Should I CarPC or not?

**BobbyCreekwater** · 04-02-2007, 01:33 PM

First of, Hello and props on a damn good forum/site!

Now my dilemma, yesterday I was five minutes away from purchasing the Pioneer Pioneer AVIC-D3 for $900 to install in my 2004 Maxima, then I stumbled on a thread on another site with a guy who installed a carpc in his Max.. I had never heard about carpcs and was surprised at the results.. So now Im considering a Carpc but Im not sure if it would be worth my time. My wants include: the ability to play DVDs, keep alot of music on a HDD (The Pioneer does not have a HDD but It play mp3s stored on a DVD disc), GPS, and for my music to sound pretty much the same as it does now with my stock radio (I been doing JL and Kicker set ups since 96 and im done with it).

With my listed wants would a Carpc be as reliable as the Pio deck?
Would the audio from the PC be good if I just use the sound card that comes with the PC?

I see some people have both a Carpc and an aftermarket radio, I only want one unit in my car.

Be sure to add any other comments in order to help me in my decision.

Thanks!

**XC-C30** · 04-02-2007, 01:38 PM

Most of us will tell you to go the car-pc route... With a mini-ITX based, or an older fullsize ATX, or mATX, you'll get a long way, for probably less then the pio unit, and there's the possibility to upgrade.... I'd start reading the FAQ-emporium and the newbie section....

**rigg419** · 04-02-2007, 02:12 PM

So, you're on a forum dedicated to car pc's, so my guess is that everyone will tell you to get one, but lets look at the situation honestly.

First, the resolution on the pioneer screen is almost certainly not as good as any vga touchscreen, and with a car pc storage is virtually unlimited for storing ripped cd's, DVD's and GPS maps. Also, for $900, that Pioneer probably doesn't come with GPS which can be added to a car pc pretty easily. Basically, in terms of power and specs, any car pc should blow that pioneer out of the water, and the front end will look better than any dedicated head unit, partly because of the screen, but also because of the raw horsepower of a PC vs. a headunit. Also, this forum has some of the best skinners to be found anywhere.

Now, you have to understand that as this is still a hobby/one-off type of installation, and so this forum is going to be the only place you're likely to find help. None of your friends will have any idea how to help you and you may find that you'll have to come up with innovative solutions to unforeseen problems. Powering the pc for one can be a challenge to first time builders. If you're not into tinkering at all, and you just want something that you can install easily and never mess with it again, then the car pc might not be for you.

That said, after I got my install the way I liked it, I didn't mess with it at all for like 6 weeks cause it was working perfectly, but then all of my stuff was stolen and so there's no way real honest way for me to tell how long it would have been before I took it out of the car to change to a new front end or install a new skin or any of a hundred things I might have wanted to change. If none of that sounds appealing to you either, then again the car pc may not be the right solution.

Basically, you could say that the car pc will take longer to set-up initially, but if you don't ever want to change it after that (and you set it up right), it should be just as reliable and stable as a traditional front-end with tons more features and ability. However, if you really never want to mess with it and that's the most important thing to you, then I would say go with the pioneer, you'll be happier

**rijk** · 04-02-2007, 02:25 PM

i have a pioneer head, end have replaced the cd-changer for an i-pod. 60 Gb of music, My head is from 1998, that’s old i know but if it works with that, than it should work with all the new pioneer stuff. so that would solve your harddisk problem.
i wouldn’t say its cheaper, you could make it as expensive as you want.
and its gone take time an affort. (i have been at it for a year now, most time on the screen position)

for the cpc you need to know:
- where you put it in your car (not totally in-closed, causes heat-problem)
- where to putt your "touch" screen (a lot of cars need dash -modelling, with poly, etc)
- how big your board is (mini is easier to install, but more expensive)
- what do you want it to do
- while you keep your headhunt (if not which radio-card, mine doesn't work in ict and doesn't yet in RR).
- if you don't keep the head, you need amps.
- which powersupply are you gone use (i am happy with the m2)
- how to switch on the cpc (i have a connection to the central locking of the car, door op, cpc on, doorlocked cpc off, and a connection on the ignition see my install for a crude drawing)
- which front end are you gone us (my advise go for a free one, the get developed my enthusiastic’s and are continually being improved)

good luck with your chose

**2k1Toaster** · 04-02-2007, 02:32 PM