Rogue Logger / Tuner dedicated laptop / tablet suggestions
08-20-2014, 12:08 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Rogue Logger / Tuner dedicated laptop / tablet suggestions
Thinking of getting a dedicated laptop or tablet for the Rogue logger and tuner. Something that can be left in the car. My personal laptop has too much valuable data on it that I don't want to use it in the car/garage. I was thinking a cheap netbook like an Asus EEE PC or Acer Aspire One. Roughly $100 on Ebay.
Another thought would be a tablet. Maybe something like the Asus Transformer Book?
Was thinking an SSD would be ideal given the heat and stiff suspension. Not sure if the smaller screeens on Netbooks would be ideal. Benefit of a small tablet would be that I could use it as a semi-permanent dash for the logger. Just don't know how well changing values on it for the tuner would be. I imaging a larger screen and proper trackpad would be better for this. Any tech types on here that have suggestions?
Another thought would be a tablet. Maybe something like the Asus Transformer Book?
Was thinking an SSD would be ideal given the heat and stiff suspension. Not sure if the smaller screeens on Netbooks would be ideal. Benefit of a small tablet would be that I could use it as a semi-permanent dash for the logger. Just don't know how well changing values on it for the tuner would be. I imaging a larger screen and proper trackpad would be better for this. Any tech types on here that have suggestions?
08-20-2014, 12:27 PM
#2
Rainman
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
just yesterday i was driving around with my small ASUS laptop running the rogue tuner and making changes on the fly.
i think it has an 11 or 12" screen, it is one of the most compact laptops available (doesnt have any plugs except USB, power and ethernet). very light and easy to use when pulled over of course, not hard to see in sunlight either. it was like $300 new a few years ago.
a smaller one is better than bigger imo but you want to be able to keep it from flying around as you drive. a netbook would be cool if you could just plug it into the cigarette lighter.
i think it has an 11 or 12" screen, it is one of the most compact laptops available (doesnt have any plugs except USB, power and ethernet). very light and easy to use when pulled over of course, not hard to see in sunlight either. it was like $300 new a few years ago.
a smaller one is better than bigger imo but you want to be able to keep it from flying around as you drive. a netbook would be cool if you could just plug it into the cigarette lighter.
08-20-2014, 02:16 PM
#3
I'd be wary of whatever you get running Win 8.1. I bought a Windows Tablet *specifically* for the garage, and for running the tuner/logger and it seems the logger doesn't work with Win 8.1. 
08-20-2014, 03:35 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I have it running on Windows 8.1 currently. Needed a driver update but otherwise runs fine.
08-20-2014, 03:42 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: San Rafael, CA
Posts: 951
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I picked up an Acer Aspire One 11" netbook off ebay for tuning. I keep it in a caselogic sleeve in a large tupperware container with my gopros, pyrometer, and other trackday gadgets. I like it much more than a full sized laptop as it's not nearly as awkward trying to use it while sitting in the driver's seat. It's nice just having it in the car and ready rather than having to worry about packing up a laptop that I would otherwise be using during the week.
08-20-2014, 03:46 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: San Rafael, CA
Posts: 951
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One probably important thing I forgot to include is that the aspire one does not have enough juice to play my gopro videos at full resolution. I haven't done too much debugging on the situation since I don't really like watching them on the tiny screen anyway, but it could definitely be a user-induced performance hit.
08-20-2014, 04:55 PM
#7
Trending Topics
08-20-2014, 11:43 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
08-21-2014, 06:45 AM
#12
Three Wheelin'
I picked up a P series Sony a couple of years ago for a steal, and was going to use it as a car-pc but have now got the Zeitronix data logging software on it. It was originally designed as a pocket PC so has a SSD. I have it running win7 and the display looks fine with the data logging software running. I like the small form factor and fact its SSD which is ideal for the car. They should be cheap as chips on ebay. The display might not be big enough for some but as I dont plan on looking at when driving, that is not a problem for me, but it looks like I could almost mount it on my dash it is that compact.
09-11-2014, 02:15 PM
#14
To close the loop: I got my tablet working with the Logger and Tuner. I had to change some config options in TunerPro after installing the drivers to point to the correct COM port.
I have a Dell tablet (forget the model but it was $200 at MicroCenter) that runs the full Win 8.1. Love using it for logging vs. my laptop - it's small enough to just rest in my lap as I drive. Downside is that (duh) the TunerPro software is NOT optimized for a touch interface, and with the small screen and my fat fingers, it's a little difficult to work with. Still worth it IMO. I found a "gestures" app (which I have not really messed with yet) that should make it easier to deal with - you can map gestures to keystrokes, and plan to map gestures to "record", "stop", "save", etc. so I don't even have to look at the screen to start/stop recording.
I have a Dell tablet (forget the model but it was $200 at MicroCenter) that runs the full Win 8.1. Love using it for logging vs. my laptop - it's small enough to just rest in my lap as I drive. Downside is that (duh) the TunerPro software is NOT optimized for a touch interface, and with the small screen and my fat fingers, it's a little difficult to work with. Still worth it IMO. I found a "gestures" app (which I have not really messed with yet) that should make it easier to deal with - you can map gestures to keystrokes, and plan to map gestures to "record", "stop", "save", etc. so I don't even have to look at the screen to start/stop recording.
