I have been considering buying the hardware to make the free VMSpc software work in my 2001 U320. I do not want to have a laptop or net book or something like that sitting on the dash. VMSpc only runs on a Windows PC.
So I have been thinking about using an older laptop or a new mini PC (these are really small, about the size of a book) and then finding a small monitor to use mounted on the dash. Well you can use your iPad for a monitor (or iPhone or Android tablet for that matter with the right app). For the iPad try AirDisplay or iDisplay which let your PC extend its desktop onto the iPad just as if you plugged in a second monitor. No cords, it is all done through your internal wireless network (no internet required) in the coach. ITap mobile RDP does the same thing via your internal wireless network (no internet required). It is a remote desktop application that lets you see and work with Windows on your pc using your iPad.
The attached photo is my iPad using iTap mobile RDP. I disconnected our internet to verify that it worked just over the wireless network. It did!
Now all I have to do is buy the little box and cords from Silverleaf and see what happens.
If it goes well with a laptop, I will probably add a new mini PC. They have several USB ports, wireless networking and HDMI outputs. You can use a wireless mouse and keyboard, HDMI to your TV or other monitor, hook up a big USB3 external drive with all of your movies, music and pictures and you have a complete high performance PC built in, more performance and less cost than a comparable laptop.
You might talk to Silverleaf on the phone. I'm pretty sure I saw a small display they sell that eliminates the need for a computer.
I have. Their VMS 440CL is a digital monitor like you say but it is more than $3200. Using what I already have the VMSpc option using an iPad will cost about $400. The VMSpc version is completely customizable. You can see and monitor just about everything even tire pressure if it gets set up right.
This seems like an easy way to try all of this out without spending an arm and a leg ... which we are all used to doing.
Indeed, if I could mount the Ipad on top of the existing dash and have the two air pressure gauges included on the VMSpc would make it a more desireable move, with out the air display gauges, I will keep the Ipad idea on hold and continues using the small Dell notebook running XP. Do like the idea, when the two air gauges are included, is when I would make the attempt to move.
FWIW
Dave M
Dave,
Don't know if you have a slide out tray on the dash of your rig but I used a suction cup mount on the flat tray surface, adjusted the mount to turn 90 degrees and can point it to the driver or passengers. Also makes a great GPS screen with a remote GPS, a Holux M1000 bluetoothed to the iPad. 16 hours of battery time on the Holux so it will outlast the iPad with no electrical connection. Also easy to install a cursor with a handheld mouse to operate the iPad without touching the screen. You don't need the 3G iPad, just the Wi-Fi model.
Pierce
;D Pierce, I am not that advanced with these Ipad toys, my easy things are more like tearing a DDC down and rebuild it back to new spec's.
One day If I live long enuff, I might learn more about these Ipad toys, until then think will stick to my Snap-On toys, They are getting loney and dusty. ;D
Dave M
I plan to write up this project in more detail, but since the subject came up I think I will briefly touch on my solution to the VMSPC which also involved replacing the backup camera and audit monitor. This works for me because I already had an extra older Intel Mac Mini that was upgraded to a 2.33 GHz Intel core two duo. The tray which supported the old CRT monitor proved to be an ideal mounting place for the Mac Mini and I bought a 7 inch touchscreen to use as a monitor with it, as well as an HD–SDI surveillance camera to use as the backup camera. Is a fairly complicated install and is not quite finished yet, but everything is in place and seems to work quite well. I also installed an additional flip down 11 inch LCD monitor in the cabinet over the driver seat to do full-time duty as a backup/towed monitor. I still have so much going on with the coach I don't have time to post all the details yet, but I will in the not-too-distant future. For now, here are a few pictures of the installation. By the way, air display on an iPad can be an adjunct to the set up to give you two monitors, such as one for the VMS PC and one for the Mac or some other PC App. Currently I'm doing this using VMware and may also do a bootcamp partition as well.
Don
Absolutely first class work! I love the really high resolution on the rear camera. I would like to be able to look down at our towbar/hitch for the toad and then pan up to watch traffic when we don't have a toad back there. Guess it would not be too difficult to put a motorized surveillance camera back there. Yes, please post the details as you finish up the project.
Pierce
Thanks, Don, for the pictures. More great ideas to put into the hopper. I like the rear camera, too. Mine is an original and pretty marginal. Time for an update.
Along the same lines as Don, ours is installed on a netbox with an in-dash 7" touchscreen that replaced our OEM radio/cassette/CD. We have a radio tuner module and a DVD player for the unit.
In Dash Touch Screen (Silverleaf) (https://www.irvblog.com/foretravel%20projects/Dash-Touch-Screen/)
Our rear camera is still displayed on the pop-out/up monitor that also has the Javalina feed. At some point that will get replaced with something different as well. We use the camera to monitor the toad while driving so we didn't want move its output to a VMSpc-shared display.
Best price we've found the VMSpc hardware is Silverleaf VMSPC Engine Monitoring on Your Laptop (http://www.rvupgradestore.com/SilverLeaf-VMSPC-p/vmspc.htm) $306.25 plus shipping; ours was drop-shipped from Silverleaf.
Michelle
My little 11.6 Acer Timeline X fills the bill perfectly. Its not a Netbook or Chromebook though.
It runs a 1.46 GHz Intel i7, 8gb of memory and an OCZ Vertex 4 128gb Solid State drive. Boots in 20 seconds. Bought it refurbed and the 'extras' took my investment to about $620.00. I use the old 500gb drive as a USB drive.
Don that is what I call thinking outside the box. Thanks for posting this update, and I can't wait until you post the finished product. Karma to you.
OK, way sweet!!!
Some retired computer people with time on their hands.
How much for the production version?
Awesome!
:-)
There's a fellow named Dick Mason (who's a forum member) that did an amazing job of just that...Backup Monitor (http://www.masonclan.org/Motorhomemods/bumonitor.html)
I believe I have seen some cameras with a wider field of view that capture both the hitch and horizon but obviously without the same resolution.
Don,,,, way Kewl.... Thanks for sharing
Thanks Pierce,
I did want to have a PTZ camera back there but my efforts at finding something that would fit and be rugged enough to withstand the rigors of the road turned up nothing, so I settled for having a high-resolution camera that will be mostly fixed instead. I had a few planned on making a tilting mechanism using a 12V cordless screwdriver with a clutch, some linkage and some all thread, but the camera that I ended up with is just too large to fit and be able to move up and down without making the hole so large in the back that it would be unseemly. I want it to look as OEM as possible... As it stands I had to modify the grill and a little bit of the fiberglass in the center of the air intake. I did investigate some of the Go-Pro type cameras that actually have an HDMI output, but I couldn't determine whether or not they would be able to be turned on and left on giving a continuous live image since the HDMI output is primarily meant to show the footage recorded on a television. Finally, I settled on a simpler solution which just involves a high quality image (up to 1080p) and a (mostly) fixed mount camera that was designed to be continuously out doors in the weather.
Without going into too much detail, the camera outputs a digital signal over coaxial cable which for now, is the one that came on our coach. I added an HD SDI to HDMI converter under the dash cover (DC powered), and an HDMI Distribution amp to supply both monitors (eventually, I will use a 4X4 HDMI Matrix switcher). The camera actually features a 3 to 1 Zoom, one touch auto focus, night vision etc. as well as a mirror and invert option. It is also capable of being controlled with RS-485 Pelco protocol... But that part of it will have to wait until I have some more time. ::) I am attaching a picture of the modifications I made to the air intake grill and fiberglass at the rear and a test fit of the camera. Unfortunately, I don't have a finished picture of it yet... Still working on it
Don
Michelle,
That is exactly the reason I added the overhead flip down monitor and the distribution amplifier... So that the VMSpc could occupy the dash monitor without losing sight of the toad. I had looked at your guys's netbox installation and so wished that our 99' dash had a double din opening so that I could integrate the display more fully. On the other hand, I think that the electroluminescent dash is way cool looking at night!
Don
Thanks Peter, I will definitely have more pictures and detail including sources and part numbers etc. at some point in the near future...
Don
I put VMSpc on a Fujitsu LT C500. That's a very sturdy small touchscreen computer that was used in a lot of mobile applications several years ago, including military cockpits. Mine runs XP and is more than adequate as a standalone machine for VMSpc. I have the docking station, and it sits very well in the left corner of the dash after I raised it on a 1" block. They are still for sale on ebay now and then for $50 or less. There's one there now, which I've tried to link to:
Collector Item Complete Fujitsu Stylistic Lt C 500 Touch Screen Tablet | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Collector-Item-Complete-Fujitsu-Stylistic-LT-C-500-Touch-Screen-Tablet-/230926891547?pt=US_Tablets&hash=item35c450ba1b)
Mike
2003 u295
Thanks Michelle, for the great photos. Lots of ideas there to consider. Thanks also for the link to the Silverleaf connections needed for VMSpc. It saves at least $75.
It is really amazing how clever Foretravel owners are and how willing they are to share ideas and experiences. I'm glad to be a part of this group.
Roger