I've been using my laptop, along with a handheld GPS as a chartplotter for a little while now.
I run OpenCPN (A free, open source application), along with free electronic chart files (available from NOAA here)
I really wanted something better than a laptop for watching while driving the boat. I started searching for touchscreens to use with a laptop, but I think I came up with something even better.
There is a guy on ebay selling used, mobile PC setups from police cars. If you search ebay for "MOBILE VU L3 LITTON IN CAR POLICE COMPUTER SYSTEMS", you should be able to find it.
The setup includes a daylight readable 12" 12VDC touchscreen, and a small computer box that is also configured to run on a vehicle's 12VDC supply.
It did take some work to get it all configured and installed on my boat, but I'm really happy with the results. I attached a couple of pictures.
I run OpenCPN (A free, open source application), along with free electronic chart files (available from NOAA here)
I really wanted something better than a laptop for watching while driving the boat. I started searching for touchscreens to use with a laptop, but I think I came up with something even better.
There is a guy on ebay selling used, mobile PC setups from police cars. If you search ebay for "MOBILE VU L3 LITTON IN CAR POLICE COMPUTER SYSTEMS", you should be able to find it.
The setup includes a daylight readable 12" 12VDC touchscreen, and a small computer box that is also configured to run on a vehicle's 12VDC supply.
It did take some work to get it all configured and installed on my boat, but I'm really happy with the results. I attached a couple of pictures.
