Keep me busy Project: GPS/Audio in car computer - Now featurning pictures

[Stomis]

So I've started to realize that its gonna be a pain and awkward to mount my little netbook in my truck. I've begun researching an in-car computer and I think I'm going to go with it. The specs will be:

+An Intel mini ITX board 6.75" x 6.75"
It carries an onboard Atom 330 Processor which is the same processor I have in my netbook but this one is 1.5ghz dual core rather than 1.6ghz single core.
The mobo also features Intel GMA 950 onboard shared graphics processor which I'll need for running 3d maps.
The standard stuff is 4 USB 2.0 ports, VGA out, Printer port, PCI slot incase I need a better graphics card, ethernet port, serial port, and a S-video out.

+2 gigs of DDR2 667 Memory

+A 32 Gigabyte solid state drive for storage.

+200w power supply and power inverter to power everything

For a screen I'll be running a 7 or 8in touch screen on my dash to control it all. As for a keyboard I found a neat program called Zero Weight Keyboard which will give me a graphic keyboard on screen whenever I need it.



The idea of this is that I'll be able to have Topographical and street maps on command without having to trip over a laptop and figure out where to mount it. The only decent Offroad gps I have found is in the $500-600 range and thats for offroad only. If I priced this out right I should come in under $400, have onroad, offroad, music, and lots of other capabilities. Hell if I threw a keyboard and mouse in the car I could probably play shootem up games...

So far my major dilemma with this project is where to mount the computer. I figure its going to be roughly 8"x8"x6". I was thinking of putting it in my center console but the problem with that is how to run all the connections. This is definately where I could use some help. My monitor will probably wind up in my corner of the dash which makes running the VGA and USB wire even more of a paint in the ass...

 

[lectric80]

USB won't be any issue at all, since you can easily buy extension type cords to connect to the MB connectors and just mount them wherever is convenient. VGA is similiar, since you can just run a long cable to where ever you need the monitor mounted.

I think if I was going to do this in a stock center console, I would divide the portion under the cupholders off, to protect the components, then mount everything in there. You won't lose much storage space, it is relatively secure, and you can run your wiring out of the bottom of the console to where you need it. You could also mount the motherboard on one side and have the connections come through the front of the console, but then you may have damage occuring, which is why I recommend having everything inside the console.

Also keep in mind, you may not need a separate power supply, most everything can be run off you vehicles existing power systems. IIRC you need 12V, 5V and 3.3V and you can eliminate the inverter. The inverter would be taking DC converting it to AC, then the power supply would be returning it to DC, not very efficient. There are tons of write ups on mounting a system in your vehicle, and even how to do the power supply stuff. An inverter is going to waste some power, and then it also must be cooled, as does the power supply. Whereas using the vehicles existing power systems eliminates the extra cooling and power waste, as well as two potiential failure points. This would also make the system much more compact, and let's face it, easier to upgrade in the future.

 

[Stomis]

Hmmm I never thought of that with the powersupply. I decided to go with a mini itx case and since it came with a power supply it looks like I'll have to be going with it...

 

[lectric80]

Which kit did you get?

I'm not saying you can't do it with an inverter and power supply, just seems like much less hassle to not have them. Your post got me thinking about doing this in my Blazer, just have to figure out how to integrate radio, sat radio, as well as my DVD drive and have it all hidden. I would love to have no stereo to tempt thieves.

 

[Stomis]

Well heres what I bought.

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154091

Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121359

Ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134192

SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141419

Screen
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=170303201797

I also added a 160gb Hitachi SATA Laptop 2.5" Harddrive for all my media since the 32gb didnt cut it.

The idea is that all the crucial programs I have like my GPS and windows is on a solid state drive with no moving parts. This allows the bumps and bangs of offroading to never give me errors with windows or gps.

You could definitely incorporate all those things into this system, its just as versatile as any desktop or laptop but I would think you need to get a PC version of said component.

 

[lectric80]

I am guessing you already have a DVD drive to attach to the system, or are you planning on using an USB version? The reason I ask is that most programs are going to want some type of optical media drive, and with the system you are building, why not have a DVD player as well?

That way when you are out on the trails you can watch a movie while waiting for the line to move. Or if you need to upload updates and stuff you can easily do it from a CD.

I love the SSD, although I would consider doing a second SSD rather than a typical platter type drive. Same reason, bumps can cause some serious damage to the drive. You could also just load the music onto thumb drives and just plug them into USB when you need them. This would eliminate the need for a second hard drive, but is just a suggestion.

Now you have me thinking about that MB with an SSD, DVD drive, and probably no other drives. I could use my heavy duty external or thumb drives pretty easily and have more than enough music for most if not all drives and trail rides. Again, this is just my ideas, you can use or discard anything that doesn't work for you. Oh, and of course then I have to figure out a way to add mobile broadband so I can update CK5 while I am out on the trails.

 

[Stomis]

I am guessing you already have a DVD drive to attach to the system, or are you planning on using an USB version? The reason I ask is that most programs are going to want some type of optical media drive, and with the system you are building, why not have a DVD player as well?

That way when you are out on the trails you can watch a movie while waiting for the line to move. Or if you need to upload updates and stuff you can easily do it from a CD.

I love the SSD, although I would consider doing a second SSD rather than a typical platter type drive. Same reason, bumps can cause some serious damage to the drive. You could also just load the music onto thumb drives and just plug them into USB when you need them. This would eliminate the need for a second hard drive, but is just a suggestion.

Now you have me thinking about that MB with an SSD, DVD drive, and probably no other drives. I could use my heavy duty external or thumb drives pretty easily and have more than enough music for most if not all drives and trail rides. Again, this is just my ideas, you can use or discard anything that doesn't work for you. Oh, and of course then I have to figure out a way to add mobile broadband so I can update CK5 while I am out on the trails.

Ugh that anywhere broadband is expensive. I think its like another $50 a month. As far as my secondary drive, I got a 160gb Laptop 2.5in harddrive. The fact that its a laptop harddrive should help quite a bit. I honestly didnt consider putting a dvd player in it since I doubt I'll ever sit in my truck and watch movies but for the $20 more I probably should.

Btw I cannot fit all my music on thumb drives and the point of this also being an mp3 player is to stop me from having to pick and choose what music I take with me. I want it all there always. I'm going to devise some sort of anti shock device for the 2.5 drive. If it break I'm only out $50 anyway, I'll just get another SDD then.

 

[lectric80]

Cool, keep us updated. I keep adding the the list of projects to do this summer, I might even accomplish something.

 

[Stomis]

Well I had a dvd drive laying around so I modified it to fit and threw it in. Got my touchscreen working and damn is a 7in screen huge compared to a GPS. Everything is super clear and works great. I'm a little worried I'm gonna have to go with another case cause this one is long...

 

[lectric80]

I don't think you will find them much smaller, the problem is they need enough room the clear an optical drive with the cables on the back. Maybe eliminate the case, and mount everything in the center console, have the DVD drive open out the front of the console. It would be clean and out of sight of would be thieves.

Oh, and this thread is worthless without pics!

 

[Stomis]

Ok ok fine!

I put the damn dvd player in since it seems to make sense although I'll never use it... It was laying in so I modified the front face plate to fit in the case even though its suppose to take one of the external lite laptop cdroms. I have a feeling theres not gonna be any room for the disk drive to open though

I'd like to mount the case so all the ports and the disk drive are in my center console and sticking out nice and easy but alas that would defeat the water proof qualities on putting it in the center console.

I ordered my 16.5 touchscreen cable which surprisingly only ran me $50.

O and I forgot to add in that I threw in a fx5500 256mb nvidia video card in the pci slot that I got for $30. It makes the 3d mapping on the gps program SOOOOO much faster to load and now I dont have to worry about crappy onboard video.

Install should be Friday. After I buy the invert I'll be right around $600 said and done I believe.

O btw my hands although not very rugged are decent sized and they are right ontop of the computer and screen so no optical illusion lol.

 

[lectric80]

Cool, thanks for the pics, can't wait to see the install. Now my gears are turning and I have some ideas for doing mine in the console I am building.

Ok so which software are you using, and what kind of antenna does it require? Once you get the install done, I want to see the software.

 

[VikingWarlord]

Cool pics ! I am doing the ghetto version with an old police cruizer laptop and a garmin legend gps feeding signal to run mapsource. But that'll just be the start I'm sure

 

[Stomis]

I have the same thing an old garmin legend feeding my gps signal in. As for wifi to update music while I'm in the driveway I'm just gonna get a usb antenna.

I'm using standard windows xp home edition with a onscreen keyboard program. For offroad gps I'll be using Topo USA from Delorme and onroad will be microsoft street and trip 2008. I have ugh "sharing" copys of both if you guys want a copy.

 

[lectric80]

Ehh, I won't run the risk of getting your copies, but I am sure I can get them easily enough when the time comes.

When you get it all installed, if you would be willing to show my how the Garmin ties in, I would appreciate it. Does it have to be an older Legend, or will the newer ones work the same way?

 

[Stomis]

Ehh, I won't run the risk of getting your copies, but I am sure I can get them easily enough when the time comes.

When you get it all installed, if you would be willing to show my how the Garmin ties in, I would appreciate it. Does it have to be an older Legend, or will the newer ones work the same way?

Any GPS can be used to signal out to a gps program as a receiver. Its actually quite easy and usually is plug and play with a good mapping program. As for the programs its all about the Microsoft Live Syc man. I could privatly send you guys the 7gb worth of programs in like 3 hours.

 

[Stomis]

Heres some shots of how perfect the case fit in the console. Also where I ran the wires. I ran into some trouble today with a bad ground somewhere in my truck causing a bigtime hum in the speakers from the inverter. I returned the crap walmart inverter I bought and got a nice black and decker one for the same price. Tomorrow I'm gonna run the wires straight to the battery. Heres the pictures.

 

[lectric80]

Tight fit, but it looks pretty good in there. Now just to build a shroud around it and you can still use the console for other storage.

 

[driney]

I know you've already got the inverter, but have you seen these? M4-ATX power supplies

 

[lectric80]

That's cool, and a simple solution to my plans to not have a case like Stomis is using. The cost at $100 puts it right in line with the cost of the case and inverter, so it would work perfectly for the budget as well. I think I will be ordering that when I get through a few of the projects I currently have in progress.