Totally dissapointed with my carputer! - Page 4

DarquePervert · 07-03-2006, 11:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by kevinlekiller

Whos talking? I see letters and numbers , but where is the voices

In his head, possibly?

timeshifter · 07-03-2006, 01:18 PM

I just wanted to discuss, in a frienly manner, the screen issues in the context of the original poster.

One poster comments that I've made the thread entertaining and that I should go away and come back when the technology improves in a couple of years because I expect too much. Someone else assumes that I want platinum performance at a Wal-Mart price. Yet another poster emphasizes that I'm exaggerating or very forgetful. The number of these posts are equal or greater to the number of posts that are simply commenting on the point I made (which is an extension of the OP).

I need a thicker skin to participate here. My perception of this board is that it can be a hostile place if you don't ask questions in the proper context. So maybe I read more into those responses than were really there.

IntellaWorks · 07-03-2006, 01:33 PM

Timeshifter, being a member here for quite some time I'd have to agree this forum can get pretty hostile. I'd like to say they don't mean harm but that just wouldn't be true. I can say that some members that respond, not necessarily in this thread but in general, just don't think about circumstances when sending feedback. I can tell you however those that do give negative feedback most likely have never helped our community in a positive way and will continue to degrade our communities positive outlook towards the beloved hobby, so just ignore them and don't look to deep into it or take it personal.

I can also feel your pain. I've invested quite a bit of money and time, like you and I've lost sight numerous times. The car pc can indeed do everything you dreamed or hoped it can do but there are a few contributing factors to your success I'd like to outline.

Every member here, even the ones with the best setups, have had issues and will continue to have issues wether they admit it or not. Expect to have issues and plan to solve one or two at a time. Take a break a day, a week, a month whatever you need as this will clear your mind. Keep things simple at first at maybe lower your expectations until you feel more comfortable with carpc's. Lastly, know that any issue you have is most likely documented here.

If you need to seek advice or assistance I'd be willing to help. Good luck and try and enjoy the self inflicting abuse you put onto yourself, your vehicle and wallet by choosing this hobby.

RedGTiVR6 · 07-03-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by timeshifter

One poster comments that I've made the thread entertaining and that I should go away and come back when the technology improves in a couple of years because I expect too much.

I made the statement about coming back later because you obviously are not happy with the current technology, so what good will it do for you to stick around when you are just complaining about it? I made the comment because it's how I feel about the situation. No one here can pull the dream screen out of their butt at a whim right now. The transflective upgrade is less than a month old! I've waited 3+ years for something of that caliber, yet you come in here and whine about it not being good enough blah blah blah. I'm telling you that you might be better of to leave and come back to the hobby in a few years when the technology matches your desires and demands.

I could have lied to you and told you to go ahead and buy the products then laugh at you when you complain about them not being what you thought they would be. Rather, I'm telling you to save your money and your time, because it's obviously not up to your standards yet.

TruckinMP3 · 07-03-2006, 01:43 PM

IntellaWorks,

Thanks for the toughtful post.

David

Wiredwrx · 07-03-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by IntellaWorks

I can tell you however those that do give negative feedback most likely have never helped our community in a positive way and will continue to degrade our communities positive outlook towards the beloved hobby, so just ignore them and don't look to deep into it or take it personal.

Got to disagree somewhat with you here.

First of all, there are a lot of "negative" people on this board that have helped the community in a positive way. Just because you/many people don't see that, doesn'tmean it isn't true.

Also, this hobby is not for everyone. There is a certain amount of knowledge, inteligence, perserverance, and sevral other attributes that are needed for this "hobby". This must be present "BEFORE" you enter the hobby, not after.

I was a licensed HAM radio operator. I got my license about 15 or so years ago. THen, you needed to know Morse Code to get a license. I got books, and tapes, and learned what I needed to enter the hobby. I didn't enter the hobby, and then learn those things. However, any old school HAM radio operator will tell you that as soon as the FCC removed the code requirement, and then lessened the the amount of knowledge needed to get licensed, the hobby was flooded with people that have "brought the hobby down MANY notches"

I am not elitest, I believe everyone CAN join this hobby, however, perhaps not everyone should. Unfortunately/Fortunately, there is no licensing requirement for this hobby. However, this leaves the hobby to an influx of poeple that perhaps don't possess the requisite knowledge about electronics, computers, or cars. When someone is "negative or mean" to a new person, it is an attempt to wake them up to realize, this isn't simple car audio, install and go. This is a developing hobby, that requires grit, determination, knowledge and skill. TO just expect things to be a certain way is not a hobby, that is a consumer who is better served buying something and using it, and not being part of the hobby community.

My father is a HAM still. When he started, he built his radio. Nowadays, you can buy your radios. That means HAMs these days, especially with the reduced requirements of the licnesing rules, don't really know how radios work. Eventually, that will happen to this hobby as well. There will be users of carputers, and there will be carputer hobbiests. Eventually, the hobby will die because of the influx of carputer users. There will be no hobbiests to further the technology or the hobby. It will be doled out to carputer companies and users.

THis hobby is not a beginner hobby, just as battlebots is not for the beginner robot builder, and weekend racing isn't for a newly licensed driver, and rocketeering is not for someone with out an understanding of physics and chemistry.

Michael

Wiredwrx · 07-03-2006, 02:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

I made the statement about coming back later because you obviously are not happy with the current technology, so what good will it do for you to stick around when you are just complaining about it? I made the comment because it's how I feel about the situation. No one here can pull the dream screen out of their butt at a whim right now. The transflective upgrade is less than a month old! I've waited 3+ years for something of that caliber, yet you come in here and whine about it not being good enough blah blah blah. I'm telling you that you might be better of to leave and come back to the hobby in a few years when the technology matches your desires and demands.

I could have lied to you and told you to go ahead and buy the products then laugh at you when you complain about them not being what you thought they would be. Rather, I'm telling you to save your money and your time, because it's obviously not up to your standards yet.

Red, unfortunately, the new people don't know what the hobby has been through.

When I started in the hobby, MINI ITX and NANO MBs were unheard of. THere was no DC-DC PSs, except for perhaps a DIY kit, never mind shutdown controllers. There were no 7 inch LCDs.

Most of this has changed. Small MBs are the norm, there are numerous DC-DC with built in SDCs, and we have 7inch LCDs, some even motorized that are single DIN. We have Front End software, and programs to do almost EVERYTHING you want.

I find disturbing the fact that people enter this hobby/forum, thinking that all this stuff has always existed at such an edvanced state, and wonder why everything isn't perfect.

Well, because this is a hobby for most people, and development is generally at the hands of the members who do things with thier own time and money. These newcomers just think that this stuff appears and should be there for the taking. On top of that, they think it should be cheap.

The noobs need to realize the struggle that the hobby has gone through. Many peple take it as a personal affront when people criticize the state of the hobby when the members have been working long and hard and at thier own epxense to find a workable solution. AN example would be drawing a picture for your parents when you are in school. Sure, it is no where near perfect. But, your parents understand that, and are happy with the result. If you went home and your parents were like, That is crap, look at the definituion and the use of color, I should epxect for the amount of money I spent on school, that is be perfect. That wouldn't work.

Same here, if you want a Monet, then you got to buy the monet and pay Monet prices. But, to complain about the fact that the community ONLY has such crappy screens, is like your parents complaining about your school drawn picture.

RedGTiVR6 · 07-03-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Wiredwrx

never mind shutdown controllers. There were no 7 inch LCDs.

remember the ITPS...wow that thing was great...

I remember I was so excited when it first came out, it finally ment I could get rid of some of my switches...then came the PW200...WOW! I've died and gone to heaven...lol

Quote:

I find disturbing the fact that people enter this hobby/forum, thinking that all this stuff has always existed at such an edvanced state, and wonder why everything isn't perfect.

I'm with you here. In a way, it's flattering to those who have been in this a while. It means that there has been a lot of money, blood, sweat, and tears poured into this hobby to get to the point where people think that way. But at the same time, it's disturbing to think that people HONESTLY believe that.

Did you know that there are a LOT of people out there that don't know where milk or eggs actually come from? believe it or not, it's true. The same thing can be said of this hobby.

Quote:

The noobs need to realize the struggle that the hobby has gone through. Many peple take it as a personal affront when people criticize the state of the hobby when the members have been working long and hard and at thier own epxense to find a workable solution.

VERY well put. :applause:

MikeN · 07-03-2006, 04:10 PM

I still say there is no excuse for the screens to be as crappy as they are.... Hell, I can get the Alpine IVA-W200 touchscreen head unit w/ DVD player, etc for just over $600. No reason a decent screen alone should be $400+

Wiredwrx · 07-03-2006, 04:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeN

I still say there is no excuse for the screens to be as crappy as they are.... Hell, I can get the Alpine IVA-W200 touchscreen head unit w/ DVD player, etc for just over $600. No reason a decent screen alone should be $400+

There is a very easy answer to that.

Alpine has many products upon which they can distribute the cost of development, Alpine can wait several months or years to make a profit on the item, they have more money ro sink into development, They buy from thier supplier in bulk so they get bulk discounts, and thier product has a much greater appeal to the public, where an LCD touchscreen with VGA has a much more limited market.

Michael

RedGTiVR6 · 07-03-2006, 04:24 PM

not to mention the alpine screens are nearly the resolution or touch sensitivity as the screens we use in the car now.

Wired - I'm so happy that there's someone else out on this board that at least understands what drives business...lol

Rob Withey · 07-03-2006, 04:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Wiredwrx

The noobs need to realize the struggle that the hobby has gone through. Many peple take it as a personal affront when people criticize the state of the hobby when the members have been working long and hard and at thier own epxense to find a workable solution.

Well put, I totally agree. None of this off the shelf stuff existed 6 years go. Things are so easy these days.

timeshifter · 07-03-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

I made the statement about coming back later because you obviously are not happy with the current technology, so what good will it do for you to stick around when you are just complaining about it? I made the comment because it's how I feel about the situation. No one here can pull the dream screen out of their butt at a whim right now. The transflective upgrade is less than a month old! I've waited 3+ years for something of that caliber, yet you come in here and whine about it not being good enough blah blah blah. I'm telling you that you might be better of to leave and come back to the hobby in a few years when the technology matches your desires and demands.

I could have lied to you and told you to go ahead and buy the products then laugh at you when you complain about them not being what you thought they would be. Rather, I'm telling you to save your money and your time, because it's obviously not up to your standards yet.

Did you think I was ragging on the tranflective screen? I'm not. Heck I wasn't even trying to rag on the current Xenarc. The OP said it totally sucked. I figured it was good enough and knew there were limitations. But the OP said he couldn't even tell if it was on or off. I was seeking more information to affirm or deny his claim. I've never seen one of these in person. I had (incorrectly it seems) assumed a 7" Xenarc would be reasonably close to an Alpine or other small LCD that I have seen.

I'm very impressed with the transflective and I know you've done a lot of work in that area. I never meant to say that I thought they were bad and I hope you didn't misunderstand my orignal post. It looks like you have, otherwise why would you say things like:

obviously not happy with the current technology..

dream screen out of their butt...

come in here and whine about it not being good enough...

not up to my standards yet...

Maybe you need to go back and reread the posts in a calmer manner. I truly don't understand how you thought I was whining and complaining.

piabu · 07-03-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Rob Withey

Well put, I totally agree. None of this off the shelf stuff existed 6 years go. Things are so easy these days.

I first explored the concept of an in-car computer 5 years ago. I then dismissed the idea as "the technology is not ready yet". The truth was more that I was not ready (i.e. did not have the prerequisite knowledge/education/experience) to be able to learn what I needed to know to put this thing together.

Now that the technology is there and commercially affordable, I am still struggling to put together a working carPC. Six months after I started a project which I thought would take a couple weekends.. I am still surrounded by parts and schematics and tools and datasheets.

And no working carputer.

But I know it can be done because others have done it successfully. And I am getting a valuable education in electronics and computers and the automotive electrical system in the meantime.

Maybe we should put that in the FAQ as a warning:
Putting a PC in the car is not a weekend project.

.. and perhaps point more towards StreetDeck?

DarquePervert · 07-03-2006, 11:07 PM

I started planning my project two years before I actually got something working in my truck.
Part of it was choosing a setup that's not the same M10000 that everyone else uses. PArt of it was a divorce and lack of finances. PArt of it was work commitments.
Only in the past 6 months or so have I been in a position to actually get it in the truck and I'm ecstatically happy with where I'm at.
Next up is saving to get the in-dash screen I want and a new headunit.
It's coming to fruition, albeit slowly...