jeff48

A good friend of mine just released pics of the new car computer he and his company has put on the market.

This is a 5" dash installable touch screen based unit that uses Windows as an OS, a intutive user interface, has a 1GHz processor, tons of RAM, DVD/CD player and a kick *** 60 Gig HD.

The unit has optional software modules for NAV, AFR, Playstation, ECU control software, Datalogging etc.

You can use it as a DVD movie or MP3 player as well.

Here is a link to the pics and a great video. The video is a night run down the road while datalogging RPMs v AFRs through the TechEdge 2.0a unit and software.

http://www.tektonicconsulting.com/ices/pics/

If you have any other Q's drop me a PM or respond here.

Base price is going to be around $2500.

billyrohm

Slow

theorie

iTrader: (31)

there have been plenty of "car computers" available for the past few years.

check out this similar setup (which looks like it was done alot better) in this Audi
http://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1734601.phtml


also here is a place that sells small computers that are perfect for use in car computers:
http://www.logisysus.com/product/smallest-pc.htm

here is a similar computer to the one your friend used... the system is about the same size and would work well as in in-dash setup....and its only $349


you can get touch screen monitors off ebay really cheap too, only a few hundred for a nice one.

software is easy too, you can simply run windows XP, or there are shell programs you can download free off the internet

add in stuff like GPS, remote controls, fM tuners, etc are all cheap simple add-ons as well. you can buy most of this stuff at your local BestBuy


$2500??? thats a little steep buddy

oh and by the way, i installed a computer in my friends car in the past, that why i had all the info.

in my buddys car we installed:
PentiumIII setup, mounted under passenger seat
7" monitor
wireless mouse
windows 2000 pro

the thing ran dvds, divx, mp3, video games, etc and we put it in for like $400!

tell your friend hes not goint to make any sales with a 5x markup!

jeff48

Hey if you sell me the parts for a complete & competent touch screen carputer solution for $400, I will send you the check today and I will install it myself (and so will my friend).

The Audi system is really nice, but hardly compatible with non-Audi systems (my son in law is an Audi Tech).

Most of the units currently available including the Xenarc are prone to having overheating problems (which is why my friend chose to produce his).

As to prices being too steep-----check out a single use aftermarket NAV/AV system at any stereo shop and remember that those systems do not include full computer capabilities.

Thanks for the response, any response, positive or negative is a good thing, we are trying to encourage interest.



Jeff

BTW here is a quote from the place you reccommend for a similarly equipped carputer. By the time you put the addons with it, you will be spending well over the $2500.00

A Mobile PC LG-SP3 w/intel 815E/A&V&L
3xUSB/1394 mini pc
- System color Black
- UPGRADE OPTION none
- Processor Intel Celeron 1.2Ghz/256Kc
- 2 Serial ports none
- Memory 512MB PC-133 SDRAM, Low profile
- Floppy Drive none
- Hard Drive Slim 60GB-5400rpm 2.5 inch
- Multimedia Storage Slim DVD Drive w/adapter 40 pin
- VGA Card Integrated Intel Extreme Graphics
- Monitor none
- 7" LCD Monitor 7 inch Touch Screen LCD Monitor,7TS,see detail spec in catagorie
- Sound System Onboard 6-Channel AC'97 Audio
- Speakers & Headphone none
- Modem none
- Network Device Intel Pro/100+ w/intel ICH4 and 82526ET phy
- KEYBOARD & Mini Keyboard none
- Roll-Up keyboard none
- Mouse none
- Operating Software MS Windows XP HOME
- Application Software none
- Application software(1) none
- Assembly Assembly with Testing
- AC/DC Power Adapter Included AC/DC Power Adapter
- USB External Hard drive none
- Pen Drive 128MB Pen Drive
- USB Flash Drive none
- Warranty Warranty-One(1) year warranty

Total: $1,653.00

911GT2

It looks pretty sweet. I'd love to have the money to do something like that, or at least the knowledge to do the work myself.

Gargamel

I'll take four. 2 in my visors and 2 in my headrests

DCrosby

I posted that thread, a couple of months back, and that Audi System is a Stand Alone, System unning Media Engine 2.0 with a custum skin you can download from http://www.mp3car.com or the guys website...
as a matter of fact mp3car.com is a great resource for anybody that wants to do, this me included... I've got plans on putting the PC in or near the spare tire well, and I'll post pictures as soon as it's complete... and I'm going to take my time, so it will look just like it was always meant to be there... so far I have:

Xenarc 7" Touchscreen
Mini USB Powered CDR/DVD-ROM Drive
120 Gig 7200 Rpm WD HDD
12v - 12v DC -> DC Power Supply with Voltage Regulator and Ignition Switch
USB Powered NEMAH GPS Receiver
VIA M10000 1GHZ 17cmX17cm 20 Watt Motherboard / W 1 Gig Of Ram
Bluethooth Adapter
Sony Ericson Bluetooth Phone

Still Missing:
802.1 G Wireless Ethernet Card

I will custum manufacture the case out of machiened Nylon.

jeff48

Sorry, about the Audi reference, it looks exactly like the OEM available system.

I would love to see your final product. Only one piece of advice, watch your system temps. This seems to be the biggest problem with permanent car installs.

The computerfication of 3rd gens is getting to be almost a requirement for any custom A/V or Engine management applications.

Keep the comments coming boys, who knows, maybe there is something we can all do to direct the market and bring the prices down!

doncojones

Maybe I'm not "with the times" on this one but aren't cars supposed to be for driving? I know that when I drive a car with one of those navigation screens the first thing I do is try to figure out how to make it go away.

clayne

Pointless.

Drive the damn car and get off the cellphone/computer/dvd/gps/tv screen.

DCrosby

And that's your porogative as a Free American... (Choice)

Some of us want to get somewhere without getting lost, and depending on the accuracy, of the GPS unit and the Map data, you are less likely to end up on the "Wrong Side of the Tracks"

In Madison Wi. Traffic isn't that big of a deal unless there's a mass exedous from Chicago, but here in L.A. people who know side routes and "alternate" ways of getting somewhere get there on time, the rest are late...

So I agree, when I go joy riding I'd turn it off...
But there are many other reasons to have something up on the screen other than GPS... (MP3 / ECU Data)

As to Heat issues, I think you guys need to look carefully at what's generating the heat, and how to increase airflow... I agree that your setup might have heat related issues, but you're possibly causing heat uneccisarily... Think about it converting 110v to 12v causes heat... but what do you start with ? 12v -> 110v inverter ! WHY??? Why upconvert to 110 when you just end up downconverting back to 12v... Wattage !!! Right, but if you only need 50-60 watts, why power a 250w power supply ???

Esentially what you're building and is possibly cheaper for the do-it yourself-er... is you're creating a Laptop from scratch, (minus the case) so everything has to be energy efficient, and only draw power when it's operating, I'd be more than happy to get into a discussion with anyone on how to properly build their setup, but for me having a screen stick out like in jeff48's setup was not an option for me due to the obvious theft opportunity of something that doesn't look difficult to remove, and two it blocks and prevents access from controlls on the dash...

-DC

jeff48

Good info here and you are correct, the thing is a laptop in a different case and my friend's carputer is a 12V direct system. In fact, on of the features on the system is that when you shut the car off, the computer has a built in shut down mode (similar to a turbo timer), which when the power goes away, the computer has sufficient stored power to go through a complete shut down.

The screen and ecu placements user definable and the screen can be permanently mounted in the DIN slots where the audio system used to go. I agree that there are geographic locations where you don't want easily removeable things beckoning the locals to liberate them.

The biggest problem reported by companies that developed carputers is their inherent heat production, lack of adequate ventilation and the additional heat that they are exposed to in summer. These problems have been addressed during the engineering phase of the construction and seem to be solved.

Thanks again guys for the great comments, including those raising the serious safety issues that can be created by the inidiscriminate use of these types of technologies.

theorie

iTrader: (31)

i dont care how much you try to argue it. there is no way thats worth $2,500 or more

i have been building and customize computers for a few years.

i work at www.virtual-hideout.net doing product testing and reviews for new and upcoming computer related hardware and products (that i get for free, direct from the manufacturers)

ive done everything from phase-change cooling systems for desktops (with plenty of overclocking), to customizing x-boxes. and like i said i even installed a computer in my friends car a few months back.

i know what im talking about, and i know that that setup is WAY over priced.

heres my personal rig...

DaedelGT

And I still love your case Fujikuro.

Pumpkin King

that's a nice comp and rx7 the best of both worlds...

jeff48

Well once again I want to thank you for your expert opinion and I am pretty sure everyone here is aware of how you feel. Howvere, despite your claims to have installed a similar computer in your friend's car for $400.00, I haven't seen you list your resources to have accomplished that for the price.

Believe me, if you can do it and show us all how, we will all be eternally grateful and even my friend will be in awe of your abilities. Until then, my friend is offering a real solution at a price that he feels is commensurate with the value, if he is wrong the real market will resolve the problem. Thanks again for taking the time to save us from ourselves.

To everyone else, I have started this post as a service to my friend and my friends in the forum. I believe that the carputer offered is a good value and a good solution for our cars. I am not getting anything out of the recommendation. This is nothing new to me, search back through the forum archives and you will see many posts with wishlists that include the type of computer being offered. In fact if you search the word Xenarc you may even see the thread that talks about touch screen carputers.

I want to say that I appreciate ALL input positive or negative and understand that even Fujikuro us trying to be helpful. The more we talk about the alternatives the more we learn, Bring it on.

XSTransAm

that computer is the nerdiest thing i have ever seen, Ive been building and playing with computers for the last 6 years.... Its a real special occoasion if if the sides make it on my case, besides ive got too many fans to fit them on most of the time :P

XSTransAm

oh and 2500$ including the screen, add ons and a computer small enough to fit in your dash I think is a fair price. Just compair that to laptop prices, Its well withen the realm

VQracer

Here's another that advertises on MY350Z.COM

http://www.image-engineering.com

jeff48

Thanks for the link. That looks very interesting also but seems to be in a pre-production stage. The best thing about that is that site is that it contains information about incoporating OBDII test software, something my friend was interested in offering as an addon. Thanks and keep those comments coming.

theorie

iTrader: (31)

yah im not trying to be a bitch or anything, i was just trying to figure out how a little setup like this would cost that much.

im sure the system works great, so good luck to your friend with his business

XSTransAm

Fujikuro, what water cooling system and case are those?

DCrosby

Yeah Plumb your case into the radiator of the car

Uh well my setup Via M10000 w/ 1Gig Ram / 120 Gig Hd, and all the other stuff GPS, Bluetooth, USB FM Radio, etc etc... I've yet to break $1K, I'm close within $100-200 but I'm also doing everything myself, and I'm building my own custum case, and I'm not using anything that I allready owned.. since my GPS receiver I had was serial and Old, and needed an Iceage to lock on.... etc etc....
So for all intents it's a "From Scratch" System for under $1.3K when it's all said and done... supply your own labor... and I'll put a writeup online at some point... if you want to replicate my efforts...

for the unexperienced, I suggest you get a new Dell Laptop for $700-1000, get the docking bay, screw the docking bay down in the trunk, run your wires, buy the screen, and for $1500-1800 you can have something that you can install if you know how to hook up a mouse, and have operated a drill before...

I'm not trying to discount Jeff's friends efforts, but you guys have yet to come up with something "Unique" that I can tell, all you are is a value added resellter, by taking parts off the shelf, and putting them together and adding your "Expertiese" to know how everything works together...

And for Cooling check out what other people have done in cramped situations, it seems to be a matter of airflow, not neccisarily temperature (to a point)
http://www.mini-itx.com/

theorie

iTrader: (31)

well i used to build my watercooling stuff myself but i got too busy w/ my car and school...

in the photo im using the swiftech 8500 kit w/ a dangerden blackice extreme 120mm radiator (got it all for free though product reviews...)

i put that stuff in after i took out my phase change setup (had to move out, so the phase change components were too heavy and bulky to transport the computer anyway)

the case is a cheiftech matrix. i put the window in myself, and the paint job was done by my friend who owns www.airbrushunderground.com - hes such a pro

Railgun

Hell, I thought that virtual-hideout went the way of the dodo. Heh. I used to read stuff on there. Updates became too far and few between so I stopped....www.tomshardware.com...there's your overclocking....

Anyway, how you can compare a desktop to a laptop in terms of component price is just nuts. As a "tester" you should realize that smaller means more $$$$.

If you can get components that small and the SW as well as write your own apps for it and get it to be that small and cheap...well, then do it. Who cares if you have a 1GHz chip in it. It's not like you're going to be compiling code on the thing. I do have to say that the case should be a little more pleasing to the eye than what it is. Not to mention how hot it gets behind the console there...I would place that in a more friendly (read better air flow) environment. The display is nice.

I digress...