Android or PC? (05 STi)

**Rajinn** · 08-16-2011, 03:54 PM

Alright I can't choose between a car PC, or trying to get away with using a fast android phone.

I have an 05 STi with automatic climate control so none of the prebuilts in the shop will fit except the ipad dock which I'm not interested in.

I was hoping to not have to do any molding (or cutting)

The stock headunit's front is 170mm x 95mm, so its on the tiny side, but I only need screen space there as I plan to have all inputs routed to the console.

My phone I can connect to the PC to regain some lost functionality of using a PC (such as GPS, mobile internet, accelerometers) but why spend the money on a PC if the phone can do it all already??

My real problem is I want to be able to have GPS/Music/OBD-II software running at any time, and I can't have my GPS on screen on an Android and be able to switch songs without fiddling with it a lot.

Any suggestions?

ps: I haven't bought the phone yet, was waiting on a new phone to hit AT&T that doesn't have as many bugs as the Atrix. May hold out for the Nexus Prime, but such a long wait! I'd like to do it sooner rather than later as my A/C evaporator needs replaced - wanna do it while the dash is already out

**neverrain** · 08-17-2011, 01:02 PM

Honestly, based on your wants, a CarPC is probably your best bet. Plus it is installed in the car as oppose to mounted somewhere.

What OBD-II functions are you looking for? And what Android software provides them? Since you would need your USB slot in your phone connected to your OBD-II port to do this, you would be able to do much aside from that on the phone at one time. Also keep in mind that phones have much less available memory and processing that a dedicated computer. Either way, good luck from a WRX owner.

**Rajinn** · 08-18-2011, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by neverrain

Honestly, based on your wants, a CarPC is probably your best bet. Plus it is installed in the car as oppose to mounted somewhere.

What OBD-II functions are you looking for? And what Android software provides them? Since you would need your USB slot in your phone connected to your OBD-II port to do this, you would be able to do much aside from that on the phone at one time. Also keep in mind that phones have much less available memory and processing that a dedicated computer. Either way, good luck from a WRX owner.

The ODB-II would be connected via Bluetooth so the port wouldn't be taken up - also what do you mean by not be able to do much? I could only do 1 thing at a time anyways as a phone doesn't allow true multitasking, but I'm lost by this statement.

There's a couple different apps that manage ODB-II functions, haven't decided which I'll settle with. I like the look of dynolicious for the iPhone but I hate iPhones haha. Torque or ADyno etc, I'd like to have rev/speed/horsepower/mpg/g-meter/GPS navigation/music. If possible I'd like to keep track of gforce/speed by GPS location like ADyno's aHDLapRecorder does, mostly for novelty tbh XD

I would really prefer a CarPC, but I don't feel like dealing with the extra troubles / expenses if I can get away without!

New phones are pretty fast, I'm not worried about playing Crysis and I'm fairly certain that any budget phone can keep up with a GPS app or music fairly easy so speed isn't an issue.

**neverrain** · 08-24-2011, 06:14 PM

Sounds like you have already answered your main question then. At this point, it will essentially be whether or not you want to fumble around to change tracks while viewing ODB stuff. Granted that Centrafuse would likely make that process easier, it's really up to you as to whether you want to spend the money for it. That's a question only you can really answer.