Hell all, long time viewer, first time poster. Thanks in advance for any input that is recieved, it's appreciated greatly. Ok here we go. I have a 2005 Scion xB with the stock stero unit (Model: T1804). I am a computer tech and know a lot about computers. I want to get a computer into my box. I have 2 options that I am going off of.
Option #1:
$450 single din 7” Xenarc 700IDT would go in the open single din slot as pictured
$60 auxillary adapter from Toyota to link into stock pioneer head unit for audio to computer
$30 external antenna for GC-89 Sony Ericsson card
$100 cheap laptop (not worried about computer because I have a ton to pick from), $40 USB fingerprint reader to be mounted in 1 of the 3 open dash ports for logins/passwords
$680 total would use stock stereo
*NOTES* will mount the cheap laptop computer in the little compartment in the trunk and run wires under carpet. Will use GC-89 through T-Mobile to get online (have had the T-Mobile account for about 1.5 years now. Would use an external antenna for the GC-89 and run it out the trunk and mount it on the roof. I have 3 ports available under the single din open port which I was gonna wire in a USB port or 2 in one, a multimedia card reader in one and the last one I will mount 1 110V outlet for extra things if needed. I plan on using a 300-400 watt inverter and wire it up to the back of the cigarette lighter, that way I can still use the cigarette lighter port if I need to. (I don’t smoke anyways). I have a Microsoft GPS unit that will interface to the laptop via USB, and somehow mount GPS receiver near the window for the GPS signal. I have Streets and Trips 2006 for the mapping program. I also have a PCMCIA Bluetooth card that will interface to the laptop for Bluetooth communication to my treo 700p or any other cell phone for that madder, which can then be used as a backup internet connection if T-Mobile fails (which it frequently does because their coverage isn’t so good where I travel). I will use Pandora.com for MP3 abilities + iTunes + limewire + winamp/any other MP3 program for music. I also want to mount a slim line DVD/CD-RW drive somewhere in the dash and interface that back to the computer as well. The power situation I will worry about later for the optical drive (I’m not worried about it). As far as the power to the computer goes, I will have a working battery in it to get me at least an hour if I need it, and ill use the inverter to power the machine and set some special programs to power the unit on/off with the ignition of the car (I can prolly hotwire the power button of the laptop and run a switch up to the front and mount that in the dash as well).
~PROS~ = LCD screen is inconspicuous, so no one would see it = less chance of getting broke into and getting it stolen.
~CONS~ = have to spend $60 freakin dollars on stupid Toyota adapter for auxillary audio. With the 7” LCD screen in the single din slot, when the screen is out, my controls for the heating/ac/hazards/defroster are covered, so I would have to fold down lcd every time I would want to adjust heating/ac.
Option #2:
$265 Double DIN 7” Lilliput 619GL-70NP/C/T LCD Screen (havn’t figured out if I can mount that with no problems in my double DIN stereo port, (I would take the stock stereo out, and use a blaupunkt stero unit that I had in my old car))
$30 External antenna for the GC-89 Card
$100 cheap laptop
$40 USB fingerprint reader
$435 = total would use blaupunkt stereo
*NOTES* I would ditch the stock stereo unit and use my single din blaupunkt stero head. I would just have to get a wire adapter for it (not a problem at all). The blaupunkt stero head I don’t think is as good as my stock pioneer head, but I don’t care because I’m gonna be interfacing music through the computer anyways. The blaupunkt head has auxillary input via RCA, so I wouldn’t have to spend $60 on an adapter kit for the head. The other concern is: can the blaupunkt head power all 8 of my speakers in my box?... that I’ll find out when I get home from work today when I dig up the blaupunkt stereo. I would mount the Lilliput LCD in the double din slot where I will be taking the stock stereo out.
~PROS~ = LCD is their ready to go at all times. Don’t have to spend $60 on an auxillary wireing kit for stock stereo as I will be using blaupunkt one that comes with auxillary ready.
~CONS~ = LCD is in plain site, and someone might see it and want to steal it. Blaupunkt stereo may not be able to support all the speakers (to much power maybe)
Some questions:
1) How well do these LCD screens work in extreme heat and extreme cold?
2) would you choose a single DIN pop-out LCD or a fixed mount double din one in my situation.
Once again, thanks for the help.
Pictures:
.... soooooooo many hasels
...
Linear Mode
