CarPC vs 370Z OEM Navigation System
 

So my current plan is to get a Touring edition without the Navigation system. Here is the reason why. I can build a car PC for much less money that will allow me to do way cooler things.

You can build a carPC for around $1000 bucks that will allow you to do a bunch of amazing things. Once you have a PC in your car the options are endless.

1) Real Time Gauges of stats directly from the engine by going through the ODB2 sensor
2) Better Navigation System
3) Google Maps in your car
4) Wireless syncing of your music library without even having to connect any other device.
5) Play TV/Videos/etc...

Here are some example videos of other people that have put CarPCs in their cars.


GTR style gauges



Music


Navigation



What do you guys think?

I think it looks really nice. This is more modern and hi tech solution to the old school navigation systems in my opinion. I am just curious to see how WELL the navigation works. After all, it all comes down to that. If you get lost and your nav system is lost as well, that's a problem. As MC said in another thread, the new navigation system in the Z is amazing. One of the best units they have ever offered. But again with CarPC, possibilities are endless. I am curious to see how many people will install this in the Z.

BTW, here's a picture of OEM nav unit. I don't know if it's modded or not, but seems like the new OEM unit can display the engine info like GTR or CarPC.

http://www.the370z.com/images/370zforum/P1.jpg

Damn that is nice!!

wow..I never saw that before...that is sweet

Yeah, the new OEM Navigation system looks nice but I am much more attracted to the endless possibilities of the CarPC solution. On top of that its 1/3 the cost and can be updated whenever you want. Once you have the intial wiring for the Touch Screen/ODB sensors and PC installed, the rest will be trivial. Installation is actually far simpler than most people think.

Just being able to see all of your important data from your engine in real time will be awesome. The car PC can have all of the same features and many more compared to what the OEM nav has. GPS location is done very easily by using a USB GPS dongle that you can buy at a good electronic's store (FRY's.. etc) for very cheap. The possibilities of being able to install multiple cameras (rear, front, side (for cops.. lol)) and record as much as you want is also a major plus. Not to mention, everything in your setup is skinnable. If you know how to program you will be able to write custom software for your car. :P

I am already working on some software so it will automatically sync my video/music library when its in range of my wireless network. :) Who needs an iPod or aux connection then?

The CarPC appeals to computer nerds like me.

Team Fortress 2 anyone?

Theres a mod made by HKS called HKS CAMP2
basically, it utilizes whatever LCD screen is installed in the car (OEM or aftermarket) and displays information from the ECU (oil temp, oil pressure, transmission temp, air-fuel ratio, etc.)

Magden has one out for thr G37


see link for review/

MyG37 - View Single Post - Review of Magden Computer for the G37

Looks crazy cool.

Looks cool. But what you guys should realize is that there is an Aux A/V input for the system that will allow you to hook up a CarPC as well... You may think that's redundant, but you gotta realize that you don't need but a lot of stuff for the car PC later... Like GPS, Radio/Sat receiver, no serious wiring or amps needed, no need to cut/mod the center console, and everything looks stock!

The simplicity in itself should be worth it... Then you can use the CarPC for things like more music capacity, internet (if you have the WWAN card or you use your phone), games, etc... If your CarPC goes down, you can just pull it out and fix it at your leisure instead of rushing so you have a radio in your car, and there's not a lot of wires and crap laying around loose. Another FANTASTIC reason is that you don't have rewire everything! You use the stock wiring, stock speakers, etc, and it will sound good with WAY less hassle.

I'm a computer geek too, but I love the idea that my stock stuff will fully suite my needs. The A/V input will assure me that if I do decide to upgrade with a carputer, it will be WAY easier.

I agree.
The "plug and play" feature of the A/V input is perfect for a lanbox.


Also to people looking to build a CarPC should know there is "new" technology out to improve the performance as well as reliability.

Soild State Drives (SSDs) are just getting noticed now and the added reliability of SSD would greatly improve the longevity of your rig. (no moving parts) - Intel's new X-25 SSD is only 80GB but has unmatched performance.

Some people might be interested in a HDTV PCI tuner. "HD" signals are broadcasted "over-the-air" and while your on the go you'd most likely be able to pickup a bunch of channels.

As for your videocard. Nothing to highend is needed due to the size of the NAV screen. I wouldn't suggest on-board vid-processing.

car PC sounds interesting.. someone do it!

Keep an eye out on mp3car.com. I'm sure this will be done fast as snot.

i know this is an old thread, but if i were to plug in a CarPC via the aux plugs - what would be the best way to control it? obviously a mouse would be quite difficult... is there a very small universal remote i could utilise when driving to change tracks etc, and then maybe use a trackpad/keyboard (like logitch's dinovo) for other tasks?

any advice would be helpful

Had this in for a year now, 8.9 inch touch screen.

http://www.the370z.com/members/pokey...uch-screen.jpg

You did this yourself? If you wouldn't mind pming me how much this total setup was and some tips on doing it for myself I would greatly appreciate it. Looks SICK.

:iagree: What is it and how much?

I am deployed now. Back in April. Hope to offer a kit in the future. Computer is a Fujitsu Fujitsu LifeBook P1630 Review

Computer can be picked up referbed for $700 from Fujitsu with a warrent. You can use the p1610 20 or 30.

You have to remove the storage box and trim some of the airvent mounts. All the connections are made with a modified docking station (ebay for $30).

I am still working on making the DVD head unit a second monitor so as to have more computer desktop screen area.

More to come.

Did you have photos of your carpc?

my carpc in my 350z...bought it used last winter and rebuilt it, made this video when trying to sell it.

car pc - YouTube

dashcommand has updated to auto reconnect after 30 seconds now!

I've also got a CarPC installed in my Z: http://www.the370z.com/audio-video/4...d-journal.html

Like pokeyl said - I'm also looking into installing a second screen. However, my primary is currently in the Double DIN slot, as you can see. I'm looking into a way to have a custom fabricator put another bare touchscreen in the cubby hole door - leaving the function of the cubby hole intact. Worst case, I'll lose the cubby hole.

Or you can get an aftermarket double din and have all that in 1 simple package. The biggest issues with a car pc is space. You could locate the pc under the seat but you'd have to place the power supply somewhere else, passenger seat. and make a custom box for both and run the wiring all over. The only benefit you'd get would be able to install PC games. It would be much easier installing a console and hooking it up to the aux input.

If you want gauges get and apple or android tablet and get the odbii reader app and throw it in the cubby.

While I agree that an aftermarket Double DIN is much easier, you'd be surprised about the space requirements of a car-specific PC. My personal Car PC with the powersupply, only takes up approx a 10x10x2.5 inch space in my trunk. It's extremely small and powerful - I have access to the internet, using Centrafuse as the front end, Pandora, HD Radio, GPS, OBD readout, AUX and iPod integration, and bluetooth audio/phone pairing. Also, as much as many people argue that it's not worth it in a car - true, individual channel surround sound and imaging.

There is a sizable amount of aftermarket hardware dedicated for CarPC - I had no idea it existed until I looked into it. Motherboards the size of half a sheet of paper, automated intelligent power supplies, touch screens, and custom-mountable toggle switches and relays, the list goes on! The only caveat is that the support is tricky - every car and build is different. But if you're willing to tinker, it's an awesome, unique stereo system for your car.