Micro PC built in for nav - not games or web etc

Piddy

Piddy

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Hi,

I am aware others have done this before but as technology moves on, I am curious as to what is current.

I am after a fanless Micro PC to run my Nav ( Navi-Sailor/Tsunamis or OpenCPN) but not for games or web browsing etc. I will always have a laptop for that kind of thing and want to keep this seperate.
I have been doing this for 20+ years using (old spec from ebay) laptops but after seeing (I think from Norman_E) descriptions of built in micro computers, I have a hankering to do this.

Amazon is full of different boxes offering all kinds of options but I would prefer recommendations (and considerations) of people that have done this.

I don't want well-intended lectures on backup systems or paper navigation - these are already in place.

Thanks,

Piddy
 
After experimenting with various low power PC's the top of the pile these days IMHO has to be the raspberry pi running openplotter.

Low power, everything loaded already, share wifi networks, easy to set up, has the wonderful signalk preinstalled.

No monitor required though handy to have.

V2 due before too long which promises even more :cool:


http://www.sailoog.com/openplotter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ucE3Rx7Tw
 
Piddy, It was me that wrote the article that appeared in PBO. I have lost the issue it appeared in, so if anyone can tell me which one it will help me find it again.
I use Gigabyte Brix GB-GXBT-2807 computers which run on 12 volts delivered by a stabilised supply which also powes the monitor. I have found that some of the Brix models have an 19 volt mains adapter but will run on 12 volts The model I tested that way was a GB-BACE-3150 which is a slightly more powerful model. The simple Celeron powered 2807 is perfectly adequate to run Open CPN plus browse the internet and run Libre Office spreadsheets. I have no doubt that it would run the other programs you named.

I actually have two Brix 2807s, one on the boat in Turkey and one at home, and neither have any internal drive fitted. I run them from either of a pair of USB3 external SSDs, one loaded with Elementary Linux OS and the other with Windows 10 professional. You have to jump through a few hoops to make Windows work on an external drive, but its worth it if you need Windows. With only one program on all of my computers that will not work in Linux I am currently considering ditching Windows entirely.
 
Norman,

I have read your article and it was reading it that made me want to look at this.

Sadly I have now lost the magazine so I'm working a bit from memory - can you remember which power supply you used. I note the cheapest available tend to be quite inefficient ~75%. My plan is to run with a larger monitor at the chart table which would be switched off most of the time with a smaller repeater under the sprayhood. I guess I could use teh VGA for the larger monitor and the HDMI for the repeater. It looks quite do-able and would remove my need for the laptop (on which coincidentaly the screen is beginning to fail, so would need a visit to ebay to replace).

I'm firmly a Windows man so a Raspberry doesn't appeal to me nor Linux. I have enough experience with Windows to not want to learn a whole new way of working. I run a slightly older chart plotter (with new charts) simply because I can make it work and more importantly, so can Mrs Piddy. She is not keen on learning new systems and as we are mostly a 2 man crew, I prefer her to understamd what she is looking at.

Thanks
 
I'm in the process of installing a BeeBox.
After adding memory and a SDD it cost £187 inc VAT. That was without the OS. I used an old (transferable) Windows 7 licence and then upgraded to Win 10.

https://www.cclonline.com/product/2...M-1-x-mSATA-1-x-2-5-inch-HDD-WLAN-BT/BRB0504/

https://www.cclonline.com/product/1...buffered-Non-ECC-CL11-204-pin-SODIMM/RAM1817/

https://www.cclonline.com/product/2...nternal-Solid-State-Drive-Colour-Box/SSD0675/

I'm running OpenCPN V5 with oeSENC charts. I also have a few navigation related apps installed such as xygrib.

NMEA 0183 data arrives via USB virtual coms ports and a dongle of my own design.

It's directly connected to a 10.4" monitor at the chart table via a HMDI cable (I have a separate plotter at the helm).

I have a small wireless keyboard and a wireless thumb mouse which I think is going to be very good when the boats bouncing around.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183532025521

I've also had a BeeBox at home for a couple of years. I use it for music and pictures with a 42" 4K TV. It's worked very well.
 
anoccasionalyachtsman said:
I've used these people for the ones I've done. Their 'wide input' 12v dc power supplies are handy things too.

https://www.mini-itx.com/store/
Click to expand...

I also have a mini-itx unit running OpenCPN, navmonPC as a nav system with other windows programs.

I have a 17" monitor at my nav station that also can display Video input from DVD and satellite TV.

In the cockpit I have a car DVD monitor driven via a VGA to video converter so I have have the nav monitor on or the cockpit monitor on or both.

All instruments feed into the mini-itx as does a GPS mouse and AIS engine. My DSC radio is also connected to display any DSC data received.
 
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There is talk here of 12v monitors - what sort are being used? When I set up my system (several years ago) the best option was a Celeron TV. Have 12v, low power monitors become more available?

I use openCPN and windows. My system is getting slower and the graphics card in the ITX is not great.
 
dgadee said:
There is talk here of 12v monitors - what sort are being used? When I set up my system (several years ago) the best option was a Celeron TV. Have 12v, low power monitors become more available?

I use openCPN and windows. My system is getting slower and the graphics card in the ITX is not great.
Click to expand...

I use just a standard samsung 19", draws about 0.9A but usually turned off. Rasp Pi draws a lot less, less still with the monitor turned off. Plenty fast enough with the graphics accelerator turned on.

NfIZw4P.jpg

6DAwVjR.jpg
 
A lot of smaller Samsung and LG TVs are actually DC and normally run from a 240v AC "brick". Easy enough to just run them from a DC-DC converter from the boats 12v system. My Samsung 24" LED TV is actually 14 VDC, as is the soundbar.

To get an idea of the models that are DC do an internet search for ;

samsung tv 14v power supply
samsung tv 19v power supply
LG tv 14v power supply
LG tv 19v power supply

Etc, should give model listings.
 
Ok guys, I get the thing about making something and the feeling of achievement but can't help thinking that using an old laptop is much much easier and probably more reliable and cheaper. Especially if its windows you want. Lots of other boaty things to spend your time on this time of year I'm certain.

"getting ready to dodge the incoming"
 
For me the issue was lugging a laptop back and forwards to Turkey, which at one time imposed restrictions on them. Its much easier just to carry one ot two 2.5 inch SSDs.

As for power supply my boat PC uses an Amperor ADP-90DC-12. Those cost about £30 and mine has a split output to power both PC and monitor. Overall it can safely supply 70 watts. If I were doing it again I would probably use a cheaper buck/boost converter as linked in post 13.
 
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greeny said:
Ok guys, I get the thing about making something and the feeling of achievement but can't help thinking that using an old laptop is much much easier and probably more reliable and cheaper. Especially if its windows you want. Lots of other boaty things to spend your time on this time of year I'm certain.

"getting ready to dodge the incoming"
Click to expand...

My low power pc and screen are screwed to the boat, and haven't bounced about yet. I presume they are less liable to be knicked if someone breaks in. I use my mobile to give the pc internet access. But no doubt others like the flexibility of being able to take a laptop to a WiFi point.
 
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