I’ve learned that a catchy thread title is important. Actually, I do not really agree fully with my title, but I am curious why people install CarPC’s.

Yup, did a search. People here keep telling me this is the best way to go, but I still don’t get the CarPC thing. Software applications are generally written for at least a 14” screen, but screens you mount in cars are small “7” screens. For example, there are navigation products for a PC, but these are designed for a 14” or larger screen (I have used them). Alpine and Garmin (just examples since there are many others) produce software designed to run on anywhere from a 3.5” to 7” screen and in a moving vehicle, boat, or on foot. IMO they work much better in a car than any navigation product designed for a PC. Garmin and Alpine have a rich feature-set handling a moving vehicle, while navigation products designed for a PC have a different focus.

When I do need a computer in my car, I use a laptop (and I prefer the larger screen placed upon the passenger seat), or better yet have the passenger (when they are in the car) operate the laptop.

It is easy to understand the benefits of audio, rear-seat video, and navigation in a car. But, applications requiring full attention of the operator do not seem appropriate.

Help me out here. I just am not getting this.

--Spike

BTW: I know better than posting this message on mp3car.com. Please do not copy this message to that Forum. Those guys would “eat me alive” with this kind of statement, and I don’t want to spend the effort defending myself there.

 

LOL!!!!! No guts..........NO GLORY!

More bang for your buck! And IGuidance is a phenominal small screen Nav system. I have it on my Verizon XV6600 and love it, but it would be better on a 7" touchsreen. Plenty of frontend programs formatted for that size also for comprehensive versatility. I want the Lilliput 701 touchscreen/GPS/DVD/TV/MP3's/Broadband Internet/E-mail/Calender/OBDII performance program/ect..........I like the functionality it can offer.

 

^^ True, but I can run all of that on my laptop with a much better view and far more function. And, I do this using wireless so I don't have about a million wires to connect to various components.

...Still don't get it. Not arguing, just asking --Spike

And, you are correct... I am a little intimidated by the mp3car.com crowd.

 

I like the capability of having thousands of songs all in one place, and not on multiple CD's. While this could be accomplished easier with an iPod adapter, I like the flexibility a computer offers. It is fully customizable, and the frontends make it user friendly. It is just like having a screen like Lexus's, BMW's, and other high end cars have in their dash from the factory. Also it isn't much more expensive than a really nice headunit with navigation and DVD capabilities.

 

I got tired of juggling through CD's, so I did it specifically to be able to play my songs without use of an ipod. Also, it's nice to have voice-guided navigation when you need it.

There are many wonderful front-ends available as well. Being the lazy-*** that I am, I saw StreetDeck (check here: http://www.streetdeck.com/) and bought it since it seemed like a good package for me. Although it was an expensive alternative, it offered the cleanest interface.

In conclusion, as you say, the mp3car.com guys can suck, but take your time and see if it suits your needs. Plus, depending on your setup, it looks completely OEM. You can search for mine on here, I think I posted something a while back.

 

I agree with you… but now you need to update system software to Vista… and maybe update the CarPC’s hardware to keep it current and Vista-capable. That is on top of updating your laptop and/or home computer. If you have something like Garmin or Alpine, you update the system software using a SD reader or getting a new DVD, and you are current for little or no cost for the latest navigation (function and maps).

My point is that the CarPC arrangement can become expensive when you need to update application and system software. I don’t think users consider this in the overall cost.

Of course you can remain with old application and system software, but what fun is that?

--Spike

 

Spike100
I think you might need to experience one first hand to really get a good idea of well it works. It sounds good, but like all good ideas there might be something you don't like about the operation of the carpc . I've seen some of your posts and you do a lot of research, make good posts, and you seem like a pretty smart guy. What might be fantastic to some, might not be so cool to you. Maybe you could find some other people that have carpc's and check them out at a meet in your area

As far as Vista, I wouldn't go near it for another 6-12 months. If it provides no tangible benefit, why bother?

 

^^ Thanks for kind words.

I am involved in the software industry (I have a software company that provides an EDI vertical market product to the health care industry). That means I am deeply into Vista development for some time now. Vista is actually quite good, but as you point out, it may not be something that the CarPC people want to immediately jump at.

--Spike

 

besides streetdeck.com, are there any manufacturer's of carpc's or is it something that has to be custom made? (don't mean to thread jack, sorry op).

 

StreetDeck is just a front-end (software). The actual hardware/computer is separate. You can either put it together yourself or buy it pre-built.

 

Here are the reasons why I'd prefer Car PC over a NAVI with a lot of functionalities...

1. Price
A good NAVI that can store mp3s, plays DVD, bluetooth and all that goes for $1500 (EX: Pioneer ACIV-Z1). A car PC can do all that an more for less than $1000. A bluetooth adapter for the navi runs for over $100 versus a USB bluetooth device for a computer runs for $20 at Best Buy.

2. Originality
You can get really creative with a car PC in terms of functionalities, hardware choices, where to mount it, color and all the other good stuff...

3. Software Expandability
I'm a .NET programmer myself. So I can easily write software that runs on Windows OS.

4. Hardware Expandbility
If I want better graphic, I can simply upgrade the monitor or the video card. If the sound card is broken, I can just swap a card in. With a all-in-on navi, if one functionality isn't working or not working well, it needs to be replaced completely.

The list goes on and on.. but the above are the highlights!

 

No problem. The best place to go for information about CarPC’s is mp3car.com. There is more information here than you can absorb in a few evenings. If you do go here, search thoroughly before asking any questions or starting any thread. The guys on this Forum will attack with no mercy. There are lots of “public lynching's.” It is no where near the friendly environment we enjoy on this Forum.
--Spike

 

thanks for the info guys...i'll read up over there

 

I agree on all except (1) Price. That is because my navigation install (7” screen in the upper/forward cubby with a Garmin GVN52) was less than $700. But (as you point out), all I got for $700 was navigation (although it is much better than what I get on my PC with available solutions for car navigation). The H/U supports all the audio I would ever want, so there is no need to change this. Video/DVD is a cheap add-on.

For all the rest of my computer needs, I use my laptop. I’m in an area supporting wireless access. I like the larger screen (17” in my case) since that provides better visualization for the applications I use. As you point out, there are plenty of mapping applications for PC’s, and they look great on a laptop with a “17” screen. A very simple CarPC solution is a well-equipped laptop. That may seem too easy, but that is what laptops are all about. My fear is I am getting old and not seeing the point.

--Spike

 

I totally respect your point of view. But there are more to it than just features. Where can you put a laptop? Probably on the passenger seat? I don't think you can easily navigate your laptop (especially when it's not a tablet) while you're driving (especially with a MT). An all-in-one solution needs to be positioned in the right place with easy navigation in order to be useful. I was just doing some quick research and I actually started another thread about it. But look at this already built Double DIN carputer. It does everything that you're looking for but also has a windows OS, so nerdy programmers like me can write our own software to run on it. It's really pricey though...

http://store.mp3car.com/PhotoGallery...Code=SDK%2D007


But again, you could get creative and build your own with cheap parts. I know some guys here spent way less than 1k and had himself a very sweet system .

 

I also think it's just a natural progression of computers. Computers are coming into play an all aspects of our lives. It was only a matter of time before they would be popular in cars.

 

^ exactly.. It's just like how cellphones are becoming computers now. You used to buy a cellphone just to talk. But now a lot of them runs on some kind of operation system. You can check email, chat, access to the internet and all that. The problem with car PC is the control. Since the goal is to drive use the computer at the same time. Voice control is still a very poor technology. But to do simple things like navigation, play music, bluetooth (which is pretty much all an all-in-one navi system can do) is very basic for a car PC. All it requires is one easy to access user interface.

 

You are 100% right on. I have MS voicecommand on my XV6600 and love it even tho it still has a long way to go in voice recognition in the car enviroment. Is there a similar interface for roadrunner or another frontend software that you know of ? I would even take voicecommand if it could be integrated.

 

Anytime I drive my wifes car, I miss my carPC.

A well integrated front ended carpc is light years better in a car than laptop.
Touchpads/nipples/mice with pointers are horrible in a car, even when used by the passenger.

Every CD I own is in my car, as a matter of fact, new CDs get ripped and go in a box in the garage.

I am in the middle of 3 audible audio books right now, my car PC will remember where I am no matter what I listen to in between.

Working on a setup now that always records the last five minutes, if something happens in front of me I want to remember, just hit the save button and the file saves to the HD.

Killing time in parking lots has never been so more fun.

The carPC can also be as open/closed as you want it to be. There is no reason to upgrade to Vista any time soon although some of the features sound interesting, it is not a necessity. By the time I need to upgrade, I am sure there will be better hardware that takes less power and does more anyway.

The bottom line is, a carPC is not for everyone, if you are easily frustrated by computers, I would stay away. On the other hand if you consider computers a hobby, it is just one more extension of that hobby.

Chris

 

I think car computers are a huge waste of time and just take up a lot of space. My in dash nav and ipod do everything I could want and take up no room at all.