Basic all in one for $250 on Ebay! Has carputing been rendered obsolete? 7" tft 806

**BMW DZYN** · 10-13-2008, 01:02 AM

Hello gents,

So here is my delema..."to build or not to build?" Ive been studying this forum for many years. Almost got brave and started buying my parts back in 05..but then I started law school. The 3 year process kinda forced me to put a few projects on hold. Well, I am happy to say that I have passed the Florida Bar and now have some free time to continue with my favorite hobby...my car.

So obviously, I wanted to put the baddest carputer I could build in my 330ci BMW...gps, dvd, internet, blue tooth, vista, fm, xm, power timer, and the steering-wheel control chip (forgot the name, have it in my favorites somewhere). Im a novice tech geek so, it took me a while to learn all the ins and outs about skins, and all the sweet perks. BUT NOW, Im checking on ebay and I see this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/806-7...mZ290266925234
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/7-TFT...mZ170270729720
On the right auction day, you could pic up a unit for 250-350 shipped to your house. This makes me wonder if I should even start my project.

Heres where I want your input and help. Has anyone had any experiance with this or something like it? What funcions am I giving up? Can it be controlled with the steering wheel? Can it be skinned? Sound quality? Anything and everything you guys want to talk about. Im trying to make an informed decision...price vs utility...so IM all ears.

**Woofnstuff** · 10-13-2008, 04:29 AM

LOL
HD DVD there is a format thats going to bring in the buyers

no info on what the gps format is either, so in a year when the roads change ???

and to be honest, you probably cant do **** with it and its got a UI designed by a 5 year old, pretty but horrid to navigate.

also no mention of the screen resolution.

hell for the price.. its a bargain if it works i guess

i prefer to set it up how i like

**koolmoedee** · 10-13-2008, 05:18 AM

Hell it looks pretty good but...

its not a pc and personally, thats the reason i went ahead with my carpc project.

it has alot but it doesnt have the ability to be upgraded
its just a fancy headunit but if you dont have a lot of time or a big budget
then this would be ideal

**DarquePervert** · 10-13-2008, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by BMW DZYN

Heres where I want your input and help. Has anyone had any experiance with this or something like it?

No. These things are fresh out of Chinese manufacturers, I'm certain.

What funcions am I giving up?

Upgradability
Custom appearance
Control of mechanical devices
Mobile internet access
Reliable manufacture
Blu-Ray compatibility (the dominant format)

Can it be controlled with the steering wheel?

I doubt it, but it's not beyond the realm of possibility.

Can it be skinned?

You got access to the internal software to revamp the graphical interface?
I didn't think so, so no.

Sound quality?

Unknown, but I'd guess average, at best.

Anything and everything you guys want to talk about. Im trying to make an informed decision...price vs utility...so IM all ears.

I snipped it from your quote, but you said you're a novice geek.
If you choose one of these, you're not going to gain any more geek cred, and you are likely to lose your membership card, as geeks know to avoid some first-gen electronics product fresh out of the Chinese factories.

**Sonicxtacy02** · 10-13-2008, 07:49 AM

buy it.. and if its totally crap send me the case and i'll make good use of it lol

**Enforcer** · 10-13-2008, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

. . . . . . as geeks know to avoid some first-gen electronics product fresh out of the Chinese factories.

That's right, never go out with the oldest Chinese sister.

**Bugbyte** · 10-13-2008, 08:08 AM

It is a 400mhz CPU running Windows CE and 64mb of memory. How well do YOU think it works?

Aside from the pathetic speed of the processor, which might be less of a concern if it was running Linux, the max memory it can hold is 4 gig. That doesn't hold very many songs and I can't imagine how crappy the GPS must be. The picture they show is a Google map image. Does that mean that you have to use your phone to get the map over the air? Because I can't imagine the maps are floating around in that massive 64mb of memory.

**Enforcer** · 10-13-2008, 08:41 AM

Is it just me that thinks the display looks similar to the original MediaCar skin?

**Punky** · 10-13-2008, 01:05 PM

Depends on what you really are into, for most average people that'll be sufficient.
Definitely not a project by any means. As for quality, it'll only be ...ok.