Dashboard Computer & GPS, version 1.0

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For navigation, I used a GPS connected to a tiny circa 1998 Toshiba Libretto 100CT notebook computer mounted on the dashboard of my 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Libretto was the smallest computer I could find, at only 8.3 x 5.2 x 1.4 inches. The screen is 7.1" diagonally, with a resolution of 800 x 480. It's barely fast enough to run Windows 2000.

With a GPS, software showed my current position on scanned USGS topographic maps.

Libretto 100CT with GPS - Computer & GPS show me exactly where I am (Trego Hot Springs, Nevada) (7/12 4:33 PM) Libretto 100CT with GPS - Driving with computer on dashboard - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Yes, the computer mount/sunshade is made out of cardboard. (Let's just call it a "prototype".) It has two metal rods that slide into two hollow metal cylinders secured in the dash above the radio. The only visible modifications to the dash are two holes in the easily replaceable trim piece that borders the radio. For a future version, I'd construct it out of plastic, and add better cooling vents in the bottom.

Installing computer dashboard mount - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Mounting holes in dash & computer mount (cardboard prototype) - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Computer mount (cardboard prototype) attached to dash - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee

GPS, Computer, Topographic Map Software Links