Hey,

Trying to get an idea of how many E owners have installed a Computer or Laptop for Nav/DVD/CD/Mp3/Entertainment/Work.

Hollerback if you've have. Post pix if you got 'em.

I'll start, Me (Laptop). Pix in the Image Section under: "Behold Real Mods Not Vaporware!"

Thx, Phil

Not one that I KEEP in the E, but I have plugged my laptop into the AUX port on the dash to get to a couple mp3 files I never got around to burnning to disc.

Here is what I came up with for my laptop and my DeLorme GPS. It is just a 36" shelf I cut down to 29.5" and added some brackets I bent from L brackets.

It worked great for my trip to Ohio. It is held in with tension from the seat into the glovebox.

http://pictureposter.allbrand.nu/pictures/larrytt/hondaelement/bigevent2005/day+4/img_0818+small.jpg

Here is what I came up with for my laptop and my DeLorme GPS. It is just a 36" shelf I cut down to 29.5" and added some brackets I bent from L brackets.

It worked great for my trip to Ohio. It is held in with tension from the seat into the glovebox.

http://pictureposter.allbrand.nu/pictures/larrytt/hondaelement/bigevent2005/day+4/img_0818+small.jpg

Hey Spdrcr5,

Great American Ingenuity! Looks very functional and all biz. btw Are you using an inverter to power the Dell? If so what brand/model/output wattage/cost ?

Do you find Delorme's Voice Guided Directions (even at max) hard to hear over Mp3's etc.? I have to turn down the volume of the music to hear the Voice.

Thx, Phil

I got a Husky 400w from Home Depot for $40. The voice is very quiet but that is only because the laptop speakers can only pump out so much volume. Just so you know, the inverter is plugged into the rear outlet and from what I have read 100w is pretty much the max to expect from ANY inverter when plugged into an aux plug/cig adapter. The 400w won't be seen until you go direct to the battery. The fuse can't power beyond 100w.

LEmental had a great idea by pumping his radar detector through the MP3 port and those warnings would come through the E's speakers... going to try something like that with the laptop and my iPod. Going to see if I can find a Y mini RCA plug for a temporary solution.

My question is how you see the screen in the day time. My laptop screen is very hard to read in the daytime when the sun is out - practically impossible in fact. I'd love to do this for a long trip coming up, but i just don't see how it will work.

Also, with computer Nav software do you need some kind of GPS unit, antenna on the roof?

Thanks

B

Have you thought about a Mac Mini? This guy put one in his GTi.

Mac Mini (http://tunertricks.com/blog/index.php?p=40)

i use my laptop and usb gps receiver along with microsoft streets and trips. as much as i dislike most microsoft products, this one is really good. with the gps you can map where you are and search for food, gas, whatever is close to you at the time. you can dial in your fuel prices and what your MPG is and it will price the trip for you. all in all its a pretty good product.

i am thinking however if making a carputer that i would install this on. would save space and make things easier.


-tom

My question is how you see the screen in the day time. My laptop screen is very hard to read in the daytime when the sun is out - practically impossible in fact. I'd love to do this for a long trip coming up, but i just don't see how it will work.

Also, with computer Nav software do you need some kind of GPS unit, antenna on the roof?

Thanks

B

Hey B,

NP. Delorme's NAV sw has options for HIGH CONTRAST to make it more visible and easier to read. The GPS comes with the sw as a bundle. You just plug into your Lappy and stick it to your windshield with the suction cup.

Thx, Phil

I got a Husky 400w from Home Depot for $40. The voice is very quiet but that is only because the laptop speakers can only pump out so much volume. Just so you know, the inverter is plugged into the rear outlet and from what I have read 100w is pretty much the max to expect from ANY inverter when plugged into an aux plug/cig adapter. The 400w won't be seen until you go direct to the battery. The fuse can't power beyond 100w.

LEmental had a great idea by pumping his radar detector through the MP3 port and those warnings would come through the E's speakers... going to try something like that with the laptop and my iPod. Going to see if I can find a Y mini RCA plug for a temporary solution.

Hey Spdrcr5,

Yeah, I've got the Lappy running thru the E's AUX port but for some strange reason the Voice is much lower than Mp3's. Diff app maybe?

btw if you do go thru the AUX port with yours use a Ground Loop Isolator it cleans-up the sound quite a bit.

Thx, Phil

I didn't have any issues with the sun reflecting or making the screen dim... except my sunglasses are polarized and sometimes that was an issue, but not the sun.

the DeLorme setup I bought retails for $99 and I got it onsale after rebate at CompUSA for $79. If you look in that picture you will see the USB wire heading towards the A pillar, the gps is on the windshield there.

This picture shows the USB GPS mounted above...

http://pictureposter.allbrand.nu/pictures/larrytt/hondaelement/bigevent2005/day+4/img_0819+small.jpg

I have the DeLorme Earthmate LT-20 (http://www.delorme.com/earthmatelt20/)

http://www.delorme.com/earthmatelt20/images/LT20-150-blue.jpg

My question is how you see the screen in the day time. My laptop screen is very hard to read in the daytime when the sun is out - practically impossible in fact. I'd love to do this for a long trip coming up, but i just don't see how it will work.

Also, with computer Nav software do you need some kind of GPS unit, antenna on the roof?

Thanks

B

Tinting the windows and sunroof helped me a lot with screen visibility.

Let me ask this.. are the screens on the built in Nav units much brighter than a typical laptop screen? Are they different in some way? I've seen them and they are easy to read.. my laptop is unreadable in sunlight... I think the idea of tinting the front windows is a good one. I'll try that.

B

Let me ask this.. are the screens on the built in Nav units much brighter than a typical laptop screen? Are they different in some way? I've seen them and they are easy to read.. my laptop is unreadable in sunlight... I think the idea of tinting the front windows is a good one. I'll try that.

B

It really depends on the laptop. Certain newer screens are way brighter than a lot of older ones.

The xenarc touchscreen I use in the front is easy to see in the brightest sun (windows are tinted). With voice it's not that big an issue though as I hardly ever need to look at it.

The Lilliput in the back isn't as bright though.