I know Kon has done this and I am seriously considering it. has anyone else got a carputer? what are the results like? I was thinking of replacing the stock audio unit with a double DIN touch screen.

any suggestions? pictures? or even warranty concerns?

essentially Im after a GPS/CD/OBD2/MP3/RADIO/Bluetooth functionality on the cheap (under $1k) with a stock look.

I had a carputer in my Evo for around 2.5 years and never missed a beat.
I would say get a screen that is also a head unit, i.e. you can control the volume via a knob, etc. Depending on what front end you use sometimes the volume can be a bit buggy.

When you have a carputer, the possibilities are endless really in terms of GPS, iPOD, bluetooth, etc. I had a 7" flipout single DIN (on the Evo - as I had 3 Ralliart gauges on the other DIN) and the carputer running win XP.

If you can build a comp yourself and can do the wiring yourself then the comp itself should be around $300 then the screen is the most expensive part anywhere around $300-$1000.

You ca also buy 2DIN units ready to go, but these are often underpowered and are basically un-upgradeable.

sweet, I have no problem building the pc. I was thinking of getting a Micro-ITX mobo of ebay or something, already have hard drives sitting around.. I also know that theres that CAT10 product so the steering wheel controls can still be used. I also have no problem with getting computers to work. wiring the car however will be new territory.

any suggestions as for the head unit/screen? which one did you use?

Ive been looking around and all I can find are DVD players or really expensive integrated/underpowered carputers as you said.

thanks for the help

Hey mate

yeah a micro itx is good.

head over to http://www.mp3car.com as they have alot of resources there to help you along. I built mine nearly 3 years ago now so im prob not up to date with the latest. Def spend the money to get a DC-DC power supply(board) from mp3car.com. It has intelligence which is worth it.

I had a lilliput screen, but if I had to build another one, I would spend money on a Xenarc. I would buy this one http://www.xenarc.com/product/MDT-X7000.html

But this screen would not be suited to the 380 as it would leave a spare DIN

I saw a Pioneer Double Din, GPS, BT, Ipod, USB, CD at an Autobarn for 700. Cant remember the model though, Kills mine for features though, and can intergate with the steering wheel controls with a PAC.

This is mine..

Jusy imagine a screen 3/4 the size with a GPS.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/StereoSide.jpg

I saw a Pioneer Double Din, GPS, BT, Ipod, USB, CD at an Autobarn for 700. Cant remember the model though, Kills mine for features though, and can intergate with the steering wheel controls with a PAC.

sweet as, I have somewhat given up on the carputer project for the moment, will probably do it if I find a spare $1.5K lying around.. which I highly doubt. I looked up the pioneer head unit it retails around the same price. thanks for the picture BTW, it looks like a double din screen will fit in really well which means no fibreglassing :D.
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@PSI70Y thanks for recommending the site- its been very useful
if I do get a screen it'll be this one: http://store.mp3car.com/Preassembled_Black_Double_Din_LCD_Frame_with_7_Li_ p/mon-067.htm
Ive also looked into the power supplies on micro-box and there are some pretty good options..

That screen is what I'd be going for if I was building another Car PC where I needed to add a screen, much easier than stuffing around trying to custom make something like I did in my previous setup.

As for power supplies I used an M2-ATX in my setup and it was brilliant, never left me with a dead battery, easily powered a low-power system with an 3.5" HDD and even had the juice to power the Lilliput 701 display as well!!

I have a carpc,
I have the same screen as you linked at mp3car - Note at least in my verada it does not fit properly, is about 3 mm too tall, will probably fit with some sanding (see pics).
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/bryce00723/carpc/DSC_0924.jpg

Car pc is great, have managed to install my latest one under the stock tray under the passenger seat. For about $700 excluding amps & speakers.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/bryce00723/carpc/DSC_0330.jpg

One thing though, bluetooth phone support sucks for carpc's, as yet i believe there is no cheap solution to stop echo being picked up by the microphone during calls. I believe centrafuse hope to fix this issue sometime this year.

Hey mate how do you find the SpaceNavigator? I thinking of buying one of those for the CarPC I'm going to install in my Ford.

Hey mate how do you find the SpaceNavigator? I thinking of buying one of those for the CarPC I'm going to install in my Ford.

SpaceNavigator is great. It was difficult to configure due to deadzones etc but once you've got it set right you can do so many functions without taking your eyes off the road.

I had many problems with mine when I was running it off a powered usb hub, often it would not come out of standby properly or cause bsods on startup. However, since connecting it directly to the motherboard all these problems have gone away. Could have just been my old carpc though...

Yeah I did a fair bit of messing around with devices and USB hubs in my previous setup, fortunately there were two USB headers on the miniITX board I could use.

I used a Griffin Powermate in my last two cars and it was brilliant, so handy to have a physical control for play/pause/tracks/volume that falls to hand, the SpaceNav will be a nice upgrade on that :D

I have a carpc,
I have the same screen as you linked at mp3car - Note at least in my verada it does not fit properly, is about 3 mm too tall, will probably fit with some sanding (see pics).
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/bryce00723/carpc/DSC_0924.jpg

Car pc is great, have managed to install my latest one under the stock tray under the passenger seat. For about $700 excluding amps & speakers.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/bryce00723/carpc/DSC_0330.jpg

One thing though, bluetooth phone support sucks for carpc's, as yet i believe there is no cheap solution to stop echo being picked up by the microphone during calls. I believe centrafuse hope to fix this issue sometime this year.

I just picked up this screen as well. Fits neat after sanding.

PS - I used to see this verada at uni in the carpark all the time, was wondering if you were a member or not.