Laptop and GPS suggestions?

IMBEJames · Post by **IMBEJames** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 12:13 pm

I have been put in charge putting a system together for our 2 ambulances. I need to find 2 laptops and GPS systems. Basically, we want to use the system for navigation in town, and then be able to use the computer for electronic run reports in the hospital.

Tablets are preferable. I have used Kodiak docking stations for toughbooks (with port replicators) and they seem to be decent. But as far as the GPS and nav software, there seem to be a lot of options.

Im sure at least a few people on here have set something up like this. Any suggestions?

There is also a chance that we will be installing an AVL in each truck, but it will be provided by the town, so I don't have any details on the specific system. Can the AVL be interfaced with the laptop for a nav system?

Thanks in advance for any help!

-jamie

Post by Pj » Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:11 pm

Whats your budget? The toughbooks are a good way to go...as well as the Moto laptops, but your going to $$$$ thru the nose for one (or two).

IMBEJames · Post by **IMBEJames** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:16 pm

Budget will be about $12K for both systems. Has to cover everything. If it comes down to it, we may just install one system for now until more funds are available for a second.

In doing a little more research, Im thinking of looking into the semi-rugged tablets. The toughbook 19 looks decent, and i havent heard anything bad. I have a bit of experience with the CF27's and CF29's, but not the tablets. The one thing we want is a ruggedized computer WITHOUT the spill-resistant (rubber coated) keyboards. They sure make long report-writing a surefire way to develop carpal tunnel.

crazyboy · Post by **crazyboy** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:23 pm

We use DeLorme.

IMBEJames · Post by **IMBEJames** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:37 pm

Which DeLorme products? They offer quite a bit, it seems.

I havent heard too much about their hardware.

NickH · Post by **NickH** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:54 pm

Hey Jamie,

I believe Exeter ALS uses CF-19's in thier Expeditions, they seem to like them. I can get you a contact over there. ML900's would chew up your 12g's pretty fast.

-Nick

Bruce1807 · Post by **Bruce1807** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 4:01 pm

My ML900 has GPS but that and the docking station will set you back more than your budget

NickH · Post by **NickH** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 5:21 pm

Not to mention they are HEAVY! Very HEAVY....

crazyboy · Post by **crazyboy** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 7:11 pm

IMBEJames wrote:Which DeLorme products? They offer quite a bit, it seems.

I havent heard too much about their hardware.

I'm sorry I do not know which product it is off hand.

kc7gr · Post by **kc7gr** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:41 am

If most of your navigation is going to be domestic U.S., I would look at DeLorme's Street Atlas package. Great UI, and it can interface to a variety of GPS receivers (pretty much anything that spits NMEA sentences).

If you expect to do extensive navigation in Canada, Microsoft Streets & Trips has far better coverage than DeLorme, although I like DL's user interface far better than MS.

Happy hunting.

IMBEJames · Post by **IMBEJames** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 3:40 pm

It's for a pair of ambulances that only cover 57 square miles, so Ill take a look at the DeLorme. The only thing I'd need to check into is how well and how often the maps are updated.

Thanks for the info.