I have my trusty Garmin 60Cx handheld that never leaves my side on the trail. It's dust proof, waterproof (doesn't always mean river survivable), and simple enough to leave on and not worry about.
After the loss of my more vehicle and toilet-solitaire suited Garmin iQue 3600, I needed something else for trail driving. I started looking into a laptop option that could use my handheld as its antenna.
There are a lot of schools of thought on the subject, but you know if you're wanting it for the bumpy roads (or lack thereof) it's going to need to be rugged and/or have a solid state drive. I liked the idea of finding a used out of commission commercial unit, something under $200 (I paid $240 for the used 60csx), to fit my budget and so I wouldn't have to worry too much about it. I ended up with a ebay listed Itronix GoBook II (Review 1) (Review 2)
This article is less about the unit involved and more about software and keeping this added gadgetry updated and on the cheap but here's what my budget PC's specs are:
- Processor Type: Intel Pentium 4 M
- Processor Speed: 1.7 GHz
- Screen Size: 12.1 inches (Touchscreen)
- Memory: 512 MB
- Hard Drive: Shock mounted ruggedized 40 GB
- DVD-ROM
- Waterproof glow keyboard
- WIFI + 3G
- Originally retailed at $4,500 - ebay 2011 = $185
Driver list: http://www.jaredritchey.com/itronix-rugged-laptop-software/
Aerials
My main desire was to add an aerial view into my navigations. Google Earth seemed the easiest since the program offers realtime tracking on with its imagery. (Tools-->GPS-->Realtime-->Garmin PVT)
The hitch with this is that your route or exploration area must be "preflighted." Just like internet software, GE's images are cached to speed up future uses. Increasing your GE's cache size to its max 1024MB will lessen your limits. So as long as you view your area at a desirably close resolution/altitude, you'll be all set on the trail, able to see what's around the corner or if the next wash over connects for you. For road trips, running GE's simulated to/from route while connected to the internet can secure your main thoroughfares for later.
You can also download the old usgs topographic overlays from this great site (as long as you are connected to the internet: http://www.gelib.com/usgs-topographic-maps-2.htm
The program allows you to download for free quads of your choice. They then not only overlay but will wrap to terrain. I prefer the older topos because there is more detail for finding older forgotten roads, structures, and ruins.
Screen shots of topo overlays in action:
Iron Mountain quad selected
Zoomed with wrapping
Topographic and road use
Garmin's flagship trip manager program Mapsource, used to have a realtime track option but as their product library grew they eliminated the feature in favor of having customers buy their dedicated Garmin PC software. Before Mapsource and G-PC though, Garmin used to market a simple program nRoute for mobile use. This product's executable file can still be found on helpful websters sites such as http://www.gawisp.com/perry/nroute/ (you'll want the last file listed).
nRoute program details: http://www.gpsinformation.org/penrod/nroute/nroute.html#Why_would_nRoute_be_useful_to_me_if_I
nRoute screen shots:
Night Time Street maps
100K topo
nRoute only works if Mapsource is loaded onto your computer first. If you did not receive it with your Garmin device, don't fret.
First download Garmin's Training Center: http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=999-99999-04
Then you can download Mapsource: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209
With Mapsource installed you may run nRoute using Garmin's street or topo maps in realtime.
Stands:
No reason to pay more for a stand than the computer itself
DIY cup holder stand: http://www.mdpub.com/laptoptray/index.html
Very cheap option with colorful font site: http://www.mobilelaptopmount.com/indexBB.htm
Great resource: http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/
GPSGate mapping: http://gpsgate.com/products
Garmin Mobile PC: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=165&pID=13484
Free AZ Topo maps (for your Garmin GPS unit): http://hikearizona.com/garmin_maps.php
I helped James the gun toting mailman (2ndChance) begin setting his laptop up for navigation use. Will try to get some pics of them in action and will add to this thread as more info and products come about.
Feel free to display your own set-up
