Laptops For Navigation

[Chester]

My wife and I use our laptop with MS Streets and Trips for navigation in our RV. We find the sunlight and generally daylight make the screen hard to see. I was wondering about putting an antiglare filter on the screen but am wondering how any of you deal with this situation.

Thanks...

[ols1932]

The reason you have the glare is because your screen is probably not "active matrix." Our first laptop did not have the active matrix and my wife could not use it in bright light. So this one was purchased with the active matrix screen which allows viewing in bright light. We use Delorme's Street Atlas with Earthmate GPS.

Orv

[mobrownies]

Both of our laptops can be hard to read outdoors also. Turning up the brightness helps some but takes the battery down faster. We did buy a tinted screen that can be hung on the passenger window. Not much one can do since we don't like to pull at night.

[richfaa]

It is a minor problem for us..We use a sun shade on the offending window when able or move the LT around for a better view. In normal daylight we are OK.

[padredw]

Chester, I don't know what brand of laptop you are using but I will make a comment about our Dell laptops. On battery power (no AC) the default is for the screen to use less light to conserve power, however there is an "override". Hold down the FN (Function) key while pressing the UP ARROW key on the keyboard. Several presses on the up arrow will brighten the screen to maximum. Of course this will deplete the battery much more quickly, but it can make the laptop usable when it otherwise would not be.

[illapah]

Check to see if your program has an option for using in bright light. I believe Delorme does.

Select High-Contrast Colors to darken the background of the map, making roads, highways, and other map features easier to view when using a laptop in a car.

This is what the Delorme program says.

[sreigle]

If no bright light option, does the Night colors option help at all?

[Steve and Brenda]

Toshiba 15.5" screen with a DC-DC power converter to keep the display at full power PLUS tinted windows on the truck keeps the screen visible 24/7. My Toshiba is a desktop capable system with a fully robust processor so it needs 19 VDC, the DC-DC converter capable of supplying 200 watts was not cheap.

I like Streets and Trips, it has a night mode turning all screen displays green and has easy controls. The downside is its not RV route friendly even with the databases for low bridge clearances.

[Chester]

Thanks everyone. I have a Toshiba laptop. I'll check out the program for the night option and see how that works.

[sreigle]

In S&T 2006, on the toolbar there is a dropdown box with options for
RoadMap
TerrainMap
PoliticalMap
RoadMap (night)

I've used the night roadmap at night but haven't tried it in bright sunlight. I'm no longer using a laptop for navigation (bought a Garmin) but that night option might help.

[nkwist]

I fashioned an "all around shade" for mine using 1/4" foam board I bought at Wal Mart. I used duct tape for the hinges, and velcro to hold it in place. Be sure to use the black color foam board (and wear a dark colored shirt!).

One of these days I have to learn how to post photos in my messages so I can "show" you how I did it. Anyone want to walk me through it?

[VanMan]

If you go to the MOC homepage (there's a "Home" link in the top R/H corner of this page), and then in the R/H column about half way down there's a link that says "Adding A Photograph To The MOC Forum" which takes you here:
http://www.montanaowners.com/AddingPhoto.html

You can practice in the "practice" forum until you become a pro!!

[CmdrDewey]

I use a little hood that fastens to the 'puter with velcro. I used it for three years on the boat and now for 5 years in the truck. I ran a little search and came up with three suppliers. (Mine was $29 but that was 8 years ago.)

http://www.mobilevehiclemounts.com/acc_pc_shade.htm

http://www.gomobilenow.com/pc_shade_...shade_s/45.htm

http://www.mobiledesk.com/Adjustable...ok%20Visor.htm

I use one similar to this last one