Would you be interested in a Carputer?

**fordomatic69** · 09-30-2008, 08:31 PM

Been thinking about doing this for a while but won't even attempt it if there is no interest. Just seeing if there would be any interest from the LX community in a complete In-Dash Car PC like the one I have. Here are the specs I am researching:

Here's the specs:
- Intel Pentium M 2.0Ghz, 2GB SDRAM, 120GB Hard Drive, 7" TFT Touch Screen
- FULL Windows XP SP3, OpenOffice, Avast Anti-virus
- 7-port USB Hub mounted in Glove Box.
- 45W X 4 amplified speaker output.
- CAN Bus interface

Centrafuse Front End:
- Sirius Satellite Radio
- MP3 Playback
- OBD-II Monitoring
- Internet, Email, WiFi
- Bluetooth phone integration (still working out bugs)
- Voice Activation and Text to Speech reading of emails and web pages (Beta testing).

**hawkxp** · 09-30-2008, 08:35 PM

depending on pics.. yep.. as long as as it could have a DVD player as well...

**BeanBry** · 09-30-2008, 08:38 PM

Can I get it in a Mac format? I really hate POS Windows.

**fordomatic69** · 09-30-2008, 08:59 PM

Yes, the Unit is capable of DVD, I think the new model even has a DVD burner. With the USB Hub, it is capable of any device connection, including video cameras, usb memory sticks, etc. I now have a fingerprint reader and a motion sensing camera that will email me pics if my car is stolen. I use my USB cellular modem and some security software. My Carputer is set up to start as soon as the car is started and if after 1 minute, I don't place my finger on the fingerprint reader, the unit starts the video camera and begins to take pics every 30 seconds, then emails them to me.

My Supplier does not have a Mac option, sorry.

**gooeytek** · 09-30-2008, 10:57 PM

I had a mATX PC in my RX7 that played DVDs & MP3's through my sound system several years back. I abandoned that project after the DVD drives kept dying. I can see how this would be a great add-on with the additional functions you implemented though. Back then, there wasnt any wireless broadband. Heck, the biggest flash drive then was 256MB and it was $200.

**Manny08** · 09-30-2008, 11:03 PM

Can we get it to work with the EVIC?

**fordomatic69** · 09-30-2008, 11:08 PM

It is possible to get the steering wheel controls to work but there currently is no interface for the EVIC. The steering wheel controls use an additonal interface that simulates an IR remote to the head unit. It uses the signal from the steering wheel control to an IR box that transmits the signal to the carputer.

**fordomatic69** · 09-30-2008, 11:25 PM

Here are some pics:

http://www.scrc209.com/sigpics/fordomatic/carputer2.JPG
http://www.scrc209.com/sigpics/fordomatic/carputer3.JPG
http://www.scrc209.com/sigpics/fordomatic/carputer4.JPG
http://www.scrc209.com/sigpics/fordomatic/carputer5.JPG
http://www.scrc209.com/sigpics/fordomatic/carputer6.JPG

**tjgibson** · 09-30-2008, 11:44 PM

What sort of price range are we talking about? I know, I know, if I have to ask...

**lowriderman3** · 10-01-2008, 12:01 AM

Interested.

**Hemi Chef** · 10-01-2008, 12:11 AM

That's pretty slick!!

**TaylorMotorSports** · 10-01-2008, 12:14 AM

Definitely--price dependent.

**claude9039u** · 10-01-2008, 12:14 AM

Interested price?

**FactoryD** · 10-01-2008, 12:25 AM

You can build it yourself for ~$5-700 or have this generous guy build you one for...who knows what kind of markup.

I'm in no way trying to knock the OP at all. I know that similar setups go for as much as you'd pay for a new AVIC-Z*. Even he were to charge that kind of money, you'd be WAY better off with a carputer. And this one looks well built.

A couple years ago, I had one almost complete before I got desperate for money and sold it to Redfox. I wish I hadn't have done that.

**Electrofreak** · 10-01-2008, 03:37 AM

I run an out-of-home computer repair business. I've been dreaming of a nice carputer for my Magnum for over a year now.

Was pretty close to buying most of the components for one off a guy here on the forums, but I was too late on closing the deal, someone else got it.

EDIT: [Looks up] Oh wait, it was you FactoryD!

I wouldn't buy a complete and finished carputer from anyone. I have some very specific features in mind for my in-car rig. An in-car mobile network would be handy for my business too