Hardware Review: VMI70A 7" in-dash LCD

korek28 · 10-27-2006, 12:48 AM

Hardware Review: VMI70A 7'' in-dash LCD

This monitor is a 7" in-dash TFT-LCD fully motorized touch-screnn monitor that fits perfectly into any single-DIN sized opening. I bought it under the VMI70A name but also comes as the SP-716 ( depending on where you order it from ).

My goal was to find an affordable in-dash monitor with touchscreen for my CarPC project, and wanted to make sure it was fully-motorized, meaning I don't have to pull it out myself.

My first impressions of this monitor were great: unit was built very well and everthing seems to be in great working condition. Monitor came with drivers, power cables, USB cables ( for touchscreen ), VGA cable, remote, manual, and stylus.

After installing the included drivers and connecting the monitor, everything came to life. The screen is clear and easy to look at ( 800 x 600 resolution i believe ). Touchscreen is easy to calibrate as it is included with a small program for this purpose. Just touch the screen at the X on the screen a few times and you're done.

Another nice feature that I like is the tilt of the monitor that you can control with the remote or the buttons on the unit itself. After the monitor comes out you can adjust the tilt to pretty much any angle that you want, and it stays at that angle the next time you bring out the screen. Found that very useful.

Only thing that I did not like about this unit are the super bright blue LED lights that are on the buttons. At night it can get pretty annoying after driving for a long period of time and that is why I am planning on taking them out or making them dimmer ( is that a word ? lol ).

Oh yea, might as well share where I bought this. Saw other fully-motorized touchscreens going for about $400 on websites but bought this from 321short-circuit on eBay for about $230 plus shipping. I believe that 321short-circuit is the eBay seller for the short-circuit website but am not 100% sure on that.

Any questions just ask.

ludikris · 10-28-2006, 10:34 PM

im lookin at that one too.... it's the cheapest...

AcuraTLFan · 10-28-2006, 10:46 PM

Tell short-circuit that you are from the carputer forums and he will give you a 5% discount.

ludikris · 10-28-2006, 11:49 PM

nice.. i think i will get it from him including the m2atx with the p4 connector for my mobo... good deal..

AcuraTLFan · 10-29-2006, 01:19 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by ludikris

nice.. i think i will get it from him including the m2atx with the p4 connector for my mobo... good deal..

I got the Versa C7 1.5Ghz and M2 power supply for 190 + 15 ship = $205

Yateball · 10-31-2006, 11:50 AM

I really hope you're right, because I bought one solely based on this review! lol

P.S. AcuraTLFan.... thanks for that tip, he did give me a discount based on me telling him that I was from the carputer forums

Excited to get everything goin

ludikris · 10-31-2006, 04:09 PM

I missed the auction and ended up getting this instead ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=110047821817

a fair bit cheaper too..

AcuraTLFan · 10-31-2006, 04:47 PM

the resolution on that model doesn't look that great

JesterE34 · 11-02-2006, 12:16 PM

it also says the color format is PAL. doesn't list anything NTSC

Yateball · 11-02-2006, 01:57 PM

ludikris...... it doesn't acually matter if you miss the auction on the VMI70A... he has a bunch to sell and if you just message him on ebay he will sell it to you without any bidding necessary (because he likes to avoid ebay fees).

That one that you ended up winning doesn't look too good at all.

aghazi · 11-03-2006, 05:23 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by korek28

Hardware Review: VMI70A 7'' in-dash LCD

Any questions just ask.

This unit has Auto On and Auto Switch to rearview functionality??

AG

Yateball · 11-20-2006, 08:52 AM

Anyone able to answer aghazi's question?

king_of_fools · 11-29-2006, 03:19 PM

how durable is it? when you press on the screen, do you feel like it will snap it backwards or that it will stress the motor? does it have an option to disapear and reapear when you turn the car off and on? and does the touch sensativity work well? or do you have to struggle to get the mouse to point where you want?

because i was thinking about buying this model from the same company on ebay, i found them and did a search to find this thread, and it seems like you have had a good experience with it; so please advise if you can.

K
O
F

korek28 · 12-01-2006, 01:44 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by king_of_fools

how durable is it? when you press on the screen, do you feel like it will snap it backwards or that it will stress the motor? does it have an option to disapear and reapear when you turn the car off and on? and does the touch sensativity work well? or do you have to struggle to get the mouse to point where you want?

its the only monitor i've owned for the car but i'd say it's pretty durable from what i've used it. about the pressing too hard, don't really thinks thats an issue as you don't have to press hard to get the touch sensasitivity to respond. the monitor can be set up with different angles from top to bottom and i'm guessing it has some kind of teeth that lock it in position and when i press it they do not jump or anything, screnn stays in place.
only trouble i have had was getting the X ( close button ) in some windows programs but using my pinky seems to work its magic.

hohenyi · 12-01-2006, 10:52 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by korek28

Hardware Review:
Any questions just ask.

What R U gonna do for FM radio???

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