Onboard Computer - Here's an idea

[Bob Poff]

I find the idea of dragging my laptop along to and from the boat, and the possibility of it getting damaged, a bit disconcerting.

So I've come up with this idea.......

In a server based environment I've used the Wyse "Thin Client" workstations. The client is basically a computer without a disc drive. The intent is that everything it needs is available via the server. And in a Citrix environment the server may actually run the applications.

Essentially you have a small computer. And it runs on 12 VDC

I bought a V90 (information here) one on Ebay (click here to search Ebay). Paid $89 plus shipping. The one I have is a 1GHz processor, has 512 MB of memory and runs on XPe (embedded). There are two serial, and three USB ports. A PCMCIA slot, 10/100 MB Ethernet, VGA, and a parallel port.

I added a PCMCIA wireless N card (there is also an installed wireless option for the V90), and a USB memory stick.

In my testing I have a cheapo Delorme USB GPS, and their USB to Serial converter program running.

So far, I've been able to run Open GPL, Sea Clear, Memory-Map Navigator, and the Nexus FDX software reliably. Using the M-M Navigator (my favorite) I've been able to define waypoints and track on another machine, save them to the stick, and import it to the application running on the V90.

On the workbench at 13.5V, (running the apps, and connected using the wireless) it draws between 1.0 A and 2.0 A. Depending on what it's doing at the moment.

With a smaller size (8.5" x 7.5" x 2") it should be easy to mount it somewhere out of the way on the boat.

I have to admit, if you're not accustomed to working with computers, the reconfiguration might be a bit daunting. Resetting permissions, disabling client software and such. But not that bad. A dummy like me can do it.

The end result is that for about $200 investment, thus far, I have a computer that runs on 12V, that will be permanently mounted, runs charting software, and has internet access when in range.

 

[Phil Herring]

Bob, you should be doing the reconfig and re-selling these things!

 

[Franklin]

But you need a internet connection for it to connect to the server which will work at the dock but not while sailing.

There used to be a company that would build a marine unit that ran on 1 amp 12 volt (without monitor turned on) that would also be connected to the instruments of the boat. It had all the NOAA charts and sea-clear installed along with all information about that boat including the polars. It also have computer programs that would compile the information from the instruments and polars and specs of the boat to tell you how effecient your sails were trimmed. You could also play DVD movies on it as well. It was a very impressive setup but knowing the company, it must have cost at least 5gs. The company's employees and owner had a bad reputation for being cut throat, and way over-priced. They went out of business about 2 years ago which made me happy as I couldn't stand them and it also openned the doory for somebody else to fill the void of the boat PC market and electronics.

If you can do that, I'd say you'd have a lot of callers if you didn't over-price it. Basically just talking about building a low performance PC and adding devices to connect to the instruments and then load the software. I'm not a hardware guy so I haven't done it yet...but maybe someday.

 

[Kevin3447]

Franklin, you only need to be connected if you're using it as intended. I'm pretty sure Bob is saying it's good enough to run the apps locally.

Bob - good idea! I was thinking of building a MiniITX system, but this will be cheaper and easier. How much of the 1GB is available as storage?

Kevin

 

[Bob Poff]

But you need a internet connection for it to connect to the server which will work at the dock but not while sailing.

No...... you DISABLE all the client software.
It then is a completely standalone computer.
Of course it always was..... just without a disk drive.

All it needs is +12, a monitor, and a mouse. You could even do away with a physical keyboard by using the XP On Screen Keyboard. But it's a pain.

In its "normal" business operation, having the client sofware and restrictions allows you (the administrator) in an enterprise environment to have control over the workstation, and have single point software deployment.
But the box isn't dependant completely on the server to funciton.

The only reason I put the wireless card in it was to be able to play on the internet while at the marina.

As to DVD, etc, you have USB ports to easily add all that stuff externally.

Charts and software.........
I have my Chesapeake bay charts, M-M Navigator the Nexus FDX, and the Delorme USB/Serial program installed on the V90 itself. And I still have room for more. Meanwhile Sea Clear, OpenGL, some Ham Radio software, and utilities are stored on a 16 GB USB stick.

I've set the box to autologin to the correct Windows (local) user on power up, and start the programs that I want. So while at no time do my fingers leave my hand, the V90 starts up, logs into Windows, attaches the GPS, starts Navigator, and FDX. Not needing to be connected to a network. Oh... with the wireless card in place, and an internet connection, there's a utility that runs to set the time on the V90.

Phil, making it a business might take the fun out of it.
You know, the greater good and all that......

 

[Bob Poff]

Kevin,
It's 1 Ghz processor.

Memory onboard is 512MB. Only 256 MB is available for storage.
But they run it as a compressed disk. Which makes it look larger.
I forget what the "apparent" storage is.

>>-> Lookoing at the properties for the compressed storage drive show 541MB total<-<<

Oh yes.. for Linux fans, I found that Wyse has a Linux image available for download.

 

[tommays]

There is a TON of small stuff from the CARPUTER suppliers as they have been going after this in cars for at least 10 years

 

[RichH]

You may be too late ....
http://www.apple.com/macmini/

or if you want all the bells and whistles ...
http://www.apple.com/macbookair/

 

[Franklin]

I didn't see anything green about that one. Said 9 amps max....ah...my laptop only burns 5 amps, even when I'm using it and charging the battery.

 

[Kevin3447]

Kevin,
It's 1 Ghz processor.

Memory onboard is 512MB. Only 256 MB is available for storage.
But they run it as a compressed disk. Which makes it look larger.
I forget what the "apparent" storage is.

Of course, work getting in the way of sailing again, I confused the one I was looking at on eBay with the one you have. There's a model with 1GB flash / 512MB RAM. I guess with a USB drive I could have all the storage I want.

There's a Boat Computer thread here:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/boat-computers/

 

[Benny]

I already have that in a notebook that I purchased for $279 and it has 1 Gig memory, a 60 gig hard drive, a screen and wi-fi included. It runs windows XP and weighs a few ounces.

 

[Paul F]

Mini notebook

Benny, I had the same idea using a mini notebook as an onboard gps unit. Have or can you hook the unit up to 12 volt dc power?

 

[Bob Poff]

Kevin,
That's the one.
The 512 is divied up between operating overhead and file storage.

And yes of course with a USB disc drive, whatever you can afford.

 

[Rick Sylvester]

Windows?

No thanks.

I've got a computer that is a Navionics plotter with GPS already in it, road charts, web access anywhere I can get a cell signal, tides, sunrise/set/moon info, compass, star displays oriented to location/time/compass info, and MUCH more.

Lets see, I've got several hundred books on it, a few thousand songs, four thousand pictures, it'll play movies (and will take them.)

It uses less power than most any other computer (I think.)

Oh yeah, it'll fit in my pocket.

I LOVE my iPhone.

 

[Bob Poff]

Rick,

The Pocket PC has been around a lot longer than the iPhone.
That's why I use the Memory-Map Navigator, desktop plus full Pocket PC support.

 

[Franklin]

No thanks.

I've got a computer that is a Navionics plotter with GPS already in it, road charts, web access anywhere I can get a cell signal, tides, sunrise/set/moon info, compass, star displays oriented to location/time/compass info, and MUCH more.

Lets see, I've got several hundred books on it, a few thousand songs, four thousand pictures, it'll play movies (and will take them.)

It uses less power than most any other computer (I think.)

Oh yeah, it'll fit in my pocket.

I LOVE my iPhone.

Can you hook it into your instruments and get all kinds of computerized information out of the data the instruments provide? Does it have all the NOAA charts on it?

Just playing around.

 

[RTMBoston]

Great thinking Bob! Very familiar with the Wyse thin clients, we have a couple of hundered of them on the network. I may need to experiment with one.....

 

[dvideohd]

power...

you should be able to get - now or soon - 15-30W full power machines - with screen... With power "hugging' - that can drop to ON DEMAND power use only...

Would be neat to see a WM PC machine out there - or something similiar... low power is really moving into the market...

--jerry

 

[Rick Sylvester]

Hi Bob.

We're really comparing apples and oranges here.

First of all, you're assembling a fixed mount system. It will pretty much always live at the nav station (or where ever.) The iPhone is portable.

I'm sure the Navigator plotter is perfectly fine but that wasn't really my point. I'm suggesting that having a truly pocketable computer is a game changer. As a plotter it's damn near as good as my Garmin 478. For coastal cruising I've got web access most of the time. The AT&T is overpriced but it includes unlimited data.

I have an XM subscription for satellite radio onboard and it also allows me to get a huge array of weather data that I can display on the Garmin screen. With web access I can usually get even more data on the iPhone.

Now you pull into port and you need to know where to rent a car, or find groceries or maybe get directions to the nearest chandlery. The iPhone will find it. Easily. I can take it in the dink. I can take it ashore.

Cost? Well, that's a tougher comparison since the iPhone is tied to AT&T but I guesstimate that I'm spending about $25/month more after switching from my previous cell service. I had to pony up $200 up front for the phone to get 32 GB storage. Again, it's apples and oranges but I'll bet after you're all done spending that the totals won't be that far apart.

Hi Franklin. Yeah, I've got NOAA charts. I bought the entire east coast, lakes, Bahamas and Gulf Coast for $9.99. You can buy everything else Navionics has for similar pricing.

Sorry I sound like an Apple commercial. I'm merely sharing alternative solutions that so far have worked better, easier and more comprehensively for technically challenged sailors like me.

 

[Bob Poff]

Rick,

Actually in that one post I'm comparing Apples to iPaqs so to speak.

I was doing all that same stuff with an XV-6600 (pictures here) Pocket PC running Windows Mobile on Verizon a few years before the first iPhone came out. And the Pocket PC had been around for years before that.

My current set up has been an iPaq 2490 (pictures here) running Windows Mobile 5. The M-M Pocket Navigator uses the same BSB/KAP charts as the desktop version. For location, speed, and tracking I use a small GPS which talks to the iPaq via Bluetooth.

The whole idea of using a Wyse Thin Client started when I started planning to get a new instrument system for the boat. And wanted to integrate a PC, without dragging $1K worth of laptop around all the time.

Yes, the Wyse will be permanently mounted near the nav station. Meanwhile the iPaq will be in my shirt pocket at the helm as my working chartplotter.

The iPhone is a nifty device.
Just not an entirely new idea.

I'm actually thinking of getting an iPod Touch to play with.

But we stray from the original topic.