| Author | Message | ||
     Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1009 Registered: 02-2002 |
Hi I need to mount a laptop above the center console (not on the passenger seat with a bungee chord!) Does anyone have any pictures or installation tips? Thx, Dean | ||
| Lewis Jones (Cutter) Member Username: Cutter Post Number: 119 Registered: 10-2003 |
http://www.roversolutions.com/home.htm  | ||
| Curtis N (Curtis) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Curtis Post Number: 907 Registered: 05-2002 |
Yeah - the mount is cool. The IBM ThinkPad is cooler  | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1011 Registered: 02-2002 |
Lewis/Curtis, Ok thanks that's one way. How will that fare bouncing around offroad with a heavy laptop on top? Its got to be rock solid really. I was thinking of 4 feet coming down around the console and onto the floor. Anyone done this kind of mount? Dean | ||
| Randy Maynard (Rans) Senior Member Username: Rans Post Number: 655 Registered: 08-2002 |
Dean, Here's one option. They have a great reputation with GPS and video cams, adn I am told the laptop mounting is equally as good. Good luck! Randy | ||
| Steve Sherman (Ssherman) Member Username: Ssherman Post Number: 110 Registered: 11-2002 |
Dean, I'm considering going with one of these two models: http://www.jottodesk.com/detail.asp?id=4 http://www.jottodesk.com/detail.asp?id=201 Steve | ||
| Steve Sherman (Ssherman) Member Username: Ssherman Post Number: 111 Registered: 11-2002 |
I also found this model on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3441508033&category=31534&rd= 1 Steve | ||
| Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 175 Registered: 05-2003 |
http://www.offroadguides.com/sales-jotto-desk-floor-mounts.shtml and here's a pic of the jotto in the disco 2... http://www.offroadguides.com/gps-track-logs-system.shtml I haven't bought one yet though. | ||
| RAYMOND SANTOS (Mokie) New Member Username: Mokie Post Number: 37 Registered: 09-2003 |
This is soooo coool. I told her I want this for Christmas. How hard is this to install? Also, if the laptop is not used, can you swivel the arm so that it's not on the way or look too obnoxious? | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1012 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jamil and all, Thanks muchly. Jamil that pic in the disco, I wonder how the bolts are installed on the console like that? There's no room to reach up around the transmission from below as far as I can see??? Dean | ||
| Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 176 Registered: 05-2003 |
Dean, I sent them an email asking how to mount it and their response was not helpful at all. They essentially told me that's it's bolted to the console. Great. Let us know what you decide to do and how you mount it. Jamil | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1014 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jamil, Well I will not be bolting it like that! I'm thinking at the bottom of the console sides, on the floor where its horizontal, you can reach there from underneath quite easily. Thanks for emailing them | ||
| Zak Ruck (Zak) Senior Member Username: Zak Post Number: 483 Registered: 07-2002 |
Dean, let me konw what you decide on. I'm going to be putting a laptop mount in my disco as well and would love to see what you get. Hell, we can also fabricate on if you do not like what's out there. I'm currently leaning towards the Jotto desks, but not sure how I'd mount it. | ||
| Victor Biro (Vabiro) New Member Username: Vabiro Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hi, I like the look of the Jotto, but I'd be concerned about it vibrating while off road. That's a pretty long "mast" that they are using. I used to install two-way radios and cellular phones (back when most of the unit was in the trunk), and the best choice with mounts like this one is mounting the base to the transmission tunnel. If you go into the console there is a big chance that the vibration of the pole will be significant, and might even rip out the first time you go off road. Mounting to the transmission tunnel ensures that you are right into a stable, strong, location. The mount in the Discovery in the picture provided is not into the console, it is into the transmission tunnel. When I started installing these kinds of mounts I would use a pilot hole made with a 1/8" bit. I would constantly run into problems with the insulation under the carpeting. It would wind around the drill bit and leave big bald patches under the carpet, and sometimes even tear the carpet. Not good. I found that the best solution was to use self-tapping bolts or screws with a cordless drill and putting some weight behind it and driving it right in. Use the shortest stainless steel screw that you can (1/2" is usually more than long enough) and check under the car the area behind the spot you are screwing to. You might even choose to mount it with long screws to make it easy and then swap in shorter ones once the carpet padding is compressed. Don't bother with nuts and bolts. They are no more secure and will take an eternity to install. The best thing about mounting to the floor or transmission tunnel is that when you remove it there is no sign that there was anything ever mounted there. Just brush and/or shampoo the carpet and voila! Victor | ||
| Chris von C. (Chrisvonc) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Chrisvonc Post Number: 295 Registered: 07-2002 |
../17/391.html> Check out that thread. Mike Peters put some good pictures and writings about his Jotto in his Disco. | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1015 Registered: 02-2002 |
Thanksfor the link and advice all. I've got some ideas now and I'll make something this weekend. Pics soon if I think its good. Dean | ||
| Zak Ruck (Zak) Senior Member Username: Zak Post Number: 496 Registered: 07-2002 |
So Dean, did you fabricate anything yet? | ||
| Peter J Blatt (Peteb) Senior Member Username: Peteb Post Number: 294 Registered: 10-2002 |
To Zac and others, Both Dean and I have made our lap top mounts, his D2, mine D1, we will try and post a few pics soon, they are both good, with different minds, they are styled different, pics will be coming, Zac i believe you live in D-town? I'm at rt 611 and cheltenham av! | ||
| Greg Hassler (Ghassler) New Member Username: Ghassler Post Number: 9 Registered: 07-2003 |
Check out Ram mounts - they make very strong mounts for just about anything. http://ram-mount.com/laptopcomp.htm | ||
| Victor Biro (Vabiro) New Member Username: Vabiro Post Number: 22 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hi, I bought a Ram mount for my iPAQ PDA and was really pleased. Unlike some of the other mounts that use clamps that close on plastic or steel balls, the RAM mounts use a rubber ball. This has the effect of deforming slightly under the pressure of the clamp and creating an almost immovable structure. The rubber also has the effect of absorbing shock. I found the RAM website way too complex. It seems to assume that you are already familiar with how their modular components fit together. I delt with the people at www.gpscity.com (www.gpscity.ca in Canada), and they made it much simpler, and their service and prices are great. I think they have a "best price anywhere" guarantee. In fact the RAP-291-12U mount for laptops is US$99 (C$139). cheers Victor | ||
| Zak Ruck (Zak) Senior Member Username: Zak Post Number: 505 Registered: 07-2002 |
Hey Peter, yup I'm on Bristol Road just off of 611. I'm going to build a temp support today for my little sony Vaio notebook out of wood, but would like to see what you came up with. My wife and I are heading up to Maine on Monday night so I'll have to check your's out when we get back. Do you have any pictures of you mount? | ||
| Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 181 Registered: 05-2003 |
Victor, Thanks for telling us about this much cheaper laptop mount. Does anyone know if it is any good or sturdy. The pastel colored diagram doesn't do much justice. Here's the link to the one he mentioned... http://www.gpscity.com/gps/brados/18234.2.4027248623915123559/rap291-12.html Jamil | ||
| Peter Sharratt (Gummikuh) Senior Member Username: Gummikuh Post Number: 254 Registered: 02-2003 |
Hi Victor Have you any pics of your iPaq install? I have mine on the windscreen and I would like it lower, are you using it as a GPS? I ask as I have a heated screen and wonder are you having any reception probs with it? Pete. | ||
| Victor Biro (Vabiro) New Member Username: Vabiro Post Number: 25 Registered: 10-2003 |
Pete, I'll try to get a picture this week and post it, but the short version is that I am using a 6" (I think) mount with a 2" diameter base. It is mounted with the ball facing down between the glove compartment and the console. I'm probably going to have to reinforce this location. It is almost entirely just foam, but you can get at it from behind through the glove compartment. Just have the screws run into a piece of wood. This position brings the iPAQ up right in front of the ash tray at a perfect angle to see it from the driver's seat. I do use it for GPS. I use the Microsoft Streets and maps for navigation in the city, and Fugawi (www.fugawi.com) for out on the trail. The MS is adequate, but I'm looking for something better. From what I hear, the Destinator is quite good. As far as the performance is concerned, I don't have the heated wind screen, so I can't help you there. However I have been thinking of some way to put a shelf in the area of the sun roof so the antenna could look skyward but be out of the way. Right now the passenger side can look like a snake pit when I'm out on the trail. Victor |
