Laptop Table or Mount

[helm]

Not elegant but we just use the old laptop in the V-Berth approach. If its choppy put a couple of pillows behind it. It does solve another problem that the ram mounts or a solid mount will not which is decreasing shock to the computer. I'm not sure your HDD is going to like the solid mount approach over the long term. If its a problem I guess you could switch to a SSD.

Since its a long reach to the computer we just use a bluetooth mouse to adjust the chart display while underway.

Boris if you have a tab called Tablet PC settings when you go to my computer you can adjust your display orientation there as well.

Eric

[dutch123]

Umm, how can I explain this properly without a photo. The laptop mount I was trying to explain rests neither on the admiral seat nor in the v-berth, the drawer sliders attach just under the entry to the v-berth on the raised portion of the center console so when extended can be used from either the helm or the admirals position. With the laptop mounted in this position it does not restrict access to any area. Hope this helps and i'll try to get to the boat this weekend and take some photos if it's still not clear.

[20dauntless]

I just set a netbook on top of the center dash (if you go under this area you get to the V-berth). This method works great for an 8 inch netbook, but not my bigger MacBook Pro. Netbooks are cheap so I don't feel too badly having it bounce around. The screen isn't nearly as large or bright as a MacBook Pro, but it would work in an emergency or as a confirmation if I doubted the Raymarine.

Having messed about with several electronic charting systems (cheap ones anyway, I'm not going to spend Coastal Explorer or Nobeltec money...), I still prefer an MFD over a laptop for navigation on the boat. Planning is much better on a computer, however.

[smittypaddler]

I'm a retired geek, and still proud of it.

[dutch123]

I previously used the center dash to run my laptop and nobeltec as well but with the size of the screen my view out the center window was always restricted. Mounting the laptop in the way I mentioned earlier helps alot with visibility and also makes it easier to open the center window. One other thing it helps with is keeping the laptop alittle further from the center window when its open to reduce the possibility of damage from water spray.

[Adeline]

Here is what the future promises.



This device is runs Microsoft Windows CE, i.e. Windows Mobile, and offers an RF-based wireless remote control that attaches to the steering wheel. Navigation software, such as Active Captain, is available for this operating system.

Prediction...at some point we'll see dedicated Heads-up display (HUDs) repeaters that will project Navigation info via Bluetooth or USB from your netbook or laptop.

There, I'll see your geekiness and raise you a dorkiness.

[20dauntless]

I was recently in a new BMW 7 series with a heads up display. The driver said it projected RPM, speed, and nav directions. Pretty neat technology, although I think it makes more sense for cars and airplanes than for boats.

[rogerbum]

Pete,

I'm willing to bet on heads up displays being part of our future but I wouldn't bet on ones being run by Windows CE.

[tpbrady]

I have a tablet PC I run Coastal Explorer on with a Raymarine C-80 mounted above. The tablet is mounted on a RAM mount attached to the vertical side of the center dash. Since the tablet lays flat it occupies the same space as the C-80. I use a standard Logitech trackball to control it rather than the touch screen. The RAM mount really protects the tablet from pounding when I hit a wave a little too fast.

Having used this arrangement for the last 3 years, I wouldn't consider using any of the MFD's as the primary navigation device. I use the C-80 as a NMEA GPS input to Coastal Explorer, a sonar/fishfinder, and when necessary a radar superimposed over a GPS. I also use the C-80 to display Yamaha engine data through a NMEA 2000 interface. The tablet PC with trackball is so much faster to do everything no matter what the sea state.

[Mike...]

[blackfish]

if you run windows 7 maybe vista you hit CTRL+ALT+Down Key
should turn your world up side down

[Captains Cat]

Doesn't work on this laptop running Windoz 7. Probably dependent on the video card.

Just checked and I CAN flip it with the display settings in the control panel. My other laptops are different, also running Windoz 7 and XP SP3 so I think it's dependent on the video card installed in the machine. Conveniently, when you change it, it will revert to the old setting in a few seconds if you don't take some action.

Charlie

[Mike...]

Still pondering this.

I am leaning toward some sort of fold down table that is attached to the cabin wall as I mentioned in the original post. But I can't seem to find anything like that, so I might have to find the pieces and build it.
---
mike

[Mike...]

Maybe this one would work.
---
mike

[Captains Cat]

Wow, $389! I'm sure you could make something similar out of Starboard.

Charlie