Custom touchpad?

**3onDubs** · 10-27-2005, 02:18 PM

Ok, so the trackball idea was great, but I think i have a better one if this is even possible...

...is there a way to install custom touchpad in your car like the ones that come on laptops? It would be perfect if you can do a stealth install on the center console. There would be nothing protruding and you can double click by just tapping it.

Another option would be to install it on your shifter (if you have automatic with the shifter in the center console rather than the steering wheel shaft) if you can have it take that shape and just cut off the top of the shifter and wrap it around it....like a semi-circular touchpad.

Is any of this possible, or am I way out of my league?

**mushin** · 10-27-2005, 02:28 PM

Integrating a stealth touchpad into your console is certainly possible. Rip a touchpad out of its bezel and work it flush into your console, and then paint the whole thing. The touchpad should work fine through a coat of paint. The biggest issue would probably making an approprietly flat area on the console for the touchpad to fit into.

**turbocad6** · 10-27-2005, 02:39 PM

the touchpad is capacative, not resistive...that's why it only works with a finger & not a stylus.... a coat of paint will probably kill it.... the actual touch surface should be unpainted.... I never actually tested this to confirm, but I'm relatively sure it won't work painted

**arebelspy** · 10-27-2005, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by turbocad6

the touchpad is capacative, not resistive...that's why it only works with a finger & not a stylus.... a coat of paint will probably kill it.... the actual touch surface should be unpainted.... I never actually tested this to confirm, but I'm relatively sure it won't work painted

You're saying a thin layer of paint can't conduct any electricity?

-arebelspy

**turbocad6** · 10-27-2005, 02:52 PM

don't know for sure but would think not....

**3onDubs** · 10-27-2005, 02:53 PM

the color of the touchpad is probably fine (i like the way they look), but making it look oem in the center armrest is the hard part....i was just going over a post where someone built a touchpad into an alumiunum plate, but I was thinking of maybe putting this plate underneath the arm rest, cutting a hole in the arm rest and maybe putting a plastic trim piece around the hole so that it doesnt look cut and attaching the aluminum piece with integrated touchpad to the under side.....

I found this link...I think this would be perfect, but its expensive...

http://interlinkstore.com/store/stor...nCategoryID=44

**turbocad6** · 10-27-2005, 02:55 PM

just by a cirque.... around 40 or so... will include everthing you need obviously.. touchpad, controllewr & interface, weather serial or usb...

**turbocad6** · 10-27-2005, 02:57 PM

I do know that sometimes my fingers are too dry or dirty & it affects the use of a touchpad.... I think painting it, no matter how thin of a coat would be bad...

**arebelspy** · 10-27-2005, 02:59 PM

Yup, cirque looks to be the way to go. http://www.cirque.com/products/products_desktop.htm

Priced $34 to $75, USB or PS/2.

EDIT: eBay link (may or may not be cheaper than their online store): http://search.stores.ebay.com/search...&fsop=3&fsoo=1

-arebelspy

**3onDubs** · 10-27-2005, 04:59 PM

Yeah, the cirque looks like nice, sturdy, and cheap alternative....but this one is just too interesting....

http://interlinkstore.com/store/stor...productID=8379

...it is a mini touchpad, the size of a quarter that you can put on the tip of your shift nob...or even better...on your steering wheel (you can use the strip for that, they have different sizes)