2005 Mazda 3 GT Install

Cocoman · 05-20-2005, 02:50 AM

Here is the system I installed in my Mazda 3 GT.

Hardware Specs:
-M1-ATX PS
-VIA EPIA M10000 Nehemiah
-256MB DDR 266 RAM
-30GB Laptop HD
-Panasonic Slot loading DVD-ROM/CD-RW
-Xenarc 7" Touchscreen LCD
-D-Link Bluetooth USB Adaptor
-Garmin GPS 18 PC (serial)
-Analog Mic
-FM Modulator(wanted to use MAZ/PC-ALP but not in stock at that time)

Software Specs:
-Garmin's nRoute with Mapselect North America
-Phonecontrol
-Winamp
-Custom Designed Application Launcher
-Custom Designed GPS controller
-Custom Playlist Launcher Application

A mount was made for the screen that was installed above the vents. I found this was the most convenient place other than the original location of the stock deck(which i didn't want to remove). It folds down and is barely visible when closed. Additionally, an FM modulator was used because the PIE interface was not available when i was setting up the system.

The GPS unit is in between the glove box and the dash. I still get good reception with it in most areas and it is hidden from view.

Custom interfaces were designed for launching applications such as the GPS software, Phonecontrol, and the Mp3 player. Also an application was designed that runs on top of the GPS software to make it touchscreen friendly(provide large buttons for main functions, provide access to an onscreen keyboard when needed).

All interfaces were designed to match the existing interior colors of the vehicle.

More pictures and possibly videos will follow.

Stealth97 · 05-20-2005, 02:55 AM

Let me be the first to say that looks great!

Cocoman · 05-20-2005, 03:19 AM

Thanks Stealth.

By the way, here are some screenshots of the system in use.

fam · 05-23-2005, 08:16 PM

I have a mazda3S as well, did you previously have the navigation flip up? I dont have it so im wondering if ordering some of the mazda parts is the way to go?

devin98 · 05-23-2005, 10:25 PM

can you tell me about that screen? as I have a Mazda3 GT also, currently my screen is were the ashtray was.

-Devin

Cocoman · 05-24-2005, 01:52 AM

Originally, I was contemplating using the factory NAV system for the screen mount. However, it's not available in Canada and none of the Mazda sales/serviceman would order the factory mount for me(or even know one existed). Additionally, I heard that it's only designed for a 5.4" screen or something like that so neither the lilliput nor the xenarc touchscreen's could fit(can anyone verify this?).

I had a custom mount made for the screen. A square hole slightly larger than the monitor was cut out of the plastic vent cover and mounted to a plastic housing which slid over the screen. Attached to the plastic housing is a railing which allows it to rotate in and out of place. When it's in the up position it's held there with a magnet. When in the closed position there is a pushdown spring which pops the screen out when pushed.

I made a few small diagrams which illustrate this more clearly (sorry for the quality, i just put these together quickly). I would post pictures but it's hard to get a good angle which shows how it works.

So far it works great. The only issue which I have run into is the screen angle. Its important to make sure the screen is perpendicular with your eyes so the picture looks as clear as possible. This is especially important on sunny days.

I hope this answers your questions.

nappyjim · 05-24-2005, 07:43 PM

Do you have some pics when the screen is down? And how is glare?

devin98 · 05-25-2005, 08:48 AM

I really like that!

fam · 05-25-2005, 04:59 PM

its pretty far away to be able to reach for touchscreen isnt it? atleast it is when im in my 3.

Cocoman · 05-25-2005, 05:57 PM

nappyjim:
I currently don't have pics with the screen down but when I get the chance i'll post them up as well. When the screen is down it looks pretty much like nothing is installed at all. It has been positioned so that all the plastic is aligned and flush so that from the outside you can barely tell there is a screen there when its down.
As for glare, I will admit that sometimes it is a problem. However, I have managed to remove much of this by adjusting the screen's rotary position so im facing it head on. This makes a big difference, especially during the day and makes it look even better at night. Also, i'm planning on creating a daytime UI for my system with brighter colors that make it more visible during the day.

fam:
It is a bit of a stretch to reach the screen but it is not a big deal for me because the distance isn't that far and I can still see everything clearly on it. It is my opinion (feel free to disagree) that this is the best position for it after I considered the alternatives:
1) Putting the screen where the stock HU is

Nappyjim did this and it looks really nice
I decided not to do it this way because I wanted to keep the Stock HU in place

2) Placing the screen where the ashtray is

I was afraid that keeping it here would interfere with shifting plus I didn't want to sacrifice my cigarette lighter and ashtray(no i don't smoke. I just would like to hook up my cell phone or laptop occassionally)

Also, it's much easier to make quick glances towards the GPS maps when its in this position which is especially important when you are in a new area and don't know where you're going.

I am thinking about putting a wireless remote control near the shifter to quickly move between songs and scroll through the maps on the GPS system.(any recommendations anyone?)

Bugbyte · 05-26-2005, 04:00 PM

My screen install is very similar to yours. Try voice recognition as a partial solution. Of course, if the stereo is up loud or the windows are open, forget it, but for the most part it works very well if you have a decent microphone. It also impresses people and it really keeps your attention on the road. It's effortless.

Doesn't negate the need for steering wheel or remote buttons as the voice doesn't work when it's really noisy, but I've found it to be a great addition.

BTW, I'm using Bruno Speech Recognition.

Skorpion · 05-27-2005, 04:32 AM

is there anyway to integrate the factory steering wheel controls to operate with the computer? i was thinking of getting a Mazda3 too, and am looking at the different ways to hook up a carputer to it..

devin98 · 05-27-2005, 09:29 AM

I have just finished installing phase one of my screen in the ashtray area its a 7" lilliput I will get some pictures, the only thing I do not like is the huge amount of glare of the lilliput, during a sunny day

-Devin

Quote: Originally Posted by Cocoman

nappyjim:
I currently don't have pics with the screen down but when I get the chance i'll post them up as well. When the screen is down it looks pretty much like nothing is installed at all. It has been positioned so that all the plastic is aligned and flush so that from the outside you can barely tell there is a screen there when its down.
As for glare, I will admit that sometimes it is a problem. However, I have managed to remove much of this by adjusting the screen's rotary position so im facing it head on. This makes a big difference, especially during the day and makes it look even better at night. Also, i'm planning on creating a daytime UI for my system with brighter colors that make it more visible during the day.

fam:
It is a bit of a stretch to reach the screen but it is not a big deal for me because the distance isn't that far and I can still see everything clearly on it. It is my opinion (feel free to disagree) that this is the best position for it after I considered the alternatives:
1) Putting the screen where the stock HU is

Nappyjim did this and it looks really nice
I decided not to do it this way because I wanted to keep the Stock HU in place

2) Placing the screen where the ashtray is

I was afraid that keeping it here would interfere with shifting plus I didn't want to sacrifice my cigarette lighter and ashtray(no i don't smoke. I just would like to hook up my cell phone or laptop occassionally)

Also, it's much easier to make quick glances towards the GPS maps when its in this position which is especially important when you are in a new area and don't know where you're going.

I am thinking about putting a wireless remote control near the shifter to quickly move between songs and scroll through the maps on the GPS system.(any recommendations anyone?)

Cocoman · 05-27-2005, 02:21 PM

Bugbyte:
Thats a great idea. Which software do you use for your voice recognition and how well does it work? I currently have Dragon Naturally Speaking but I haven't tried it out yet(bought it for my dad but he never uses it). On another note, I really like what you did with the servo motor controller...slick.

Skorpion:
It is already partially integrated. I still use the steering wheel controls to control the volume and switch sources. The only part that doesn't work for the carputer is the switching of tracks. One way to integrate it would be to wire it up to a UART device that is hooked up to the serial port of the PC. From there you would have to write a driver that would process the input and send the appropriate commands to winamp or whatever media player you are using. It would probably be a lot of work but definately possible. Im sure there are other solutions as well, but this was the first one that came to mind.

devin98:
I look forward to seeing the pictures from your install.

Topher · 05-27-2005, 03:01 PM

that looks nice...i'm considering doing a carputer for my mazda mp3...but as you can see, i'm a noob...so i'm reading and learning