| Author | Message | ||
     Jason Lord (Ronan) Member Username: Ronan Post Number: 113 Registered: 10-2002 |
Anybody out there designed a reasonably stable laptop mount for their truck? I was looking at the jottodesk models but can't justify that sort of coin atm. Wondering if there are some suggestions out there that might work. Jay | ||
| Greg (Gparrish) Senior Member Username: Gparrish Post Number: 1305 Registered: 04-2002 |
You can buy one from Rover Solutions. | ||
| Al Cruz (Alc) Member Username: Alc Post Number: 82 Registered: 10-2002 |
Not sure what the cost is for the Jottodesk, but I bought the Ram laptop mount and I'm quite happy with it; well at least it keeps the kids quiet.  | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 51 Registered: 05-2003 |
Jason, I know someone who has done this in his D90. I think he figured out a way to do this at minimum cost. He has sent me the plans, and detailed photos. However, I do not feel comfortable passing them on without his ok. I am sending him an email right now with a link to this thread, and also that your email address is: jlord4@hotmail.com He has been on a long expedition to Alaska in his D90 and I think he will return soon? Hopefully, he will be able to contact you. He is very good at all of that kind of stuff. Good Luck, Jamie | ||
| Jason McCombs (Jasonmc) Member Username: Jasonmc Post Number: 86 Registered: 06-2003 |
Jason, are you just looking to use the lap top for back seat passengers as entertainment? My boss has a Range Rover and he uses hi lap top as a dvd system for he kids in the back seat. he plugs the audio out jack into the car audio using one of those cassette deck connectors. Now the thing he uses to put the lap top on is kinda jerri rigged but it was cheap and seems to be rugged enough to handle a 7 year old and a 2 year olds abuse. He went and bought a childs play table, the one he has just happens to be one of those that have the top covered in one of those flat lego panels so that you can build legos off of it. anyway the table is the perfect size for wedgeing it against the center console and the front of the back seet. he cut out 3 or four 1 1/2" inch strips of sticky backed non-skid foam and adhered it to the top of the small table, then he places the lap on that. i think he has an elastic band that he fastens the lap top down with. I know this sounds funky, and it looks funky to, but it has worked for him for over a year. If you really want something now you could do this as a temporary thing until you find something better. | ||
| Greg (Gparrish) Senior Member Username: Gparrish Post Number: 1307 Registered: 04-2002 |
Jason, Get a proper mount. No sense having that laptop clock one of your kids in an unforunate situation like an accident or roll over. Do it right for your safety and your kids safety. | ||
| Andrew Maier (Newman) Member Username: Newman Post Number: 66 Registered: 04-2003 |
Can that mount pictured above be turned around, so the laptop faces toward the windshield? That's where I want to put mine (don't want it in the passenger footwell) but I can't find anything... | ||
| Greg (Gparrish) Senior Member Username: Gparrish Post Number: 1309 Registered: 04-2002 |
http://www.roversolutions.com/home.htm | ||
| Steve Cooper (Scrover) Senior Member Username: Scrover Post Number: 400 Registered: 09-2002 |
Yeah, don't fuck around with a half-ass mount. You'll kill your laptop if not yourself. http://expeditionexchange.com/stevecooper/B034_31.jpg I can tell you how I did it if you like, but it cost a few bucks. | ||
| Al Cruz (Alc) Member Username: Alc Post Number: 83 Registered: 10-2002 |
Yes the RAM mount can be rotated around, IMHO the best part of the RAM mount is the the ball joint feature. Plus I think the laptop mount in itself looks badass. RAM also offers various extensions to allow the laptop to be situated in the front of the rig. And I agree with Steve, you wouldn't want to fuck up your laptop. Actually Steve's setup was my inspiration, except I went with the RAM mounting system based on the ball joint design. | ||
| Jason McCombs (Jasonmc) Member Username: Jasonmc Post Number: 87 Registered: 06-2003 |
ok guys just to clarify. I am not the creator of the half ass laptop mount. My boss was i just passed along the half ass idea. I dont want to become known as the "idiot with the half ass laptop idea". I'll do a little more self editing before i post in the future. | ||
| Jason Lord (Ronan) Member Username: Ronan Post Number: 114 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hahah - No worries Jason - I appreciate all the advice I find on these boards (and trust me - I post quite a few lame noobie questions). Greg - I was looking for something more professional but was wondering if I could do it for less than the price of the Jotto/RAM. I looked at the Roversolutions setup. Anyone know how stable it is? Also, I presume it fits a DII even though the site lists it for a DI. I don't have kids, and am mostly looking to put the computer somewhere more accessable and safe than the console box beside me for the GPS. Steve - that setup looks pretty sweet. Any chance you can email me off board and give me some pointers on how you put that thing together? As always, thanks again guys. Jay | ||
| Steve Cooper (Scrover) Senior Member Username: Scrover Post Number: 401 Registered: 09-2002 |
I wasn't aiming at you Jason. I saw the words 'child's play table' 'non skid foam' and 'elastic bands' and had to speak out. I just hope your boss never gets rear ended with the kids in the back watching a movie. I'm afraid the elastic bands won't help. I went with RAM hardware bolted through the dash and onto a Gamber-Johnson locking cop car mount. RAM actually makes plates specifically for other brand's mounts. It doesn't move once it's tightened and the rubber covered ball joints help to absorb the vibration. The RAM mount like Al's is very good - I also have one of those. Check out: http://www.gpscity.com/gps/brados/17111.3.2832813864911851001/rammounts.html They have everything you need. | ||
| Greg (Gparrish) Senior Member Username: Gparrish Post Number: 1310 Registered: 04-2002 |
Jason, I don't have any clue about the Rover Solutions product other than it's made by a very reputible person, and I'm sure it gets the job done. I don't know the price, don't konw if it fits the D2, but I imagine if you email and ask, your questions will be answered. Get what I'm saying. If I were in need of one, I would check this option first, but that is just what I would do.  | ||
| Jason Lord (Ronan) Member Username: Ronan Post Number: 116 Registered: 10-2002 |
Ok Thanks Greg. Jay | ||
| Raul Pena (Spec) New Member Username: Spec Post Number: 15 Registered: 05-2003 |
Hey Jason Try www.Galls.com is a public safety and law enforcement equipment catalog. I saw the set up there. good luck Raul | ||
| Roger Sinasohn (Uncle_roger) New Member Username: Uncle_roger Post Number: 11 Registered: 06-2003 |
I've been thinking about using an LCD mounted in front of the stereo (and able to flip up out of the way) hooked to a mini-pc mounted (probably) on the side of the transmission tunnel. A solution able to work with a standard laptop, however, would probably be preferable (and would more than pay for itself in the savings on the computer gear). I would love to know whether the Rover Solutions mount will fit a DII and what the price is. | ||
| Jason McCombs (Jasonmc) Member Username: Jasonmc Post Number: 88 Registered: 06-2003 |
Guys, no offense was taken, i re-read my post and realized how completely idiotic it was in the first place. lego table and foam tape, is amazingly stupid. My problem is i am a designer by trade and i let the basic idea of something overwhelm my sences sometimes, without actually evaluating the execution. Im actually starting to think i might want a laptop mount to. I'm not sure what I'd need it for but i got a feeling i want one. My apple Titanium Powerbook would look sweet stationed next to me in the drivers seat. | ||
| Corey (Discobro) Senior Member Username: Discobro Post Number: 251 Registered: 12-2002 |
That's exactly what I was thinking Jason! I'm in the market for one of those new 17" Powerbooks so I'm not sure if this idea would work for me. Imagine a 17" monitor sitting in the cab of your Disco! Sweet! I could surf all day then design between sets! | ||
| Jason McCombs (Jasonmc) Member Username: Jasonmc Post Number: 92 Registered: 06-2003 |
corey, looks like we have a lot in common. minus the surf board we have the exact same rig. mines an SE not sure bout yers. i think our problem is we are both designers and trained to go for the shinny bobbles, like a fish to a lure. LOL | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 945 Registered: 08-2002 |
Just thinking out loud here. Are those mounts out of the way of the pass airbag? I'd hate to think of the bag deploying and slamming a laptop in your passenger's face. | ||
| Perrone Ford (Perroneford) Member Username: Perroneford Post Number: 183 Registered: 02-2003 |
I did a Jottodesk and am very happy with it. Yes, you have to pay to play, but it was worth the money. -P | ||
| Corey (Discobro) Senior Member Username: Discobro Post Number: 253 Registered: 12-2002 |
96 Disco SD Jason. And I'm a graphic and web designer so it would be very cool if I could just go anywhere and not worry about being in my home office with my laptop snuggly fitted in my cab! You don't surf and you're in SoCal?! What a waste of perfect waves! I guess that would be like owning a LR and never going off pavement... | ||
| marc olivares (Pugs) Member Username: Pugs Post Number: 113 Registered: 12-2002 |
I think Greg Davis is on to something. I'll stick with my map book, garmin 3 and keep my wifes face intact. marc | ||
| Joey (Joey4420) Member Username: Joey4420 Post Number: 123 Registered: 04-2003 |
Buy one of these, and don't worry about shocks, water or anything else. http://www.walkabout-comp.com/products_specs_xrt.html of course you have to get one of these to make it work well in a rover: http://www.walkabout-comp.com/products_specs_vehicle.html | ||
| Jerry Crawford (Jcrawford) Member Username: Jcrawford Post Number: 73 Registered: 08-2002 |
is this one of those "if-I-have-to-ask-how-much-I-can't-afford-it" kind of deals? | ||
| Joey (Joey4420) Member Username: Joey4420 Post Number: 125 Registered: 04-2003 |
If you are talking about my last post, the Walkabout is around $4500 and the vehicle mount is around $400. But you should see the video they sent me with a vehicle parked on it.... | ||
| Roger Sinasohn (Uncle_roger) New Member Username: Uncle_roger Post Number: 17 Registered: 06-2003 |
How about a combination of this mounted in one of these? Then all you need is a display. (Or, if that one is too big for you, try this one. |
