Quote: Originally Posted by
AussieInSeattle 
I'm pretty new to CarPC's but not tinkering with gadgets (made own digital photo frame from laptop, hacked an xbox, tivo etc) but am still a little reluctant to purchase the G4 - will wait and see some of the reviews. I'm planning on selling my OEM navunit from an Audi S4 which will almost cover the cost of the G4.
However, I have some questions that hopefully someone can answer - I've read most of the posts but apologise if these are repeats:
1. I'm assuming the ~4 second boot time is from hibernation - how long from a cold boot roughly and how long til it powers off after hibernation.
2. I'm assuming I also need a wiring harness for my car (2005.5 Audi S4) - any suggestions on where to get one? What else would I need besides that, a dash kit to fill any space possibly?
3. Can I possibly use the GPS antenna that is already in my Audi (current head unit has GPS nav)?
4. Since the SWIX is not supported by my car I need to get the SWI-CAN adapter as well - is that all I then need to get steering wheel control? I saw some mention of a UIRT but am not sure how it all fits togehter? Does it go steering wheel cabling > SWIX > SWI-CAN > Brown wire on G4?
Thanks,
Matt
1. No, from Standby.
2. Yes you'll need one unless you never plan to put the factory radio back in. Try Enfigcarstereo.com, although I'm not sure what their Audi selection is like.
3. Yes. I am using my OEM GPS antenna with my car PC (not a G4). All I needed to do was buy an adapter to connect to the antenna. Check out techtoolsupply.com for an array of adapters.
4. I drive a VW, and like Audi's their can protocol is very proprietary and very much a pain in the a$$. I don't know if your proposed path would work or not. The only steering wheel setup I've seen work flawlessly in a VW/Audi environment is a Blaupunkt HU with the Car PC audio sent to it. Many of the blaupunkts will accept the OEM steering wheel controls of VW's and Audi's. Other than that, I'm not saying it can't be done, but I've never seen or heard of another available solution yet for full integration.