Mini Laptop/GPS Mount

[Greg_B]

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]

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...

 

[vjr021]

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

In case you haven't gotten to it yet, I did it to mine... I took some time, but WELL worth it.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/258826-how-removing-wood-grain-dash-fj80.html

 

[LifterCatcher]

Awesome setup can you please post the part number of the 6" arm that you ordered? When looking on Rams site they only state "short" "medium" and "long" arms giving no dimensions.

Thanks

 

[jlm43]

Looks great. Here is a thought. What if the aluminum bars had another bend at the very end. A 90 degree bend to keep it from sliding forward if the velcro decides to be not so productive.

 

[MSGGrunt]

The 90 degree bends aren't a bad idea, but the velcro really holds the computer on the mount. I wish a company would make a GPS receiver that is cordless. Like a cordless mouse with one of those micro USB devices that plugs into the computer...

 

[sdnative]

I have the suction cup mount for my Garmin GPS and it has fallen off the windshield on occasion. Very good mount, but not sure I would put a laptop on it.

I am considering using a netbook or small laptop (I used to use a T40, but want something smaller), and plan on using the traditional RAM laptop mount that mounts to the seat bolts.

When looking on Rams site they only state "short" "medium" and "long" arms giving no dimensions.

I don't think you looked hard enough. I have spent several hours on that site lately and it contains pretty good specifications of their products.

Here's an example:

RAM B Size Mount Arms



I usually buy my RAM mounts from GPS City. Their site has good info as well, including videos showing the mounts and how they work. Good stuff.

RAM Mounts Page @ GPS City

 

[jlm43]

The 90 degree bends aren't a bad idea, but the velcro really holds the computer on the mount. I wish a company would make a GPS receiver that is cordless. Like a cordless mouse with one of those micro USB devices that plugs into the computer...

Ask and you shall receive.

Earthmate GPS BT-20 w/Street Atlas USA 2010 PLUS - BUNDLE - DeLorme

There is a note at the bottom of the page that says "NOTE: If you already own a recent or current version of DeLorme mapping software and want to use any of them with the Earthmate GPS BT-20, you can purchase the receiver by itself. Call 1-800-561-5105."

 

[Bluetribal]

Ask and you shall receive.

Earthmate GPS BT-20 w/Street Atlas USA 2010 PLUS - BUNDLE - DeLorme

There is a note at the bottom of the page that says "NOTE: If you already own a recent or current version of DeLorme mapping software and want to use any of them with the Earthmate GPS BT-20, you can purchase the receiver by itself. Call 1-800-561-5105."

I just got my mini laptop this weekend and I was checking out this mount, still trying to find it since I can't seem to see the part number for the ram site in this thread.

Anyway, I am going to pull the trigger on DeLorme's Earthmate but wouldn't we be better off with the North American Topo bundle for off-roading instead of the streets atlas?