What's the point to this carputer thing anyway...?

**HiJackZX1** · 01-29-2010, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by blk02si

This topic gets beat to death every year it seams, and the final conclusion is that yes phones are great, but they are still hand held devices that cannot match the capability of the PC. My point here is I have an iPhone, and yes it's spectacular, but I would never replace my CarPC with it. It cannot hold 500Gb of media, it's not designed to be operated while driving, and it cannot run my audio system with the clarity and power I require. The PC however, can, provided it is built properly to with stand the automotive environment.

So the point of this carputer thing (for me anyways) is to have a custom built system head, that is permanently installed in my vehicle, requiring little to no maintenance. It can provide hours of entertainment, tune local radio, navigate and push my amps, and does not require internet or monthly subscription fees to make it work.

This is by all means just my point of view, but I've said it before and i'll say it again, a cell phone just cannot replace a custom built embedded system. If it could Ford, Chrysler, GM, Toyota, etc would all be selling their cars without nav units and with a cell phone holder.

I agree with you on most of your views. Only ones I disagree on is the paid subscription thing. I pay $9.99 for XM (I love sat radio and although I was against the Sirius XM merger, I like it because all my favorite DJs are now on XM). I also am heavy into internet radio, and since I do not like to tether my phone, I have a dedicated card. Only runs me $39.99 with no contract and truly unlimited bandwith.

**ARN1382** · 01-30-2010, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by ZX1Cruizer

Technically Win 7 would be the doom edition, because Microsoft seems to try to change its OSes every 4 years.

You were drunk when you decided to write this werent you?

Haha!
No comments, hangover

**HiJackZX1** · 01-30-2010, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by ARN1382

Haha!
No comments, hangover

LOL..... If you have a pharmacy they have pills called Chaser 5000. Its supposed to keep you from having a hangover. I never used it since I dont like to drink.

Anyways, People say my car is doom weapon. They think when i turn the key its going to blow up. I always tell them, well make sure your at least within the 20 mile radius so it can kill you too.

**upspace** · 02-01-2010, 02:46 AM

The Car PC business will die except for some hobby enthusiasts.

Four years ago I was seeing a market and not only a niche for it but hardware vendors and shops like mp3car.com have not brought it forward since 2005. Still the same problems with software integration, boot times, car electricity, too many USB add-ons to get basic setup etc.

Now that we have Apple's tablet (Microsoft soon to follow), Archos Android and even Smartphones, there will be no market for (mass) Car PCs. The mass will either go with (expensive) OEM installations or tablets/smartphones.

Bye bye Car PC - you had your chance for a couple of years...

**blk02si** · 02-01-2010, 07:34 AM

My carPC today is much better than the carPC I was using 5 years ago. Much faster, more efficient, SSD disks, not to mention how much LCD technology and LED back lighting have come.

Posted by upspace:"Still the same problems with software integration, boot times, car electricity, too many USB add-ons to get basic setup etc."

I don't have a problem with any of these, and judging from the poll at the beginning of the thread, neither do most people. I think your opinion is based upon your success thus far with carPC's.

**upspace** · 02-01-2010, 08:26 AM

how much money (and time) did you spend. not for the masses but a very small community for whom it is fun.

i am getting older and less time due to job and kids, so i need a solution that works. of course my personal experience.

and what about your navigation solution? still that 5 year old maps and software with no traffic updates, lane assistant, speedcams ...

**HiJackZX1** · 02-01-2010, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by upspace

The Car PC business will die except for some hobby enthusiasts.

Four years ago I was seeing a market and not only a niche for it but hardware vendors and shops like mp3car.com have not brought it forward since 2005. Still the same problems with software integration, boot times, car electricity, too many USB add-ons to get basic setup etc.

Now that we have Apple's tablet (Microsoft soon to follow), Archos Android and even Smartphones, there will be no market for (mass) Car PCs. The mass will either go with (expensive) OEM installations or tablets/smartphones.

Bye bye Car PC - you had your chance for a couple of years...

All those pads will have the same issues with not enough USB add on, powering (it takes power to power add on devices) and what not. I don't see the Car PC market dying until tablets and OEM manufacturers can offer a system that is massively upgradeable.

**ARN1382** · 02-01-2010, 03:28 PM

Car PC is a hobbyist niche.
Some get old and leave the ground, but new soldiers will be born every day, and every day more people feels involved with computers and technology, some years ago social networking was only for geeks, today facebook and other platforms have taken it to the masses.

The same thing might happen to carpc if not, it will at least keep the same strenght.

**HiJackZX1** · 02-01-2010, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by upspace

how much money (and time) did you spend. not for the masses but a very small community for whom it is fun.

i am getting older and less time due to job and kids, so i need a solution that works. of course my personal experience.

and what about your navigation solution? still that 5 year old maps and software with no traffic updates, lane assistant, speedcams ...

Why does it always come back to money? It has nothing to do with that and everything to do with research and planning. Well I have a family too, and I feel older then most people on this forum (health issues) and i still find time for this hobby, no questions asked. Its very easy to say, oh I have a family so I cant do this, just because it didn't work out for you.

Now if you talking about Destinator, then I will say thats an issue with Flux and Intrisync. We as users (thanx to the Australian users) have found out we can update our maps. Just download Destinator 9 (trial version) for WinMo and put the maps into the CF folder. So sorryyyyyy that retarded excuse isn't going to work either. I have been running 2009 Q3 maps and I am happy. Yes I wish the whole engine was upgraded, but Destinator is focusing on mobile phones. Also Flux made it easy to embed other solutions. All the traffic updates and speedcams can be done via plugin. So your points are 100% pointless.... Thank you have a nice day.

PS: On the Destinator 9 maps, they work perfectly with CF except POIs being out of wack. There is a program in the Centrafuse program folder that tells you the correct assignment and you have to edit a file. Takes a few seconds to do. Now i do not know what happens when the 14 day trial runs out, but I think its only for the Destinator 9 software. So that being said this looks like it may be a free map update. If a CF user wants to try he can install the maps then maybe set his clock 14 days ahead? Here is the post that explains the POI stuff: http://forums.fluxmedia.net/centrafu...-gps-maps.html

**peewee3ie** · 06-13-2010, 04:59 PM

Hi all,

I would have to agree with car-pc is the way go. I have had mine installed nerly a year and had diffrent problems with it but it did not stop me from going back and trying to fix it. I have the iphone 32s and I find trying to chang the play list or using it as a satnav crap. I missed the me carpc so much that I have hacked up a laptop to do it now as I have the car charger for it and it also has a battery that can keep it running when I run in to a shop or fill the car at a petrol station. I can put the laptop to sleep and it will last a 24 hours and at the same time keeping my gps recever powered.

The software is easy to mod and I can write my own or some of us can write plugins for what out there and other can add it on as well but, that only if we help each other.

The carpc world will not die easy it will be like the ham radio it stays alive but in small way.