What should I get with $100?

**tbird2340** · 06-20-2005, 10:25 AM

I got $100 from a side job I did the other day and I'm trying to decide how to spend it.. Here are the things I'm thinking about getting:

1. XMD1000 and cable to plug into M10000 - Price = $40 for unit + $15 for cable = $55. They also have a deal going on to get a free Roady2 by mail (which then maybe I can turn around and sell for $50?). Do carputer users have any use for a Roady2?

2. ODBII - I've always wanted ODBII and think it will be cool but I also think it won't be used that much. $88

3. 1 GB PC2100 or PC2700 Memory - My carputer currently has 256 and it seems to be running slower with the more startup apps I'm adding. Around $80.

4. A better IR Receiver? - I recently purchased a generic IR receiver ($15) to interface with Frodo and my headunit's remote. I wanted to control the volume of my head unit and assign the other buttons on the remote to functions in FP. Well my IR receiver recognizes all the buttons as the same so it isn't working the way I want. Is there something that would work better then this?

5. Wireless RF Keyboard with trackball - I don't use my keyboard that often but when I do have to it's a royal PITA.. $35

Can't think of anything else...

**Scouse Monkey** · 06-20-2005, 10:31 AM

Well I could go OT and say get a b**w j*b but I reckon you should get the ODBII - it is a treat and you might use it more than you think.

I would also not get a whole 1Gb of ram. 512 should be fine.

**tbird2340** · 06-20-2005, 10:52 AM

Hmmm... I just don't want to get 512 and find out down the road I need 1gb or something...

Seeing as I only have one comport and I already have the serial IR receiver would the ODBII work on a USB to Serial cable?

**Bugbyte** · 06-20-2005, 12:25 PM

If money is tight, XM will be the gift that keeps on giving, if you follow what I mean. $55 to get in, plus $12 a month, or $120 a year. I personally think it's worth it, but you have to come up with the cash either quarterly or yearly to keep it activated.

Get:

1. 512mb of RAM. I've got that in my M10000 and it seems to be a good balance between performance and hibernation speed.
2. Better IR receiver.
3. Wireless keyboard.

You'll cross off 3 of the items on your list in one shot.

Of course, Scouse's suggestion is one for consideration...

**Wiredwrx** · 06-20-2005, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Scouse Monkey

Well I could go OT and say get a b**w j*b

I guess it's cheaper in the UK

My suggestion, Get the memory and the OBDII stuff, UNLESS you have no problem with paying monthly for XM radio. If you take what you have left over from buying the XM stuff, and out it towards XM service, you can get about 6 months worth. That aint bad, and you might get another side job sometimes, and be able to get the other stuff, and 6 more months of service.

Michael

**tbird2340** · 06-20-2005, 01:04 PM

What is a better IR receiver?

If I got XM is there software to rip the songs to mp3's? How good is the quality?

Thanks

**PatO** · 06-20-2005, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by tbird2340

4. A better IR Receiver? - I recently purchased a generic IR receiver ($15) to interface with Frodo and my headunit's remote. I wanted to control the volume of my head unit and assign the other buttons on the remote to functions in FP. Well my IR receiver recognizes all the buttons as the same so it isn't working the way I want. Is there something that would work better then this?

What kind of IR receiver is it? What kind of remote are you using? What kind of software are you using?
If it's a serial receiver, try out WinLIRC. It's obvious that your IR Receiver detects your remote (frequencies appear to be the same), it might be that the software you're using isn't up to the challenge...

**0l33l** · 06-20-2005, 06:09 PM

Wait till Frodo's skinnable OBDII project comes out, then get the OBDII. Otherwise you're gonna be distracted trying to read the gauges.

**Gobby** · 06-20-2005, 06:16 PM

There is no point getting more than 512MB RAM, you won't use most of it and hibernation will be a lot slower with any more.

**tbird2340** · 06-20-2005, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by PatO

What kind of IR receiver is it? What kind of remote are you using? What kind of software are you using?
If it's a serial receiver, try out WinLIRC. It's obvious that your IR Receiver detects your remote (frequencies appear to be the same), it might be that the software you're using isn't up to the challenge...

Just a generic serial IR receiver that I bought here. The software I'm using is Girder (the latest free version) and the remote is a Blaupunkt RC 823: