2009 Altima Dash Mount Android Tablet PC

!!ATTENTION!!
This is a monstrous thread. It's some good readin' but if you just want to jump to the good stuff check these links:

• Double Din Kit mod
• Audio Components
• Finalized mount
• Cameras

------------------

I am starting this new thread which will detail my new CarPC project in my new car. My previous project worklog detailed how I was building a PC in my 2005 altima center console. It was a lot of custom cutting and hacking. Unfortunately it was not completed due to my car accident.

In this new project I will be modifying my 2009 Altima dash to mount an Android Tablet PC..I'm still undecided whether it will be 7" or 10" tablet but either way the mount should be universal.

I plan on installing the double din dash kit. Then I will "fill" the double din space with an acrylic wall..perhaps modifying something like this to the dash kit: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/90...tl=g42c355s913

I am thinking about modifying this bicycle Tablet PC mount so that it will attach to the Acrylic wall. The reason I want to use an acrylic backing vs black is because I think it will be cool to have some LED lighting inside of my dash. The LED backlight will be visible and provide a cool effect at night.

The tablet PC will be connected to a floor amp w/ remote control which will replace the stock radio... I will look into bluetooth connectivity from the tablet to the amp for audio.

Here is my stock dash...stay tuned for more.

The attached image is a photoshop'd preview of how the tablet will look mounted. Nevermind that cable you see in the photo..Any necessary cabling will actually be fed from the back of the dash.

What I miss from my other Altima is the top dash compartment. I was going to use that for mounting my 4 way split monitor for side and rear view cameras. I now have to figure something else out.

Audio:

I will be integrating bluetooth A2DP connectivity to my amp for the tablet. I will also be integrating Handsfree profile connectivity to my amp for using my smartphone. These integrations will enable for the music and voice to stream through my car audio system.

Internet:

The tablet has Wifi capability so I will be able to use the Wifi hotspot feature from my new smartphone..I get my free upgrade soon :)

Ultimate Portability:

I am choosing this solution for my CarPC because it is most portable. When I need to take it out of the car, I can (no different than headunits with removable faces). Plus I have mobile computing at my fingertips when traveling or going to the lake, etc.

OBDII:

There are apps on the Andriod market for ODBII that fit my needs. I still have my PLX Kiwi Bluetooth OBDII device but I think I will upgrade to something else. I don't like having to manually power on the PLX each time. It would be nice for the OBDII connectivity to be ready as the car is started.

Cameras:

If you had a look at my previous project I had a backup camera installed but had it wired to be always be on not just when in reverse. I had a 7" mirror/monitor that replaced my regular rearview mirror. I had planned on replacing that solution with a 4 way split monitor in Dash...but then my car got totaled. My new car does not have the dash compartment that I need for that so now I have to design a different solution or...go back to the rearview monitor which worked fine for what it is. It's just that it would be nice if I could find one that is LED backlit or transflective..have fun finding one..

This time I will be mounting the camera on the roof rather that the license plate. I think that will help minimize the halo effect from car headlights at night. If I can figure out a good solution for adding the 4 way split monitor then I would like to add two more cameras, one for each side mirror.

Awesome! I found a 10" LCD mirror that will solve my challenge regarding the split view monitor. It's not LED backlit or transflective but I have yet to find any out there like that.

So unless I find a better one that is at least LED backlit (doubt it) then I plan on getting this mirror for my rear view and side view camera inputs.

The first stage to the project in my new car will be the 3 way split rear view mirror and 2 side view cameras. I'm moving this week so I won't be able to get it installed until after I'm all settled from the move.

As I mentioned before I will be mounting the rear view camera on the roof instead of the license plate this time. I am still undecided what position the side view cameras will be. I will not be removing the side mirrors so I will need to find out how they will be mounted cosmetically.

I received my backup camera and 10" LCD Mirror. I actually have three cameras. One will be mounted on the roof facing the rear and two will be for the side views. The only thing is that the cameras were a little larger than expected. I should be able to still make it work with a lil modification.

The cameras are adjustable. I may talk with some shops to see what they may suggest or what creative ideas they may have for the side view mirrors. I have seen online where some people have removed their side view mirrors altogether and replaced with cameras. While that's a cool idea I think it looks too awkward to me. If anything I would rather modify the existing mirror by mounting the camera inside of it somehow.

I came across two posts on gottabemobile.com. This one guy made a custom iPad mount for his Ford F150..simply awesome. This other post displayed a custom mount for the Xoom..Nice mount also. Basically these two posts are what I am planning for my tablet car mount. I am trying to decide whether I want to go with a 10" or 7" tablet..10" is nice but I have to take in consideration where my a/c vents are located. I don't want to obstruct the a/c and I want the mount to look as factory as possible.

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/03...rd-f150-truck/
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/03...nt-for-tablet/

I got some of my goodies in today for my dash. I ordered a double din dash kit for my car. I also ordered an 8x8 clear acrylic plexiglass which I am going to modify for the double din kit. I will upload pics soon. My bluetooth module is on its way. This will enable A2DP for music streaming and Handsfree Protocol for my smartphone. The Bluetooth module will be hardwired to my car preventing from me having to use a bluetooth unit that requires charging which is what I have to work with right now (Miccus BlueBridge Mini Jack).

So while I am on the search for my ideal tablet to mount I have recently been checking out the Asus Eee Pad. I was always happy with their EeePC line. The Eee Pad of course has their custom interface but essentially Android 3.0 with some nice features many of which I probably will never use but there are quite a few that are some luxuries especially when you are talking about a tablet.

The only main features I really care about are listed below which many tablets have, yet many others do not. This EEE Pad appears to have it all and will satisfy my requirements for car "infotainment". For the price it is a much better deal than if I were to go with an Samsung Galaxy which is only a 7".

• Android OS
• Wifi /b/g/n
• GPS
• Bluetooth
• LED Backlit
• Touchscreen

Here are the pics of my dashkit and 8x8 clear acrylic window.

Clear acrylic (plexiglass) with blue protector film:
http://blog.hexxworld.net/wp-content...t/acrylic1.jpg

Preview of clear window:
http://blog.hexxworld.net/wp-content...ct/acrylic.jpg

Double din Dash kit that I will need to assemble and modify for the clear window and tablet mount:
http://blog.hexxworld.net/wp-content...ubledinkit.jpg

I came across this cool youtube video detailing how to create a simple mount for an iPad but could easily be for any tablet. It gave me some ideas for my mount. I don't have the luxury of having a garage and auto body tools for fabricating extravagant dash mount like many of you. I can work with this solution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX1S0...eature=related