Looking for advice regarding touchscreen VGA

**DanBourque** · 07-04-2007, 12:17 AM

Hi all,

This is my first post. I'm looking for advice on which VGA touchscreen to get for my carputer. I've read tons of threads in this forum, but I haven't noticed a clearcut winner. Is there a general concensus on the best monitor(s) available? Let's say, for the fun of it, that price isn't an issue. I just wanna see which is the best, in each form (in-dash, on-dash, in-console). I have room for a double-din unit.

I was convinced I was going to get an in-dash one, because I though it would be less attractive to would-be car thieves. Is this true? Some seem to think that it's better to get an in-console version, because car thieves wouldn't know what to do with it if they stole it (can't resell it because it's not "popular").

I do get the feeling that motorized ones tend to break down frequently, which is why I'm leaning towards the Xenarc 700IDT or 700TSV. Are there others considered superior? Does the fact that the in-console version can't be tilted matter much?

I've been scouring the internet and these forums for the ideal setup for my car. My computer is the OQO model 2, and its native resolution is 800x480. I see that the majority of touchscreens have exactly that resolution, so I'm hoping that means my display won't be distorted at all. Is this true?

Thanks in advance for any advice offered. Once I have something to show, I'll post photos.

Cheers,
-Dan.

**ironfinger** · 07-04-2007, 12:39 AM

The best readily available touchscreen is the transflective lilliput that mp3car sells.. bar none.

**turbocad6** · 07-04-2007, 01:03 AM

ah, that is far from true, the transflective lilli is a good screen for the price, but there are better screens, much better screens available when you start talking price isn't an issue. there are $3,000+ screens that make the lilli look like a toy, they are usually used in aircraft & helicopters.

also, as nice as the transflective screens are, there is still someting to be said about super bright screens of 1,000 nits & more...

**DanBourque** · 07-04-2007, 01:10 AM

Originally Posted by turbocad6

...when you start talking price isn't an issue, there are $3,000+ screens that make the lilli look like a toy...

Wow, um, Ok, maybe I do need to set an upper limit for the price.

How about >$1,000?

I really like the idea of a transflective screen; does anyone offer a transflective Xenarc? Are there plans to?

Cheers,
-Dan.

**turbocad6** · 07-04-2007, 01:31 AM

Originally Posted by DanBourque

How about >$1,000?

ok, but that WAS greater than $1,000 !!!

for the money, the lilli is one of your best bets right now really.

**DanBourque** · 07-04-2007, 01:36 AM

Originally Posted by turbocad6

ok, but that WAS greater than $1,000 !!!

D'oh!

You'd think I'd have gotten that right, since I claim to be a computer nerd. Alright, so <$1,000, please.

BTW, I've been reading your install journal; Wow! Absolutely amazing.

**ironfinger** · 07-04-2007, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by turbocad6

ah, that is far from true, the transflective lilli is a good screen for the price, but there are better screens, much better screens available when you start talking price isn't an issue. there are $3,000+ screens that make the lilli look like a toy, they are usually used in aircraft & helicopters.

also, as nice as the transflective screens are, there is still someting to be said about super bright screens of 1,000 nits & more...

that's why i said "readlily available".. also I had 7 inchers in mind..

**turbocad6** · 07-04-2007, 02:27 AM

high end screens are readily available really, & in 7"/8" too, I wouldn't of even mentioned it if it wasn't for the "bar none" thing

**DanBourque** · 07-08-2007, 02:01 AM

I'm pretty sure I want a transflective screen, so I'm down to the 7" or 8" Lilliput screens sold by MP3Car.com. It turns out that the 7" is 800x480, 16:9 (a.k.a. widescreen), which exactly matches my OQO's resolution. I really have no idea yet if this makes a difference, so I'm hoping to make my way to www.case-mod.com's store in the Bay Area and see them in action. The 8" is only 640x480, 4:3.

I'll be installing this in a 2004 VW Passat, and here's a shot of my current deck. It has a double-din, but I have zero experience with bondo, etc. Does anyone know of a Bay Area company that can help me out?

In order to get a good idea of the screen's look and size, I printed off a bunch of screenshots from my OQO to the actual sizes, and took the following pictures of me holding them in place. (it's a poor man's prototype, but hey, it works)

This next one is just to show the OQO's built-in screen size (5", 800x480, 16:9). This is way too small to be useful while driving. Incidentally, the OQO will be mounted on a vent clip to the left of the steering column, so that I'll have ready access to its built in keyboard (for zooming, shorcut keys, etc).

Next is a shot of the 8". As I mentioned before, I have no experience with installation, but even without the monitor's housing, it doesn't look like it will fit at all.

Here's with the housing...

...and here's without...

So, unless anyone knows of a trick to install an 8" 4:3 in a double-din, I think my only option is the 7".

Here it is with the housing...

...and without, which is probably closest to the end-result I'm after.

I'd love to get people's thoughts, especially if you think I'm on the wrong path, or haven't considered alternatives, etc.

I have a ton of questions regarding how to hook up the OQO's audio output (1/8" stereo jack lineout) to the car's sound system (without head unit?), but that'll be for another day.

Cheers,
-Dan.

PS: Are there other Bay Area carputer enthusiasts that would be up for a quick get together to discuss this in person? I'd be willing to meet you anywhere, and would treat you to your favorite restaurant/coffee house/whatever in exchange. I feel like I'm in way over my head. I've been in touch with a local company "CCD", but they aren't very helpful unless you buy a complete system from them, including the computer.