pretty quickly and keep up with your actual location? Also did it come with a CD-ROM drive?
 
MSGGrunt,

This is great info ... I have been looking for a cheaper alternative to the ToughBook for some time now .... and I dont dare to take my Toshiba Qosmio out on the trail ... too much shock IMO

is the touchscreen any good ... I mean how sensitive is it?

Thanks for sharing,

tito
 
:eek: :eek:

Very good news ... I like the LT I put in the 80 for trips, but the other permanently mounted LT is getting a bit old, and I keep thinking it would be really nice to have a touchscreen for safety reasons. Also the lit keyboard is a great plus.


PM coming your way! :beer: :beer:



TY
 
This laptop seems stout and heavy. Given that it's heavy, you'll need to mount it very securely. Jotto Desk provides a plate with six holes that needs to be attached to the tranny hump. IMO, this is not a good long term mounting scenario.

Do something like the pic below. Come up with a way to mount the system to the seat anchor bolts somehow. The headache is well worth it for the long haul and a wobble free experience.

Regards,

Ali
front_seat_mount.jpg
 
$300 is a sweet deal for that computer. I know a guy who used to work at Itronix. Those computers sold for around $4000 new (in 2002). Good find.
 
How is the brightness of that screen? I've seen touchscreens that weren't that bright due to the touchscreen layer on them...Just wondering how viewable it was in daylight.
 
I have viewing issues with my Fujitsu touchscreen in moderate daylight and it completely washes out in direct bright sunlight so this is a big issue. If the Itronix is better in sunlight I may resell my Fujistu and get one.

The Fujitsu is however very portable at only 8" x 10"

ALF
 
Resolution is 1024 x 768
 
alia176 said:
This laptop seems stout and heavy. Given that it's heavy, you'll need to mount it very securely. Jotto Desk provides a plate with six holes that needs to be attached to the tranny hump. IMO, this is not a good long term mounting scenario.

Do something like the pic below. Come up with a way to mount the system to the seat anchor bolts somehow. The headache is well worth it for the long haul and a wobble free experience.

Regards,

Ali
Click to expand...


I like this idea, and may pursue it at some date. In the meanwhile I took my Jotto mount and chucked the crappy hardware I got with it. IOW's the screws that mount the bottom plate to the tranny hump. Go out and buy heavier SS screws, and drill larger appropriate holes. Mine hasn't moved a bit since I mounted it a year ago. This actually is essential I believe, unless you want the mount to wobble and begin popping out screws. :eek:

So 3 choices:

1 ) Use Jotto hardware and be let down.
2 ) Use beefier hardware, and have a much stronger setup.
3 ) Fab. an adapter from your seat hardware to the Jotto.


Good luck,

TY
 
I will be taking a trip from MA to CT today and will be using this trip as a shakedown for the GPS. I will be getting an adapter either off the internet or directly from Itronix so I don't have to run my current inverter. I too had the problems with sunlight on the Fujitsu but, I'm hoping that where the Itronix was made to work out in the elements that the screen is easier to view in the sunlight.
 
TYLER,
I have read in other threads that the Jotto hardware is a joke too. What size SS screws did you use? I assume the largest that will still fit through the hole in the floor plate? How long? Any danger of drilling into something important during the mounting process? I was thinking of drilling holes through the transmission hump and bolting the mount in but, I haven't looked to see if there is room for access between the transmission and body. The wife would have to assist as well as my arms aren't that long.
 
Folks,

Don't use screws of any kind! Drill the holes and use nuts and bolts! Use SS nuts and bolts to really secure the flat plate to the tranny hump. I'd use large fender washers on the other side of the tranny hump to really sandwich the carpet and foam material. Tyler's rig doesn't see much off pavement action :D but if the vehicle sees lots of wheeling, then screws are not the ticket. Also, the heavier the laptop, the more chance of slop!

Cheers,

Ali
 
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