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Topic: netbook, sat nav, web cam

cnicholson6

20/12/2010 at 4:33pm
Location: durham
Outfit: swift charisma 535

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Hi all and a merry xmas

I was wondering if anybody uses a netbook (the smaller screen approx 7inches) with sat nav software on. You could add a web cam on the rear of your caravan to act as a reversing camera as well as continually seeing your "blind spot" if placed in the middle of your caravan. It would kill two birds with one stone and be cheaper than buying the two different elelements seperate. Just need a long wire for the web cam.

The netbook would sit on the dashboard of the car if room allowed.

Any thoughts.

G7ACU

20/12/2010 at 5:20pm
Location: West Mids
Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0

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Mmm, sounds a good idea in theory but not sure I've seen mapping software for conventional Windows use, they seem specifically geared for smartphones and windows mobile app use.
What about the practicality of using a long USB cable threaded through between van to car; it would need to be an 'active' extension to boost the strength as USB extensions only good for 5m max. Are there any wide angle webcams about?

An idea to mull over though during the festive break; hope you have a good Christmas.

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Paul

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nelmo

20/12/2010 at 10:18pm
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Bailey Valencia + Lexus RX400h

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A few flaws in your plan:

1. Netbooks aren't cheap - about £250 is the cheapest. You can get a sat-nav for under £100, camera for about £50.

2. They aren't that small - you'd have to have a very big dashboard and it would slide all over the place.

3. How do you get the wire from the van into the car?

4. I think there are some freebie sat-nav software packages for PC (could be wrong though) but you'd also have to buy a seperate GPS receiver (they're only £20 or so but still another thing to plug in and find space for).

Otherwise, good idea

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'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain

Supatramp

20/12/2010 at 11:34pm
Location: Ayrshire Scotland
Outfit: Santa Fe CRDi + Swift Conqueror 645

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Quote: Originally posted by nelmo on 20/12/2010

Netbooks aren't cheap - about £250 is the cheapest.

You've obviously been looking in the wrong places!!

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David.

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evenstephen

21/12/2010 at 3:28pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Wellhouse Atrai Dandy Dart Quechua B

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Quote: Originally posted by nelmo on 20/12/2010

2. They aren't that small - you'd have to have a very big dashboard and it would slide all over the place.

Not a problem I would have thought. Stick-on velcro, or if you didn't want to stick anything to the notebook a rubber dash mat would probably hold it.

johnks

21/12/2010 at 4:47pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: None Entered

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Doesn't seem very logical to me. Would rather put the money towards a mover and then you can stand at the back when reversing.

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trottster

21/12/2010 at 11:36pm
Location: plymouth
Outfit: Ford Kuga Swift challenger

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get yourself a cheap laptop or netbook , gps receiver & download quo mapping its free

LegsDownKettleOn

22/12/2010 at 7:13am
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I use an Android phone and Google maps. All for free if you have it on contract for £20 a month. I can even use a webcam on my laptop in the caravan and see it on the phone via WiFi.

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