With many boaters utilizing laptop computers onboard is it possible, or is there software available, to bypass a radar unit processor? I figure one should be able to buy a new or used scanner and wire it to your PC. All a radar receiver is is a mini computer with a high price tag. If GPS charting software is available for laptops then I would think radar is possible. Or am I dreaming? Thanks Morris
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Qualified yes...
There are radars that do all the processing in the antenna. With the right software a laptop can serve as the display. Raymarine has systems that can be set up this way. Laptops are power hogs, a dedicated chartplotter/radar display will probably draw fewer amps.
There are radars that do all the processing in the antenna. With the right software a laptop can serve as the display. Raymarine has systems that can be set up this way. Laptops are power hogs, a dedicated chartplotter/radar display will probably draw fewer amps.
Wow!
You have a laptop that draws 2A? I want one! My bloody Toshiba Satellite Pro needs 5A @ 15V to run at full power and keep the battery up. That's 75W ...
I use a 70W IGO Juice power supply on the boat to go from 12 to 15V. That's damn near 6amps to run the box. I'm playing with power settings on the computer to reduce the load. As it is with my 72A alternator, if I got 100% return (yeah right), it takes 1 hour of engine time for every 12 hours of laptop time. I'm considering getting a C-80 chartplotter to run most of the time while sailing and only fire up the laptop when I need the full deal nav program. I'd LOVE to get it down to 2A and still run RayNav or Visual Nav Suite! (Did I ever mention that I hate you? )
You have a laptop that draws 2A? I want one! My bloody Toshiba Satellite Pro needs 5A @ 15V to run at full power and keep the battery up. That's 75W ...
I use a 70W IGO Juice power supply on the boat to go from 12 to 15V. That's damn near 6amps to run the box. I'm playing with power settings on the computer to reduce the load. As it is with my 72A alternator, if I got 100% return (yeah right), it takes 1 hour of engine time for every 12 hours of laptop time. I'm considering getting a C-80 chartplotter to run most of the time while sailing and only fire up the laptop when I need the full deal nav program. I'd LOVE to get it down to 2A and still run RayNav or Visual Nav Suite! (Did I ever mention that I hate you? ) 
LapTop Consumption
I bought a new laptop this summer to replace my previous one which had a PSU saying 19 volts at 2 amps. The new machine says 19 volts at 3 amps so I bought a new 12v to 19 v power brick. Having set it up imagine my annoyance when the computer only drew 2 amps when I measured it. Remember all this power emerges as heat and few laptops can dissipate more than 50 watts anyway. I did my test when the battery was on full charge as well as running the machine.
I bought a new laptop this summer to replace my previous one which had a PSU saying 19 volts at 2 amps. The new machine says 19 volts at 3 amps so I bought a new 12v to 19 v power brick. Having set it up imagine my annoyance when the computer only drew 2 amps when I measured it. Remember all this power emerges as heat and few laptops can dissipate more than 50 watts anyway. I did my test when the battery was on full charge as well as running the machine.
neighbor in hockley
I live up the road here in hockley...I do not have anything relevant to add too your question.....but i have a hunter 34 that we keep in seabrook....and we never miss a weekend out....i do not know your home port....but...if you ever want to meet up on the bay ...not to common to find neighbors this far from the coast that go sailing.... you can send me an e-mail..you can look me up in the hunter directory.......good luck with your question........chris
I live up the road here in hockley...I do not have anything relevant to add too your question.....but i have a hunter 34 that we keep in seabrook....and we never miss a weekend out....i do not know your home port....but...if you ever want to meet up on the bay ...not to common to find neighbors this far from the coast that go sailing.... you can send me an e-mail..you can look me up in the hunter directory.......good luck with your question........chris
I Went With A Mini Desktop
I messed around with the laptops for awhile but did not like having them in the cockpit. there was to great a chance for them to fall or get wet. I eventually decided to mount a mini desktop in an aft locker instead. It runs the navigation system, plus provides other benefits. I ran a monitor feed and a USB connection to the cockpit so I can completely operate the computer with a mouse and keyboard. The added benefit is the ability to put a movie in the CD player in the computer and have them play in the cockpit. I used a 15 inch LCD and put it on a swivel so that I can turn it away from the sun. It is not overly bright, but it can be read. I also made a cover so it can be "waterproofed" when we get a storm. I keep an eye on Ebay hoping for a reasonably priced transreflective monitor, so far no good. The power consumption is minimal. The monitor pulls about 15 watts, the computer usually around 80. We have substantial battery capacity and can recharge the batteries with the generator in an hour or so. We do that at the dock at night or if we are anchoring, we will do that in the last hour before we anchor out so we do not disturb the neighbors.
I messed around with the laptops for awhile but did not like having them in the cockpit. there was to great a chance for them to fall or get wet. I eventually decided to mount a mini desktop in an aft locker instead. It runs the navigation system, plus provides other benefits. I ran a monitor feed and a USB connection to the cockpit so I can completely operate the computer with a mouse and keyboard. The added benefit is the ability to put a movie in the CD player in the computer and have them play in the cockpit. I used a 15 inch LCD and put it on a swivel so that I can turn it away from the sun. It is not overly bright, but it can be read. I also made a cover so it can be "waterproofed" when we get a storm. I keep an eye on Ebay hoping for a reasonably priced transreflective monitor, so far no good. The power consumption is minimal. The monitor pulls about 15 watts, the computer usually around 80. We have substantial battery capacity and can recharge the batteries with the generator in an hour or so. We do that at the dock at night or if we are anchoring, we will do that in the last hour before we anchor out so we do not disturb the neighbors.
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