OK, we have Jotto Desk!

I installed my Jotto Desk today. I still have some small alterations to make, but this is the general idea. I relocated my MagLite to the spot in front of the passenger seat and got the Jotto Desk mount up as tight with the shifter surround as possible. I used self tapping sheetmetal screws, but I think I'm going to go back and put bolts in so I can tighten everything down more. The sheetmetal on the transmission tunnel is like tin foil, so I think I'll put some good size washers underneath and bolt everything together tightly. I didn't do it today because of the weather. Just happy to get everything in.

Anyway, the eTrex, the computer, and MapSource metro Guide are working well together. Rick and I went for a short drive today to test it out. Even at 6'4", Rick fit in OK with the computer there.

So, here's what it looks like. :)

Here ya go!

I really like it !. you look like a cop now..just do not watch nudies while you drive.

Youi might want to put velcro on the back of your laptop..looks more refined.


Good Job !:flash:

Really didn't think it would fit in so well, I tried floating a laptop all over with the Mrs's in the shotgun seat, basically told me it would be a pain on long trips.
Stupid request, can you grab a shot from both sides with someone in the pass. seat, as well as it twisted towards the passenger ... just gotta show her and maybe rethink my own set-up.

Xlax: I will put velcro on the bottom too, but the velcro won't hold by itself if I go over a bump or seomthing. I was going to make some brackets, but I think it's fine this way. I'm not going to be typing while driving and the straps are easy enough to remove when parked.

Xcanuk: It will probably be next weekend before I can get someone seated over there to take a picture. If I can get one sooner I will though. Sorry! The Jotto desk is pretty adjustable and the support is easily removeable, so you could use it when your wife isn't in the truck and remove it when she is. The reality is that it really shouldn't be used with a passenger over there anyway because it's positioned in front of the airbag. Too bad the X doesn't have a switch to disable the airbag if you want. It's really not much different than having a steering wheel in front of you as far as space is concerned. Anyway, the glove box can still be opened (though not by me while driving), I can shift without interference, and someone can sit over there if needed. Those were my three main concerns.

You just need the right kind of velcro Chuck (to remove the straps). There is SuperVelcro which is a bitch to pull off (we use it for motion capture suits). Flyin'S seems to have strong enough velcro in his setup.

Looks great. Now I just have to find a laptop I'm willing to sling along the offroading trips we do.

P.S. Part number and price for your jotto desk? (I'm assuming that's the name for the damn thing.)

That's part of the problem, I use the laptop for longer drive navigation, and the wife travels with me 99%. I'm in the middle of making slider rails for my console... basically sliding the console (and laptop) rearward allowing me to twist the screen out of the shifter conflict when needed.
... can't wait to see your other pics ,, more toys

BTW, better get in your bomb shelter. My Predator has a lock on your position and is loaded. :eek:
http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com/tile/tile.asp?S=13&T=1&X=359&Y=3294&Z=10

Where did you get that picture Schlud? I'm headed to the shelter now!

I got the jotto 5167 from Yourmobiledesk.com. The price is $147.99 plus probably $12 for shipping. Just buy an old laptop off eBay. I got mine for $300 and it works great. It's just a P233, but it has 96 MB of RAM, 24X CD, LAN card, modem, and was preloaded with good software. More than enough to run GPS and download photos to on the road. You can even buy laptops directly from Dell financial services on eBay for good prices; assuming you would want a Dell. That's what mine is (Dell Latitude CP233XT, I think), though I didn't get it from Dell. The ones through Dell are a little newer than mine.

Anyhow, here's a link to the Jotto Desk. :)

Jotto Desk (http://www.yourmobiledesk.com/products/subcategoryView.cfm?subcategoryID=179)

Microsoft Terraserver. (10 year old pics for our area)

http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com/image.asp?S=13&T=1&X=359&Y=3294&Z=10&W=0

Thanks for the info.

I kind of figured it was an older photo. There are way too many trees for it to be current. Now it would look like a big dirt hole. :(

BTW, you guys were right about the Velcro. The table came with 3 feet of it and I put it all on. Now I can barely get the computer off of there. I have to pretty much peel if off and it bends the computer every which way. Guess I'll take some of the velcro off.

Only because this thread was started.. I've cleaned up my home version of the laptop install. Don't know if its worth it to anyone, but it works for me. www.geocities.com/x_canuk/gps.html

Find any time for the extra pics CHUCKH ??

Sorry I'm so slow!!! I finally got a picture with Rick sitting in there, but forgot to get both sides. This is what I have for now though. I will try very hard to get another one soon from the other side. Poor Rick is going to have his legs posted all over the internet pretty soon! :eek: He does make an excellent model though, since he's 6'4" tall.



http://www.pnwx.net/gallerytest/album04/IMG_1497af.jpg

I didn't know it had a pivot arm. Pretty cool. Now if Xfm just starts wireless internet connections your passenger can play Quake deathmatches while you're driving. ;)

Pretty good testament to passenger comfort. If Rick can fit in there with the computer there is a lot of room.

It was comfortable for the three hour drive to Canaduh yesterday!

does the mount disconnect easy? I would think you would want to remove it when driving. The airbag could could knock Rick's head off with the laptop.:eek:

Goliath! We were totally aware that the laptop was in the path of the Air Bag! We just wanted to see if it would be comfortable was all! I had it adjusted all the way up for maximum leg room. It can sit below the air bag for a normal size person. I wouldn't want the laptop up there if traffic was heavy and congested. Traffic was light that morning so I was comfortable with it being there.

Kinda cool being the co-pilot giving directions from a rolling map!

As much as I like the arm, I think the Mrs would get tired of it there, and I see no way to tailor in the wires. A little too obvious when leaving the truck somewhere on road trips. It all depends on the type of driving you use it for. I think Jotto makes another arm that bolts into the front seat bolt, (no drilling) and can fold down when not in use.
What program were you using on the laptop ? I'll have to start investing in some alternative software soon.

Garmins MapSource MetroGuide, I think ChuckH also has MapSource TOPO.

I use National Geographics TOPO! program
when 4x4'ing. Haven't tried it for street
mapping but it works well for back roads/trails.

Toy Man

Checked out Mapsource.. looks like I'd have to buy mulitple discs.. sucks travelling Canada and stateside. I'll have to find someone with the software so I can see what it does, and what it displays.
For the meantime, I've had good results with Microsoft's Streets and Trips, (the only one that covers boths sides of the border) but I can't upload/download maps between the lap & GPS.

I've been using Teletype GPS software and it kicks major ass. It does, regular streets with or without voice directions, Topo and even Aerial Photos while tracking you. Its can either be used by a laptop or an Ipaq like I'm using. I have all of NY, NJ and most of PA on a compact flashcard taking up about 30 meg out of a 64 meg card. Not bad for $79.
I also have Topo!, that s great program too, but maps are huge and it can only be used on a laptop. Another good one is MS Streets and Maps2, that can be used on a laptop or a Pocket PC.
Awesome setup with the Jotto desk. How bout a wireless internet connection and running a Quake 3 server? hehehehe.

L8r