I got a little bored tonight, so instead of washing the Xterra I pulled out my old laptop. After about 15 minutes I was rewarded with this:



Here's a closer look:


It seems it will fit here and be viewable without much trouble. Notice that I'm in 4 Lo. No clearance problems:


I think I'll put the keyboard here to avoid tickets. That is not a full size keyboard:



Any suggestions?

[ 02-11-2002: Message edited by: Xterrian ]

gonna hook up to a GPS? other than that what could you do with it while driving?

Hmmm? GPS? I was thinking e-mail and web surfing.
Yeah, sorry for being a smartass. GPS with moving map as well as mp3 player. Can't really think of anything else I could do with it either. Maybe edit those pictures of the other members while still out on the trail? :rolleyes:

I think the screen would wash out in daylight (?)
My solution www.geocities.com/x_canuk/gps.html

[ 02-11-2002: Message edited by: xcanuk ]

I thought about doing that, but I want something integrated into my Xtera and a bit more out of the way. I plan on pulling out my center console and reworking it with fiberglass etc... to look built in yet be more functional. I plan on building a cover for the screen with the original cup holders built in to fool the theives. This cover would also act as a sunscreen when using the computer. I probably shouldn't have posted until I had it all worked out and completed. I also plan on adding a tracball to the steering wheel. Don't worry, I won't mount it in the center so there are no worries about it flying through my forehead if the airbag deploys.

The only way most of us puzzle things out is by posting early.. helps in not being blind to the obvious. (easier to revise plans now instead of later). I wouldn't put a tracball on the steering.. means you're looking at the screen too much while driving, but you can use a cordless mouse on the console armrest.
I use my laptop in and out of the X on trips, so I couldn't go to your extent.

Xterrain,

I am also interested in your work because I am looking into in a very similar project.

Did you have to disconnect the wires to the screen of the laptop? I am interested if the screen wires are pretty standard Red, Green, Blue, power, etc, or if they would be more complicated than that.

I have 3 identical color 486 laptops that are collecting dust which I wouldn't mind ripping the screens out.

Thanks,

Mount it to the ceiling above your head (unless you have a sunroof). That's where mine will eventually go.

I was thinking about that too Ian. Do you have any progress?? I haven't start doing anything yet though but trying to design how it should go about that!

I guess just be sure to use high quality, or durable components.

I think it would be terrible to custom fabricate a mount for it, then have the peice cease to function after a few weeks.

Bobby

has anyone used one of these 4,5 or 6" screens on eBay? I got the processor unit for this data system off ebay for $28. I figured I could piece a system together for gps and mp3. I also managed to get 4 wireless pcmcia network cards for cheap
As for the mouse issue, I'm hoping to get either a pen or touch screen. Ian I know you were looking for a screen that could handle 800x600. Were you able to find that?

Ok, after much thought and consideration, I've decided not to use the laptop computer. I plan on using a homebuilt barebones desktop system. I will still use the laptop LCD and may upgrade to a TFT screen to reduce washout. I may even get the double input LCD controller so I can play video on it at night once I park. I decided on the desktop because I can always upgrade that way. Bobby got me thinking when he talked about it crapping out after it was installed. Does anybody know how to turn the display output 90 degrees? I know that it has to be possible, but I can't find anything on the internet about it. Somebody here asked me about the inputs for the LCD. They are not compatable with a normal desktop. You have to get an LCD controller. The cheapest I've seen so far was $199.

Those of you thinking about putting a PC in your X take a look at this. eBay

No thanks.

You could build the same thing for much less.

I know that this has been posted before and is pricy. But I think that this would be easy to add to the Xterra. I was thinking were the rear cup holder are. Now just need to find a screen.

Nice thing is that this would be easy to remove and also would not be visible.

http://www.armcomputer.com/armg1/home.htm

you're right ian. I didn't think it would go that high. it was at about 200 yesterday. A good point about making whatever you put in removable. Anyone want to predict what a healthy day offroad would do to the average hard drive?

I got some good deals on e-bay and have most of the stuff to continue my build. I did go with a very bright TFT LCD with a controller built in. I'm also going with a micro ATX MB that has video and audio built in. If it looks and sounds crappy, I can always add cards later. I really want a DC to DC power supply, but can't seem to find out how much they cost. I will probably just use an inverter until I can get one. I'm not too worried about the heat. It gets hot in the desert, but my truck has stayed pretty cool with the window shades in the windshield. I've been thinking about a thermostaticaly controlled exhaust fan for the truck just in case it does get up there. I'll be mounting the drives vertically to reduce vibration worries. I plan on powering down when I do the hardcore stuff. I only move a few feet at a time then anyway.