Asus EEE

KINGFISHER 9

KINGFISHER 9

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Does anybody use one of these for a chartplotter ... and if so which one? I see that one of them is a solid state type and presumably this would be the one to go for? 10 inch screen. PC 1000H (I think).
Assuming they're fit for the purpose, what's the next stage? How to set one up with software and gps ... answers in English please ... computer illiterate! ... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
If you havent got a dedicated chartplotter, then I would get one before kitting my laptop with a plotter facility. There are some relatively cheap deals around at the moment.

I started doing what you are planning, so have a laptop facility.... but I was pretty quick to buy a Lowrance Plotter when I realised the limitations of the laptop job.

Having said that... I'm sitting on board with a 10in Samsung, and it's the dogs danglies for everything else!
 
Hi - I've got an asus eee 701 running Linux as well- is it easy to use Seaclear on it, or do I have to have one of those Wine/windows/linux converter thingies first? (even more illiterate than the OP!!!!)
 
The one I was thinking about has Windows XP which is what I have on my PC at home. I also want to use it for other stuff off the boat. I've got a small gps gizmo Garmin (152?) with no instructions ... and no plotter, also half a Yeoman set-up as well ... I was looking for an alternative.
The original question was - how to rig it re software and gps?
 
Yes, you need Wine. That's quite easy to set up. Getting it to talk to the GPS can be a bit tricky, but there's lots of information on this on EeeUser.com. I've set it up to use either my Garmin GPS72, or my NavMan B10 Bluetooth GPS via an Advent Bluetooth USB dongle.
 
Seaclear will run on the XP version as already said, but it took me a while to scan my charts in and get them running in Seaclear. Once thats done, just plug in a USB GPS mouse and you're away.

Other software available usually comes with charts included.....
 
Yes ok thanks everybody ... sounds only slightly more complicated than flying a Boeing 747 ... wine? bit tricky? ... think I'll buy the missing bits for my Yeoman Plotter! ... Unless there's anyone around Gosport way with a spare afternoon who can help if I buy one with the right software! ... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I have just bought a lenovo S10e, 10" screen with XP installed, £248 from dabs.com at the moment, with the intention of using as a plotter. Lenovo is the new name for IBM it seems far more substatial build than the Asus machines I have seen. I have installed the Imray digital chart ID10 for the east coast. Although I haven't used it yet on the boat it seems to interface easily with my Garmin GPS 60.
I have a Garmin 550 plotter on the boat, but the laptop should make passage planning at home a lot easier.
 
Go for the 901( there are two- one solid state and one conventional hard disk- go for the former) version, it's features are better than the 701.

The next size up from 901 is edging towards a mini laptop and uses more powerr, heavier and more expensive too
 
I got a 900 eeePC in Holland and to my chagrin discovered that it was not possible to get an English version of the Xantros Linux to replace the Dutch one. So I installed ubuntu (eee version). It works fine for all the typical office applications but where Linux is weak compared to MS is its ability to plug and play additional hardware. I have wasted enough hours now trying to get drivers and Wine to work that I will succumb to XP again. It's not that Linux won't work, its just you need to be a died-in-the-wool Linux expert to do it quickly and economically.
 
Thanks guys ... now I'm really confused!
I've been looking for a 10" screen version with XP but they only seem to make the SSD ones with XP at 8.9" .. that'll do I expect. I'll see where I can get the best price for a 901. The Sea-Pro site looks promising in that they make it sound simpler than the above! Frankly I wouldn't know a linux if I fell over it .. thought maybe it was something to help you tie up to the pontoonux! ... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Once you are up in the eeePC 1000 version prices, there are really a lot of "normal" laptops around, with even bigger screens (important for chart work). I got my eeePC because I wanted a small internet interface to carry into WiFi zones or attach to my BGAN terminal. One thing to note with all the eeePCs is that their keyboard is just a little small for typing - at least for me.

Don't assume the SSD is such a good thing, they wear out quicker than conventional drives - another thing I learnt after buying the eeePC.
 
Sorry for thread drift, but as I am going to be in the market as well. What wears out on an SSD? I thought the whole point was there were no moving parts it would last for ever.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks guys ... now I'm really confused!
I've been looking for a 10" screen version with XP but they only seem to make the SSD ones with XP at 8.9" .. that'll do I expect.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why does it have to be an Asus?.... I have the Samsung NC10 which is fabulous. Almost full size keyboard, 160Gb, 1Gb RAM, XP and so on. I also think that 8.9in may be a bit on the small side - it would be for me anyway.

There are lots of other 10in netbooks around aswell. Just call into PCWorld or Currys and you'll see several, (but dont take any advice in these shops as gospel!!!)

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/p...:SortOrder_DOWN

http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cu...:SortOrder_DOWN

Advent 4213 allows you to put a SIM in it - no dangly wires for mobile broadband. Acers look good, Toshiba etc. etc. ???

Cheers

Richard
 
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