Gordon wrote:
Can I use a pda at the helm to controll, use, interface with, whatever, a
notebook running a nav program in the cabin? For instance with bluetooth,
can the pda become the i/o device for the laptop so I have a full blown nav
program at my disposal at the helm that I can actually see and is small
enough to handle easily without being hardwired?

You're talking basically about having software running on a laptop and
having a second display, with I/O (touchscreen, etc.) sharing access to
the running programs from some distance away.

I think the Panasonic Toughbook series of laptops and accessories will
give you that capability. At the following link, look at the Toughbook
18 and 29 as examples of what appear to be good laptops for a marine
environment, and also look at the Toughbook-MDWD Mobile Data Wireless
Display. Not that there are fully rugged models and semi-rugged models,
the former seem to be the best for use on boats.

http://tinyurl.com/46juy

I'm almost ready to buy a new laptop and am considering the Toughbook
series. That page shows only the current models. There are some
discontinued models (the 72 comes to mind) that are available at pretty
attractive prices on eBay and through some internet sellers specializing
the industrial market computers.

There is also the P-1 handheld which is a ruggedized PDA. A PDA like
that could be useful in the cockpit but it wouldn't have the wireless
working relationship of the laptop/MDWD combo.

The MDWD is larger than a PDA but I can still visualize it as pretty
useful in the cockpit either laying in a visible position or mounted to
a bulkhead or panel.

The Toughbook line is new to me, I'm sort of surprised that I have not
seen them mentioned here before. It would be good to get some feedback
if anyone has been using them on boats or in other tough environments.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)