I don't recommend anything I haven't tried. But I will tell you what I'd do. Do a search for Van and see what they are using. I went with the monitor I have (xenarc 700TSV) because everyone that had done 350Z's said it was a perfect fit. So try to find people that have already done what you want to do. When you get into touchsceens, the price goes up really fast with size. Heck, I just found a $100 device that almost wipes out the need for a touchscreen altogether.....

http://www.soundgraph.com/Eng_/Produ...=1&leftMenu=26

It's got 5 programmable buttons, which cover the main screens like: Navigation, Music, Satellite Radio, pictures, and I programmed the 5th button just to go to the home screen. It's got fast forward, rewind, play/pause, previous song (works with music and radio), next song, volume, mute, and a scroll knob to go through music or stations. It's not perfect, but for a budget, would work fine while mobile. However, mounting it is a bear as it's made for a desktop and not a radio hole. Another problem with it, in your plan, is that it has to be tied into the motherboard power. Not sure how you could do it with a laptop. But even then, could it be more cost effective to get a carputer, larger non-touchmonitor, and an Imon? Or go with the laptop and and a smaller touch.

Not sure you saw it since I added it after you responded, but since I installed the Imon, I don't remember ever using the touchscreen while driving.

Touchscreens are a great novelty, but in practice, I think buttons are better. Not to say I would give up my touch either. Heck, I broke the touchscreen overlay yesterday and freaked out so bad I made them overnight another.

So I guess where I am going, and going, and going, is....

1) Have fun! There are 1000's of ways to spend a lot of money here! lol

2) It doesn't have to cost $1000 to look like it did.

3) Never lock yourself into an idea. Always look at changes. I would love to lock my monitor down with something like epoxy, but knowing it might change, everything is held in with silicon. Handles vibration well and can easily be removed.

4) One big difference between laptops and carputer is vibration. I used to ride with a laptop mounted on a stand. Went through 2 harddrives before I gave it up. Probably be ok if you put some isolation under it. Another downside to laptops. Not very upgradable, limited ports.

5) Upside to laptops is minimal space required, made to be fast in a compact size, and you already have one.

6) On a monitor, I watched e-bay for months and when I found the monitor at over $100 less than everywhere else, thats when I started my build. I think on a van, a bigger screen would really cool, but I'm not recommending it.

7) Furnish your garage. Once you get started with this, the wife will send you there to sleep often! But dang, is it fun!

Check post #2 of the thread in my sig. I built a foam-padded mount for under the seat. Although mine is a PC, as opposed to a laptop, there's no reason you couldn't do something similar. The foam is surprisingly good at absorbing shock.

I considered building a "cage" type mount for the unit, where it was held in on both top and bottom by foam-covered tubing, but decided it was unnecessary for my application.

Thank you, outstanding thread, just full of knowledge.

That's what I was saying the other day. Rather than make mistakes, ask around to the people that have already made them.