Subscribed! Been having this idea in my head for a long time. Just to lazy to go forward with it also dont know where to start with it.

 

after i get this worked out, ill be offering premade ones that are drop in ready, also if you just want the bezel and want to do the fab work urself. its my first one/prototype it will get better as i go

 

In for finished pics. Nice job so far.

 

It sure looks interesting, I hope it comes out very clean

 

cant wait to see

 

I like where you're going with this now lets see some pics )

 

would love to see the final project. ipad would be ideal. I just attached one with velcro to my car

 

this is a really cool thought. do you have aux hoooked up to it too? sorry if i missed something, im just wondering becuase you said you only have the power cable?

 

Cool, baller, bling, gangster, dope all in one! Good job so far, keep the progress pics coming. Cant wait to see the final product!

 

Tesla S style

 

A Jailbroken iPad 2 should be a lot of fun.

I'd love to do a Mac Mini build. Like you said, the possibilities are endless, especially with Windows and OSX.

 

phrozen, that's an awesome idea whose time has come. I'm glad to hear some candor from someone in your line of work, lately all I get is someone trying to sell me a kit for 800-1500 with a double DIN nav unit that "does everything."

I did have a suggestion I was going to play around with years ago, but never got around to. Instead of an iPad, would a touchscreen wired to a laptop (hidden under a seat or in the glovebox) work just as well? I mean, what you basically need is a machine capable of GPS, possibly Bluetooth, and media capabilities. Internet would be a bonus, but I'd thought of tethering my Android phone instead (saves on $$$)

So here's what you'd need (feel free to add what you think should go in there, as well):

Assuming you already have a proper audio setup with mids, highs, subs, the whole works.

A.) Touchscreen monitor (mp3car.com has lots of ideas, and Ebay has lots of possible candidates)
B.) 3-4 year old laptop, running WinXP (stable and seems to work with 95% of touch screens)- laptop would need to have multiple USB ports (4) or a hub, and a VGA out
C.) Laptop car adapter or AC/DC converter
D.) GPS receiver
E.) cables for simple L/R out, or SPDIF
F.) some kind of workaround for laptop power-on, so would start with car
G.) miniature keyboard/trackpad combo; WinXP offers on-screen keyboard for Nav input, but this would be an easier solution IMO

As you can see, I've given it some thought. THe best part about all of this is that you should be able to get it all off Ebay for less than $500. Add to the fact that you can load movies, audio, pics, etc relatively easily through the USB port and you have a relatively inexpensive and elegant solution. Your know-how with designing the bezel would make it look stock.

I'm interested in this, and would be happy to give my computer expertise if needed. I don't have a lot of car electrical experience, but I've been playing with computers for over 15 years. And unless you're looking to be able to do Photoshop or run WoW from your car, this should suffice.

Great work!

 

Saw the same thing in a VW in S3 Magazine. It was dope.

 

sorry guys theres been no updates, im still waiting on parts my order got messed up and im just waiting to finish mock up