CarPC Specs: Need Help filling in the blanks

Nickwell24 · 10-30-2007, 01:06 AM

Hi guys, i'm kinda new, i read a lot and learn a lot more, these forums are freaking amazing. I am about to the end of planning my car pc, i've taken a lot of ideas directly from other posts, and other from many different places. Currently here are my plans:

I have a double din dash 2004 Malibu Classic, I going to remove the stock radio and replace it with a double din mounting bracket. I am going to install the car pc in my truck:

Motherboard: Intel D201GLY Little Valley with 1.33 GHz Celeron Processor
Memory: 1GB 240-Pin DDR2
PSU: M2-ATX 160W Intelligent DC-DC PSU
HDD: 80GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache SATA
Case: VoomPC 2
Monitor: Lilliput 7" motorized in-dash TouchScreen

The parts i'm still debating between are these:

GPS: i haven't read enough of the forums yet to get these figured out, help would be nice, i am trying to do this entire install for under a grand.

Optical drive: External/Internal/after-market head unit. I don't want internal because it's useless to me in the trunk. So I am thinking about installing an external into my center console, slim of course.

Sound: With a double din dash is it possible to install two single din units? If so i am considering install a new head unit with rca inputs to run my audio from, the other option being Amp/Sub units, a bit more pricey.

Frontend: No Idea! Please let me know what you guys think of yours. The cheaper the better

Please help me fill in the blanks, or give me suggestions on things I might have overlooked.

2k1Toaster · 10-30-2007, 01:23 AM

GPS: Anything with a SirfIII chipset and USB is a good choice. The BU-353 is a good choice.

Optical: SLim and slot loading. Tray loading drives look stupid in the car.

Sound: You have seleceted a motorized screen, so that is 1 din. I see no reason not to be able to use the other din for a hu. Just as a side though, motorized flipout screens suck big time. You will be replacing it in the near future when it fails. Not "if", when.

Frontend: RoadRunner ftw! Cost: $0

Nickwell24 · 10-30-2007, 01:35 AM

i like the motorized though because it makes an easy head unit option, and i have never modded before so i'm nervous about trying to take apart and install a 7" screen.

DarquePervert · 10-30-2007, 06:35 AM

Based on the in-dash screens' track records, you'll probably be opening that up anyway, as the mechanicals are notoriously fragile.
If you peruse the problems that some owners have had, the vast majority are mechanical issues (gears breaking, motors quitting, etc.)

Nickwell24 · 10-30-2007, 01:36 PM

well one other question about motorized screen, when they are turned off/on, do they automatically open and close?

Z_Rukia_Z · 10-30-2007, 02:10 PM

If you don't want to mess up your dash, you could look at the Xenarc 700IDT, it's a manual push open/close screen. It seems as though you've already bought the motorized TS, but if you didn't give the 700IDT a look.

Also, there are write-ups where you can fab in an optical drive in the empty space under the TS of the 700IDT. If you can't find the thread and want to go this route, let me know and I can help you find it.

As for GPS software, I'm in the US and I use IGuidance 4.0, which is very well integrated into RoadRunner (most customizable Front-End, IMO).