| Author | Message | ||
     Towpro |
My latest addition was caused by the fact I can not really see the screen on my Delorme PN40 good enough to lead a long distance ride with lots of turns.(50 year old eyes). I am laying out the PA section of the ADV riders Trans Eastern Trail system from Maine to Georgia. I have a 1000 mile "proof ride" (with many miles of stone/dirt roads) coming up in June so I really need a GPS system I can see. I really want to stick with the Delorme topo8 product for designing and testing my route and not use Garmin GPS or software. I have been running Delorme products in my Truck for GPS for over 10 years. I just throw the GPS on the dash and the netbook on the console. I already know I can convert the raw route to .gpx, and I already know that Delorme records a track I can convert to a .gpx for Garmin users when I am done. So I started thinking (all it does is rain or snow around here so I can't ride). Problems: 1) PN-40 is screen is too small: If I had a small monitor that I could connect to my netbook, with a long enough cable that I could leave the netbook in the luggage somewhere. 2) PN-40 does not have voice turn messages. But if I was running the Delorme Topo8 (or street Atlas) on a netbook, I could have turn by turn directions. I can wire a Audio wire from my netbook to my Autocom. 3) How can I control my netbook if it is in the luggage? Both Topo8 and Street Atlas have voice control where I can talk commands to the computer. I can wire a mic out wire from my autocom to my netbook. Once I start the application, I can close the netbook and secure it in the luggage. I already have a 12V charger for the netbook. If I need more control, I can buy one of those little keypad/keyboard wireless combos that are the size of a cell phone and mount it under the lid of my tank bag. 4) How can I extend the video cable back to the luggage, along with the USB for the PN-40? A seven inch monitor that runs on USB for video. Then put a powered USB hub in my handlebar bag. This hub has to be powered because of the current requirements of the monitor (4w). My tank bag already has a power connector in it that has 3 Cigar lighter adapters plus 1 powered 5V USB connector. I will build a cable that runs from the tankbag USB connector to power the hub. How would I mount this monitor? What happens if it rains? If it rains, I can throw a large clear plastic bag over the monitor and hold it on with a rubber band. (or put it away and finish the day using the PN-40 screen, and the voice turn/commands from the autocom. Pictures in next post  | ||
| Towpro |
Now the Monitor!  Check out the logo! This is mounted with a piece of aluminum bar that goes between the madstat windshield mounts.It is tucked up against the windshield pretty well to protect the monitor from some rain mist and bug splatter. The monitor can be tilted so it is at the correct viewing angle as I change the windshield. It looks as bright as my Garmin Nuvi, so we will see how direct sunlight viewing is if the sun ever comes back out. I could build a hood if required. The monitor mount is setup so I can loosen one large hand nut, and move it to a suction cup mount I can use in my truck.(I know my workbench needs to be cleaned up.)  Since I was in the garage the GPS was not tracking, but that blue bar would have the next turn, and all the gray boxes would have info in them. | ||
| Froggy |
I did not see this thread.... I did not see this thread.... DAMN YOU! | ||
| Towpro |
I forgot to mention it comes with a hard cover that goes over the screen. They also make a 9" screen. But wait until the sun comes out so I can see if it is bright enough. http://www.buy.com/prod/doublesight-ds-70u-7-smart -usb-lcd-monitor-350-1-30ms-800-x-480/q/loc/101/21 2237023.html | ||
| Ulyscol |
Where is the XBOX?  | ||
| Froggy |
They have these USB monitors on Woot.com once in a while, I never got one because I never could figure out a use. You suck. | ||
| Towpro |
With my Verizon internet card running, this could make a new meaning of texting while driving. "But officer, I was just reading BadWeb and I didn't see her pull out in front of me". | ||
| Oddball |
Or you try out riding the ride videos live. Watching porn on the road might be frowned upon as well. | ||
| Froggy |
I have almost been banned from the New Riding Game for cheating like that. Oh, and when you hit a car while doing 60mph, it hurts. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Mount a camera to the front of your bike and feed the video to that little screen. It's almost as good as being there! | ||
| Xbeau12s |
whoa! Huge! You could get an infrared camera mounted to the front, feed it to the monitor and drive at night with your lights off! don't know why you would do that but you could! haha Xbox should fit in the sidecases. | ||
| Tocino |
Towpwo - this is bad ass. | ||
| Oldwesterncowboy |
most hand held gps and garmin zumo have a UV protected screen, how long before that one fades out???? but, it is very cool  | ||
| Mnrider |
Wow! Very nice. | ||
| Towpro |
Looks like I will get to try it out this weekend, IN THE SUN!!!!!! | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Fellow Buell Brother Towpro, It is awesome! You do rock! I'm green with envy, and BUELLY for You Butt: Are you riding a motorcycle, or building yourself a jet fighter? Up next, site optics and twin saw's, or just mp5's?  Next you'll be casing the hobby stores for those rockets they sell  Go with a Play Station, not xbox. You can also watch that sons of anarchy episode you missed. A man could go broke and end up single trying to keep up with Jones's around here.. | ||
| Xb12xmike |
I'd make it a rear-view camera system too. Any usb cam would work, just have to mount it. Don't forget to install PokerStars.  | ||
| Xb12xmike |
firget the GPS part...do Live streaming!! So we all can watoh your ride and maybe have blog site or use twitter so we can live txt you in case u get lost. ....Well,...that just popped in my head. (sorry) | ||
| Sweetfish89 |
That is a really good idea. For those long straight aways you could watch a DVD. East Rider perhaps. | ||
| Froggy |
I use Google Maps on my phone to broadcast my position in real time. Sucks the battery dry fast, so I have to use the charger while riding for it. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
You need to set it up fast and the furious style!   | ||
| Towpro |
First ride results. The screen is just like my garmin nuvi gps in direct sun light, you can see it to know you have to turn, but not bright enough to see all the details on the map. But I can live with how bright it is. The voice to the helmet from the netbook, through the autocom work great. Voice control of the program through the autocom also works fine, but when the software is in navigation mode, there really is not much to change. The program zooms in for you as the corner gets closer, then zooms out after you turned. I did keep asking it questions like "next turn" just to see if it kept working. Problems: My 5v source is limited to 500ma. This caused me to have 4.3v with the hub loaded. Not enough, the monitor would go crazy and just display trash when the hub heated up. fix: I am looking for a 12v to 5v @ 1500ma converter I got laying around. (I just saw it the other day when I was cleaning up my work room). The Madstat windshield vibrates like crazy at idle. I fear it will vibrate the monitor mounts to the point they snap off. fix: I am going to switch to a ram style mount, maybe mounted to the top of the aluminum madstat fly screen. This will keep the monitor in the same location, maybe even more tucked in behind the windshield. (Message edited by towpro on March 17, 2010) | ||
| Mike_dinger |
I got a monitor for my ride so i could monitor my ride while i monitor my ride. Does anyone actually manufacture a true heads-up display projection to a say tinted windscreen? That would be the tits! | ||
| Froggy |
I got one, its going on in a few days  | ||
| Verdad |
Froggy - K, still looking for that SportVue... Please let us know where one can be found. Every time I find a lead on line, I'm unable to figure out how/where to purchase it. Thanks, Russ | ||
| Froggy |
I got it in the classifieds here, I see a few on ebay once in a while. |
