In Car PC

TBirdUK

TBirdUK

TBirdUK

Soldato
Joined
9 Jul 2005
Posts
2,703
Location
High Wycombe
i am about to build an in car pc but would like to know what software people are using in theirs (if they have one).

I have heard of centrafuse, are there any others you can recommend (in particular free ones :D ) or any little progs that might be of use in a car ie does Tomtom do a pc based navigation system?
 
I am in the real early stage at the moment - I have a CPU/Mobo (on board GPU), laptop Hdd, 2GB RAM, a pico Car PSU. Also have a bluetoth adapter, a usb wireless dongle, a bt GPS (but would prefer a usb one)

Now to the hard bits - need to find a touch screen - I have a small 7inch monitor but its not touchscreen so its not really much use (although it does have anologue and dig tv!!)
 
great build log - can look at the pics at work :mad: but will do when I get home. I am still looking for a touchscreen or the way to adapt the screen I have - any cheap ideas?
 
you would have thought there was a simple piece of software to cover all - centrafuse seems to be the one of choice but its navigation software is poor and very out of date. (also I'd rather find software that costs less than £250!!)

Can you please list the software they found worked for them, and what didnt.

cheers
 
no photos yet - its in bits on my workbench. So far have got an old 7 inch screen (built in DVB, anologue tv etc - ugly but is mainly for testing etc), bought a 4 wire touchscreen (which turned out to be a widescreen on so is too small but big enough for the software I'm using).

Case I got was nice and although a tight fit all is in there. Am going through the process of testing bits and pieces - currently cant get the bluetooth to work propoerly - mainly because bluesoliel want me to purchase thier drivers!!

Am using a trial of Centrafuse - seems very nice although it is expensive so I will have to go elsewhere when the trial is over.

Webcam works well, navigation software works but need a usb gps (these are not cheap, got a bt one but that means chargers etc!!) PSU seems good but cant check this till everything is working and I am mounting in the car. Next is to test the sound and figure out how to connect the engine monitoring (which cable etc)


Eventually will mount in car and have the screen removable (not so much for security but I will want to sell the car soon and re-transplant the carpc!).

Will get some pics up soon - one thing is, I forgot I had an old laptop which I could have used so may well be able to use the screen in either car if all works well.
 
update - got a usb GPS from a competitor - £20, works fine, everything is almost ready for the time to install in the car - wish I could figure a way to use a couple of av headrest monitors but, as there is no video out on the mobo its not going to work!

Need to see if the mobo will take one of those vga/av splitters but cant find one to test!
 
fantastic, thanks for that - I am also probably going to go down the Centrafuse route but with a seperate sat nav prog (many people seem to agree that destinator isnt that good).

I will now mount the pc upright to get the 90 deg to travel and do have a 2.5 inch HDD - thanks for the advice for that.

How much was your screen? cant google search at work.
 
Installing in a BMW 520i (E39 on a V plate) - dont suppose you have any bits left - am really looking for the OBDII/sensor cable (USB) if you have one and a usb radio that can receive the traffic.
 
big_ray_t

definitely want the rs232 obdII cable - that would be cool if you could find it

Email me about the board (dont want to discuss sales outside of Members Market in this thread as I'll get banned again!!)
 
Anyone know how to connect the sound into the system on a BMW E39 Tourer with a 6 disc sony changer in the boot and a cassette deck - I have a cassette deck adapter but thought I would be able to just replace the cd changer but cant figure out how to do it??

It does have aux in on the cd changer adapter box but this isnt active without the cd changer, with a cd in it??
 
Well, seem to have lost contact with big_ray_t - if you read this - yes would like the odb2 cable and the link.

Anyway - have connected the pc to sound (test only) via the cd multichanger where I replaced the phone plugs - only way is to keep the multichanger in there with a disc which plays on a loop, thus activating the phono cable which comes from the computer.

Now looking for an ignition live in the boot for the pico PSU - have a solid +12v and a ground but cant locate an ignition only live (dont want to root it all the way from front if possible).

Things are coming together slowly - may have to buy a screen as all my attempts are, although working, are not great (I'm off to Gadget Show tomorrow s will have a good look there!!) :D:D
 
small update - Still having an issue finding an ignition live in the boot - may have to root one all the way from the steering column - what a pain!!

Did manage to pre-order an 8inch usb monitor from the gadget show - not sure if it will be any good byt at £59 (or may have been £49) I had to give it a shot.
 
Still nothing from Big_ray but have ordered an OBD2 cable (fingers crossed its the right one) from ebay.

Tried the first bit of fitting in the car - have the 12v perm live in the rear (aux heater fuse) but still cannot find an ignition live!!

All the software is now up and running, going to use garmin mobile pc as I can get this software through work quite cheap.

Still waiting on the usb screen! If I manage to sell any of the kit in my for sale thread I may buy a proper car screen, if not then I'll adapt and overcome!!
 
Forgot to mention, and cant edit from work!!

The touchscreen panel (7 inch) works extremely well and is easy to set up as long as you keep the same resolution on the screen and dont let the applications change it then its great.

The gps dongle (£20) locks in seconds and the bluetooth dongle work well too. I also used a trial of Gremote pro which turns my htc phone into a touchpad for the mouse - seems to work well, I'll hold off on buying it till I decide if its needed, but the option is there!

I'll update more as it goes, and when I get the time I'll put a few pics up (cant do that from work as all the pic hosting sites are blocked!!)
 
Big_Ray, great to hear from you again, #

Is there any chance you could email me the link to the one you bought - I am not sure I have the right one (cant link here but the number is 150436653687) as my BMW is a 2000 (V reg) with both the 20pin (under the bonnet) and the 16 pin (inside) but there are so many different ideas as to which one will work fully.

If yours will work on my car I'd still be willing to purchase it if you want to sell.

How would I get the sound into the system - I have a small amp somewhere but cant see how to add it into the system at the back as it doesnt work unless the cd is running (which I'd prefer to avoid).

I have no idea about ibus, I look forward to another challenge - but first the basics.
 
Elonex pre-order scam!!

Well, heres a turn up for the books, rang Elonex to find out when my order would come through - end of May!!! Amazing, they sold me one at the gadget show, said they had loads and to collect on the way out to save carrying it - it then turns out it was pre-order, 2 weeks wait, now end of may.

Seems to me to be a scam to get customers at the gadget show, they said that "these things happen" - very disappointed as this will hold up my car build considerably - seems they dont really value thier customers!!
 
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