car pc installs

6 October, 2005 - 02:19 Tablet PC in 2002 Dodge Caravan

I've just finished upgrading my car PC. My first system was built around VIA EPIA mother board and 7" Xenarc touch screen LCD. I found that a 7" screen is not big enough for my eyes. Also, a touch screen is not the best input device when you are driving. All these things made me think about a new system.

I ended up buying a refurbished tablet PC The intention was to use it in a fully unfolded configuration. To install the unit on my caravan I used a LCD mounting arm. I really liked the idea. The arm allows me to move the screen in virtually any position including a portrait. The only thing that I had to build was a plate used to install the tablet PC on the arm. I made it of acrylic sheet:

The whole setup looks like this:

29 September, 2005 - 15:12 Linux based CarPC including wi-fi

"In the spirit of MAKE Volume 03's MOD YOUR ROD - This car mod shows off a LINUX-based CarPC that is just plain awesome.

He can listen to music, watch videos, view slideshows, sniff wireless networks and plot them with GPS, browse the web with Firefox, connect to his cell phone via Bluetooth, stream DirecTV, remote-start the car, and connect to it via WI-FI, EVDO...Lots of great pics."

You can see the install over here, but be warned, it was hit by a slashdotting so parts of the site are changed and could be slow ;) Originally found at Makezine.

29 September, 2005 - 10:51 Golf V Carputer project

DBM just stumbled upon an interesting and well crafted car computer install into a Golf V. The owner has spent quite some time on this project and seems to start off by talking about it as if it is insignificant, we couldn't dissagree more as we think it is a top notch install in the sense that they had a very small budget and wanted to get the core functionality.

Considering the install is far from a "factory fit" we still think it sits quite nicely in the surroundings, plus he still has the option to improve the "fittings" of the system in the future if he decides too.

This is what he had to say, "You might actually think that this is a novell idea.. but its not really. People have been building carputers for the vehicles for quite some time now. My fasination began a few years ago when I was deciding what to do for my final year project and I was very interested in the idea of building a computer for my car and writing the software to control everything. In the end though my idea wasn't feasible seen as though I was pretty borke."

27 September, 2005 - 16:39 Ford F350 install

Hello ! Just finished my Ford F350 install..

Car: 2004 Ford F350 Diesel

Via Epia M12000 1.2 Ghz
512 PC 3200 Ram
60 Gb 2.5' Hdd Samsung (9000 mp3s so far....)
BU 303 GPS (iGuidance 2.0)
Opus 120 W power supply
Pioneer 600W amp
BackUp camera
Xenarc TSV700
Slim drive slot load DVD
Win XP Professional
Centrafuse 1.4 (brush metal skin)

Backup camera turns on automatically when car backs up (thru relay driven from back lights) . Or when driving with a button on armrest. Installation includes extra power button (in case we dont wanna turn pc on while driving) and reset button.

This is my third project after a mitsubishi eclipse 3G and a BMW 530.. once you start, you just can't stop!

here is the link for pics (56K warning - over 100 pics)
http://www.itspower.com/takis/websites/ampelas/ford350carpc_images

26 September, 2005 - 21:41 Meet the iBug II

The entire car mac scene is starting to pick up speed thanks in part to the release of the mac mini a few months ago. Now it is possible to pick up a second hand system at a great price on ebay or even a new one regardless of if you have a big budget or not.

We were recently made aware of one of the more advanced car mac computer installs to date which is actually a revision on an old install we once followed. The iBug II is the latest car mac installation from tberry.

The latest incarnation includes a shiny new in dash dock for the mac mini which is as close as you will see to a professional install. The time and effort put into all aspects of this project is impressive. If you are thinking of using a mac mini as your system of choice in your car pc installation then it is well worth checking this project out.

The iBug II site contains lots of pictures, information, videos and even a powerpoint presentation which should give you the full picture about the install and quite probably be the source of inspiration for many who want to have a go at using the mac mini inside their vehicles.