Andy,
We use a Toshiba laptop running Win XP while cruising in the Caribbean to track maintenance, expenses, compose and read emails (although we actually send & receive emails at internet cafes) ,arrange digital music & photos,etc. We use a 12 volt charger adapter with a standard cigarette lighter plug adapter to keep the laptop battery charged off of our house batteries. Many of our friends use their laptops interfaced with GPS and charting programs. We have this capability but usually just use the GPS. I don't like to have the laptop running and open if the sailing is rough. Lots of our cruiser friends use the laptops interfaced with Ham or SSB radios or Sat phones for email, weather faxes, etc. The laptop is a very useful , multi function addition to the cruising inventory.
Re: Laptops
We like our iBook and I think it will prove to be a very useful piece of ship's equipment. The primary uses are:
1. View web-based shipping forcasts from the UK Met Office. This is done with either the iBook's WiFi card while in port or by using the Bluetooth connection with a Sony Ericsson K700i when at sea;
2. Running the very good GPS Nav X charting software with Maptech raster charts;
3. Running the quite useful Mr Tides tidal prediction programme;
4. Downloading GRIB weather files from the Raymarine website. The GRIB files can then be overlayed on a chart using GPS Nav X. Again, this can be done via WiFi or the mobile phone;
5. Watching DVDs;
6. Watching free-to-air digital TV using a pocket decoder;
7. Entertaining the younger member's of the ships company;
8. Surfing the internet;
9. Sending & receiving e-mails.
--Andy
jpbsail
Unregistered User
(19/10/05 4:17 pm) Reply
PC onboard
I have mounted a fixed PC from Sumicom (model without ventilator) along with a 15" sreen. It draws less than 1 amp and the sreen about 1.5 amps. Works quite well and reliably for navigation, meteo fax and RTTY forecasts.
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