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Attach laptop to Prius display or to mount laptop for stand-alone use

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by azz710, Jul 22, 2007.

  1. azz710

    azz710 New Member

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    Folks,

    My wife and I just bought a 2007 Prius with package #3. We decided not to spend the extra $1,800 for the built-in navigation system for several reasons: 1) The expense, 2) The difficulty and expense of upgrading as the database changes over time and 3) The difficulty in using the system whilst underway, even if a passenger uses it, as expressed by many members of this forum. Plus, I've been using DeLorme's Street Atlas USA for years and years, along with their Earthmate GPS receiver, which connects to our laptop via a simple USB connection. The DeLorme software is OK, as such things go, and is functionally equivalent to most GPS solutions, all of which, bar none, suffer from the disgraceful state of the US government-supplied data, which always seems to have just the exit you need in just the wrong place, for example, causing one to be told to prepare to turn when the exit's already in the rear view mirror (of course, in a Prius, all you'll see in that case is the fabled horizontal bar!).

    So, what I'd like to do is find a way to take the external monitor output of my laptop, an IBM T-41, and send it to the Prius' built-in LCD screen. I understand that it's not likely that this is trivial, for if it were, for example, as trivial as adding the missing EV button, there would be lots of posts on the subject, as there are in that case. But the reason that I think it's possible is that when I hit the "Map" button on my steering wheel, I'm told the external device is missing, not the GPS device, leading me to believe that the interface is general and well-defined, allowing one to attach any video source (of course, this is just a hunch and could be way off base).

    Assuming that this is not possible, can anyone recommend a piece of hardware, compatible with the Prius, which will allow me to mount my laptop in a stable manner? My problem is that when my wife and I go on a trip, I generally drive, but she hates keeping the laptop on her lap and hates navigation software even more, this due to the fact that no GPS mapping solution is 100% accurate and, despite the fact that Street Atlas USA had kept us ever from getting lost, we've missed too many exits and found too many streets to be missing or misplaced for her taste. But if she drives and I navigate, she gets upset if we find one of the misplaced streets or exits, so I must muddle along, somehow, constantly pulling over, pulling out the laptop, getting it out of standby and checking the route. If I had it on a mount, at least I could deal with it myself, though, of course, I'd still have to pull over to change the route. Street Atlas USA has a very good voice command system, so interactions are possible in hands-off mode, so while safety is always an issue when any distraction is involved, it's better than having to push buttons or type.

    Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide. Even if we can't solve this little problem, we're still delighted with the car, which we've only had for a week and a half, and constantly find ourselves amazed that any car company these days, even Toyota, is capable of producing a reasonably priced machine with this level of elegance and refinement. Of all the cars we've owned or driven on a regular basis (some of which include a 1954 Dodge Meadowbrook, 1960 Peugeot 403, 1963 Peugeout 403, 1968 Peugeot 404, 1960 Jaguar Mark IX, 1968 Citroen DS19, 1972 Citroen SM, 1976 VW Rabbit, 1979 Chevrolet Chevette, 1982 Chevrolet Chevette, 1983 Dodge 400, 1985 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, 1990 Ford Taurus SHO, 1986 Toyota Camry, 1998 Toyota Camry, 2001 Toyota RAV4, 1970 Ford Galaxie 500, etc.), the Prius is, by far, the best car we've ever driven, this despite the fact that the Citroen SM is one of the most innovative and wonderful vehicles ever produced (does anyone want to give it a good home?) and my dad's old Jaguar Mark IX, which he bought from his boss, Frank Loesser, when the latter upgraded to a chauffeur-driven Rolls, is legendary.

    Regards,
    Jeff
     
  2. sagediaz

    sagediaz Guest

    0
    [attachmentid=10044]You may be able to customize a solution using parts from manufacturers of Law Enforcement vehicle solutions. You will not likely find one made specifically for the Prius however you may find a combination of some of the parts that might fit dsiplayed on the sites below. With a little customization of these parts I'm sure you'll be happy though your wife may still be annoyed.

    http://www.gamberjohnson.com/products_1.1.php

    http://www.police-laptop-mount.com/

    http://www.ram-mount.com/nodrillsystems/nodrillbases.htm

    Hope this helps, Enjoy!
     

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  3. sagediaz

    sagediaz Guest

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    Also, If youre going this route I'd suggest a Garmin software solution which would resolve some of the issues you experience with your other software.

    https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=139]

    I also have a 2007 Prius Navi package and I use a Garmin handheld gps to accompany the in dash gps.

    If this is the only reason you want to install a laptop in your car I'd say it's a pretty inefficient solution to your problem. You'd be better off purchasing an older GPS unit (ie: Garmin Streetpilot 2720 or 2730). The older GPS units allowed us to still use the interface while under way while most newer units from all manufacturers are disabling this ability as a safety feature. I've used the 2720 and love it, I feel it would answer all your prayers and make your wife happy as well.
     
  4. FloridaWen

    FloridaWen New Member

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    :angry: The OEM Toyota Prius NAV really is lame....... I've gone into details about it's shortcomings too many times before here on several threads. We were "spoiled" by a REAL NAVI in our Acura (2003) MDX and made the grave mistake assuming that a 2007 Toyota NAV would do the same, perhaps ever better than what we had.... we were totally wrong and regret buying Package 5 instead of Package 4, every day we drive the new Prius !! Be happy YOU didn't get the Toyota NAV !!

    We have a couple of notebook (laptop) computers and have recently purchased (eBay - $45 brand new in sealed box) Microsoft Streets & Trips 2007 w/GPS device (SiRF III). Tried this in the Prius with our Dell (15" LCD) D820 on my lap as a passenger. It show 99% more street NAMES than the OEM Prius NAV. Makes the Toyota NAV look like a child's toy..... but it would be very uncomfortable on a long trip to have this notebook computer in my lap. I suppose that when traveling in an area we want accurate data and street NAMES (something the Toyota NAV will never give us) we can place the notebook computer on the back seat and I can just bring it forward when needed.

    I guess the only smart way to get this all done would be to purchase a Garmin or other brand GPS NAV unit with a screen large enough to view while driving with a passenger.
     
  5. MPG > HP

    MPG > HP Junior Member

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  6. azz710

    azz710 New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius


    Folks,

    Thanks for the suggestions. I've been looking at the available space in the front of the Prius and I think I'll give up on mounting the laptop to use it directly via an available police car laptop mount.

    I really don't want to buy a stand-alone GPS system, for I continue to believe that the Delorme software I'm using on my laptop is superior to most of them on the market and, as I already have a GPS receiver (for use with the above mentioned software), I think I'll continue trying to interface my laptop to the Prius built-in display.

    So, then, I'm concentrating upon determining if this is possible. If anyone has a clue, or can suggest that my quest is futile (and I'd love to know why), I'll just continue as we've been doing all along in whatever car we drive.

    Thanks again to all of you for your responses.

    Regards,
    Jeff

     
  7. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

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    How about a car computer? Get another screen and install it in the map pocket. When the screen is closed, it's fairly discreet, and not very eye-catching, so thieves won't be tempted by anything.
     
  8. Skinflint

    Skinflint New Member

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    Hey Jeff,

    Check out this web site; it may be exactly what you are looking for.

    http://www.coastaletech.com/lockpick3.htm

    I would be interested in your results if you do use this. I also want to add GPS output to MFD.

    Thanks,

    Mike
     
  9. mchaconcr

    mchaconcr New Member

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    I use my phone's built in GPS (HP hw6945) with the GPS Tuner software... mounted in the prius cup-holder using the HP adaptor... works pretty well!!!
     
  10. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marco CR @ Oct 22 2007, 12:17 PM) [snapback]528876[/snapback]</div>
    Can we see a picture?
     
  11. mchaconcr

    mchaconcr New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Oct 23 2007, 09:19 AM) [snapback]529272[/snapback]</div>
    Uhhhh... Let me find a camera that is actually NOT attached to the phone!!! :p :)
     
  12. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    i had very similiar issues with my laptop nav option as well. forgetting that is 2004 map database (i check for updates at least once a month and nothing!!) i used a MAC powerbook 17" widescreen which is great for screen real estate but way too big for a passenger to deal with or mount anywhere.

    i ended up doing verizon wireless VZ nav on my phone. its maps im sure are more up to date and it has worked very well for the 4 months i have used it. i do enjoy the big screen option my laptop gives me that allows me to scan roads around my route so re-routes are easy. but its nearly impossible to enter in routes while moving.

    on my phone,entering in a new destination is inconvenient, dangerous, but actually very doable albeit a bit time consuming, but i have a phone with a full qwerty keyboard which makes entry much easier. also verizon does automatic route recalculations if i wander off the path and at 9.99 a month, no where near as expensive as the Toyota option.

    another advantage to verizon and what i do most of the time, is i put in route addys ahead of time, then i just click recent searches saving me the hassles of entering it in on the fly. i have preset as many as 10 destinations ahead of time. not sure of the limit but probably have at least 50 in there now.
     
  13. davidhol

    davidhol New Member

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    Just found this thread, interesting to hear the Prius Nav is so poor. We just bought a 2008 Prius with P#1 and we have been using a Garmin Streetpilot c530 for a year and love it! Bought a reconditioned unit from eBay dealer for less than $200 and then bought two more for our daughters. It's very accurate, easy & fun to use and I recommend it very highly to anyone. The POI feature allows me to download all the rest areas in the US from POI Factory | new & interesting places for your GPS which can very very helpful. I also have major national parks and lots more so the c530 has lots of memory. I doubt one can do anything with POIs with the Prius nav system.
     
  14. rsforkner

    rsforkner Member

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    Two
    Thanks Dave for the info. (I have a Verizon LG Env.)

    I can think of maybe 10 times in the past 4 years I really thought I "needed" a GPS. This summer my wife and I are planning a 4,000+ mile road trip and I got to thinking about GPS. The great thing about Verizon is that you can buy it only when you need it. At $10 for a month it is a GREAT deal for me.

    Good to know it works well. I really like the idea of putting in all of my destinations before I leave.

    Bob
     
  15. chrisspaulding

    chrisspaulding sexy, high tech, fun

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    If you can convert your laptop video output to RCA a/v plugs, then you could view the output on your MFD(and save all that mounting space up front).
    Simply use the CoastalTech Ultimate Lockpic 3.
    I have with great success!
     
  16. Erin Rothchild-Realtor

    Erin Rothchild-Realtor Junior Member

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    V
    Wow:bounce: - what a great way to preprogram your stops into the Verizon Nav...I had turned down Nav as an option on my Prius because of the very fair pricing of the Verizon Nav on my phone - which is also available at AT+T...Your solution "DaveinOly" was/is Awesome....Plan to start utilizing it immediately. Thanks Again :D
     
  17. RonH

    RonH Member

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    I was under the impression that the map data was proprietary. Is there a .gov site I can go to and download the data? That is, unless you're referring to the GPS data. I suppose you're free to use the Euro Gallileo, oh wait, it won't be ready for a few years and has already been hacked. Or the Russian glonass, the volga of gps systems. But you're right, let's spend another $100B just so you don't have to circle around.

    Best,
    ronh
     
  18. eagsc7

    eagsc7 Geocacher

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    ----USA----
    I was thinking the same thing... Here is my solution.

    [​IMG]

    My Prius with the mounted 15" LCD Monitor. The laptop sits under the Front Passenger seat, and all the wires are ran behind the dash. There's also a self powered USB Hub under the dash that connects the GPS, and wireless Keyboard/touchpad to the computer. Of course, Audio is via the Audio plug in the center console. Currently, the actual laptop is just slid under the Passenger seat.
    For the specifics on mounting, I can take pictures, but if you open the Top Glovebox, you have the plasctic mat. Take that out and the Base(NOT the back) is where I placed the Ball mount from Ram Mounts. I only ordered 3 parts. RAM246(Square plate for LCD Screen), RAM201D(the Arm is 7.88" Long), and RAM243( 2.81'' x 5'' Rectangular Plate) Both plates had a 1.5" Ball. Cost for this application was just Under $100 for the RAM equipment. If I remember correctly, the USB Hub was about $20. the Adesso Wireless Slimtouch Mini keyboard/Touchpad combo was about $75 and the Inverter was $50 at Sears(went with a 400watt model). Total was under $225. The screen was the old screen from an older computer... Go with what YOU want though...

    The Steaks
     
  19. eagsc7

    eagsc7 Geocacher

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    ----USA----
    Routing info is as follows, Garmin Vista HCX Reciever to the router(USB) to the computer. On the computer, I use nRoute with the Mapsource maps Topo2008, Metroguide NA, City Select, Topo Canada v2, or US topo(Older version) depending on what I am doing. They all have their different uses. I'll throw some more shots up later.

    The Steaks
     
  20. dapastaguy

    dapastaguy Junior Member

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    I am in the process of installing a cappucino pc (very small footprint) and using the lockpick to get it to the MFD. I have successfully gotten the image on the display but it is off center and not as sharp as desired. Did you use anything to adapt the output? I was told powerstrip would change the settings to something more suitable for the display and will work with that soon. My pc also has a video out so nop issues getting the image out. A work in progress