Earthmate GPS is too good to be true

[dresslered]

Thanks ToolMan and Gary (and every one else)! I tried the device tip selector and, sure enough, they've got my special tip (prolly costs as much as the Earthmate software ). My Dell only uses 70-watts max so it should not be a problem. I'll also check out the local Santa Cruz Costco and tell them that I have friends in high places (well, at least 4000').

 

[willyslover]

Dave. . the Costco over this way has three power adapter/inverters

one is too small and a big mother that is a 1000 with 2000 serge great buy at 69. 00 but way over kill [I have it also to install LOL] and the one in the middle that's the one you want.

 

[dresslered]

Hmmm? Sounds interesting, Gary. My concern would be that these are obviously not 'true sine wave' inverters. This often adds a humming noise in some entertainment devices. One of the other uses for the laptop is so that my two-year old son can watch DVD's during our road trips.

 

[willyslover]

same here only my wife LOL... as he squats down cause there is a hand swinging at his head

 

[99guy]

Originally posted by BobHall

Occasionally the voice navigation will go haywire. That seems to happen when the laptop goes into standby with the software running and tracking with the GPS. The best solution I've found for that is Windows XP's "System Restore" utility. -------------------------------------------



For mobile power, I use a Targus DC to DC converter. It will handle all but the most power hungry laptops. They make adapters for literally hundreds of different laptop models. It works in airplanes too.



Bob

Ditto on the Targus converter Bob, also we find W2k to be the most stable Windows platform, we also set windows power settings to never standby and never hibernate when using delorme and gps on the road.

 

[BHunt]

Using existing GPS

I have a Garmin III Plus. What interface do I need for it to work on a laptop with DELorme Street Atlas? It come with a serial cable that is used for downloading maps into the GPS from the CD. Does that interface work?



Thanks



Brian

 

[mgonske]

Re: Using existing GPS

Originally posted by BHunt

I have a Garmin III Plus. What interface do I need for it to work on a laptop with DELorme Street Atlas? It come with a serial cable that is used for downloading maps into the GPS from the CD. Does that interface work?

That'll work fine. On the SPIII, go to the data exchange format option and change it from Garmin/Garmin to NMEA0183 (you'll have to change it back when you use MapSource to download/upload waypoints, etc. from/to the unit).

 

[C.]

You can use almost any GPS reciever with Delorme's map software. You do not need to buy the earthmate reciever from Delorme. I have a Garmin Etrex and use it with Street Atlas USA software. Just need a cable to connect to the computer (ebay).



At the time it was cheaper than the Delorme Earthmate reciever.



Also a stand alone reciever (like the Etrex) can do so much without the Laptop.

 

[Spooled-up]

Only question is where do you mount the laptop?

Jotto desk



Doesn't look like it would work too well with a 6 spd.

 

[dresslered]

 

[thejeepdude]

Originally posted by Spooled-up

Jotto desk



Doesn't look like it would work too well with a 6 spd.

Where and how does this thing attach to the truck? Anyone have one and want to take pics? I'd like to see if I could make my own... $300 bucks is a little steep. I ususally just velcro my laptop the the center cushion/armrest and it doesn't go anywhere, but it's a little close to comfortably type from the driver's seat.

 

[Spooled-up]

There's a pdf file you can get to at the bottom of the page that shows the whole unit. It mounts to the seat rails somehow and requires no drilling.



Here's a link to the pdf:



Jotto pdf

 

[thejeepdude]

Cool... FYI, I found this place has them for a bit less than the jotto website...

 

[Spooled-up]

I remember reading on this board a while back that there was a member that made these type of things for our trucks and they were really nice. Maybe someone can post a link or # with more details. I never saw any pics of it, just remember that someone made them.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Originally posted by Spooled-up



Doesn't look like it would work too well with a 6 spd.

Contact TDR Member Figgy



As he makes Theese mounts And I have one (automatic) but he has several mounts in 5 and 6 speed trucks (Gbeebe , wheaties , fig himself , big dig) and they can chime in with their experience.

 

[schu777]

I've got the Jotto Desk and a Six Speed - works fine, just kind of sits over into the passenger sit a bit, if someone rode there, it would be in the way if the trip was long. If I had to do it again, I'd consider Figgy first, then Jotto Desk - nice thing about the Jotto Desk is you can move it around, but with the center down and the short post, the center part is in the way.



Michael

 

[Spooled-up]

Does anyone have any pics of Figgy's setup? Does he have a website?

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displaygallery.php?userid=13999

 

[Spooled-up]

Thanks TMTT.

 

[Wheaties]

Originally posted by ToolManTimTaylor

Contact TDR Member Figgy



As he makes Theese mounts And I have one (automatic) but he has several mounts in 5 and 6 speed trucks (Gbeebe , wheaties , fig himself , big dig) and they can chime in with their experience.

Ding!



Yup, I have one of Figgy's mounts and it works fine with a six speed. The mount goes directly to the bolts on the left hand side of the passenger seat, and is height, swivel, and pitch adjustable. If I slam the gearbox into reverse, it only just dings the mount, but doesn't interfere. Most times I miss the mount altogether.



I'll also add that I've tried the Delorme software and the ALK Copilot, and I like the Copilot better. In all honesty, the maps don't seem to be quite as accurate, but the user interface is designed so all the buttons are huge, and can be navigated using the cursor keys and space bar. This reduces the number of times that I have to stop just to click on some button. Copilot costs almost three times as much, but for me, it's worth it.



Matt