Cheap, Small Notebook

[Deactivated] on 06/01/2016 - 09:41
Last edited 06/01/2016 - 09:44

Hello everyone,

I'm planning some longish trips with my bike this year and my helmet cam is recording everything. As such I want to be able to empty the cards every night.

I need a solution to transfer the footage from the cards to a portable HDD. Not sure if I need a notebook or not but I'm leaning to think that I do.

I will stay with the tent most of the times that means I run everything by bike power so needs to be something that doesn't eat a lot of juice.

I recently purchased 4 of these: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/228769.

I might need (not sure what combination of these):

  • (unsure)solar panels ? If yes what's the cost of those ?
  • cheap notebook
  • reliable, large and cheap HDD
  • power inverter

During riding my bike will have to charge: laptop, power bank (20,000 mah), phone, battery charger (camera). If bike can hold it.

According to the specs in the owners manual:

  • Main fuse is 30 amps (x 12v) = 360 watts max possible output of the generator.
  • 60 watt headlight (x2) = 120w (I can take 1 out)
  • Brake Light/tail light = 21/5w
  • license plate light = 5w (will be out)
  • turn signal 21w (x2) = 42w (not running all the time)
    == 188 Watts (normal) -> 253 watts (if I take 1 headlight and licence plate light out). Can also put LED break light and signals which can give me some more juice.

Any thoughts/advices on this ?

Computing

Comments

  • ESEMCE on 06/01/2016 - 11:08
    +1

    Wouldn't bother replacing the indicators.. they're hardly ever on…
    Tail/Brake light might be worth replacing.
    Can you get LED headlights?

    What sort of phone do you have?
    Many Android Phones have USB OTG support, so you could use your phone as the "computer".
    Stick the microSD card into the phone, attach a USB Hard Drive via a USB OTG cable and then copy files across from microSD to USB HDD using a File Manager app.

    Charge the Powerbank through the day and the devices as they need charge from the powerbank overnight.
    You'll want to charge the powerbank from the motorbike battery so you get a nice "flat" supply. Battery will get topped off by the Alternator. Make sure you've rigged up some sort of switch to stop power draw from the battery when the Engine is off.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/01/2016 - 11:14

      I have an LG G2 which was planned to be running as the GPS device. Unfortunately I've dropped it face down few days ago and top right part of the display has cracked. Still works and I have to do some more testing and see how it holds up.

      Was not aware of the USB OTG thing, that's a really good suggestion.

      I Might run LED headlights but reading from reports, they run from unreliable to reliable. It's almost a game with them. And they are not as bright I heard.

      • ESEMCE on 06/01/2016 - 11:18

        Maybe a LED for day running to stay legal and a Normal light for night running?
        Switch between the 2 as needed.
        If you can get away without the laptop (put the money from that towards a new phone or new screen) then you'll be fine if you use the process above even with a normal headlight in the day.
        LG G2 supports USB OTG
        Make sure the Hard drive comes with a cable that can pull power from the Powerbank and you should be sweet (The phone ought to be able to power the HDD, but just to be safe)

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 06/01/2016 - 13:08

    They actually have a device for this specific purpose - one of which is the Kingston MobileLite G2. You plug any media you want into this device, connect it to your external hard drive and then use your smartphone to select the files to transfer. The bonus is that this device can also be used charge a GoPro, for example, 3 times over. It's not the most economical alternative at ~$75 though. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QCKHTfqDK4.

    I'd be interested in knowing if there were amazing value budget notebook equivalents to the like of ZTE Fit Smart in phones. Realistically, notebooks with throwaway prices don't exist since I wouldn't spend even $200 on something I'd use for only a few months at best. Only in a case where the statistical chances of theft are high and a disposably-priced laptop was essential. Depending on where you're going you might want to backup some precious footage online via your phone or laptop every now and then (if feasible).

    • Lysander on 06/01/2016 - 13:23

      If you want a viable Earth and environment anything technological that is "throw-away" is a very bad idea due to the toxic components and the huge increase of waste and resources due to the "throwaway mentality".
      The $75 solution sounds good and long lasting - I think that is the way to go.

      • ESEMCE on 06/01/2016 - 15:12

        Or as above a $2 USB OTG cable connected to the phone he already owns can do the job.
        If you wanted to spend $75, a cheapo windows tablet would be perfect and far more useful than this overpriced file copying gadget!

  • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2016 - 00:19

    Really, really good suggestions.
    About the phone, I will have to see what's up with mine as it is starting to play up. Not sure what's the reliability of it now as it froze up twice today.

    I definitely like the gopro example and I can see myself doing it. And you'r right @peterpeterpumpkin, I wouldn't buy a notebook just to use it few times a year.

    I also like the @scubacoles suggestion. Very very interesting for that price…

    decisions, decisions :)

    • ESEMCE on 07/01/2016 - 08:54

      Factory Reset..

      But if you need a new phone, make sure it supports USB OTG. (Shouldn't be too hard these days, even on cheaper units)

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join