Mac Mini MINI - Page 2

FireAnt · 04-30-2005, 09:05 AM

lol Route 66 lol I hate it! Every time I start the program I have to zoom in from the starting map of the whole N. America to my local area South of Houston TX. This takes a while. Then I have to activate the GPS. This does work but takes a couple of extra screen touches. Then If I want to plan a route I will usually place a way point where the GPS icon is and type in the location or point of interest. Select it from the matching list and add it as the destination. Double click for it to calculate the route. Now I take off driving and the gps icon follows on screen but the written directions at the bottom would require you to manually scroll through them. They don't automatically display the next line as you are moving. Stupid! That's my review of Route 66. Has lots of points of interest in the data base and that is it's best feature!

Mike

sdashiki · 05-07-2005, 05:31 PM

Wow. Nice install, but i mean cmon yer screen has to fold out so you can use your controls? Thats just plain silly man. And having the mini RIGHT there front and center? It looks like you just shoved it into your console. i think this needs alot more customization work. to say the least.

good try.

FireAnt · 05-07-2005, 09:37 PM

sdashiki,

Thanks for your opinion

, It is different from many of the set ups you may see with screens molded into the dash and computers hidden away in the trunk. But, different is OK. It's the whole reason I chose the Mac Mini over a PC in the trunk. It's simple! I can load DVD's or burn CDRs without opening my trunk. In fact there is no computer parts in the trunk. This thing is so small many people are putting it right in the glove box. I think it's color compliments my MINI coopers interior very well. I'm very pleased with the placement of it.

Now the Screen, Have you ever seen how MINI handles the navigation screen as a factory option? In my opinion they ruin one of the coolest things in the MINI. They place it where the big speedometer is in the center. I just couldn't have that. That giant center mounted speedometer is great fun for the driver and navigator. So I made double use of an area. I push it to the side about three times a day. Once or twice to adjust the Auto A/C to the temperature I want, and maybe once to change the radio input to tuner if I want to listen to some news. But the rest of my radio controls are on the multifunction steering wheel so I don't need to get to them.

It works great for me!

Mike F.

shizzle · 05-08-2005, 02:06 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by sdashiki

Wow. Nice install, but i mean cmon yer screen has to fold out so you can use your controls? Thats just plain silly man. And having the mini RIGHT there front and center? It looks like you just shoved it into your console. i think this needs alot more customization work. to say the least.

good try.

Crapper.

A swivel screen is dope!
1. I mean, as opposed to moving controls to places you can't get to them or taking them out all together, it's brilliant. And as far as the swivel screen goes, that looks much better than I could do.
2. I agree that most carputers have to be placed less conspicuously, but the mac mini is the exception to the rule... flaunt that sexy beast.

Nice install!

SnyperBob · 05-08-2005, 09:22 AM

Hey Fireant, I really like the swivel idea. It's tough to find a solution for a smaller car. Everyone is big on fabrication and putting everything inside the dash these days. I agree with Shizzle, the swivel is an awesome idea.

I had the same issue with my small Ford. I opted for an in dash screen. I've got to get your car on the web site man. Would you be interested in me putting your car on www.mobile-effects.com?

We need more MAC systems. So far we have just one. Shoot me a PM if you're interested. Let me know if you can provide more and larger pictures as well.

talk to you soon
~Bob

brandondente · 05-08-2005, 02:15 PM

Where did you get the mount so the monitor could swivel?

imprezive one · 05-08-2005, 03:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by brandondente

Where did you get the mount so the monitor could swivel?

Yeah, that mount looks oem. Is it an oem piece that's meant for something else? Pretty nifty.

brandondente · 05-11-2005, 02:28 AM

how did you install the screen mount and where did you get it

FireAnt · 05-12-2005, 12:09 AM

The screen mount used to be the cup holder mount (05 model)

I removed the bent wire of the cup holder and drilled all the way through the plastic mount and inserted my new alluminum rod allready bent and formed to mount to the bottom side of my monitor. Then I bent the top half of the rod. It was a bit of a pain. I also had to take apart my monitor and void it's warranty!

I then replaced my missing cup holder with an 2004 Model.

Mike

Barrie · 06-14-2005, 01:14 AM

Great work some nice ideas whats the part no for the cup holder that you used to modify as the screen bracket.

I have just installed the alpine kca-420c I-pod controller

works great but would love to install the mini too for movies etc would I be able to link it to a standard in car screen?

noizmonkey · 06-14-2005, 02:07 AM

dude, i dig it. but being in a cabrio, aren't you worried about theft?

MINI4cathy · 06-14-2005, 11:45 AM

FireAnt, that's very creative approach to getting a MacMini and a display into your MINI. The screen mount is better than any aftermarket products I've seen.

I think that the MINI Nav system is better than Route 66, and I'm fine with having the screen in the center circle. Different tastes, as you point out, are fine. But I'd like to be able to use a MacMini to deliver my audio / video while taking better advantage of the 16:9 screen. I'd like to have the MacMini:

display the station or track, artist and album with picture whether using Radio, CD, iPod or iTunes. Any thoughts on getting RDS data to the Mac? RadioShark is a nifty tuner for the Mac that can record or rewind live audio, but it doesn't handle RDS. And if I don't use the MINI's radio, I won't be able to control it with the steering wheel buttons.

display the cell phone caller and photo, which is not a problem per se for a Bluetooth-equipped Mac, but would necessitate having the Mac switch the display to Mac video if I'm not viewing the Mac at that moment.

If you (or anyone else) have suggestions for addressing these roadblocks, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks,

Paul

FireAnt · 06-14-2005, 10:30 PM

"Barrie -Great work some nice ideas whats the part no for the cup holder that you used to modify as the screen bracket."

Sorry, I don't know the part number as the cup holder that I modified came with my 05 MINI here in the US.

"MINI4cathy"

I have no idea how to acomplish all of the things that you would like to have happen. I have read about someone using the steering wheel controls on a BMW to advance songs on a MAC http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=47126 Some kind of circuit they built and software they wrote.

noizmonkey - dude, i dig it. but being in a cabrio, aren't you worried about theft? Yes- I always have the top up when parked out of my sight or I'm setting at the window eating and watching my car like a hawk!

Mike F.

MINI4cathy · 06-15-2005, 10:24 AM

FireAnt, thanks for the link. Unfortunately it looks bogus to me, but I'll keep looking around.

The key to switching between Mac video and on-board computer / nav might be something like the junction box used in the rear camera mod. Looks like it's doing two things -- autoswitching to an alternate video input when that comes in, and providing power to the camera when reverse gear is selected. In that case I can turn the Mac video on and off with a button.

Phiber · 06-15-2005, 11:46 AM

I have seen this set up in person and I must say it is very nice. Too bad about there not being a decent mapping program for the MAC at this time. Also, on another note,

get a Xenarc.

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