17" Touch Screen?

djtecthreat · 01-13-2007, 12:52 PM

I'm in the planning stages right now, but i'm dreaming up a 17" Touch Screen for my Expedition. Anyone go this large? What are the draw backs? There wont be room in the dash for something this large, so it will be in a custom console right below the radio/HVAC cluster.

Ideas and Thoughts?

Dennis5587 · 01-13-2007, 06:58 PM

personally... i feel its too big, I actually like the small 7" screens, cause I look of it more of a for of input to the computer, rather then a tv....

If the screen is too small, its a hassel to touch such small buttons, or you have to have less buttons..., but it can be too big as well, think about it, you'd be potentially reaching over a foot to touch the next button...

Not to mention, imo it would look rediculas, but i guess to every man his own...

mugurg · 01-14-2007, 05:51 AM

Use a 10" instead. even 15" will look too big...

anik321 · 01-14-2007, 11:54 AM

rest assure driving with a display that large on your face will be extremely difficult.

seanz0rz · 01-14-2007, 04:53 PM

i want to put a 15 inch non touch just for topo maps, hang it from the roof, just before my sunroof.

my only worry is the extreme vibration my truck sees.

however, as the primary input, its way too big.

djtecthreat · 01-14-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by anik321

rest assure driving with a display that large on your face will be extremely difficult.

I drive around with a laptop display for navigation, its not difficult.

So far people are just saying it will look ridiculous, i'm still on the fence.

pepsibobby · 01-14-2007, 10:40 PM

GO FOR IT!!!! Dont let anyone tell you what to do with your car! I wana see pictures

Dennis5587 · 01-14-2007, 10:57 PM

well thats not all i said, lol

is your laptop a tablet? Because if not, then you're forgetting about the difficulty of driving a 17" screen, seems silly, but the distances add up.

djtecthreat · 01-15-2007, 01:58 AM

Well i have the display, just haven't got the touch panel for it yet. maybe i should try a mock system and actually temporarily put the 17" in the vehicle and see how it looks lit up and maybe drive around with it hooked up to my laptop, to see usability.

It's big, yes. But i'm also looking for it to look like a computer is in the car, and not a computer powered head unit (6/7" touch screens). I also have a 15" display, but the 17 is a spare right now.

KaBoOoM · 01-15-2007, 03:34 AM

I don't know, big is cool and all but that seems a little too big. As mentioned earlier, you will be literally reaching over a foot between each button. Time consuming and searching for the buttons take your eyes of the road even longer. Sounds iffy at the least.

Isn't there a law that doesn't allow you to have any screen in direct view of the driver? Obviously if it does it's pretty much ignored, but if a cop sees you with a 17" screen they might just pull you over...

Spawn12336 · 01-15-2007, 08:08 AM

Personally, if you have the room in the dash for it, and it won't be too big of a distraction for you, go for it. Although I can easily see one officer in a bad mood giving you a ticket for it.

djtecthreat · 01-15-2007, 09:30 AM

It's not illegal. I could have a 32" display in front of me, as long as its not obstructing my view of the windows and its not displaying video's or animations. (With the exception of Navigation), its all legal.

I'm going big for the effect, but also the usability. I cant stand tiny displays. If i have to stare at a display to make out the text thats even worse then glancing over (or viewing in my peripheral) a much easier to read LCD (with ClearType).

As far as reaching over a foot, thats only if the display is placed perfectly flat in front of me, it it's angled towards me then the reach angle is less. I will also have a small remote that i can hold in my hand (and memorize). The touch-screen will be for on-screen keyboard input (while inputting destinations or searching for songs, not usual while driving), occasional use of various functions, etc.

Spawn12336 · 01-15-2007, 11:11 AM

Perhaps it's not illegal in MA, but I know that up here in Ontario and Quebec, as well as some states, it's illegal to have an operational screen in the full view of the driver, unless it is only used for navigation. I've had the discussion with more than a few officers that I'm friends with.

KaBoOoM · 01-15-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by djtecthreat

It's not illegal. I could have a 32" display in front of me, as long as its not obstructing my view of the windows and its not displaying video's or animations. (With the exception of Navigation), its all legal.

I'm going big for the effect, but also the usability. I cant stand tiny displays. If i have to stare at a display to make out the text thats even worse then glancing over (or viewing in my peripheral) a much easier to read LCD (with ClearType).

As far as reaching over a foot, thats only if the display is placed perfectly flat in front of me, it it's angled towards me then the reach angle is less. I will also have a small remote that i can hold in my hand (and memorize). The touch-screen will be for on-screen keyboard input (while inputting destinations or searching for songs, not usual while driving), occasional use of various functions, etc.

True, sounds like you got stuff worked out. I would say go for it man, would be pretty cool. I don't know if there is even anyone else on the forums with that big of a touch display...

djtecthreat · 01-15-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Spawn12336

Perhaps it's not illegal in MA, but I know that up here in Ontario and Quebec, as well as some states, it's illegal to have an operational screen in the full view of the driver, unless it is only used for navigation. I've had the discussion with more than a few officers that I'm friends with.

As stated, this will be used for Navigation mostly, music will be a background function.

Quote: Originally Posted by djtecthreat

...and its not displaying video's or animations. (With the exception of Navigation), its all legal.

I'm still working it out. May go smaller, but not much smaller.