7 inch Screen (that accepts custom POI files)

Garmin's biggest is 5". I use a Garmin 3790 LMT(4.3" screen) in my motorhome and I love it.

The following Magellan is made specifically for MH's but as you notice you can't add POI's.

http://www.trailerlifedirectory.com/TravelStore/ProductDetai...

that would be nice to have a big screen like that. I can see how it could be disruptive when driving though.

I used my laptop with Streets and Trips for along time before getting my 660. I put a computor stand next to me and had not problems. I like the 660 as it will sit on the dash in front of me and can look at it without taking my eyes off the road.

In my extreme 4x4 I use the following, all permanently mounted. It is a more expensive route, but it also allows me to use Mapsource, National Geographic TOPO, GPS Babel, Garmin Base Camp, Access the net via my bluetooth cell phone and bluetooth adapter, and a host of other software making it a stand alone to create and upload maps and POI's to the MobilePC software as if it were a NUVI. There are also 8" Lilliput touch screens.

Lenovo Net Top computer;
http://shop.lenovo.com/us/landing_pages/ideacentre/2010/q150

Lilliput 7" touchscreen monitor (Most use only a single USB connection for power and signal);
http://store.mp3car.com/7_inch_Touchscreens_s/27.htm

Garmin Mobile PC - I know it is discontinued, but some copies are still for sale;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Garmin-USA-MOBILEPC-Mobile-PC-010-11018-...

My son has been working on a similar project, with the addition of APRS tracking amateur radio balloons. Some times the thing mostly works, but most of the time it has him doubting his sanity.

The 7-inch LCD touchscreens start at around $400, with the good ones more like $600.

Then there's the small matter of touchscreen drivers...

The whole thing is powered by a small Linux box in the back. Linux and GPS seem to get along okay. It's maps and touchscreen that cause the problems.

He and his gang are considering an inexpensive tablet and a Wi-Fi link to the Linux box. Then it's a simple matter of Apache serving up a web page, with the proper php voodoo behind it...

As we say in the computer racket, "A simple matter of programming..."

Oh, and the chances of a normal human being using one of these systems?

5-inch display with a magnifier?

cheers--

Why not just buy an android tablet?

Look at the Kenwood/Garmin units.

They have a number of models in the 6-7" touch screen sizes in both single and double din and all of them use the Garmin software and will accept custom POI's from here and map updates through Garmin.

I had one in my last vette and it worked great and the additional size is really nice.

Link to photo I took comparing the Kenwood/Garmin 7" screen to the 885t 4.3" I had then:

http://home.comcast.net/~rjrsw2005/pwpimages/Screen%20compar...

Personally, I think 7" would be too big even for an RV. Besides, it wouldn't be that portable.

Sounds like a pretty neat project! I hope that you guys get that working as intended. I would like to see pictures of it when completed!

My setup uses win XP home, and touchscreen drivers were a breeze. USB/Bluetooth GPS is easy also. I found online a patch to enable my 60CSx as a valid GPS signal source in MobilePC.

It is as easy as turning on, starting the MobilePC software and GPS, and using.

The hardest part was choosing a location for the Lilliput monitor. My 88 Range rover has a storage bin in the upper center dash that allowed me to install a monitor mount there. Others have made in dash solutions and can be seen on MP3Car.com.

Since this thread is about an RV solution, I am assuming that there are multiple opportunities for a fairly simple and straight forward monitor mounting solution. I think I paid around $350 for mine.? I will have to dig out the reciept.

As far as the price, one needs to consider that you are building a full navigation computer system not just a simple guidance device. I think that is where the decision needs to be made as to 'how far' one wants to go with it.

When I am going deep into the Sierra's, I like seeing on Nat-Geo TOPO where exactly I am going. We like to go 30+ miles back on basically pack trails with our raised up tent trailer, crossing streams and small rivers to get as remote as possible.

Where it is mounted, the big screen is out of the way and easy as a NUVI to use, only with many more options for when one is stopped.

I can post pictures and details of the system online if anyone is interested...

YOU MAY WANT TO TRY GARMIN NUVI-I HAVE RATED THE BEST

I think a 7" screen is just to big..

I agree with you. There may be some states you can't even use it, depending on where it's mounted. You might want to check into legality before you put out a lot of change. Some of the states are really getting tight on GPSrs and other electronics mounted near the dash and/or windshield.

I have installed this unit in my motorhome:
http://www.freewaychina-na.com/dt05312n.html

It is a single Din unit with a flip-up 7" screen.
As you can see from the specs, it does everything.
Even hooked-up a color rear-view camera.
The GPS is by Navmate (http://www.horizonnav.com/)
The POI are .csv very easy to install with their program, called NavUtil.
It's been going for almost 3 years, without any problem.
The voice instructions come loud and clear, with auto sound cut-off from whathever is playing, through the car speakers.
I paid 349 Ca $

Garmin used to make the StreetPilot 7200 & 7500 units which had tghe 7" screens and advertised them for Truckers and RV units.

They had all the capabilities of the Streetpilot units, which were TOP NOTCH garmin units.

And, you could even plug in a back-ujp camera into them. The 7500 had a gyrocompass built in so you could still keep track of your travels in very mountainous areas or cities with skyscrapers.

You can still find some for sale, especially on ebay.

They were/are reallty great units.

I haven't heard of that yet, but could be. I have mine mounted below the lower windshield line in front of the dash so it isnt in the line of view. One cannot see it looking straight on from the front of the vehicle.

If illegal, I would assume that the newer cars that have factory 6+ inch NAV/Stereo display's in the dash would be illegal also, no? Reference being Porsche's PCM using a 6.25" NAV screen. (I just measured one in an '09 911...)

Either way, the desired size is totally based on user preference IMO.

I like the bigger 7" display purely for off-road TOPO usage. If on regular streets, the NUVI always gets used as it is more of an "instant on" system than the computer is.

Best of luck to the OP in his choosing a system! There are many good options listed in this thread.

I use my iPad II in the motorhome. There is a Tom Tom app for GPS. My wife uses it in the passenger seat. It has a 10 inch diagonal screen I believe. You can load POI's as well. And with a 10 hr battery, you can use it for a long time.

Just read yesterday that Rand McNalley has announced the RVND 7710, a 7" version of the 5510 RV GPS, that is shipping October 1st, with 8GB of memory.

Details at http://store.randmcnally.com/tripmaker-rvnd-7710.html?SCCamp...

Custom POIs appear to be supported on both 5510 and 7710 per http://www.randmcnally.com/products/support/rvnd_faqs.jsp

though the press release for the 7710 at
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rand-mcnally-gps-for...
mentions custom POIs as a new feature, so I'm a little confused as to whether the 5510 supports it (I don't own either but have an RV and some of the features are very interesting, esp. routing).

Used my new 7710 this last weekend. Pickup camper. The 7" screen is great and dosen't block much windshield. No problem driving. Set rv length, height and weight and let it do the routing or change to car settings. Turn on/off eways, dirt roads,tunnels, u-turns or whatever.

And I think it's too small at times. I've used (and still use at times) a 10" netbook with DeLorme's Earthmate puck and think it's an ideal size. Of course, there is that thing about having a computer docking station installed in the vehicle...

I personally don't care for a big screen so I drive my RV around with the Garmin 3490 (4.3" screen) and I love it.

As I remember the Garmin made the 7500.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=289

Good luck with your hunt.

Can't imagine why anyone would need a screen that large. 5" seems more than adequate to me. Oh well... to each his own.

I have a friend that uses a 17" laptop in his RV, running Streets & Trips and loves it. Don't know what the local constabulary would think of it, but so far, no problems.

The RV dash is twice the size of a car so sometimes bigger is better.

I use to drive my RV with laptops anywhere from 13" to 18" but its too bright at night.

Even when you put S&T in "Night Mode"?

If you have a computer use Street Atlas by Delorme. You don't need a screen because I use a mic & earphones with directions coming in my ear also you can ask questions of the program & get them answered. My problem is when I have a screen to watch I start drifting that direction. That's why I like Delorme so well. The computer sets in the back seat. Some other things it does it can load, I have 181 different Poi, at once, I don't know if there's a limit. Alot of number of VIA's, the most I loaded up is about 30, so you can route the trip the way you want it. You can also see your whole trip even if its coast to coast down to street level. Driving times is accurate if you set the times right.

Check out a program called F.lux. It will automatically adjust your screen based on the time of day. I use it in my CarPC...works great

When I first started using a GPS the only type we could get were similar to the etrex H, basic with no maps, so I purchased a mapping program for the computer which allowed me to conect the GPS to the computer which I mounted in the car and a red circle show our progress on the map on the laptop.

Check out the Rand McNally GPS units for Rv and Trucks.

Both units seem to be getting high marks from fulltime RV'ers

BG

Actually if it isn't blocking your view it's a fabulous size but the problem is..you'd need a remote antenna, I'm not sure they have them for the auto units..my boat has one.

I bought a Rand McNally RVND 7710. It has a 7" screen and allows uploading of custom POI's.

Easy to use. Routes seem logical and efficient.