Vega27

There is a waterproof computer for boats on the market, with touch screen
and the navigation software. It has a fanless cpu system.
Here is the link: www.cinlor.com

MP3Car.com

 

KaBoOoM

Hah, yeah well when I joined I was really serious about it and because of certain consequences it got pushed back... I suppose I should change it to more like planning 95% done haha

On topic though, pretty much any full touchscreen comp like the one from cinlor.com sucks in my opinion unless all you want is navigation which you could do with just a normal GPS

__________________

Vega27

You can use this as a full chart plotter by connecting a depth sounder, wind meter, autopilot, AIS, etc. It can also be used as a TV, stereo, internet, email.
Its also portable, like a laptop. You can't do all that with a normal GPS.

KaBoOoM

Oh true, I got lost in all the oddly formatted text and didn't see that. That's a pretty cool unit then

__________________

Vega27

I saw a demo at a boat show. The navigation software has everything to
connect any instruments you want, including AIS. What was amazing was,
they threw a bucket of water on it and it didn't bother it a bit, just kept on running. It had a BT GPS connected to it, seemed to work really well.
Still checking the other options, like the Maptech i3.

JAC

I know this is a old thread but this is worth seeing specially for you boaters..

http://www.epiacenter.com/modules.ph...ticle&sid=1184

__________________

• If you don't get it the first time around, go get seconds..

zoef

A waterproof computer is nonsense for most computer applications on a boat. Sure, you may want a waterproof (touch)screen outside, for gps/chart plotting purposes but all other pc usage (e.g. reception of RTTY weather forecasts or grib files, trip planning, Wifi/internet, electronic logbook) is done from the chart table.
Of course the computer should be fanless, so you don't suck salty air into it.
On my 34 ft sailing boat I have a (rather old) waterproof Simrad gps chart plotter with a tiny screen for outside work. The boat computer, a Sumicom S625F with a Pentium Mobile processor and a 2,5" HDD, is installed under the chart table. The screen is a comfortable standard 15", running directly on the battery. When the going gets rough I replace the standard usb keyboard with a flexible waterproof one, but the main input device is a Logitec trackball anyhow. The pc has it's own gps input from a gps-puck. To reduce battery charging I use rather severe power management rules.
I've been using this setup for 4 years now, both on the North Sea and the Med, never a moisture or overheating problem.

tempgp

just mumped in here... we did the project with low powe pc for bote navigation / communications we used regular NEMA 4X enclosure box with same rating connectors, it wasnt even fully waterproof but still works for 4 years so far so good. ...

whats the problem w/ watter on the boat is sult... once it gets onto metal connectors it gets cristalized ... over time your metal is gone so its good idea to paint the board with laque (special watter resistant) thats what military do to improve the electronics ife cycle.

my 50c

__________________
Road Camera HD - Backup Camera Plugin + Mobile DVR BlackBox [Completed]
Bluetooth Cell Phone CallerID [Pre-Alpha]
Custom Button Bash Board - Add physical touchable buttons to your CarPC Project
Centrafuse Garmin Mobile PC Skin - GMPC Rebellium Skin

MP3Car.com