Streetdeck using Imon Ultrabay to control

danielkh · 04-05-2008, 01:48 PM

Here is a video showing the fully programmable Imon Ultrabay controlling Streetdeck. Please ignore the mounting as it is going through a test phase. Have ordered the supplies needed to make it permanent. This really isn't a product review as it is still being tested. Mainly just wanted to show how well it works with the carputer.

Problems with the Imon:

1. No "real" brightness control. Only brightness contrast
2. Made for a desktop to fit into 2 5.25" bays. Car mount must be fabricated.

Streetdeck and Imon Ultrabay

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rxh81 · 04-05-2008, 04:19 PM

Really cool!!

Thanks for showing!

danielkh · 04-05-2008, 04:57 PM

You're very welcome. So far, it has really impressed me, however, I'm more interested to see how robust it is. How is car vibration going to effect it. I'm also a bit concerned about their tech support/design guys. Some of the units (mine included) are dim. personally, since there isn't brightness control, prefer it so it doesn't blind me at night. From what I gather on their forums, they are aware of it and when asked to add brightness control to their software, the response was basically "thank you very much". At least they did respond I guess. Now for what the Imon has going for it. I only mentioned SD, but for RR it would even be better.

It can have graphic equalizer/music readout for winamp (no good on SD)
Checks and scrolls news and weather (interval checks/cities worldwide can be set)
Can be set up for multiple programs
IR media center remote capable (can use either the imon or MCE remote)
Has clock readout when computer goes into hibernate. Shuts off automatically (not sure how long)
Monitors and scrolls system information, fonts/size/and scrolling are all editable
Has autolaunch button
readout can be set/changed by holding down the volume knob

A lot more, but I'm still learning it. I posted on their forums that there were a couple of us over here testing their product in a car, so they might want to start investigating the market. Would love to see them come out with a double din version with more buttons!

Autockr989 · 04-06-2008, 05:33 PM

That is a very cool option to have. I have no clue where I would mount that though. Too bad..

parksgm · 04-06-2008, 05:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rxh81

Really cool!!

Thanks for showing!

Quote: Originally Posted by Autockr989

That is a very cool option to have. I have no clue where I would mount that though. Too bad..

Agreed. Nice interface for SD...I am of the opinion that physical buttons are superior to the the touchscreen while driving in almost all circumstances. I have the same problem as the poster above, however...no place to put it unless I get rid of my headunit.

How much did that cost?

danielkh · 04-06-2008, 05:43 PM

I am not sure I like the company that makes the Imon yet, so yesterday I went looking for something else like it. I can't find a single or double 5.25 bay controller that is even close to it. I found a lot that were remote control (single bay), but not buttons. The ones that did have buttons were preprogrammed for fan control.

Single bay controller might be easier for more users to install, but it doesn't exist as far as I can find.

danielkh · 04-06-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by parksgm

How much did that cost?

Sorry, didn't see the question. I paid $104, however, you can find places online that sell it for $86. Saw the one I needed at Fry's and decided to grab it while I could. So far, I have seen 3. The Fry's in Dallas had a silver one and I couldn't use it, and the Fry's in Houston had a black one and a silver one. Might be easier getting it online. The black one I got had even been repackaged. Sure someone brought it back because the display was dim, but that was a plus for me.

danielkh · 04-06-2008, 06:39 PM

Here are a couple of videos on youtube showing some yahoo installing the Ultrabay (wrong) but it will give you an idea of what is needed and the physical size of the entire unit. Plus, it will give a laugh seeing this guy put a double bay device in a single bay. To give you an idea of why this company worries me...........the company posted the videos. They also have a "knob", but I like the griffin better.

Also, keep in mind that depending on where your computer is, you will probably have to extend the power cable (Ultrabay will not work with laptop, directly out of the box, due to power requirements). I used a cat5 cable because it had enough wires and kept the area clean. Each twisted pair went to one wire on the cable.

iMON Demo - Ultra Bay (How to install)

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iMON Demo - Ultra Bay

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Here is a review video which does make me feel a little better...

#861 - iMON Ultra Bay Video Review

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S4Per · 04-06-2008, 07:27 PM

cool, but not something i'd use as you still need to focus your eyes on which button you're going to push (plus figuring out a place to put it, i.e. i have no space for it with integrated display where stereo used to be).

what has become my major input device is the ccStick (rotary encoder). it's in the same location as my stock navigation button (easy reach with right arm on armrest) and i can reach for it blindly.

You can program functions for it. I have it setup as: turn r/l = scroll up/down, left=back, top=toggle voice control, right=right. (it's acutally 8-way joystick, but i don't find a need for the other ones).

between that and voice control, i never touch the screen anymore. although officially out of business, i'm 99% sure you can still get one of these if you wanted. or - - did anyone ever write a program for the encoder mp3car store sells?

danielkh · 04-06-2008, 07:56 PM

I drive with my hand on the shifter most of the time, so learned exactly where each button was fairly quickly. Think that is why I like it so much. it put the buttons at the best place possible for me.

Autockr989 · 04-06-2008, 09:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by danielkh

I drive with my hand on the shifter most of the time, so learned exactly where each button was fairly quickly. Think that is why I like it so much. it put the buttons at the best place possible for me.

Are you able to control different functions like using as a radio tuner. being able to switch through the stations?

How is the remote. Full funtionability? Can you use it to change channels on slingbox? Can the joystick act like a mouse with complete control or just 4 way movement.

The company does have some very appealing goodies for the car. That controller obviously has the the most functionality compared to other products, I think that remote control would be all worth it.

danielkh · 04-06-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Autockr989

Are you able to control different functions like using as a radio tuner. being able to switch through the stations?

With the main buttons, you can program anything including radio (I only have XM), with the left knob you can scroll through stations and then press to select. To just go forward a station or back, you have previous and next.

Quote: Originally Posted by Autockr989

How is the remote. Full funtionability? Can you use it to change channels on slingbox? Can the joystick act like a mouse with complete control or just 4 way movement.

The remote seems cool, but I'm in a car 5 foot long. I'll never use it. I checked it out and it can be a mouse, which I thought was cool. Says it can be a keyboard too. I haven't checked it on slingplayer yet.

Quote: Originally Posted by Autockr989

The company does have some very appealing goodies for the car. That controller obviously has the the most functionality compared to other products, I think that remote control would be all worth it.

It seems to be a great device, no arguement here. However, if you watch their website, all their instructions and software (they don't even list the ultrabay), and their tech support typing english as if it's their 3rd or 4th language, I am a bit concerned putting all my faith into it. I hope I'm wrong because I do love it. I've seen claims from people that say they have owned the ultrabay since it came out and they love it, but that isn't in a vibrating moving vehicle.

parksgm · 04-06-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by danielkh

I am not sure I like the company that makes the Imon yet, so yesterday I went looking for something else like it. I can't find a single or double 5.25 bay controller that is even close to it. I found a lot that were remote control (single bay), but not buttons. The ones that did have buttons were preprogrammed for fan control.

Single bay controller might be easier for more users to install, but it doesn't exist as far as I can find.

Could the bottom half of the unit with the knobs reasonably/easily be separated from the display portion (which means, could I cut the top and bottom halves apart along the molded line and remote mount the top part if it contains the main circuitry? I would only have room for one section, but don't really need the display portion, but the dual knobs are really pretty attractive.

danielkh · 04-06-2008, 11:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by parksgm

Could the bottom half of the unit with the knobs reasonably/easily be separated from the display portion (which means, could I cut the top and bottom halves apart along the molded line and remote mount the top part if it contains the main circuitry? I would only have room for one section, but don't really need the display portion, but the dual knobs are really pretty attractive.

Exactly!! That is what I spent all day and night yesterday looking for and can't find anyone that makes that. As for this cutting in half, I will be pulling it out next week to mount it permanently, and I'll look, but just from memory and the video's above, I am going to say no. 1:13 into the 3rd video (review), 47 seconds into the first (install) make me want to say it would be difficult. It would really depend if the LCD is above the PCB or on it. Single button is no better than a griffin, but they have this which would also give you the IR remote. personally, I would find it a wash with griffin.

They know me and Mikey-z are testing it, so maybe they are monitoring the forum. Would love to see them come out with a button only.

rxh81 · 04-07-2008, 03:29 AM

This ultrabay works really great, but I have the same concerns than others..
Absolutely no space for it... my 7" display is in the place of the headunit and I had also give up my cup holders :-)
And it's also not the perfect solution, because not so easy to reach.. and resting the hand on the shifter is bad for the gearbox ;-) unless you have automatic.
This ccstick sounds also really great and easy to use...
But I imagine the best solution for me is to make my steering weel buttons work with SD.
No additional space needed and should be the easiest to reach...

Roland