370Dancer
Well-Known Member
- Oct 2, 2006
- 2,472
- Boat Info
- 1998 370 Sundancer
- Engines
- 380hp MAG MPI Gen VI with V drives
Here's my first contribution to this section. SRO guys will know that I have been on a 2 year mission to upgrade the old 13" TV/VCRs in the salon and stateroom with something more modern and useful. To that end, I have taken advantage of the merging computer/tv technologies to install cost effective, and multi talented electronics in virtually the same space that the tv took.
Design rule 1: Do not modify the basic structure of the boat, in case I ever want to put it back to original.
Design rule 2: Install items in a modular fashion, so individual pieces can be upgraded as technology changes.
Design rule 3: Try to make the installation look as factory as possible.
OK, salon first:
I replaced the TV with a Dell C840 laptop mounted in a docking station with a 17" Dell LCD monitor on a custom shelf mount over the latptop. This allows for easy removal of the laptop if I want to use it in the cockpit, etc. The laptop has a 54G wireless internet connection with external antenna, Maptech chartplotter system with 3D contour (tied into the Raymarine 120 GPS and RL80CRC on deck), and a Fusion HDTV USB receiver for terrain broadcast tv including digital HD up to 1080i. I put an aftermarket DVD recorder in the front bay, making it a DVD player as well. I use an interesting pointing device which can be used as a wireless optical mouse, or you can wave it in the air. I can surf the net, get real time weather, watch DVDs, or HDtv near shore, and at the dock. I can display position, and bottom features through the chartplotter.
But, I'm still not quite done. - Turns out the Fusion receiver is great, but not sig-o friendly. Too much stuff to turn on, and set correctly. So, I'm off to the next version. I'll post it when I'm done.
Design rule 1: Do not modify the basic structure of the boat, in case I ever want to put it back to original.
Design rule 2: Install items in a modular fashion, so individual pieces can be upgraded as technology changes.
Design rule 3: Try to make the installation look as factory as possible.
OK, salon first:
I replaced the TV with a Dell C840 laptop mounted in a docking station with a 17" Dell LCD monitor on a custom shelf mount over the latptop. This allows for easy removal of the laptop if I want to use it in the cockpit, etc. The laptop has a 54G wireless internet connection with external antenna, Maptech chartplotter system with 3D contour (tied into the Raymarine 120 GPS and RL80CRC on deck), and a Fusion HDTV USB receiver for terrain broadcast tv including digital HD up to 1080i. I put an aftermarket DVD recorder in the front bay, making it a DVD player as well. I use an interesting pointing device which can be used as a wireless optical mouse, or you can wave it in the air. I can surf the net, get real time weather, watch DVDs, or HDtv near shore, and at the dock. I can display position, and bottom features through the chartplotter.
But, I'm still not quite done. - Turns out the Fusion receiver is great, but not sig-o friendly. Too much stuff to turn on, and set correctly. So, I'm off to the next version. I'll post it when I'm done.
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