speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

I did a search for CarPC and I found a lot of really old threads with outdated options on putting a CarPC in the dash, and some put them in other parts of the car. I've been looking at a few different things and I've been wondering what options are out there these days. I looked on mp3car.com and I mostly saw parts, but I have no idea how to build one so I'd have to dig into it more. However, I found some on eBay (which are probably crap, but who knows), and I'm wondering if anyone has ever used any of these.

My main reason for wanting to do this is because I plan on using it as a gauge interface with the ECU, and also for GPS, music, etc. I like the idea of being able to put in a CD or DVD and I like having actual ***** for volume and maybe even tune, but it kinda sucks for taking away part of the screen where I'm trying to see gauges. I've looked into mounting an iPad or Galaxy Tab in the DIN, and the only thing I'm not really crazy about is it sitting back in the hole further, and having to come up with a way to finish the install to make it look clean. But if I did that, at least I'd get all of the screen for viewing the gauges.

Here are a couple I was looking at on eBay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Android-Car-PC-GPS-Navi-Stereo-Radio-DVD-Player-6-2-3G-WiFi-Bluetooth-Camera-/331303487012?pt=Car_Audio_In_Dash_Receivers&hash=item4d233a0624
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-7-HD-3D-Headunit-Android4-1-Car-PC-Dual-Core-CPU-GPS-3G-WiFi-Radio-8G-/171548437964?pt=US_Video_In_Dash_Units_w_GPS&hash=item27f1156dcc&vxp=mtr
I'm afraid of them being junk, but I wanted to see first. If not, I'll just put an iPad or Tab in there. I'd rather do a Tab, but there is already an app for my ECU on iTunes.

Kingslayer

iTrader: (4)

In regards to mounting an iPad, there is a guy in California that does mounts for iPads in cars. I initially was looking at them for the cubby hole of a 370z, but then decided to buy an FD. I actually emailed the guy that runs the shop, he said he's done mounts for FDs before. I can't speak on the fitment, as I haven't gone through with it yet, but I'm sure he'd be able to answer any questions you have. The link to his site is iPad Car Mounts and Installation

Jimmy2222

iTrader: (3)

Saw a build thread a little while ago in 3rd gen forum. Can't remember user's name or name of thread (but it def had something to do with mounting a tablet in center console). I remember seeing a fairly rough finished product but he ended up refining it with a radio shack volume **** also custom mounted as well. Looked pretty good actually, enough so to inspire me to do something similar (although I'm not very far into doing anything yet, lol). Definitely worth a look though, I believe he had a 7-8" tablet of sorts mounted in there fairly snugly and flushlike. GL with deciding what route to go and with the finished product!!

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

Sweet, thanks! That looks like it'll be cleaner than if I did it myself lol. I'll contact him and check on it. Thanks for the link!

Also, did I talk to you already? I noticed you're in Fayetteville. I lived there from 03-08. I was at Pope. I can't remember if I PMd you already. When I was there, there were a couple RX-7s that I knew of in town but no one wanted to hang out. And there were a couple RX-8s, but I usually went all the way to Raleigh to meet with the group up there.

XLR8 is probably who you're thinking of. Josh did a Galaxy Tab 7" in his dash. I've read through that thread about six times lol. Did he mount the volume **** where the dimmer switch usually is? If so, that's probably Josh.

Post up pics of your progress, please. I'd like to see this. Even if it's just parts you've gotten together and you haven't actually done it yet.

Kingslayer

iTrader: (4)

Nah, I don't think we've talked. I just joined not that long ago. I don't even have my FD yet, I pick it up soon when I get back from Africa haha. I'm buying one re-done from allrotor93 out of Cary

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

Oh Ok. I didn't ever meet him when I was there, and he wasn't part of our group that hung out together. Most of the people are still there, but I'm not sure how involved everyone is anymore.

fastfalcon94

iTrader: (3)

Wow they really have came a long ways. I had a carpc about 10 years ago in my first 3000gt. It was a lilliput screen, small pc mother board, inverter, 5.1 digital sound card, wireless keyboard etc... I could never get the audio to sound good and gave up on it. It would make this awful high frequency noise that would drive you crazy after an hour of driving. Anyways that is my experience. Hindsight I should have just kept an alpine deck and used aux-in for the sound. I'm really curious about these droid devices though. The price is definitely right.

Kingslayer

iTrader: (4)

Maybe I'll see if anyone for that group still runs around together. You wouldn't happen to be stationed at Fort Carson would you?

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

Yeah the prices seem really good, I'm just wondering about quality. I guess I could get one and find out. The only problem is I really need an IOS for the app that I need for the ECU. The company hasn't made an app for Android yet.

They probably get together occasionally. And I think there is a larger group back there now but I think it's a different group. I'm at Peterson, Ft Carson is across town.

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

I found this video while searching for putting a Mac OS one a CarPC. It's for one of them that I listed in the first post. Pretty cool. It would be much easier if I had the app for Android haha.

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

Here is another review about it. Although this one is resistive and the other one is capacitive.

jacobcartmill

iTrader: (6)

speedjunkie, i'm wondering what exactly you plan to do to show gauges.

do you have an ECU that's capable of outputting gauge data to an android device? i know adaptronic will, but that's about it.

also, most of those cheaper LCD screens are crap compared to a laptop or tablet.


it seems like you're heading down a road i ventured down in 2013.



an x86 tablet is the best way to do what you're trying to do. just figure out how to mount it cleanly.

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

The ECU I'm getting has an app but as of right now it's only on iTunes, although they are working on an Android app. That app allows viewing of gauges and also switching boost control and traction control. I won't be tuning it myself so the app does everything I need it to do.

Some of these units have resistive screens (softer, like a Garmin uses), but the ones I'm looking at have a capacitive screen like any other tablet or smart phone, which also allows multi-touch, although I'm not really sure I need that lol. I just like the capacitive screen because it seems more durable and less prone to damage.

I've been talking to CLudwig about integrating all this, so I'm not too worried about it lol.

Trust me, I'm still a little leery of these carputers on eBay because they seem like junk. I haven't given up on just mounting an iPad or Galaxy Tab in the dash. I feel like this would be a cleaner install and look a little more natural. My concern is losing some of the screen for viewing gauges to the trim around the edge, which I wouldn't lose with a tablet.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

Hmm.
I'm thinking a windows based 7 inch touchscreen tablet hooked up to the Ps1000 would show my gauges.

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

Here is another option, but it's not out yet. Pretty cool none-the-less. I'm not 100% sure it can do what I need it to, so I'd have to check on that. It seems like it could though. And it's probably VERY pricy, but it seems like a really good product.

#CES 2015: Parrot RNB6, the most connected in-vehicle infotainment system | Parrot news

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

seen this thread yet?
Link:https://www.rx7club.com/adaptronic-e...-more-1037541/

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

Yep. I looked at that about a year ago before I even decided to swap ECUs and do this haha. I also talked to Josh about it to see exactly which tablet he used and I have that thread saved. I'll probably do that if I can't figure out anything with a CarPC.

7krayziboi

iTrader: (15)

Speedjunkie what ECU did you go with ?
I read a thread about AEM infinite where you were
Stating your needs. So kinda curious which one you went with ?

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

I decided to switch to a Syvecs S8. It's pretty pricy, but it has everything I'm looking for. Although the Infinity and Elite came REALLY close.

The only thing the S8 doesn't have (yet) is OMP control, but Life Racing (LR deals more with race teams, Syvecs takes LR ECUs and adds creature comforts) is working on something that will allow OMP control. I COULD just block off the OMP and I'd be set, but I'd rather keep it if at all possible.

Syvecs already has an app on iTunes that will allow viewing gauges and also control of boost settings and traction control, so I could just install an iPad and be set. But, I'd rather use Android, and having the choice of either platform, I have more options with a Galaxy Tab, one of these cheaper CarPCs, or the new Parrot that can do both. Although I have to look into the Parrot more to make sure it can do what I want. I want to be able to play music and view gauges at the same time. I like that the Parrot has a dash cam, I've been thinking about trying to rig something up for that. But if it can't play music while viewing gauges, I have to decide which I want more. I don't really listen to music in the car much anyway since it's so loud lol, but I like having the option. I like that you can use a CD or DVD in the cheaper CarPCs, but I'd probably hardly ever use that either. I might end up getting one of those for my DD at least.

I wouldn't have a problem just doing an iPad or Tab, but something made for the double DIN seems like it would look more natural in there. The new Tesla that has the massive screen on the dash is a bit too much for me. It just doesn't look right.

silverTRD

iTrader: (36)

https://www.rx7club.com/build-thread...ssion-1064311/

Have you read this thread?

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

Actually I just read it a few days ago lol. I saw his CarPC.

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

I bought this a few days ago and got it today.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAPACITIVE-7-Android-4-4-2-Din-Car-PC-DVD-Player-Stereo-GPS-WiFi-3G-BT-Camera-/201380003934?hash=item2ee32f005e
I installed it tonight, well, enough to power it up and see how to work it and see if it will meet my needs. I installed the GPS antenna but not the rear camera or some of the other cables like for iPod and all that (my iPod broke so I might see if I can find another and at least try this out).

It sounds great, I like the functionality, I really like it overall. I've already (briefly) tried the GPS feature, hooked up my phone through Bluetooth and called my home number through the stereo, hooked up to my wifi and gotten online, downloaded the app for my ECU (Syvecs), played music and CDs, and personalized it a bit. You can also set up a wifi hotspot with this stereo.

I do have a couple issues though.

I need to figure out how to mount it. It came with two brackets to screw onto the sides, but there is nothing to bolt it to inside the pocket, and there is no trim piece to finish out the outer edge (it's 7"x4", so it's a bit small for the pocket). Also, just out of curiosity I turned on my headlights after hooking up the stereo and they are acting REALLY weird, like the stereo is pulling too much power. With the stereo hooked up, no matter if it's off or on, the headlights pop up and go down really slowly (also at different times), and they are dim. I hooked up the wires just like on the old stereo. The only difference is the directions said to hook up constant power and ground directly to the battery, and I hooked them up through the harness like normal. Maybe I'll try hooking them up to the battery instead, although I don't really see what that will change. First I'll just unhook the stereo altogether and see what happens just to isolate the problem.

I started the Syvecs app but it won't shrink to the screen size so it's difficult to tell how that will be. I also haven't started the car or tried to link the stereo to the ECU.

Overall I'm VERY happy with this thing so far, but if I can't sort out the power problem it'll be a deal-breaker.

silentblu

iTrader: (1)

You ended up getting the android version? Not windows?

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

I bought an iPad mini to use, but I wanted to retain the ability to use CDs and stereo without a bunch of hassle, among other things that an iPad can't do, and none of these CarPCs come with Apple software. The cool thing is I can still use the iPad outside the car and still see all the info I want. For example, I was troubleshooting why my fans weren't kicking on and also what my AFRs were at different RPMs and I could do all that without going to the interior to look at the gauges. So I'll be keeping the iPad in the car too, but it will most likely remain off most of the time.

Syvecs released the beta version of the app. I installed it but I haven't assigned any of the things it's supposed to watch yet.

I remembered today that I had disconnected the power cable running from the battery in the rear bin to the starter, and that's why my headlights were acting funny last night. It's all good to go now.

I'm still looking for a way to mount it though. I'm wondering if I can get a cage from another double din stereo to work.

EDIT: I think I found the perfect install kit.


The cage fits right around the stereo, and the trim ring fits the OEM opening almost perfectly. It'll be just short of the height by 3.65mm and short of the width by 1.5mm...a gap of 1.825mm on top and bottom and .75mm on the sides is not too shabby.

The only modification might be to the pieces that bolt to the side of the stereo, but that's no big deal. I can handle that.

speedjunkie

iTrader: (3)

I played around with the stereo a bit more tonight and took some pics. I'm digging how the buttons on the left side light up blue and match the gauges. And the GPS has a crazy amount of options too. I did try to play music through bluetooth from my phone to the stereo and that didn't work. Bummer, but oh well. It has an auxiliary port so I can use that if I really have to. But once I have a working iPod again it really won't matter.