Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-13-2009, 04:57 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
DisabledExplorers's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 233
Laptop Mount 2008 SMB

I have done some looking around but I wanted to toss this out in case I missed something.
I currently run an Acer 10" laptop in my FJ Cruiser using a Jeniko laptop mount
http://www.jeniko.com/cfl800-floor-moun ... 2de9e9ad06

I am really happy with the mount but I am not sure what to do in the Sportsmobile. That doghouse and just plain different dash layout has me worried.

So what is everyone else doing just in case I missed your thread or pics?

thanks
Lance

__________________
Go out and play in the dirt!
DisabledExplorers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2009, 08:49 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Indy
Posts: 563
Re: Laptop Mount 2008 SMB

I found this after looking at a couple of other topics on the SMB forum.

http://www.ram-mount.com/nodrillsystems ... lbases.htm
__________________
2008 Ford E-350 Quigley 4x4 V10 - 164,000 miles
RB50, PH Top, Dual AGM Group 27 Deka, 2000 Tripplite Inv., No Propane or Water Systems
Van Weight 8,100 pounds, added one rear leaf spring, BFG AT KO LT265/70R17 E Tire press 50psi.
Steve_382 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2009, 01:52 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
JoeyNick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New "Yawk" City
Posts: 245
Re: Laptop Mount 2008 SMB

Here's my solution using a RAM mount:







__________________
2005 Ford E-350 Diesel Sportsmobile
EB 102 Voyager top, 3.55 rear, Mobil 1 all around
270 amp alternator, billet water pump, coolant filter kit,
aluminum radiator, X-Monitor with pyro, trans temp, boost
+ Scan Gauge & SCT Live Wire (Economy)
JoeyNick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2009, 11:23 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Jeffrey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,841
Garage
Re: Laptop Mount 2008 SMB

Cool mount.

Frankly, I think mounting a laptop where you can use it while driving is a dangerous idea. I always carry my laptop (email, digital imaging, websurfing), but it stays in the back and I use it when stopped, and in the comfort of the rear seating. Why do you think that texting while driving is illegal? How many young people texted their last message a moment before their brains splattered on the hood of their car?
__________________
'07 RB-50 - My Photo Site -- K1JGS --
Jeffrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2009, 12:01 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,837
Re: Laptop Mount 2008 SMB

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeffrey
Cool mount.

Frankly, I think mounting a laptop where you can use it while driving is a dangerous idea. I always carry my laptop (email, digital imaging, websurfing), but it stays in the back and I use it when stopped, and in the comfort of the rear seating. Why do you think that texting while driving is illegal? How many young people texted their last message a moment before their brains splattered on the hood of their car?

Watch the movie 7 Pounds, will cure a sane person from text and driving

also: i think the reason folks want the laptop up front is for the map deal

Me: i am going with a garmin, if i have to stop to squint, so be it

I dont want to junk up the cab too much
Besides it takes away from the Interior Chili Lights
billwilson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2009, 12:23 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
geoffff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,061
Re: Laptop Mount 2008 SMB

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeffrey
Frankly, I think mounting a laptop where you can use it while driving is a dangerous idea. I always carry my laptop (email, digital imaging, websurfing), but it stays in the back and I use it when stopped, and in the comfort of the rear seating. Why do you think that texting while driving is illegal? How many young people texted their last message a moment before their brains splattered on the hood of their car?
My dash laptop = large GPS map screen, that's all.

I'm not tempted to text (no internet) or edit photos while driving.

-- Geoff
__________________
2004 Ford, SMB 4x4, RB-50
https://octopup.org/sportsmobile
geoffff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2009, 02:16 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Jeffrey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,841
Garage
Re: Laptop Mount 2008 SMB

Yeah, I know you guys will not actually text or watch utubes, but even looking at a GPS on the laptop, operating the mouse, and entering any keyboard or touchscreen input is equally distracting. I have the Kenwood 7100 indash system with Nav and I am still jittery about how it draws your attention, and the requirements for zooming and changing settings while driving and not looking ahead.
__________________
'07 RB-50 - My Photo Site -- K1JGS --
Jeffrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2009, 03:01 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
geoffff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,061
Re: Laptop Mount 2008 SMB

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeffrey
...even looking at a GPS on the laptop, operating the mouse, and entering any keyboard or touchscreen input is equally distracting. I have the Kenwood 7100 indash system with Nav and I am still jittery about how it draws your attention, and the requirements for zooming and changing settings while driving and not looking ahead.
Yeah, there's definitely some serious room for improvement here -- designing a user interface for ease of safe use -- that can be used without taking your eyes off the road.

On my laptop, I use keyboard macro software to program various function keys to zoom in, zoom out, etc. These are keys I know where they are by feel, on the outside of the keyboard. I even put little stickers on them to make them feel different. That way I can navigate my map by touch -- without taking my eyes of the road -- and then I just glance down for an instant at what I've done. Usually all I need to do is see an overview, see a close-up view, or glance to the east/west/north/south a bit.

Navigating anything more complicated -- like typing in an address, etc. -- I'd say that's a safety risk.

-- Geoff
__________________
2004 Ford, SMB 4x4, RB-50
https://octopup.org/sportsmobile
geoffff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2009, 07:31 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
DisabledExplorers's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 233
Re: Laptop Mount 2008 SMB

I have been using a laptop in my FJ Cruiser for quite a while and there are a few advantages over an in dash setup...
-raise the screen up to be more in the field of view vs an in dash
-larger screen means not having to squint or stare
-use to view the 5 camera self spotting system for getting over obstacles

Of course I don't type, read (more glance) or use it like a real computer.

Lastly & most importantly a laptop can have alt input devices like speech control, special large buttons and other adaptive equipment which isn't possible with in dash setups.

Of course there are all the other uses of a laptop like having a service manual for the van, email, web, memory card downloading, and more.

I am glad to see the group here is safety minded and I don't take that lightly.
__________________
Go out and play in the dirt!
DisabledExplorers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2009, 12:01 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
jage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,643
Re: Laptop Mount 2008 SMB

Or having your co-pilot use it...
__________________
it was good to be back
jage is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Sportsmobile Registry

BigRed4x4

BigRed4x4

DADDOZR

REDOVAL
Add your Sportsmobile
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:58 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.