Starting a Carputer install business www.cartech.cc

slartiblartfast · 03-30-2005, 12:08 PM

Hello Everyone,

When I first got the itch to put a PC in my car a little over a year ago. I thought I was a major geek. Then I found MP3CAR.com. Turns out there are others, lots of others!

I went a slightly different way with my system- laptop based.

It's worked so well that I have decided to start my own business, in partnership with a few local audio installers. I'm calling it CarTech.

I know that there are others that are considering the same thing, so I thought I'd keep you guys up to date on the goings on. I'm sure some of you might like to watch the development of the site and the growth of our company.

We're scheduled to start in May. I'm already starting work on the web server - www.cartech.cc . You can check it out. There are a few pictures up already with some basic text all running off an old 300MHz server in my garage. So We'll see if it can handle the hits!

I'll continue to post here over time. BTW, If you know anyone who is interested in a carputer in the Austin, TX area send 'em my way.

Till Next Post,
Dave

2FastMR2 · 03-30-2005, 12:16 PM

Who are you calling a geek, thems fightin talk.

Good luck with the business, hope it goes well..

scott_fx · 03-30-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote:

3. Almost every automotive PC application out there utilizes the VIA EPIA mini ITX motherboard with the via c3/c4 processor. This processor is completely underpowered and cannot play most video formats or video games.

you could get lynched on this forum for saying that.... You should also do some research on the pro's and cons of each... i'm sure it'll benifit both you and your customers to offer both solutions. I'm sure that you'll get a lot more business when customers see the seamless integration that the via boards provide. not that you asked for it but thats my $.02

nice install, you should talk to david about centrafuse. I'm sure that the final release will be a much better choice if you are planning on selling the software with your installations. The customer support that he has provided is top notch.

slartiblartfast · 03-30-2005, 01:30 PM

<- too fast

The pics on the site are pretty old, I plan on taking some new ones soon.

I am still running Coyote's MediaCar because it works great, it very finctional, and It's already installed. I am creating my own win amp based front end should be ready fairly soon. I don't want to have to pay royalties or have any uncontrolled costs when it comes to software.

I know there is a strong following in the MP3car.com community for the EPIA boards, and I'm not trying to start an arguement. They just don't work for my application.
I love the idea of mini itx- small footprint, low power consumption, low heat.

But they have some major disadvantages. The M1000 we tested only had one PCI slot, an inability to decode a high quality DIVX in real time, and serious trouble playing MP3s while GPSn'. It would even have trouble playing DVDs (that's with the proper codecs to enable the "built-in" MPEG-2 decoder).

Our system is a little different. You use your everyday laptop. Just bring it out slip it into the docking station and viola. All of your content right there, with a carpc hardware profile for screen resolution, interface and front end.

I believe that this is a very flexible, reliable, less expensive approach to Car PC. Not sayin' that it's the only way to go. Just saying that it's the best way to go for me and my clients.

I will probably offer more than one type of system by the time we finalize everything. I appreciate your input and will certainly take your suggestions to heart.

Thanks

Dave

scott_fx · 03-30-2005, 01:40 PM

sounds good, good luck. it's nice to see people making a living off of this :cheers:

edrex · 03-30-2005, 01:40 PM

How much is this system going to cost?
ps: Dig your name! DA Rules!

slartiblartfast · 03-30-2005, 02:00 PM

thanks edrex,

DNA is a personal hero of mine, RIP. I've Been using that login name for 10 years now around the internet. Fewer and fewer people recognize it as the years go on. It's a shame Everyone should read The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, give 'em some perspective.

Cost is relative, depends on what kind of shoes you're wearing. I'm going to charge the guy in wing tips a lot more than the guy with the vans on his feet.

Seriously, The basic system which includes the docking station, amp, touchscreen, inverter and installation (including the ignition/power interface, cables, and custom mounting rails) should run the the ball park of about $1200, but could run anywhere between $900 and $1450 depending on the variables involved.

BTW edrex, your system specs are monsterous! That's going to be one bad assed carputer by the time your finished.

Dave

ddn · 03-30-2005, 02:05 PM

Quote:

3. Almost every automotive PC application out there utilizes the VIA EPIA mini ITX motherboard with the via c3/c4 processor. This processor is heavily underpowered and cannot play many video formats or video games. Our system utilizes your AMD Athlon or Intel Pentium processor. Effectively twice as fast as the VIA unit.

Quote:

Internet - GPS - MP3 - DVD - Movies - CD - Satellite Radio - Video Games Carputer Systems that fit into your life. We can install a computer in any vehicle including your Boat or Motor Cycle! Alpha , BMW, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, GM, Harley Davidson, Nissan, Toyota, Mercedes, Hummer. Have our Carputer equipped Land Cruiser visit you at your location. Check it out first hand. We utilize Epia, Docking Stations, Opus, Cerwin Vega, JL Audio, Dell, Compaq, Gateway, and other high quality Name Brands, as well as our own patented custom circuitry bringing you full integration. ;

Yeah, um. You have a lot of work to do I guess.

yunusyu · 03-30-2005, 02:22 PM

Make sure you have a great company insurance plan before someone sues you for you product catching the car on fire, or being unsafe and illegal. Before you sell, please make sure it wont come bite you in the ***

best of luck to you

slartiblartfast · 03-30-2005, 03:00 PM

Quote:
Internet - GPS - MP3 - DVD - Movies - CD - Satellite Radio - Video Games Carputer Systems that fit into your life. We can install a computer in any vehicle including your Boat or Motor Cycle! Alpha , BMW, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, GM, Harley Davidson, Nissan, Toyota, Mercedes, Hummer. Have our Carputer equipped Land Cruiser visit you at your location. Check it out first hand. We utilize Epia, Docking Stations, Opus, Cerwin Vega, JL Audio, Dell, Compaq, Gateway, and other high quality Name Brands, as well as our own patented custom circuitry bringing you full integration. ;

Quote
Yeah, um. You have a lot of work to do I guess.

dnn,
Like I said, I've only been working on the website for about a day. It's currently a little ugly, and very under organized - A work in progress, a framework.

Not exaclty sure what you meant by your post? What's with the quotations?

Yunu,
Already talking to my insurance carrier about scaled rate product liability insurance. In this litigious you have to.

FYI carputers are no illegal, as long as they don't violate DOT regulations. The regulations seem to hold the operator liable not the product manufacturer.

Alpine, Pioneer, Sony and others make indash DVD players some with navigation. There is a warning message that appears at startup notifying users that it may be illegal to use the product while driving, and that's pretty much that.

Of course the Johnny Cochrans of the world will sue everything in sight..

Just curious, has anyone from this forum ever been in a car computer related accident?

Dave

edrex · 03-30-2005, 03:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by slartiblartfast

Of course the Johnny Cochrans of the world will sue everything in sight..

Not any more... *ouch* couldn't help it...

Quote: Originally Posted by slartiblartfast

BTW edrex, your system specs are monsterous! That's going to be one bad assed carputer by the time your finished.

Thanks. Screens are being installed now, doing some minor dash mods, and running some wiring pretty soon. Can't wait to have it done!!
I built it pretty hefty to begin with because I didn't want to regret not being able to do everything I want it to do.

Good luck with getting the business off the ground, I will be keeping an eye on it.

slartiblartfast · 03-30-2005, 03:28 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by edrex

Not any more... *ouch* couldn't help it...

No need to be polite. The guy is pure scum. Forget about OJ, and that Black Panther guy that he helped walk- the scumbag was bending over backwards to represent Sadam Hussein! Probably would have got him off scott clean too.

Burn Baby Burn!

slartiblartfast · 03-30-2005, 10:35 PM

you know edrex, from what I've seen, I think you can move that installation plus sign a few notches to the right

edrex · 03-31-2005, 04:34 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by slartiblartfast

you know edrex, from what I've seen, I think you can move that installation plus sign a few notches to the right

Soon... so far the installation is hypothetical, none of the work is actually done. Its all just planned out right now.

domisi · 03-31-2005, 08:34 AM

I've been thinking about starting a carputer business in my area as well... course I gotta install mine first :-D