| Author | Message | ||
| Blake
Rating: N/A |
I have recently purchased at GPS Mapping system (DeLorme) to use with my laptop computer in the coach. The receiver is meant to placed on the dash, but the coach’s windshields are almost vertical and I suspect the receiver will not get a good view of the sky (I haven’t tried it in the coach yet). Has anyone had any experience with these GPS mapping systems? Has anyone tried placing the receiver under the front fiberglass cap? Can I add an extension to the USB cable? Thanks…..Blake. | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean)
Rating: N/A |
The DeLorme Earthmate is a poor choice for coach use for the very reasons that you cite. The laptop software will accept NMEA input from almost any receiver, so you are much better off with one that has an external antenna port. Then you can simply mount a high-quality amplified antenna on your roof and get a good signal in most conditions. That being said, if you already have the Earthmate, you could try putting it in your cap. The signals should penetrate fiberglass and many plastics, though there will be some attenuation. There's no reason why you could not add a USB extension. Bear in mind that it is unlawful in many states to have a computer operating such that the screen is visible to the driver, even if that computer is running map software. California goes one step further and prohibits computers anywhere in the front seats. For this reason, GPS units with built-in map screens, which are acceptable in most jurisdictions, are often better choices. -Sean | ||
| Michael Lewis (Puffbus)
Rating: N/A |
We have used products from Deluo for many GPS systems and currently have two in our coach. Never had a failure and have enjoyed tremendous support. Our primary antenna is mounted immediately above our center front marker light, and Deluo provides enough cable with this to reach our drivers computer which currently is on the center dash. I notched the marker lite opening to provide for the cable and epoxied the antenna to the cap. Standard MNEA with USB. We run the cable invisibly down the center window divider. Good folks with affordable equipment. http://www.deluoelectronics.com Michael | ||
| Nick
Rating: N/A |
I just put the receiver on my Delorme Earthmate on the dash between the instrument cluster and the windshield and it works fine. | ||
| Kevin Allen, Nebus (91flyer)
Rating: N/A |
Sorry, but I have to add something to this thread.  Now, keep in mind I don't actually HAVE my bus yet... it's waiting for me to come get her in Minnesota in the next few months.... BUT... I do use a Garmin handheld unit with a windshield adapter in combination with an IBM laptop in my van... I also have an EarthMate unit which is USB... Which is what I was going to use for the bus, and snake it through up on the roof and sillykone it in place to seal it up from moisture and whatnot, and use a USB extension for it. Additionally, I was going to get one of those Mini-ITX systems with a 40GB laptop hard drive and a small 7" touch screen for my GPS mapping setup. I *MIGHT* go with a full 15" LCD touchscreen, but those are considerably more expensive than the 7" models. Anyway... Since what I intend to do is actually build it into the dash system, it wouldn't technically be a laptop, nor a desktop, but an integral part of the dash... which is like what you see in some of the highend cars from BMW, Lexus and Mercedes... If you do your setup similar to that, and make it a built in component of your rig... I don't see how they could legally claim it's a computer system if all it shows is a map... it would be pretty difficult for an officer to prove you watch DVD's or something on it when the CPU is tucked away inside the console and has no DVD drive to speak of... Just my 2c, which is often more than I should have. -Kevin | ||
| Don/TX
Rating: N/A |
I used the DeLorme earthmate receiver on the dash of my bus for years, never had any problems with reception. The computer screen was hard to see and clumbsy to operate, I now have a Garmin Tripmate, it works well on the dash and is MUCH easier to read and adjust while driving, much brighter screen. | ||
| R.C.Bishop
Rating: N/A |
The new version of CoPilot,(8), is fantastic..... www.alk.com 800 377 6453 My second version. Just a customer. RCB | ||
| Ray Lala (Rayshound)
Rating: N/A |
I have purchased from e-bay a Alpine in dash stereo with a fold out screen. It is actually a control head which takes many inputs. I have also purchased the alpine gps unit. has built in gyro to keep image when signal lost such as trees, buildings etc. Anyways nice stereo with a 16x9 aspect ratio screen. It has external antenna, & vehicle speed input. Unit uses cd's. All sounds expensive and I guess it would be new but I bought used for under $1k. This includes radio, cd player, navigation, & tv tuner which will dist. up to 3 monitors. nice system for a good purpose.! Ray | ||
| Pat Bartlett (Muddog16)
Rating: N/A |
Hi Blake, i purchased the DeLorme GPS system a few months ago also, i played in the house with it and it received excellant signals which really surprised me, I've even taught it to speak, which is part of the program, i'm not sure how that part is going to work, with the GPS and my wife both telling me where to turn, (this is the reason they make earplugs), with a relative cheap laptop or notebook this system seems to play two roles, directions and internet connection. I've used this everytime i took a trip, which was every weekend watching my son play college football, and i really don't know how i survived without it. The best thing about this system is the purchase price it was under $150, and like most others on here i enjoy my computer, which is another excuse to buy a laptop.......see!......my mind is always working, and my wife says men have defective DNA. I think its perfect! | ||
| Philris Rating: N/A |
The newer GPS twelve channel receivers have much better receeption than the older 5(?) channels. I operate my Garmin 196 in my motorhome and it works fine with the antenna on the bottom of the verticle windshield. If I monitor the sats that are being received it does fade on those to the rear of the vehicle but continues to work with an accuracy estimate of 3 to 6 meters. Close enough!!! I also use it when flying in airliners with the antenna stuck to the small side window and it gets good reception. I see little difference in the reception than when I fly my Cessna with the antenna stuck to the overhead skylight which gives it a great view of the sky. | ||
| Marc Bourget Rating: N/A |
How do you get around the security restriction regarding operating a GPS on an airliner. IIRC, it's prohibited? Marc | ||
| Ed Roelle
Rating: N/A |
I have had 3 Delorme GPS units, including the latest with USB connection. The latest works the best. I put it in the cap of the bus and use a USB extension chord. It works fine. I use the Delorme and Microsoft Streets and Trips softwares. I prefer the MS for mapping and the Delorme when using the GPS. Ed Roelle Flint, MI | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Rating: N/A |
Ed, Is the antenna installed on top of or on the bottom side of the cap? I am considering installing the antenna for our Streets & Trips by attaching it to the bottom side of the front cap on our bus, but am wondering how well this would work. Jack | ||
| Philris Rating: N/A |
The only restriction with FAA/FCC is during takeoff or landing and below 10,000(?) feet. Some airlines restrict the use but many do not. I usually fly Southwest and if you look in their in flight magazine it lists devices that may be used including GPS. If I recall, the last time I flew Delta I was asked to turn it off. | ||
| CoryDane RTSII Rating: N/A |
I use the CoPilot GPS mapping system. It comes with a similar antenna, you place it on the dash. In my "C" class rv, the overhang of the top bunk area offers less "skysight" than a bus with a flat window and I have excellant results. The only time the GPS would lose the satelites is in a tunnel or very heavy tree concentration where you cannot see the sky. cd | ||
| CoryDane RTSII Rating: N/A |
Mr Bishop AS I am considering upgrading my CoPilot, do you have the CoPilot Laptop8, if so, how do you like it and what are the changes..... Thankx cd | ||
| R.C.Bishop
Rating: N/A |
Cory....I just received Laptop 8 a week or so ago. In my opinion, there is absolutely no comparison between it and the previous version (7), at least in the planning setup. I have not used it for guidance as yet, but if it is what they say in the "literature", it must be something else. But as you know....it is not cheap. Many changes, I would say, including 3D. One of the big differences is in the new GPS reciever ( mine went out and they replaced it, N/C, with a newer version). The new one works from my desk near a window.....the other one needed a clear shot, then finally quit. Contact Michael Goodman, Product Manager at mggodman@alk.com He will fill you in, I am sure. I would say it is definitely worth the update price. Don't know if it will help or hurt to mention my name. ..... RCB | ||
| John G Root Jr (Johnroot)
Rating: N/A |
I put my earthmate gps antenna on the cross piece of the front vent with a zip tie and run the USB with extension across the ceiling and down to the laptop. It works fine. No one mentioned the driving directions so you don't have to look at the screen. I have a little fm broadcaster from Radio Shack that plugs into the headphone socket on the computer and sends the signal to the dash radio. Then StreetAtlas or Map n Go tell me the directions, including how to get back on track if I miss a turn. I agree that looking at the screen, whatever screen, while driving is dangerous. John pd4106 1368 | ||
| mel 4104
Rating: N/A |
can some one that has a delorme systemgive me the phone # to contast them as i would like to get some instruction on how to usetheir program. a year ago a fellow got me a new delorme package and a used laptopwhich afer weeks of try and a lot of money taking it to the computor repair guys they could not get it towork but now have another laptop coming so would like to contact Delorme and try the gps. you can e-mail me thanks if you can help mel | ||
| Rodger in WA Rating: N/A |
I've been using DeLorme MapnGo and Street Atlas with the original Earthmate receiver since 1995. I've upgraded the Street Atlas a few times but still use the original receiver. I've used it in my cars, former plastic motorhome and for the past 5 years in my '76 Prevost Champion w/vertical windshields. That's a total of 9 years and over 75K miles driving coast to coast, border to border in the US and parts of Canada. I just lay the receiver on the dash. Never had a need for an outside antenna. It has performed great in all the above applications. The only signal loss I've encountered has been when the receiver's view of sufficient satellites was blocked by trees, buildings, narrow canyon walls, tunnels or extremely heavy rain and those periods were too brief to cause a problem. As new products come on the market I check them out but to date I know of no GPS product which, IMO, gives more bang for the buck than DeLorme. In the motorhome and in the bus, I mount the laptop on a "Jotto Desk" so I can swing it into view for a quick glance while underway. About the only thing I use MapnGo for anymore is the RV park directory Canadian highways. I understand that's been added to Street Atlas. Online ordering and phone contact numbers can be found on the www.delorme.com website. |