PCs as navigation tools ? (1 Viewer)

beachcaster

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Anyone use a laptop as a navigation aid as opposed to ..or in conjuction with a tomtom for instance.

if so what software and what are the advantages.......etc.

Do you plug it into the dash while you travel...........or use a small inverter ?

What do you think ?

thanks barry
 

welsh winger

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Not used one myself but a friend of mine used auto route 2006, you just need a GPS antenna and yes a inverter.

Hell of a job balancing the lap top on the dash. :Doh:

Nick
 

Snowbird

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Have never used one myself but have thought about it as a mate used his laptop for the same job. He had his satnav as well but used the laptop to scan through were he was going in more detail. He had a small square antenna on the dash and plugged the laptop into the cigy lighter with a 12 volt power lead. It was some time ago and he had a pile of disks that he loaded into the laptop. I suppose things have moved on a bit since then.

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bryandh

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Autoroute 2011

Have a look here, thinking of investing for next season but need to know more about it. Free trial period available. Other MH owners on another forum speak highly of this product, but I cannot figure how to stabilise laptop although we do have a very large/wide dashboard.
Any members using already ?


http://www.microsoft.com/uk/autoroute/home.aspx


Regards, Bryan
 

hilldweller

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Yes.

I've used my netbook with Autroute 2007 via a bluetooth GPS dongle. Not used it route planning but we were literally stuck in Gstaad going round and round in circles due to roadworks. Used it as a moving map to work our way out of the damned place.

I believe it will work as a conventional GPS navigator with voice prompts.

With the big display it's very impressive. Powered off a 12V laptop supply.

Gstaad is also might impressive, I wish we could afford the big hotel there.
 

scotjimland

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Also used Autoroute 2007 on a 12" Sony laptop mounted on the dash of the RV

downsides...

Autoroute does not re route if you are diverted or go the wrong way ..unless they have changed it in the latest release, that is a major problem..

Hard to see screen in bright sunlight.

The Sony hard drive failed.. possible due to dashboard vibration .. repaired under warranty but I never used it for that again and bought a TT ...

It would be fine if used by the navigator on a dedicated table .. bonus is you can see the whole route and where you are exactly .. but for driving instructions the dedicated Sat Nav is far better ..

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beachcaster

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Jane often sits with a large map book and double checks on tomtom
though we dont tell tomtom cos we dont want to hurt his feelings.

But it was an idea to use a small laptop instead of a physical map
so she can use it as we go along in conjunction with tomtom

barry
 

wivvy's dad

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RAM mounts would be the way to go......

http://www.ram-mount.co.uk/laptop-tablet-mounts-c-491.html

RAM mounts are much used by motorcyclists for mounting satnags/cup holders/surface-mounted yoghourt makers etc etc.

I'm interested in knowing more about GPS dongles, because the one I bought earlier this year refused to work, and my money was refunded.

I have Autoroute on the netbook, but haven't been able to use it in anger because of the dongle problem.
 

scotjimland

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I'm interested in knowing more about GPS dongles, because the one I bought earlier this year refused to work, and my money was refunded.

I have Autoroute on the netbook, but haven't been able to use it in anger because of the dongle problem.

Did you download a USB to serial driver for the dongle ?

I used 'prolific' , but I guess if you Google there are more

.

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hilldweller

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I'm interested in knowing more about GPS dongles, because the one I bought earlier this year refused to work, and my money was refunded.

My netbook has no bluetooth, so I bought a tiny USB bluetooth dongle for under £2, a bluetooth GPS dongle for under a tenner and to my surprise they worked perfectly first time.

You don't have to go bluetooth. RS232 is the old connection for GPS receivers.

My set up is something like......

Ebay 320794151026

Ebay 320728125700
 
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beachcaster

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I was under the impression that all you needed was a laptop
and the usb GPS plugin that comes with the programme......do you also need internet connection?

I thought that it would work without it ?


barry

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Bailey58

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I got Autoroute 2011 as a birthday gift and although I haven't used it en-route yet it certainly looks the part with it's planning options and its spoken street names and directions. This version does include automatic re-routing and no, an internet connection is not necessary with the GPS USB stick. Agreed the laptop could be a problem in the cab, gets a bit warm on your knees after ten minutes or so.
 

Heyupluv

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I was under the impression that all you needed was a laptop
and the usb GPS plugin that comes with the programme......do you also need internet connection?

I thought that it would work without it ?


barry

try this Barry Link Removed

Mel
 

lesleyjean

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I was under the impression that all you needed was a laptop
and the usb GPS plugin that comes with the programme......do you also need internet connection?

I thought that it would work without it ?


barry
Hi,
we use Autoroute 2010 in conjunction with Tom Tom.
2010 version does reroute if you take wrong turn and no you do not need to be on the internet to use it.
Also yes you only need the GPS plugin that comes with it.
It works very well and there are lots of points of interest on the "Do Your Dream", website from the Funsters I think Mel and Ryan.
We use an inverter for power.
Really good software.

Lesley

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Jim

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In areas I'm not familiar with I tend to plot waypoints into Tom Tom so I know exactly where its taking me. But on route its nice to have the big picture using Autoroute, especially so in France when you don't want to be online due to data charges so the laptop with Autoroute is always on.

That red circle always showing us where we are is so helpful. Its easy to see at a glance whether a road leads to that beach or lake without having to wait for the map to be unfolded by my good lady, then those "where are we again" questions followed by loads of map shuffling, a full blown argument, and a "give the bloody map here" So by the time we know the answer we're 30 clicks past it, "yes that road would have lead to that lovely resouviour:Doh:

Yes, TomTom and Autoroute Express rocks:thumb:
 

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