Cris

Hey how is that Powermate? I've looking at buying one of those mainly for its looks, but I can't see it's functionality very much, so what do you do with it?
Btw, isn't it a little far from your driving position there?

__________________
Renault Megane...the OEM look

The Lost in Europe Ford Escort

MP3Car.com

 

R32 JUhl

That depends on a few factors. I'm trying to determine customer demand - as in, what does my customer want? Ideally, I'd like to see the piece done in aluminum. If someone wants it done in plastic, instead, I need to know. Needless to say, there has been a good bit of demand.

I also need to determine if everyone is going to be using Mapower enclosure. If they are, then it would be exactly like mine and simpler to build. If they aren't... well, then things start getting complicated.

I need dash parts. I want to design this thing so it's perfect OEM grade for everyone. Problem is that I can't have my fiance driving my car while I tear has car down for measurements/engineering. I've hunted all over Atlanta trying to find a used center dash piece to no avail. If someone can get one from a junkyard and get it to me along with the HVAC control panel (manual is cheaper, but Climatronic would work too) then I can move forward much quicker.

I'd be happy to do this and can most likely keep it under $100 per unit, but I gotta tackle those issues first and need help/input doing it. PM me?

__________________
My first attempt at a carputer.

PM me if you're interested in a monitor faceplate for your '99-'04 Golf or Jetta. My Vortex ID is NorthAtlR32 - you can IM me there, too. Go here for more information.

R32 JUhl

I DO wish the Powermate was smaller... but there's the geek in me that says it's pretty cool having that glow from the center console. I use it for volume control. Call me old school, but I'm not a big fan of touch-type volume controls. And I admit it is farther from the driving position than I'd like. I simply could not find a better solution. My fiance drives the car, primarily and at 5'5" she has yet to complain about the reach - and she's not one of those gals that sits pressed up against the steering wheel, either! In fact, I've asked her about her opinion of it and she says "It's great".

__________________
My first attempt at a carputer.

PM me if you're interested in a monitor faceplate for your '99-'04 Golf or Jetta. My Vortex ID is NorthAtlR32 - you can IM me there, too. Go here for more information.

R32 JUhl

Here are some more pics: Any more special requests?

LOTR: ROTK SE DVD in Frodoplayer.

__________________
My first attempt at a carputer.

PM me if you're interested in a monitor faceplate for your '99-'04 Golf or Jetta. My Vortex ID is NorthAtlR32 - you can IM me there, too. Go here for more information.

Fuzzball

I just realized that you took out the aluminum trim at the top; the one that hides the cup holders in the other Mark IVs that didn't come in some, if not all of the special editions. I'm still debating if I should live with the current cup holders or not, but that's at the bottom of the mod list and for another forum.

Anyways, I'd love to see your install sometime. You should come to the monthly GTGs at the Varsity. If you came to the last one, I feel stupid for not meeting up with you.

R32 JUhl

Good eye! I struggled (mentally) with that mod. Because I found out that I could get the cupholder and swap the aluminum cover over to it and it would be completely hidden. AND I saw the positioning of the flapper mod switch and realized I could use my piece to conceal swithces... What pushed me over the edge was wanting to fully integrate the DVD into the dash so it looked as OEM as possible. Some cutting is required, but not enough to make you the least bit nervous. The DVD drive HAS to go under the monitor as it's too long to fit on top and clear the heater box inside the dash.


Don't feel stupid - but we were there. The .:R logo on the hood is the easiest way to know it's us - that and the wheels. It was our first one and we'll be back for more. Met Loopsnew (Noosh), Nuppal (Nick and GF) and Jdub (Jeremy) that night. We'll look for you next time. By the time we arrived, we were parking in the back section of the lot, practically alone, until some rice arrived so we were easy to miss. Next month it should be warmer - just look for Teresa (girl in my avatar) she's the easy one to spot - I'll be the tall guy close by.

__________________
My first attempt at a carputer.

PM me if you're interested in a monitor faceplate for your '99-'04 Golf or Jetta. My Vortex ID is NorthAtlR32 - you can IM me there, too. Go here for more information.

R32 JUhl

Just an update on converting the carputer line level outputs to make them more acceptable for the Monsoon amp... I applied too much voltage to the pre-amp solution I was testing and the smoke escaped from it so now the electricity has no smoke trail to ride on. Another pre-amp should be here by the end of the week and I'll be more careful with this one! Nonetheless, it appears I have a solution for adapting the computer's line-level audio outputs into a Monsoon amp. I had four seconds of success while the first unit held the smoke in as long as it could.

__________________
My first attempt at a carputer.

PM me if you're interested in a monitor faceplate for your '99-'04 Golf or Jetta. My Vortex ID is NorthAtlR32 - you can IM me there, too. Go here for more information.

dummptyhummpty

Can't you just feed the pc audio out into the monsoon amp? I know a few guys with Audis (Bose System) did this and it was ok. I was going to do try that too.

__________________
2003 Audi A4 1.8t (Totaled, Project Canceled)

MP3Car.com

 

R32 JUhl

I tried it, believe me. I don't know about the other systems, but the factory radio in the Golf has a pre-amplifier in it. It sends a pre-amped signal (depending on the content being played) to the Monsoon amp/crossover. The carputer is sending out a 150 mV signal - max of 200 mV. I'm still hunting for a solution.

__________________
My first attempt at a carputer.

PM me if you're interested in a monitor faceplate for your '99-'04 Golf or Jetta. My Vortex ID is NorthAtlR32 - you can IM me there, too. Go here for more information.

shakes

very nice install ... bravo ... makes me think I need to start harrassing the wige again about doing her jetta

anyway ... I'll have to make an extra effort to make it to the next ATL meet to see this one in person. I live in cumming and work in roswell.

On another note ... many moons ago I think I was part of a thread regarding the monsoon amps ... i'm sure you've done some searching already but I coulda swore some guy with a jetta had it all figured out.

__________________
My JeepPC Install

"there are no stupid questions, just stupid people."

"it's been agreed the whole world stinks so no one's taking showers anymore"

R32 JUhl

Good luck with that.


Osiris and I are talking about hooking up one night toward the end of the week next week off of exit 11 - like a 6 PM dinner at Mama Fu's on Windward if you want us to pull you into the plan...


I've searched hi and low for a solution. If you can remember some of the discussion that I might not have entered into the search parameters that could help pull it up, or shoot me a link, I would be very grateful!!!

__________________
My first attempt at a carputer.

PM me if you're interested in a monitor faceplate for your '99-'04 Golf or Jetta. My Vortex ID is NorthAtlR32 - you can IM me there, too. Go here for more information.

BimmaDrew

SWEET install (and car)! I can't wait to see it in person. Let's just hope I can make it. Hopefully you'll have the audio solution worked out by then.

I take it you are using stock speakers still?

__________________

My E46 CarPC
My CarDomain Site (more install pix)

Epia EN15000, Evga PCI Video, 60GB, Travla C138
Xenarc 7", Carnetix P1900 & P5V, Audigy 2NX, XMPCR
RR, iGuidance 4, I-Bus

Kenwood ZX1000.1, Audiobahn AW1200Q & 1F Cap
PPI PC450, Diamond Audio S600s

ChaCha

I'm trying to get it thrown together in time for the Feb. 27 LA meet, but school starts Monday and I'm still working on sound deadening. I'll post pics soon. BTW, I thought the girl in your avatar was Gina Gershon...that's your GF?!!!!!!!! She's beautiful.

R32 JUhl

Thanks man! The Mother F!@#in' pre-amp didn't arrive today. It's coming USPS so HOPEFULLY I'll get it tomorrow. I'm ****ed! All she has to listen to right now are a set of CHEAP PC speakers sitting in the back seat.
But you're right, we are using the factory speakers. We have a few angles we'll be playing in the coming months including a search for sponsors who are looking for a model who works for mods. She's car crazy and will be showing this car in about 8 shows this year - four of them she's also working - so we're hoping to get an enterprizing business who wants to sponsor her to enter in sound competitions while she just happens to be at the show. We'll see what I can pull off by the time we get together in March - I've got five weeks, after all.

PS She's working to get in shape for the NOPI swimsuit competition.

__________________
My first attempt at a carputer.

PM me if you're interested in a monitor faceplate for your '99-'04 Golf or Jetta. My Vortex ID is NorthAtlR32 - you can IM me there, too. Go here for more information.

R32 JUhl

Ooooo - sound deadening! You're playin' for keeps! I can't wait to see it!!!

No, it's not Gina, that's the look she was going for, though. She's working on the Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts and Jennifer Garner looks, too. What can I say - she loves a nerd! LOL - we met on line... Star Trek, X-files, The Princess Bride, cars, and computers were both in our profiles.

__________________
My first attempt at a carputer.

PM me if you're interested in a monitor faceplate for your '99-'04 Golf or Jetta. My Vortex ID is NorthAtlR32 - you can IM me there, too. Go here for more information.

MP3Car.com