Thread: Lexus IS200 Lexputer!! Flip Up Screen!

Hi Guys,

I’ve reading MP3Car.com for over 13 months but only recently became a member. This is my Car PC Install. Its not 100% finished but its almost there.

My PC Specs:

--> Shuttle SN41G2 v3 (with nForce 2, Dual VGA, 5.1 Surround Sound, SATA)
--> Opus 150W DC-DC PSU
--> AMD Athlon Mobile@2400+ (using the Wire Trick)
--> 160Gb SATA HDD mounted on a foam suspension thing in the case
--> 1Gb (2 x 512Mb DDR400 Ram (Samsing) – yes overkill I know, but it was cheap at the time and the nForce works better with dual-memory setups.
--> Gyration Wireless RF Keyboard and Mouse
--> Panasonic Slim Slot-load CDRW/DVD
--> Mp3Car.com external CD enclosure
--> Xenarc 700TSV 7”
--> Holux GPSlim236 Bluetooth GPS/GPS Mouse (can use both modes at the same time AND it is based on the new SiRFIII chipset!!!
--> Shuttle Wifi adapter (doesn’t use a PCI slot)
--> Wired PC “ON” and “HDD Activity” LEDs to the front of the car so they flash.
--> Lexus OEM Sat Nav housing with motor. This thing took me over 8 months to find at a reasonable price.
--> 120 degree wide-angle reversing camera off ebay.
--> Custom AUX-IN for sound. The Lexus 6 CD headunit doesn’t support AUX-IN….but after months of nagging I managed to be the first person to try out the AUX-IN created by a UK based Lexus electronics company. It works great with NO noise!! Can really enjoy the 8-speakers the car has!

Software:

--> RoadRunner
--> Destinator 3 with MapMonkey (not that impressed after using Tom Tom for so long),
--> Croid WINc

The thing I like about this system the best is the protential for future expansion. I can add games with wireless controllers, setup dual screens in the back, digital TV and I’ve not used a single PCI slot yet!


Some Pictures of the car (its been a while since the car has been this clean!)












Car PC Pictures (sorry about the mess!)

I have the display for a Bluetooth phonekit, reversing sensors and a usb hub which I have not secured yet.



Screen flipped down.


Screen flips up as soon as the ignition is ON.




Shuttle PC in the boot – not the most glamorous looking. May rectify that later. It is on a piece of thick hard foam that I have covered with the same material as in the boot


Position of the phonekit. It cuts audio when I get a call to both the CD/Radio and the AUX-IN! Has voice dialling too!!


My SiRF!!! Bluetooth GPS/USB GPS Mouse. It has a 10 hour battery so is ALWAYS on! I have a fix as soon as I get into the car.


RoadRunner – looks really “stock”


Playing music


Old pic – My PC Status lights




My list of future improvements:

1. Get a Laptop style touchpad which I can keep near the drinks holder. The touchpad will make it easier to control the PC -the touchscreen is all well and good - but can be a abit awkward to reach at times.

2. Install Prolex reversing Camera. I have put all the wiring in place to autoswitch to the camera when reverse is selected - all I need now is the camera! The eBay camera is not great quality. The Prolex one is tiny, 140 degree wide angle, waterproof and pin-sharp quality. Trouble is it costs a fortune!! Will have to save up!

3. Get a much better wifi antenna!

4. Get my Slim CDRW/DVD hooked up.

4. Look at some games I could install and play using wireless pads!!

I love having a 160Gb HDD full of movies/music/software at my disposal!

The PC had been ONE HELL of alot of work and effort and just shows what you can do when you put your mind to something - despite having no experience of what you are doing.