Motorized or not?

**nobb** · 07-15-2006, 03:01 PM

Hi.
Before I go and buy a LCD touchscreen, I was wondering if I should go for a motorized screen or to simple mount a 7 inch onto the dash (I have a double-DIN dash). Of course buying a simple 7 inch would be cheaper, but I am worried about it getting stolen since it will be so visible. If I were to buy the motorized screen, I am planning on mounting it to the bottom part of my double-DIN and then putting in the crappiest head unit I can find from a junkyard on the top to draw attention away. How effective do you guys think this would be at detering theives? My theory is that people walking by my car would only see a crappy headunit and a black block of plastic below it. Also, since motorized screens have moving parts, should I be worried about it being unreliable? Also, I have never installed anything into a dash before. With the single-DIN motorized unit, do I just simply slide it into a free DIN and screw it in? Do all DIN's have some sort of standard size, like a computer case?

**Nomader** · 07-15-2006, 07:21 PM

there are some good motorized units and there are some baad.. motorized units that have metal moving parts are probably better than the ones with plastic.. a motorized one is better for protection since it is quiet not obvious what it is (unless it has something like "motorized lcd tft" written up front...lol)
din sizes are the german standards.. they are standard sizes.. (only in width and hight...except for depth) installation is quiet simple but since you have not done it before with a head unit i recomend getting some help..

**buurin** · 07-17-2006, 12:18 PM

How about a retractable non-motorized. Its what I use and I like it a lot. My main reason for using it is the fact it tils left/right/up/down so you can avoid glare. And its cheaper.

http://www.digitalww.com/DWW-700H.htm

Search for the 700H and you'll find threads about it.

I always do kind of wish I had the 'wow' factor of the motorized screen but I give priority to functionality... I have to use this thing everyday, I only show it off like every couple of months.

I never had installed anything into the dash either and I had best buy do it for me for like $80. I believe they took the double din 'cage' when both the HU and LCD screw into then mounted that into the dash and added some support to the readside of the HU + LCD so that they wouldnt fall back into the dash.

I would put the LCD on top, if on the bottom it will obstruct access to the head unit when it is open and you will probably want to use the head unit for volume control

**-zip-** · 07-17-2006, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Nomader

there are some good motorized units

Where?

Yeah go with the non-motorized unit. Wish I did.

**buurin** · 07-17-2006, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by -zip-

Where?

Yeah go with the non-motorized unit. Wish I did.

Why dont you like the motorized? Just curious.

**nobb** · 07-17-2006, 10:32 PM

Actually, I plan on putting the LCD unit on the bottom. It will not obstruct my headunit since the headunit is just there to take attention away from my LCD when parked. Also, the headunit will be something I get from a junkyard and I probably wont even have it wired. However, I may rig some buttons on the headunit for use as a reset and power switch.

**buurin** · 07-18-2006, 05:47 PM

So you are getting an amp? If not you need to use your head unit.

The head unit is also useful for radio, CDs, fade/balance, etc...

**-zip-** · 07-19-2006, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by buurin

Why dont you like the motorized? Just curious.

When screen is open tons of movement it will tilt back and forth, say if you hit the brakes.

If you open or retract the screen, sometimes it will not completely close flush, or completely open. Sometimes half way, 1/4 the way etc so u have to pull it out manually. This took a year or so to crop up.

I have had broken gears

Ribbion from LCD or internal parts can scratch the LCD frame, which makes it look like crap over time.

Auto never worked from day 1. This is where you turn the car key and it automatically opens, turn key off it retracts.

No real 1Din frame, perhaps the new ones do, but the plastic frame and the metal 1 Din frame that houses the unit, I never found any that fit correctly.

I can go on..

**Nomader** · 07-19-2006, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by -zip-

When screen is open tons of movement it will tilt back and forth, say if you hit the brakes.

If you open or retract the screen, sometimes it will not completely close flush, or completely open. Sometimes half way, 1/4 the way etc so u have to pull it out manually. This took a year or so to crop up.

I have had broken gears

Ribbion from LCD or internal parts can scratch the LCD frame, which makes it look like crap over time.

Auto never worked from day 1. This is where you turn the car key and it automatically opens, turn key off it retracts.

No real 1Din frame, perhaps the new ones do, but the plastic frame and the metal 1 Din frame that houses the unit, I never found any that fit correctly.

I can go on..

which motorized is that??