Mounting for the laptop

[Boostn]

Hey guys,

What do you do with the laptop when you take it to the drag strip to do some runs. Do you mount it on something or just lay it on the floor or something?

I was thinking of making a mount for it so it doesn't slide around. Has anyone done it and any pictures?

Thanks!

 

[GM TURBO]

The best setup I have seen is Daron's. It is kinda laptop dependant - he has one of the lil itty-bitty Toshibas.

I have been trying to come up with something different for mine as well. I thought about getting an external (small) LCD screen or monitor that I can fit in the glovebox so I can at least see what is going on. I also have a small keyboard/mouse combo that might come into this picture as well. It is more of a brainstorm - possibly headed for a wreck here very soon. But, if cables are long enough you can mount the laptop anywhere. I have seen the "business man" laptop setups that strap into the front seat - but there has to be an easier way.

 

[typhoonzz]

Something I'm looking into also. Any police officers on the list? I'd have to imagine where ever they purchase their mounts would sell them to the public maybe???
Just a thought

 

[Daron]

http://www.mobilemounts.com/products.htm

 

[Daron]

http://www.adamsonindustries.com/computer_mounts.htm

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Daron on 2002-03-29 15:09 ]</font>

 

[Boostn]

I think most of us have full size laptops because of wider screen and possibly cheaper to obtain and to use. Perhaps we already have em. Just a thought.

I just wonder if I could make a bracket for under the center console without making any fabrication on the original parts so we can put a mounting on it for the laptop.

Well, I'll just keep brainstorming.

 

[kbbeckius]

I was thinking about this too. When I finally get some money, and a laptop :smile: I have a catalog from Ham Radio Outlet. They sell mounting accessories for ham radios and equip, but I think you could use some of the stuff for mounting a laptop. I think most of the mounts were made by RAM. The setup I was thinking used a flexable shaft, I was thinking of making a bracket that bolted under the console and came out under the passenger side, and then the mount would bolt to that, I really don't like the idea of drilling right through the floor. Another idea if you have the $$$ would be a dedecated computer system permenatly mounted in the truck, they have those in-dash multimedia stereo recievers with a small screen that folds out and up, which use RCA type inputs.

Thx Brad

 

[Boostn]

On 2002-03-30 18:42, kbbeckius wrote:
The setup I was thinking used a flexable shaft, I was thinking of making a bracket that bolted under the console and came out under the passenger side, and then the mount would bolt to that, I really don't like the idea of drilling right through the floor.

That is exactly what I was kinda thinking of. Since it would be nice if there was no drilling or cutting involved. So it would be easy to put everything back to original when needed.

Might be interesting project with some parts from hardware store.

 

[InvisiBill]

I work for a Motorola two-way radio dealer. In addition to the actual radios, we do a lot of the other install work on police cars. I can probably get a hold of some info on laptop mounts. A lot of the stuff is custom made for Crown Vics, Caprices, and Impalas, but I can look around... Might be able to get it cheaper too, though we're a pretty small shop, so no 10,000-unit discounts or anything...

 

[kbbeckius]

Here's RAM's web site http://www.ram-mount.com/
And they even show a laptop mount on the home page.

After looking at their products some more, they have brackets that mount to the factory seat rails. It doesn't look as though it would require any permanent mods, i.e. holes, drilling, etc..

Thx brad

_________________
Red 1992 Typhoon & White 1993 Typhoon

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: kbbeckius on 2002-04-01 03:20 ]</font>

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

about using an external lcd or monitor to connect to yer labtop, external lcds are pretty expensive, and inless yer laptop has RCA or S-video out, you have to get a lcd that supports VGA input (or a controller) either way this is very expensive, and just not worth it.

 

[velox03]

i tried the LCD system. i used a pretty large LCD. it was a 6.8"

the problem is that the 6.8" cannot fully compensate for a full laptop screen. so you can either put it to full screen, and it will be in small font, or you can increase the font on the laptop then you'll only see 1/3 to 1/4 of the laptop screen. so, you can see where the problem is... other option would be to buy a full LCD screen. but then that gets expensive.

it is too bad that we cannot customize datamaster/scanmaster to show only the information we want. then it would work... because we could show like 10 key items and not have to use the full screen.

 

[Boostn]

On 2002-04-01 03:12, kbbeckius wrote:
Here's RAM's web site http://www.ram-mount.com/
And they even show a laptop mount on the home page.

After looking at their products some more, they have brackets that mount to the factory seat rails. It doesn't look as though it would require any permanent mods, i.e. holes, drilling, etc..

Thx brad

_________________
Red 1992 Typhoon & White 1993 Typhoon

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: kbbeckius on 2002-04-01 03:20 ]</font>

Thanks! I have sent them email to find out for sure if they have the mounting that would fit in our Typhoons. I will get one if it does and let you guys know how well it holds the laptop.

 

[audiophile]

Ever played with an erector-set when you were a kid? Of course thats probably what I would try to do, but I have no need for datamaster in my truck!
:wink:

-Burns

 

[turboj91]

Believe it or not, I saw a taurus with 2 cup holders in the console. The guy has 2 cups upside down, wooden washers inside the cups (cut to the diameter of the botton (now the top) with a plastic board screwed thru & into the cups (wooden washers). I inquired and he stated that he does not drive with the laptop mounted here, he needs to use it at different job sites and found it to be comfortable & secure. Wait a minute, due to lack of space, this doesn't work in our trucks. I'll censor myself & stop rambling. Hope someone found some humor in a mount made with plastic cups.

 

[ParTyBoy]

I'd like to see a mount that could be made to fold away... Either a glove compartment stealth mount.. or under the passenger side seat.. that can be folded out.. and setup within 5 min or less.

 

[Daron]

On 2002-04-02 00:06, turboj91 wrote:
Believe it or not, I saw a taurus with 2 cup holders in the console. The guy has 2 cups upside down, wooden washers inside the cups (cut to the diameter of the botton (now the top) with a plastic board screwed thru & into the cups (wooden washers). I inquired and he stated that he does not drive with the laptop mounted here, he needs to use it at different job sites and found it to be comfortable & secure. Wait a minute, due to lack of space, this doesn't work in our trucks. I'll censor myself & stop rambling. Hope someone found some humor in a mount made with plastic cups.

Whats so humorous?? :wink:
My mount consists of a plastic coke bottle (sits in the drink holder) coated on the inside and filled about halfway with JB weld. Mounted on top of the cut down coke bottle is a small plastic surface with velcro on it to secure my Libretto. Works sweet, cost little and is as removable as an old pepsi...