Carputer update

The carputer has been a reasonable success. I have it semi-attached in the Infiniti. An old Sony Vaio laptop tucked under the seat, conntected to a touch-sensitive 7" LCD panel mounted on a flexible stalk. Two issues to solve... the stalk comes loose at the point where the flexible part meets the mounting bracket - a poor design... i need to add some locktite or epoxy to the screws to keep the stalk from flapping in the breeze. I'd like to permanently wire the computer to the car's power - i'm currently using just a cigarette lighter arrangement. The hassle is that the laptop needs to be switched on manually, by groping under the seat. AT the very least, I need some sort of remote switch.

Software wise, I'm using iGuidance, which is working really well. I'd like a better LCD screen - the cheapo "Liliput" that I'm using is washed out in any kind of sunlight.

We've created a "go-kit" as well, with secondary powersupply and GPS antenna. I detach the laptop and bring it along when we travel. This has worked fantastic.