any interest in car specific custom prefabbed bezels with touch screens

**Genesisfactor** · 10-22-2006, 03:36 PM

Hey, as an engineer i'm privied to many freinds who own fabrication and protoyping shops. One such friend has expressed interest in creating bezels with touchscreens in them for specific car use-- as long as their is interest (an idea i pithced). If interest is subtantial enough, his company is willing to start design work and then come up with prices and such. The purpose of this thread is to poll how much one would be willing to pay for such a service. The said service will be a "factory" looking dash install with a screen and touch panel already installed. Depending on the type of response this gets, we will determine what kinds of screens to purchase and use/size/etc. All in all, this could be the next step in easing CarPC mods- a dedicated place that will make custom bezels to your car. Just let me know in this thread. No PMs unless requested as i barely have enough space to PM and keep the messages i want.

**GoHybrid** · 10-22-2006, 03:57 PM

I think alot of people in here take pride in the notion of doing something themselves.... fabricating bezels, boxes, etc... Part of that comes from their interest in the project, but the other part i think comes from the fact that a $10 can of bondo and an $8 fiberglass kit for whatever result it generates is more attractive to many here than the thought of spending $600 for a $400 screen.

Not that i doubt your purpose. I for one would definitely be interested, but i think you might want to do a few things to help create value and generate interest:

first i would make a few parts for yourself and post pictures. Pictures speak volumes. Secondly, there is a sizeable "custom" crowd here that would be interested in all the possible finishes you can provide in addition to that typical abs texture. I guess you might just go more in depth as to what the possibilities are with your services.

that's my $.02

If you want to talk about a bezel for my corolla and accept paypal, then by all means, PM me.

**Genesisfactor** · 10-22-2006, 04:28 PM

thanks for your input. This is right now in planning. The venture will go ahead if there's a good enough interest. i am talking about pretty much a factory looking bezel done by professionals who were making 30 million parts a year for GE. The owner is a friend and can let a few workers do some cool side stuff. WHen my CPC is done, ie when i get another car, i'll use him and show off an example of the product. I guess what is being offered here is professional work for a reasonable price, screen, touchpanel, and everything in all...and assurance that you're not going to screw something up for the less artisan of the community.

Also, a custom bezel meens no gapping hole in your dash if you have to sell the car

But like i said, i'm just checking interest

. No orders yet (hence no PMs)

And we will most likely accept PP.

**GoHybrid** · 10-22-2006, 05:44 PM

well, keep me posted. I think there is an application in my car for this sort of thing.

**rotarypower101** · 10-22-2006, 06:10 PM

Not to totally side step your idea, but would it not be a more plausible idea to just make housings that fit a double din for the very limited number of screens in use.

Overhead would be minimized for how limited the sector is at the moment.

Cost could be minimized, while a very large sector would be supplied with a working screen housing….

Seems like a no brainier to me why this has not been done yet by an enterprising entrepreneur.

If I had the resources and connections to get this done I would have.

**Genesisfactor** · 10-23-2006, 11:06 AM

lol, well here is the chance to have such an avenue.

These are tthe ideas for implementation:

Since i'm probably going to be the designing engineer at the start, i was thinking of making templates for sizes from 7" to 15" screens. Also, there would be a way to contact us and actually tell us what you want for yoru screen, ie, transflective, 10.4", portrait, XVGA, with 8 wire touch, have the AC vents on top and the ac controls beneath the screen, all in a brushed aluminum or carbon fiber dash housing. That is why it will be customized. For the lilli's and xenarcs, we'll see what we can do to effect a highly vieable, yet hidden from sunlight housing. And finally, ofcourse, we have the hideaway/chamelon system, to deter theft. I'm thinking of making this standard with all 7-8" screens and the larger sized customed jobs have it as an option.

The reason for making it a full dash is so that the install looks clean and factory, as well as ensure that the fit, compatibility, and mechanics, if neccessary, are as good as they can get. It also means less work for you guys. and less chance of screw ups on your property

.

Ofcourse, i'm sure you guys can send your bezels in, which was a proposed inital idea, but i'm not sure how many people would like a 1-2 week wait (ship in, construction, test, ship back) with thier new beemer all naked like that.

I guess it could be an option for those who don't want to wait, but getting a dash is pretty easy.

Ofcourse, we can make some quick kits too...

I'll let the business men hassle and haggle over overhead, i'm just trying to see if there's enough interest for me to desgin a quality product here

**parksgm** · 10-24-2006, 03:42 AM

Originally Posted by Genesisfactor

, i was thinking of making templates for sizes from 7" to 15" screens. Also, there would be a way to contact us and actually tell us what you want for yoru screen, ie, transflective, 10.4", portrait, XVGA, with 8 wire touch, have the AC vents on top and the ac controls beneath the screen, all in a brushed aluminum or carbon fiber dash housing. That is why it will be customized. For the lilli's and xenarcs, we'll see what we can do to effect a highly vieable, yet hidden from sunlight housing. And finally, ofcourse, we have the hideaway/chamelon system, to deter theft. I'm thinking of making this standard with all 7-8" screens and the larger sized customed jobs have it as an option.

The reason for making it a full dash is so that the install looks clean and factory, as well as ensure that the fit, compatibility, and mechanics, if neccessary, are as good as they can get. It also means less work for you guys. and less chance of screw ups on your property

.

Ofcourse, i'm sure you guys can send your bezels in, which was a proposed inital idea, but i'm not sure how many people would like a 1-2 week wait (ship in, construction, test, ship back) with thier new beemer all naked like that.

I guess it could be an option for those who don't want to wait, but getting a dash is pretty easy.

Holy cow, that's ambitious. I didn't agree with GoHybrid's comment initially, but to claim to be able to produce such a complicated beast, I think people are going to want to see at least some pics.

Also, it really seems like it would be a better idea to just fab dash kits that would allow in-dash mounting of the "standard" LCDs that mp3car.com'ers use...the price of the type of service you describe sounds astronomical (by necessity).

Gregory

**strohj** · 10-24-2006, 02:04 PM

there are many threads from VW guys that have started to try and make their own bezels for sale... general consensus for cost was about $100

make something that fits in the double din for VW's and can house a xenarc or a lilliput and you are selling a bunch of them

**scott_fx** · 10-24-2006, 02:09 PM

i would consider going over to the corvetteforum and not limiting yourself to bezels for touchscreens, rather a double din opening. i've been asked 100's of times if i'd mod bezels but i just dont have the time.

**WebDog** · 10-24-2006, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by strohj

there are many threads from VW guys that have started to try and make their own bezels for sale... general consensus for cost was about $100

make something that fits in the double din for VW's and can house a xenarc or a lilliput and you are selling a bunch of them

Yea, i finaly got my working prototype in the car and am testing it.

So its not going to be long untill i get the VW bezel out...