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Update-Daily Use, my review after two weeks (my Long winded review of having a carputer)
1. LCD/Touchscreen Use -The screen is pretty distracting to use while driving -Ex. Trying to select songs playing the next song (Using road runner interface).
2. Interference from the cheap ac/dc invertor is annoying. (Waiting for Monster 300 power invertor just ordered online)
3. Internet use- I have one of those dsl wireless cards that I borrowed from work. Playing streaming music again take more work than needed. I have a pocket pc phone that can play streaming music and that interface seems easier to use. (Resco Radio)
For day to day use I dont think I would need internet access unless on the very rare occasion I am traveling far from home or work. (I work in IT and have internet at work,at home, a blackberry and my personal phone is a pocket pc phone. The blackberry internet seems usable enough)
DVD/TV - I dont really watch movies while driving but for passengers the carputer has a dvd drive on it. No ones bothers-Since my car is a two seater I think people seem to rather talk to me while driving.
TV-Streaming Video- I have a slingbox that I can access via the carputer. Its pretty cool to listen to recorded program on it (I got a tivo at home too) but still can be distracting as I would be tempted to watch. (Again my pocket pc phone can stream video using the slingbox mobile program)
GPS- Dont have one yet but still reseaching. Does anyone have any recommendations?
I would need to find a good mapping program also. Again with the blackberry its got GPS built in and uses the free google maps program. Seems easier to type on while driving on the blackberry vs the carputer-Even with the wireless folding mini keyboard or the on screen keyboard.
Sound Quality-Seems decent enough. I dont not know how it compares to a IPOD but the mp3s definatly sound better than the radio. Since I have the RCA switcher I can go back between the radio and the carputer easily. I may plug in my pocket pc phone(MDA) to compare the sound quality.
Rear Camera-It seems almost a necessity in this car. The 350z has horrible blind spots and if someone parked to close behind you or trying to backout of a busy parking lot, the camera is a so helpful. I am sure all you 350z owners know what I am talking about.
One thing I was thinking about was being able to record or capture rear video in the the carputer but I am not sure how often I would use that or why?
Connexion- Space Navigator
Wow. This is the main source of control for the carputer. The freeware app that someone made for it make this device worth more than the 50 dollars I paid for it. Plus, it will auto switch based on the application that is in the active window. So if the windows desktop is the active app while winamp is minimized it works as a mouse. I set it up if I push in the navigator it left clicks,pull up right click.
I think without this I would have given up on the carputer. While playing winamp I can got to the next song go back,fast fwd/RWD pause,open up the visullizer, control the volume. Plus it does not look like I have a pc in the car like a mouse or trackball would. I believe the BMW and Mercedes have a similar contol device for their nav interface-I think they refer to it as a puck.
Startup/Shutdown- The carputer start up in about 29 seconds. I used a lots of utilities to get the time down. The one that made the most difference was a 160gb harddrive that I bought. I try not to shut it down but I have been trying standby mode,which seems to be putting a drain on the laptop battery. I will try hybernation works better. But using the laptop is ideal since you turn off the car the carputer stays on and it wont put a drain on the car battery.
Here are the specs
Dell C840- No LCD attached.
P4 2.0ghz
1gb Ram
120gb hd
64mb video
Why did I install a carputer-
Initially, I was looking for a monitor and a backup camera which lead me to look for a monitor with a vga input and to this carputer install.
1. Wanted better sound than the headunit could provide for mp3s.
2. Did not want to spend 1500 dollars for a headunit that only could provide GPS and play mp3s/CD/Radio but no other features like internet browers. Especially visulaor that made the radio look cool. Apparently, They stopped making radios with these as it was considered an distraction. Now I understand and agree but its still too cool have it.
3. Always wanted one. (I was using a laptop back in 96 to play mp3's to in my system when I worked in car stereo installation. Had 3 phenoix gold amps, 3 subs- jlaudio 12w6, and mb quarts components)
Now finally my conclusions,
For me its not worth it so far. I don't drive as much as other people may and even if I did it would only be good for uses a an mp3 player. I just dont spend as much time in my car for the other uses. Its cool to have all my music on one harddrive but these $##@ Ipods are catching up. (its just my preference but I dont really like apple computer software and I refuse to put one in my car).
Unless I can determine I can get better sound (looking to upgrade the sound card to an creative audigy) compaired to my pocket pc phone or another headunit that can play mp3s I am probably going to sell it off. (Not going to scrap it as I put to much work into it. Hopefully someone else can appreaciate it. ) And, I will just install an smaller lcd to view the backup camera. Setting up a carputer just takes so much time to install and refine. I have spend countless hours on installation and research of components and refining the operation system.
I will probably it for a few more weeks with the installation of the monster invertor to see if the hum goes away. The hum is only present when the cheap invertor is plugged in.
My sugestions
Unless you have a 4 seater or spend a lot of time in your car I would not recommend one.
1. If you do install one, use a laptop (if on a budget order just the base without the monther board on ebay.)
2. Use your existing monitor if your car has gps (just by an add in vga convertor). If not buy one that does not have a touch screen.
3. Just use the mini bluetooth keyboard (tiny folding type) and the usb Connexion personal explorer for a mouse and navigation applicaiton.
4. Be prepared to spend lots of time on this project. At least 10 hours installing and refining the scratch windows installation, looking for and installing/configurating applications and refining the os for startup time. Maybe save 5 hours if you dont worry about the startup time.
Hope this info can be helpful to someone.
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