Forum Discussion

Homeless_by_Cho's avatar
Homeless_by_Cho
Explorer
Dec 30, 2014

Laptop to Nav Screen using Coastal Electronic Inc. LOCKPICK

Home Skillet informed me about this product. Now I am asking about user experiences.

Who has experience using this interface with their vehicle monitor? The website is http://www.coastaletech.com/.

I want to use my laptop navigation program, Street Atlas USA, instead of Chevy's Navigation program. The Chevy monitor is in a good location and is very bright compared to my laptop screen. I intend to run my laptop on the back seat and feed a video output from the laptop to this device while driving down the road. Coastal Tech is closed for Christmas/New Year employee vacation so I can't get any information from them at this time. I believe that I would need the GM2 Lockpick http://www.coastaletech.com/gm2lockpick.htm for my truck.

Coastal Tech will tell me which unit but they may be somewhat biased as to how High Resolution graphics will be displayed on the Chevy Nav Screen. So, I am wondering if anyone has any experience with this device on any make and model vehicle.

All comments will be gratefully appreciated.

LeRoy

8 Replies

  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Jan 02, 2015
    Perhaps pictures may explain what I mean...



    This is a picture of 800x600 computer resolution PC desktop taken on a LCD TV which is standard definition (SD 480i). This TV has a VGA input and has a max VGA resolution of up 800x600.





    This is a picture of the same PC desktop at 800x600 resolution ON THE SAME TV but using the ANALOG COMPOSITE INPUT of the TV..

    I did not intentionally blur the photo, unfocus the photo or photoshop the photo.

    If you are used to using higher resolutions than 640x480 or 800x600 on your laptop you WILL be needing to drop the resolution on the laptop to 640x480 and use large tiles and you will still have a hard time reading any small text or lines..

    Your maps software may not even function below 800x600..

    When you drop the resolution you are also not able to view as much on the screen so you will find yourself needing to scroll side to side and up and down a lot..
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Dec 31, 2014
    MrWizard wrote:
    My question..is why use street atlas

    ok its a very good program

    is the chevy navigation program, that bad
    or is having SA notify you of way points you have set

    you want or need the notifications, ok
    just don't expect to get the same read ability, the same clarity and sharpness
    the GM display is sharp enough,
    BUT the composite video signal..will not have the same sharpness and detail that the laptop has


    Good chance the indash display MIGHT have enough resolution but it will get choked by the analog SD video input.

    In order for the indash monitor to be able to display what you see on the PC screen with the same detail it would NEED a ANALOG HD COMPONENT RGB (not COMPOSITE), Analog VGA, DVI (Computer Digital Video Interface) or HDMI input.

    The video input on most indash car stereos are for displaying ANALOG COMPOSITE video from a DVD player or backup camera.. It was never ever intended or capable of HD or PC quality video..

    Basically what you will get is a very blurred, smeary video, very, very far from "clear" so far from clear you will need to set your PC resolution to 600 x something AND use LARGE TILES and that STILL will result in a lousy pix..
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Dec 30, 2014
    My question..is why use street atlas

    ok its a very good program

    is the chevy navigation program, that bad
    or is having SA notify you of way points you have set

    you want or need the notifications, ok
    just don't expect to get the same read ability, the same clarity and sharpness
    the GM display is sharp enough,
    BUT the composite video signal..will not have the same sharpness and detail that the laptop has
  • Jaxom's avatar
    Jaxom
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2014
    I have the Lockpick on my Ram. I use it for in-motion actions the are normally denied. Using the GPS to navigate, backup camera at will - not just reverse, video display for passengers. It works just fine for this.
    I have not tried to do what you wish, but for my uses it works just fine. I've had it about 4 years, no issues.
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Dec 30, 2014
    LittleBill wrote:
    if the only input is the composite cables. you will be sorely disappointed with the quality of the image. computers look like junk on composite


    THIS!

    Homeless, I explained that to you in your OTHER post..

    You will only get TV "SD quality" IE STANDARD TV RESOLUTION (AKA 480i" which is far, far less resolution than a PC monitor.

    Your laptop most likely is set to 1024x something (depends on wide or narrow screen) at a minimum.

    TV SD quality is equivalent to about 320 x something when comparing as computer video equivalents..

    Composite input IS NOT WORTH PURSUING as a substitute screen for a PC.

    I tried that many years ago just so I didn't have to drag a TV and PC monitor while camping.. Bought a VGA to TV adapter.. Had to set the computer down to 600 x resolution and the TV screen was STILL nearly unreadable.

    STOP. Do not pursue this method, you will be kicking yourself after wasting the money on this..
  • jhlady's avatar
    jhlady
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2014
    Homeless by choice

    I bought a lock pick from Coastal Elec. for my Jeep Wrangler. Worked OK for a couple years, but now causes interference with radio and I had to remove it. Not sure if the board went bad or what and haven't yet approached them about replacing it, but don't believe I got as much value out of it as they claimed.

    Look before you leap I guess! Hope this helps.

    John
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2014
    LittleBill wrote:
    if the only input is the composite cables. you will be sorely disappointed with the quality of the image. computers look like junk on composite


    X 2

    We use a 7" Android Nexus 7 Tablet with CoPilot for our GPS in the MH. This could be easily Velcro'd to the dash of your car. Would make a much cheaper alternative IMHO.
  • LittleBill's avatar
    LittleBill
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2014
    if the only input is the composite cables. you will be sorely disappointed with the quality of the image. computers look like junk on composite

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