in dash display
So thats what i'm looking for.... what would you suggest and where is the best deal?
no warranty on ebay though.
You can get cheaper touch screens, but the nav unit will set you back about another grand. (retail anyway)
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That is the way to go. Run tuner software, music, nav all from one thing. Snootch's install is super clean too..I thought about this a while back and the only thing I didn't like was the AC controls. That's stopped me so far. In Texas, you use those a lot so glove box isn't so good but those blasted control lines are way short.
Anyhow thats what I would do...you could spend half what one of those pop out deals costs and have more functionality and still $$$ left over for your nav software. Dont forget internet...wardrive or actually get that verizon broadband wireless...but pop a wifi card into your PCI slot and you got a internet car. Mr. $2000 nav system cant do that! Then you wouldnt need nav software, you could have google earth.
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I am seriously going to consider this route now. ...

I almost did this to my car but didnt (at the time) for a few reasons
1. Voltage input was not stable enough for a computer (setup transformer 12v to 110v)
2. Unsure how long a hard drive would last with the vibrations of day to day driving
3. Heat would be a issue, especially in the summer.
Its very custom though.
How long have you had that installed? 
I almost did this to my car but didnt (at the time) for a few reasons
1. Voltage input was not stable enough for a computer (setup transformer 12v to 110v)
2. Unsure how long a hard drive would last with the vibrations of day to day driving
3. Heat would be a issue, especially in the summer.
Its very custom though.
How long have you had that installed?
Two of the issues that I was worried about, and you just posted are not problems.1. Voltage input is regulated by the M1-ATX power supply. It's a 12VDC to +3.3, +5, +12VDC ATX power supply built for the 12v automotive environment.
2. 3.5" Desktop hard drives are actually a lot more rugged than most people would think. There are a few members on Mp3car.com that have been in accidents, and the HDD kept playing, and they still use these drives today. The drives need to be mounted firmly to the car, on a vertical plane facing the front/rear of the vehicle. I have had no problems whatsoever with mine.
3. This is where I am having occasional problems. It seems that when the car is sitting in the hot FL. sun for 6+ hours, the interior temp goes past 100 dehrees or so. The dash cavity where the equipment is installed gets even hotter. Sometimes when the car has been sitting in the sun for a while, when I startup the car, the system won't boot. I just keep getting the BIOS splash screen. All I have to do is wait a little while, and cool the interior off, then it will boot. I'm going to work on a better cooling solution that will ensure the system boots every time.
Last edited by Snootch; Oct 24, 2005 at 06:07 AM.
Now if we can just get a computer that boots instantly..like a pocket pc. Virtually no heat, instant boot and low power & voltage consumption. The only problem is the lack of space compared to your 250gig drive.


