Courtesy Forum Check Before Placing Order

[TonyBerry]

I've been scouring the forums for months getting ideas on the best route to go for my carputer. I intend to use this system for GPS navigation and music/video. I could almost get away with a Pioneer AVIC-N2, but where's the fun in that? Besides, from what I've heard, I'm better off with the AVIC-N1 anyway. But what about the AVIC-Z1? I digress...

My shopping cart at mp3car.com is packed full of, what I believe, to be the necessary parts of a good carputer. They are: Lilliput 8" LCD, M2-ATX Power Supply, Panasonic DVD/CD Slot Load Drive, BU-303 GPS Puck, and ElmScan 5. I haven't spec'd out the actual PC yet, but that's not a significant task, so I won't bother asking about it here.

Are there any obvious flaws to my hardware? Is the BU-303 a good GPS or should I look elsewhere? Is the ElmScan 5 a good OBD-II scanner or is there a better choice? Does the Lilliput 8" fit in a Ford pickup DIN (I assume double DIN) opening? What mounting kit/brand should I use to finish off the install? I'll probably end up buying an apt model of Ford radio from the junkyard to use as a "frame" for my carputer. I intend to make it fit in the supplied opening.

Thanks for any suggestions and hints!

[icecore]

As for the GPS, look on ebay, holux usb gps run for about $40something and work great.

If it is a double din, an 8" won't fit. Look in the lcd section, there are stickies with the exact measurements of the 8" lilli. I wanted to go 8" first, but found out it doesn't fit in a double din.

The mp3car.com store has ultrafast shipping, and great costumer support...some stuff is just a little pricy..keep that in mind.

[Osiris]

I dont have any personal expereince with the BU-303 but it is used by many people on mp3car so just run a search on it and read what you come up with. Same with the other stuff. About the 8" screen fitting in a double din sized dash location, unless its some odd type of dash I doubt the 8" will fit. DIN spec is 7" across if i remember correctly. Once again I advise to search here and Google. Not tring to be an @ss by telling you to search but it sounds like you have a good mental start on what you want and unlike typical stereo install, problems become alot more individual specific with a CarPC.

Good luck.

[TonyBerry]

Good responses. Very much what I was looking for. Both responses only addressed the GPS and DIN issue. Anyone else have input on the other issues? Does anyone hook to OBD-II? What about USB FM Tuner?

As far as using seach... I did. I have been using forums long enough to not fall into the "search before asking n00b" trap. I tried several searches in addition to just reading. I never found a clear-cut answer for DIN sizing. Most people are using a 7" wide aspect LCD which should be damn near as wide as a 4:3 aspect 8". I know the 7" 16:9 fits in a double DIN, hence the assumption the 8" 4:3 would. Obviously not.

I searched for "ElmScan" and got nothing relevant except this thread and this thread. Most of the threads deal with OBD software, application, and protocol issues... not much on hardware.

I searched for "FM Tuner" and the most relevant was this thread, but it seems a little lacking in detail and reviews. Does it work or not?

Now the search for "BU 303 GPS" was pretty slim. For the most part, one thread, which is a thread just like this one asking about components.

I am doing the searching, and reading, I just need better search criteria I guess.

[tj!2k4]

Sometimes site searches using Google yield better results as well as more flexibility in the use of search terminology.