Cheap Dash LCD Screen for GPS?

DaViper · 01-22-2004, 07:45 PM

Hi, I'm new here and this is my first post. I currently use Delorme's Street Atlas 2003 and the earthmate usb gps and I want to put an lcd monitor up on my dash (not in the dash). I'm hoping to spend $150 or less, is there any screen that'll do a pretty nice job for me? I definetily dont need touchscreen or anything complicated, and my laptop has rca out cables, so I dont think it needs any special plugs. I just need to be able to read the gps software pretty well and view it nice and clearly. I've seen some 7" screens like the innovatek from mp3playerstore.com that seem pretty nice, but I dont have any experience with this stuff. Pleasde let me know what to get, I frequently use ebay, so ebay auctions are ok with me for purchasing one of these screens.

Thank you all for your help!
-DaViper

Pudge · 01-22-2004, 08:05 PM

If i were you, I would go with a VGA screen for GPS because you'll be able to see much more detail. DigitalWW sells a good quality, inexpensive VGA Screen, it costs a little more than you were looking to pay, but other than hacking a PS ONE LCD (which isn't 7" anyway) that'd be your cheapest option. That and I don't know how the PSONE's looks with GPS.

http://www.digitalww.com/VGA_TM_700VGA.htm

DaViper · 01-22-2004, 08:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Pudge

If i were you, I would go with a VGA screen for GPS because you'll be able to see much more detail. DigitalWW sells a good quality, inexpensive VGA Screen, it costs a little more than you were looking to pay, but other than hacking a PS ONE LCD (which isn't 7" anyway) that'd be your cheapest option. That and I don't know how the PSONE's looks with GPS.

http://www.digitalww.com/VGA_TM_700VGA.htm

Yeah, that screen is definetily more than I want to spend. I dont need something amazing, just something that works for gps ok. I still am hoping to spend $150 or less. What about THIS? This lcd monitor is tft and 7" and isn't very expensive. Will it get the job done for me?

-DaViper

DaViper · 01-22-2004, 08:45 PM

Are the innovatekl and the one I posted above really that bad? I know most of the people here have the expensive lilliput or xenarc ones...but I dont need anything fancy, just something that'll display the maps well and show the streets well and the turn arrows. It'd also be nice to easily read the street names that street atlas gives you at the bottom for your next turn each time. I know this is gonna sound dumb, but please dont flame me...but what is the difference between the vga connections and rca connections? I know my laptop has a cable to plug into rca ports...so I dont understand why I would need to spend a lot more money for vga.....that $130 lilliput in the ebay link in my 2nd post is a tft lcd....doesn't that mean it's pretty good quality as opposed to stn?

Thanks!
-DaViper

pogue1000 · 01-22-2004, 08:49 PM

If i were you i would try and save up a lil longer... that vga for 230 is a great price. These vga screens are reallly dropping in price over last year or 2, and its about time

, or maybe there is just more options!

DaViper · 01-22-2004, 08:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by pogue1000

If i were you i would try and save up a lil longer... that vga for 230 is a great price. These vga screens are reallly dropping in price over last year or 2, and its about time

, or maybe there is just more options!

For the amount of time I'll be actually using this screen I really dont think $230 is necessary. I figure if I'm not gonna use it enough for it to be worth more than $150

jusatry · 01-22-2004, 09:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DaViper

For the amount of time I'll be actually using this screen I really dont think $230 is necessary. I figure if I'm not gonna use it enough for it to be worth more than $150

here's the simple answer. That screen on ebay will probably work fine for you. But if you want to know the difference between VGA and video out, hook ur laptop up to your TV. You will instantly see why everyone here is telling you to get a VGA screen. With the font size big enough u oughta be okay on a video out screen, but as far as computing goes, its a lost cause. You can get the video screen if you want, but dont expect to be able to use it for anything else.

Good luck.

pogue1000 · 01-22-2004, 09:58 PM

you would be better off investing in an old cheap laptop probably! if your use will be minimal and not worried about a full time install

Pudge · 01-22-2004, 10:33 PM

i still say hold off and buy the VGA from dww

bLindmOnkey · 01-22-2004, 11:32 PM

Here's my question. How do you like the SA 2003 program. From what I've read it's new interface is terribly inconvenient and confusing, and the maps arn't so great. Is this a program you would reccomend?

DaViper · 01-23-2004, 01:02 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by bLindmOnkey

Here's my question. How do you like the SA 2003 program. From what I've read it's new interface is terribly inconvenient and confusing, and the maps arn't so great. Is this a program you would reccomend?

I wouldn't be a ggod person to ask about that. I personally love SA 2003 and I find it works perfectly and I'm definetily a happy customer! I am not a great person to ask about it though since I have never used any other programs with a compuyter gps before. This software does an excellent job of always getting me from point A to point B without trouble in in what it thinks and what I'd imagine is the fastest route.

For the ebay monitor: I will be able to read the street names with this right? It wont be such bad quality that I cant read street names I hope... anyways I think I'll be buying that one on ebay, it's only $130 shipped and seems to be perfect for what I need it for. I would be interested however in buying a vga monitor if someone is selling one used, but I'd still not like to spend more than $150.

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all your help and I'm not trying to ignore your vga advice, I'm just on a tight budget and I dont really need one of these screens, it'd just be nice to have!
-DaViper

jimwross · 02-01-2004, 12:47 PM

I was goign to buy that one on ebay but it's not actually TFT... DONT BUY IT!

Read the specs:

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS:
MODEL: 229GL-72N
DISP SCREEN: 184mm STN,230400 dots

Its STN STAY AWAY FROM IT!

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