amex101

iTrader: (1)

In dash screen arrived today(computer comes tomorrow), got it hooked up to one of my test computer boxes, installed the touch screen drivers. Most cool, works as it should.













Few Youtube videos

YouTube - Car Computer Mazda Miata


YouTube - Miata Mazda Car Computer

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

So what does a setup like that cost? More details please, links to where you bought your stuff, maybe a write up?
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neogenesis2004

iTrader: (12)

infinity+1

budget racer

iTrader: (1)

Yeah,what they said!

messiahx

iTrader: (2)

Running an Atom board, right?

I plan on doing this sometime soon as well. My goals are to usb boot a copy of XP embedded to really slim things down and limit drive usage. And of course, using a flash drive means no moving parts and very low power draw. Most Atom chips can be run without a fan as well.

How much did that Thermaltake screen run you? I imagine that was the most expensive part of the project. How useful is the touch capability? Is is something easy enough to use while driving or will you need a music player with giant buttons to make it useful?

Doppelgänger

iTrader: (12)

Spacehog ......nice.

neogenesis2004

iTrader: (12)

Screen can be had for like $300 online. Car pc can be put together for like $300-400 all said and done.

ArtieParty

iTrader: (1)

What about the Fit-pc? Its small enough not to take up much space. Hell, you could have it in your glovebox. fit-PC2







fit-PC2 Value:

* CPU: Intel Atom Z510 1.1GHz
* Storage: No hard disk. Bay for 2.5" SATA
* No WiFi
* No operating system

Standard features:

* Memory: 1GB DDR2
* Display: DVI up to 1920x1080
* Audio: High definition 2.0
* LAN: 1000 BaseT Ethernet
* USB: 6 USB
* IR Receiver
* miniSD socket
* 12V power supply

* PN: FITPC2-C1100
* Price: $245




OR

fit-PC2 XP HD

* CPU: Intel Atom Z530 1.6GHz
* Storage: 160GB SATA hard disk
* WiFi: 802.11b/g
* OS: Windows XP Home SP3 with CyberLink PowerDVD codecs

Standard features:

* Memory: 1GB DDR2
* Display: DVI up to 1920x1080
* Audio: High definition 2.0
* LAN: 1000 BaseT Ethernet
* USB: 6 USB
* IR Receiver
* miniSD socket
* 12V power supply

* PN: FITPC2-C1600-H-W-XPC
* Price: $399

r808

iTrader: (7)

So that first in car PC, does the screen hide away when not used?

amex101

iTrader: (1)

Screen retracks when it's off or not needed.

eunos1800

Very cool.

I like the idea of that fit-PC together with a touchscreen monitor like that.
What's it like typing on a touchscreen in that position though?


Cheers
Mark

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

Soooooo, how about some info for us car pc noobs.
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kenzo42

iTrader: (6)

The only thing that turned me away from the car pc was that solid state hard drives are too expensive. Have there been any news/price drops on SS drives?

Saml01

iTrader: (9)

What do you want to know?

The most important thing really is to make sure the powersupply you get doesnt just cut power but instead signals to the computer that when the ignition is off, to hibernate. That means you have a hard line to the battery and your IGN wire signals that its time to hibernate or come out of hibernate.

Either you get a computer like artie posted, or you put together a small computer based around an ITX board, or whatever the smallest board you can get for an Atom. Throw that in a box, run the wires to the screen, and get a front end like the one in the youtube video. Id tell you the name of the application that does that, but i forgot.

You can then decide if you want to use a CF to IDE converter card and toss windows on a 8 gig compact flash drive and use a secondary 2.5 inch drive as the storage for all your stuff or just use one 2.5 inch drive or a SDD.

The likely hood of a 2.5 inch 5400rpm drive failing in your car is pretty slim, you will destroy the cars suspension before you hurt the drive.

kenzo42

iTrader: (6)

Interesting. I remember at mp3car that the moving parts in a HD exposed to extreme temps and vibrations were some of the most common reasons for a carpc crapping out.

Saml01

iTrader: (9)

If you go check out the operational tolerances for those drives you will see that they dont come close to what goes on inside a car.

UrbanSoot

iTrader: (24)

welcome to the club!

here are few notes - get ebay 7" touch screen for $100 bux. it fits perfectly in miatas dash. this pop-up lcd is nice but motors go out CONSTANTLY and you will effectively block your heater controls with it, besides it might be too far inside dash so it might not even have enough space to retract

UrbanSoot

iTrader: (24)

does anyone know which power supply fit-pc is using? if it's m2-atx or pico-atx then it would be easy to add remote to it to start up and shut down computer with ignition key

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

Just bought a 64GB G.Skill SSD for $200 on Newegg. Not that costly imo. Though at the same time I just got a WD 1TB external for $99... I don't see where a regular HDD wouldn't work. Just don't hard mount it to the chassis or anything.

kenzo42

iTrader: (6)

Do you have a link to this? I didn't see a 7" $100 touchscreen LCD when searching Egay.

Has it held up?