Hello All,
As a very new person here, please let me thank you for all the information that is shared here. I have learned more about GPS navigation and hardware than I thought possible.
My dog and I are preparing for a road trip early this spring. I am not sure where other than North and East from Oregon. For the first time I will be using a laptop and GPS. Having been a WCM (Watch, Compass, and Map) navigator for so long, from my days in the service, I am hoping you will be able to help me out without laughing too hard.
I have two basic questions to start with.
The first is regarding laptop mounting.
Having spent some time in the pages of this site, I am still looking for a mount for my truck. I will be putting it in a '04 Toyota Tundra. I have found several that are very nice, but none specifically say they will work in the '04. Everything is for the later versions.
I don't mind putting in a mounting bracket, even if it has to be bolted to the floor. However, I do want to have a "Quick" removal option.
One last thing on the mounting, perhaps the hardest part, I would like to keep it under $150, but if needed I would go a little higher.
The second question is regarding my GPS receiver: http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/3079-need-laptop-gps-sensitive-enough-work-canyons-hills-under-trees
Again, many thanks for all the information I have gained here, and in advance for any help with my queries.
As a very new person here, please let me thank you for all the information that is shared here. I have learned more about GPS navigation and hardware than I thought possible.
My dog and I are preparing for a road trip early this spring. I am not sure where other than North and East from Oregon. For the first time I will be using a laptop and GPS. Having been a WCM (Watch, Compass, and Map) navigator for so long, from my days in the service, I am hoping you will be able to help me out without laughing too hard.
I have two basic questions to start with.
The first is regarding laptop mounting.
Having spent some time in the pages of this site, I am still looking for a mount for my truck. I will be putting it in a '04 Toyota Tundra. I have found several that are very nice, but none specifically say they will work in the '04. Everything is for the later versions.
I don't mind putting in a mounting bracket, even if it has to be bolted to the floor. However, I do want to have a "Quick" removal option.
One last thing on the mounting, perhaps the hardest part, I would like to keep it under $150, but if needed I would go a little higher.
The second question is regarding my GPS receiver: http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/3079-need-laptop-gps-sensitive-enough-work-canyons-hills-under-trees
Again, many thanks for all the information I have gained here, and in advance for any help with my queries.
Hi Frog,
I'm glad you're finding useful information on the site. Your two questions are excellent and significant ones to deal with, so I don't think anyone will be laughing. Finding good ways to mount a laptop in a vehicle is a very vexing and complicated exercise because it's not just the issue of will it fit the vehicle but you also want something that will be safe and easy to use.
Regarding you puzzlement about the fit for your specific year/model truck, I would simply email RAM Mounts and ask them. If a particular model of theirs for newer model trucks will fit your '04, then probably the same answer applies for other brands (e.g. if they are similar in mounting method, they will likely depend on bolt locations and bolt patterns that are similar).
I've added some questions about your current receivers in the other thread in order to help with better answers to your original question.
...ken...
I'm glad you're finding useful information on the site. Your two questions are excellent and significant ones to deal with, so I don't think anyone will be laughing. Finding good ways to mount a laptop in a vehicle is a very vexing and complicated exercise because it's not just the issue of will it fit the vehicle but you also want something that will be safe and easy to use.
Regarding you puzzlement about the fit for your specific year/model truck, I would simply email RAM Mounts and ask them. If a particular model of theirs for newer model trucks will fit your '04, then probably the same answer applies for other brands (e.g. if they are similar in mounting method, they will likely depend on bolt locations and bolt patterns that are similar).
I've added some questions about your current receivers in the other thread in order to help with better answers to your original question.
...ken...
Thanks Ken,
I will give RAM Mounts a buzz.
I will give RAM Mounts a buzz.
Has anyone seen or used this mounting system from Mobile Laptop Mount?
http://www.mobilelaptopmount.com/pic/cleanb/cleanb.htm
From what I can see, it seems very sturdy, perhaps more so than the Ram mount. It does not look to be as easy to change positions, but very sturdy.
http://www.mobilelaptopmount.com/pic/cleanb/cleanb.htm
From what I can see, it seems very sturdy, perhaps more so than the Ram mount. It does not look to be as easy to change positions, but very sturdy.
The following statement is posted right above the last picture on that page:
Using self-tapping screws to attach the base of the mount to the floor is not what most people would consider a no-holes solution.
Quote:
This Person Just Zipped Some "Self Tapping" Screws In, NO NEED TO DRILL HOLES
Hi, Frog,
I scratched my head for the longest time trying to configure a good mount for my '96 Honda Accord. I finally resigned myself to the fact that there was not a mount solution that was not going to interfer with the passanger.
So, I embraced the situation and went with a very simple mount. It is just a MDF board wedged under the bottom of the back of the passenger seat. I lean the seatback rearward, slide in the board and raise the seatback forward to wedge the edge of the board. See Thumbnail.
The board extends out over the front edge of the seat over the floorboard. I have plenty of space to arrange the laptop.
Straps could be added to the board for extra security, if desired. Non-skid shelf liner or velcro straps could be added to secure the laptop.
I did not have your budget, so considering commercial units was not an option. However, I found lots of creative DIY solutions on the internet. A little research, and your great handyman skills, might save you some bucks and give you a better mount for your needs.
I scratched my head for the longest time trying to configure a good mount for my '96 Honda Accord. I finally resigned myself to the fact that there was not a mount solution that was not going to interfer with the passanger.
So, I embraced the situation and went with a very simple mount. It is just a MDF board wedged under the bottom of the back of the passenger seat. I lean the seatback rearward, slide in the board and raise the seatback forward to wedge the edge of the board. See Thumbnail.
The board extends out over the front edge of the seat over the floorboard. I have plenty of space to arrange the laptop.
Straps could be added to the board for extra security, if desired. Non-skid shelf liner or velcro straps could be added to secure the laptop.
I did not have your budget, so considering commercial units was not an option. However, I found lots of creative DIY solutions on the internet. A little research, and your great handyman skills, might save you some bucks and give you a better mount for your needs.
Quote:
The following statement is posted right above the last picture on that page:
Using self-tapping screws to attach the base of the mount to the floor is not what most people would consider a no-holes solution.
Quote:
This Person Just Zipped Some "Self Tapping" Screws In, NO NEED TO DRILL HOLES
Although, they do have several "no holes" solutions pictured on the website.
I am more interested anyone's opinion on the use and stability. I do have to often travel in areas that are not exactly smooth, and this just looks a little more rugged than the Ram setup.
Quote:
Hi, Frog,
I scratched my head for the longest time trying to configure a good mount for my '96 Honda Accord. I finally resigned myself to the fact that there was not a mount solution that was not going to interfer with the passanger.
So, I embraced the situation and went with a very simple mount. It is just a MDF board wedged under the bottom of the back of the passenger seat. I lean the seatback rearward, slide in the board and raise the seatback forward to wedge the edge of the board. See Thumbnail.
The board extends out over the front edge of the seat over the floorboard. I have plenty of space to arrange the laptop.
Straps could be added to the board for extra security, if desired. Non-skid shelf liner or velcro straps could be added to secure the laptop.
I did not have your budget, so considering commercial units was not an option. However, I found lots of creative DIY solutions on the internet. A little research, and your great handyman skills, might save you some bucks and give you a better mount for your needs.
I scratched my head for the longest time trying to configure a good mount for my '96 Honda Accord. I finally resigned myself to the fact that there was not a mount solution that was not going to interfer with the passanger.
So, I embraced the situation and went with a very simple mount. It is just a MDF board wedged under the bottom of the back of the passenger seat. I lean the seatback rearward, slide in the board and raise the seatback forward to wedge the edge of the board. See Thumbnail.
The board extends out over the front edge of the seat over the floorboard. I have plenty of space to arrange the laptop.
Straps could be added to the board for extra security, if desired. Non-skid shelf liner or velcro straps could be added to secure the laptop.
I did not have your budget, so considering commercial units was not an option. However, I found lots of creative DIY solutions on the internet. A little research, and your great handyman skills, might save you some bucks and give you a better mount for your needs.
A most ingenious solution, quick, simple, and effective. While this will not work in my truck, I think this may be a very good solution for my '85 CJ.
I was thinking you could even attach a turntable to the board, with turning limiters, and then you could angel however you wanted. If you use a wedge, the laptop could even be brought to a horizontal. My seats are angled slightly.
The biggest problem I face with my truck is that I really do need to be able to carry person in the passenger seat. I found a couple of designs that would do if I did not need that seat.
The other real problem I am concerned about is the often rugged terrain I dive on. I am really going to have to make sure the laptop is well secured.