7" LCD w/ VGA output

**kecclest** · 09-03-2007, 01:50 PM

Does anybody know where I can find one without touchscreen? I'm on a tight budget and if I could save by not going with the touchscreen capability, that would be ideal. The only one I have been able to find is the Innovatek IN-007VG. It would be cool if I had more options.

**mgithens** · 09-03-2007, 06:03 PM

cheaper than $190?? that's the ebay price right now for the noname brands... you need to add the cost of what you intend to control the system with... skimping on the touchscreen is truly not the place to save money...

what type of control are you intending to use?? trackball won't work because the simple bumps on the road will constantly be moving it, thus causing the video control overlay to keep reappearing... you'll spend $25 on a touchpad...

this is the voice of experience, any other control is quite the uphill battle... all the front ends are based on touchscreen, so you'll need to know how to program if you want the "all together" look that the frontends offer

**DarquePervert** · 09-03-2007, 07:12 PM

Xenarc has models without a touchscreen.
http://www.xenarcdirect.com

Oh, and no screen has a VGA output. It's a VGA input.

**mgithens** · 09-03-2007, 07:17 PM

he's going for cheap, a Xenarc is out of the question... my other recommendation is to buy used... but skimping now just means having to spend that money again to correct the problem...

I think I have spent about $2000 over the last three years.. today I could build a system for well under $1000... that money is my "lessons"...

**kecclest** · 09-04-2007, 08:03 AM

Yes, I meant VGA input... sorry.

I bought a used Lilliput w/o touchscreen on ebay yesterday for cheap... thanks to the price, I will now be able to afford the rest of the components I need (SpaceNavigator, DVD drive, USB stuff, misc cables, and lots of epoxy). Also, if I deem it necessary, I can track down a touchscreen and hook it up.

I'm building my system for under $400 thanks to my generous donation of my desktop PC.

**mgithens** · 09-04-2007, 09:33 AM

are there front ends that use the Navigator??

it is an intriguing device, but unless there is an iDrive-like front end solution, then I think you are fighting an uphill battle...

**kecclest** · 09-04-2007, 12:54 PM

I think to start, I'm not even going to bother with a front end... yeah they look nice, but without it, all I need to do is create shortcuts on the desktop and I'll never have to worry about compatibility issues with the front end and the software I use... plus, I think I'll use the carpc alot as a digital dash more than to see album art for albums I already own.

**mgithens** · 09-04-2007, 02:22 PM

I started in that general direction, but now I use XM, mp3, movies, gps... the interface is probably the most important part, in my opinion, because it ties the whole thing together... it is like crown molding in your house - not absolutely necessary, but the difference is that extra element that puts it over the top

you could easily strip down a front end and get it to do exactly like you want... your application choices will start of wild and will (over time) narrow down to just a few select... I rarely fire up Netstumbler, but it was fun for a while... navigation was a big hurdle for me, I just couldn't seem to get satisfied, but the latest version of iGuidance is pretty much perfect for me. the biggest issue that I can forsee when not using a frontend is that closing an application is "dangerous" when driving... it is exceptionally hard to hit the x in the upper right...

I just recently picked up the new PS3 keyboard, it is wireless and can be stowed away... I was using the PS2 keyboard, which was wired... makes it easier for doing many functions... renaming a folder/file, etc... especially at first you are going to need a mouse/keyboard to get it setup...

**kecclest** · 09-04-2007, 10:23 PM

I'm gonna set it all up on my desktop and get familiar with everything. Perhaps I'll write some macros to make it easier to close apps. Dunno if I'll ever really get into GPS, sometimes its fun to get lost... especially if you have a computer full of music and other entertainment keeping you company. Maybe one day I'll get satellite radio, but I can't remember the last time I listened to radio in my car. I hope that I will find tons of new goodies to put into this, but for now with my budget, what I have is all I can afford. College is expensive.