Dave T

I'm interested in being able to play my MP3 collection on my boat. I'd like some kind of LCD based interface to pick songs by artist/album/song, that I could access from the helm. It would connect to my stereo system down in the cabin. One idea that I had that would be pretty ideal from my point of view would be to use an Apple IPod. But, I doubt that would last one season of the salt air, dampness, etc. Are there any MP3 systems that provide a powerful UI, and are ruggedized for something like a boat?

Thanks!

- Dave

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Robb@E.P.E

I'm sure that there are solutions for mounting a touchscreen that would survive the salt water that would inevitably get on it, but I would say your best (and cheapest) bet would be to mount a non-touch screen, waterproof it, and use a remote control to access the computer that is safely protected somewhere else in the boat.

DodgeCummins

I have to agree on the sealed monitor, and wireless remote control (cheap so you don't cry when it falls overboard)

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Pudge

You could go for an old Itronix notebook. Not powerfull, not really able to be an embedded system, but very rugged. You could get one off of ebay for probabaly around $200 USD.

I found this one for $150

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...7&category=177

Snootch

Be prepared to lose any electronics that you take out on the ocean, Salt water will corrode the hell out of it, even if it is a "water resistant" piece. Just the air will do it too, you wouldn't even need to get it wet. My suggestion is to build a unit using a Mini-ITX board, (Just ike you see everyone on this board doing), But before you assemble everything, tear each component open, and give all circuit boards a good coating with a potting material. Once the coating has dried, the RAM will be permanently affixed to the motherboard, but at least it will provide some protection. A setup like this, I would think that it would double the service life of the components versus a non-coated system. The salt water will get to it, no matter what you do. The best thing you can do is try to keep the salt air/ metal interfaces to a minimum.

zerokarma

I am not sure how large is your boat but if you really want something cool you could get like a completely sealed rugged LCD touchscreen, they have bright versions of it too so the glare in the sunlight doesn't wash everything out.

http://www.stealthcomputer.com/monitors_flat.htm

Lando

dude anything boat/comp/mp3 related check out www.autonav.com. They've got ultra bright touch screens, gps , and water proof systems. Check it out. The sportboat PC is only DIN sixed

zerokarma

Yea, actually I think Autonav buys some of their rugged computer equipment from Stealth Computer.

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LESLIEx317537

http://www.creative.com/products/pro...sp?prodid=9192

Soundblaster has that for you if you have WiFi on your PC. The remote is RF and displays the info on it. You can protect the remote buy putting saran wrap on it.

Dave T

Thanks for the suggestions, but I'd really prefer a solution that doesn't involve a PC. I'm thinking of what would basically be a ruggedized MP3 player, that you could upload songs to from a PC.

deadweasel

Ummm... dude, didn't you just describe one of those mp3-playing keydrives? It looks like a regular USB keydrive, except it has a headphone port and volume control. No moving parts, and about as rugged as it gets.

Not only that, but you can actually *gasp* upload mp3s to it via USB!!!

/master of pointless dramatics

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MP3---VIDEO---GPS---REARVIEW---OBD---SKINNING
Color Coding :
DONE / MOSTLY DONE / BASE FEATURES / WORKING CONCEPT / NO CODE COMPLETED

Dave T

Dude:

Tell me more! I don't know what you're referring to. What's a "keydrive"? Again, I'd like something that gives me a great UI, like the IPod, and also can store gazillions of songs (like the Ipod).

- Dave

deadweasel

Well, a keydrive won't store a gazillion songs, and really doesn't have a GUI at all. It's a simple little piece of equipment about the size of your thumb that plugs into the USB port. They are generally used for portable storage, but some of the more sophisticated ones have mp3 playback capability built in. Competing with an iPod is hard when you are talking about a GUI and storage capability. The only other thing that I know of that comes close is the Creative Nomad. Both are going to be more fragile than a keydrive, but both will give you much more storage.

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The ALEXIS Project
MP3---VIDEO---GPS---REARVIEW---OBD---SKINNING
Color Coding :
DONE / MOSTLY DONE / BASE FEATURES / WORKING CONCEPT / NO CODE COMPLETED

jjh221

hey dave i think you confused me.wich i have been told its not hard. you dont want a pc right? but you want something like the ipod but with a lcd screen right? something that is large and looks cool as well as doesnt drain your battery. im lost on that one. yeah the keydrive needs a pc to function. id say invent something like that. im clueless right now on exactly what you are talking about. id say stick with the ipod if you dont want a pc. if you want a pc id go with the rugged 10" or make something (mini itx) else using the waterproof touchscreen. or even to make it really simple get a laptop and dont use it while driving.

deadweasel

Of course, there are "ruggedized" laptops that the military and police use. They are available to the public, but cost an easy $6,000 - $10,000 apiece. Pretty hefty price to pay for a Tonka laptop!
I say get an iPod, connect it to a battery-powered FM modulator, put the whole thing in a Ziploc baggie. Viola! Mucho storage, somewhat rugged (as compared to a full PC), and waterproof as heck!

__________________
The ALEXIS Project
MP3---VIDEO---GPS---REARVIEW---OBD---SKINNING
Color Coding :
DONE / MOSTLY DONE / BASE FEATURES / WORKING CONCEPT / NO CODE COMPLETED

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