Free-mounted Screen outside dash - is this GHETTO?

**smellygas** · 04-02-2006, 01:18 PM

Hi, can I get your opinion on something? My car really doesn't have any room to mount a 7" screen INSIDE the dash. Do you think it would be really ghetto to mount a display on a flexible tube that extends out from the cigarette lighter adapter? This would be at the waist-level, but I would angle it upwards and towards me to face my head. This would be similar to some cigarette-lighter Ipod mounts I've seen...and the screen would basically be used for mp3's (I have a separate nav screen). Is this considered retarded-looking? Your input is appreciated!

SmellyGas

**01black_ac** · 04-02-2006, 02:14 PM

I think it's a very subjective thing... Do *you* think it would look good? Having it free-floating like that reminds me sort of the way the screens and keyboards were all jury-rigged on the ship in The Matrix. In my opinion, it can look kind of good if you like that look...

The one concern with what you're proposing, aside from the esthetics of the actual mounting, is the safety issue if you're having to look down at the screen while you're driving. You might be telling yourself right now, as you plan it, "Oh I'll just look at it when I'm stopped at a red light or stop sign" but in actuality you'll probably end up sneeking glances at it while driving, taking your eyes completely off the road. That could be not good for you, and for others on the road.

But as far as the look of it goes, if you think it will look good to you, don't worry too much about what other people will think of it.

'01

**nkotch** · 04-02-2006, 02:27 PM

Depends on what you think would look good. My car is kinda the same way, really no space to put the screen in dash, and I don't want to remove and relocate my alpine head unit. So I actually just used the bracket that came with the screen and ended up mounting it just above the head unit so in the end it almost looks like a motorized screen that has just come out of the head unit.

But put it where you want it. I agree with the above in that after a while you'll probably be happier putting it up higher where it's easier to glance at but that's just personal preference. Just make sure it's secure, not just so it doesn't move/fall while driving, but you don't want it moving all around when you use the touchscreen part.

Also, even if you mount it that way spend a little extra time/effort to try and hide any wires as that will go a long way to make it a clean look.

**01black_ac** · 04-02-2006, 02:38 PM

Yeah, the loose wires hanging out of it are all part of that jury-rigged "Matrixy" look, but another point I didn't consider before is if the screen is just float-mounted like that, out in the open, it might invite a break-in and theft, because from the outside it's going to sort of be just sitting there, waiting for someone to grab it and run...

'01

**nkotch** · 04-02-2006, 02:41 PM

Yea, that's my only concern with mine also. Though I have tinted windows so you have to be purposefully looking in to see it. So, tinting your windows, putting in as close to the dash as possible (so that it's not as obvious with it sticking out from the dash), or connecting it in a way where you can easily just remove it and put it in the trunk or take it inside will all help.

**smellygas** · 04-02-2006, 10:49 PM

Alright, cool. Thanks everyone for your input. I think I'll go ahead and mount that screen in, and if my friends give me enough crap, I might consider moving it. Unfortunately, not much I can do about the theft risk. I'll cover it up with some article of clothing when I'm parked, I guess. At some point, I'll tint down the windows. Peace.

SmellyGas

**seanz0rz** · 04-02-2006, 11:26 PM

i have mine on the screen holder that came with my xenarc. its screwed to a piece of mdf that fits into the cd holder above my deck. it works just fine. looks a little ghetto but i dont care. i just need a screen and im not going to keep the car long enough to warrant putting the screen into the dash.

when i park at school i take the screen off and throw it in the glove box. so no one knows any different. it really just looks like a ghetto cell phone holder.

**parksgm** · 04-05-2006, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by 01black_ac

But as far as the look of it goes, if you think it will look good to you, don't worry too much about what other people will think of it. '01

My sentiments exactly.

**keyvan** · 04-05-2006, 03:07 AM

Hey, I plan on doing the same exact thing in my Miata. I was going to do a clean indash installation but I think this is a better way since the miata is so easy to break into (I dont want anyone slashing the 500 dollar soft-top to get to my indash LCD).
You see your method is good for 2 reasons. 1) like the other guy mentioned you can quickly remove the screen when parking, leaving just a cell phone clip looking thing.
2) it is more space efficient (and easier to install too).

main reason why i want to do it in my miata though, aside frmo theft, is that there really isnt enough space for me to have a head unit and a screen together without removing my AC controls also. So using the malleable tube mount thing, i can push the screen up a bit to reveal my head unit controls (while covering the AC controls) and move the screen back down to cover my head unit controls (thus revealing the AC controls). this is very space efficient.

as for the asthetics, I think it would look good as long as u make sure the colors match, it doesnt stick out too much, the base isnt very obvious, the screen looks like its jsut floating rather than being suspended by a holder, and you absolutely make sure to cover the wires (route the wires thru the tube itself so its entirely concealed and looks great)

Anyway, please let me know what material you plan to use or what this tube is that you will buy because im 90% sure this is the route i'll take as well.

keyvan