Any brands/model suggestions for a 12 V TV for a boat - available to buy in Perth, Western Australia?
It would be nice to have a built in DVD slot plus a USB port so I can download and view .mov video files from my Tachyon camera. I can use my Toshiba laptop but it draws quite a few amps. I thought a small (19 inch) purpose built 12V TV would be the most efficient way.
Comments welcomed.
I have a grundig 22" LCD flat screen cost $350 they come stranded from appliance stores on 240v but they actually run on 12vlt it's just a matter of checking the power supply box which is usually half way along the cord (on the small models ) and double check that it's a 12vlt system.
Cut the power supply box cable and wire direct to circuit board or via a fuse. Mine draws about 2.5 amps.
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I imagine that you have of course already checked out Harvey Norman, the Good Guys, Dick Smith, JB HiFi etc. etc.
As for brands I'm sure that anything that you would be happy to have in your home would also be just as workable in a boat.
I bought a 22" one on eBay for about $200. It has USB and DVD and draws about 5 amps.
The cable was only about 3 amp so I got the seller to give me $30 for a new one.
Otherwise it works fine and completely happy with it.
Just remembered the brand, Kinezo.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/280879192530?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Couple that with one of these.
aleutia.com/t1-fanless-eco-pc
And a Sirf 4 puck.
www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-BU-353S4-SiRF-Star-IV-USB-GPS-Receiver-FOR-LAPTOP-CAR-PC-/280958094412?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item416a684c4c
Download Seaclear for free and use a rubber keyboard and a Logitec trackball and you have pretty much the ultimate entertainment and navigation set up going. Of course tomorrow something else will come along.
The current draw is about 17watts for the TV and the PC is about the same.
I have just installed a 16" on my boat, Kogan 12 volt HD LED with dvd built in plus usb input with remote 2 year warranty $132 delivered, kids love it!
Thanks guys. I see the Whitworths catalogue has a 22 inch Fusion Marine TV (12V LED) for $469. Has anyone tried one of these?
My Grundig from Harvey Norman is now on special $250 flat screen 22 inch LED.....
Definately check out the Kogan gear. Try their website. My 19 "TV/DVD 12 volt combo is still going strong after 2 years at sea.
And they are getting so cheap.
Not sure of the exact draw thou.
Don't get sucked into buying the 'Marine TV' just because it says so. They are properly all made in the same factory and who would let their TV get wet anyway. Over $400 sounds expensive.. unless it draws no power at all!!
Cheers
Conclusion FYI.
I bought a Grundig 21.5 inch from Harvey Norman for $350. It was the only one that was smallish and that could display the video files directly from my Tachyon camera (format .mov) without buying more hardware to convert the format. Seems to work well. Sound is a little tinny but resolution is good and weight is not heavy.
I also looked at Teac, Panasonic and a couple of other brands I can't remember.
So. What!! Is sailing and living aboard a great cruising yacht so boring that you have to have a TV set aboard???
Is that not why you live on a yacht to get away from that crap??
The money is better spent on the best internet accessibility available if you want to stay connected.
Oh, but we need to keep the kids entertained you might say. So what is wrong with teaching them Snap, Poker, Pontoon, Gin Rummy, Bridge or Chess. Monopoly and Scrabble will work their minds too.
A 17 inch laptop screen is as good a display as is ever needed aboard a family yacht.
I think a 22 inch Led monitor/TV would be a perfect plotter screen mounted over the chart table so it's visible from the steering position. My 16 inch laptop is easily visible but there is no way it can be compared to the real estate of a large screen. They only draw 17 watts. The mini computers draw the same so for 34 watts that's a seriously big screen for less power than a laptop or a gps plotter with their tiny 7 inch screens.
Yes they can also be rotated to face the settee and used for a TV as well.
Tuesday I had the grandkids onboard and they spent some time comparing the plotter screen to the real world as we sailed along. Kids are different these days.
Hear hear Pumpnjump!
I didn't come onto my boat to "get away from that crap"
I like modern technology, I like things that make my life better.
Each to their own.... your welcome to sail the world in the dark....
Skyping my family from an anchorage in Thailand....priceless!
Oh, and I still, fish, swim, cycle, surf, play & walk everyday.
If only they could make a waterproof remote control!!lol
