Hi all,

I am looking into putting a DVD/GPS combo system like a AVIC D3 possibly in my 2003 Z. I am also considering going the Carputer route by using a laptop and 6.5 - 7 inch lcd in the cubby. I am kind of new to this but was wondering if you guys had any opinions on what the best DVD/GPS combo is or what the best straigt lcd is out there for a carputer. I know of liliput for the straight lcd screen but not very familiar with thier models.

Thanks.

 

Dude..wow I know why people on these forums are going nuts. I have only been back on the forums for a little over a month and see why the 4 yr vets are so grumpy. Use the search button..in my one month being back on..Ive seen this question asked possibly 5 times. Holy CRAP!

Evo

 

yeah I've seen 2 of those posts after "searching" but was wondering if there was anything out there. Sorry didn't mean to grump up the place....just a question...u can ignore it if it annoys you.

 

I heard that the 2008 lilliput (model 629GL-70NP/C/T) is pretty good for stand alone lcd. Anyone have any experience with these?

 

will never steer you wrong unless your in the bermuda

 

^ lol... yeah and a Honda Civic will get you from point A to point B with better gas mileage and more reliability, but we all have Z's.

 

If your main objective is navigation along with DVD and music, a carPC is probably overkill. This is simply because you will need to do a lot of research to select the correct components and install these to create your carPC. You are also faced with maintaining a lot of software (i.e., OS and application software).

The simple solution for GPS, DVD, and music (without the computer carPC stuff) is a double-din “all-in-one” device. The Pioneer model you mention is excellent. Kenwood makes some great double-din “all-in-one” units as well. The problem with these devices is that you are not able to update individual components/features. For example, when better GPS devices become available in the next few months; you won’t be able to take advantage of these improvements if you have an “all-in-one” device.

A better solution is installing a LCD screen in the Z’s upper/forward cubby, and connect various devices (navigation box, DVD player, etc.). The upper/forward cubby provides a better viewing angle, and you take advantage of an otherwise useless space. This installation requires a minor amount of custom fabrication in Z’s past the 2003 year, but once you have a screen in this position you can connect any number of devices. You use the various rear cubbies to hold these devices along with your H/U slot.

Good LCD options for the upper/forward cubby are Kenwood LZ-702W Touchscreen Monitor or Kenwood KOS-L702 Remote Touch-Screen Monitor. Search the Audio Builds sub-forum for details.

--Spike

 

Thanks Spike...really appreciate your info. If I was going to go the straight lcd route I think i'd rather go with a laptop and lcd....rather than have multiple components through out cubbies in the car. Even if I did go the compononent route like you were saying (even carputer)...say I put the dvd player in the cubby behind the passenger seat (or laptop under passengers seat)...everytime I wanted to change a dvd I would have to open the cubby behind the seat or load a new dvd into the laptop itself.

Then again something like an AVIC D3 is expensive as hell...so that might not be so bad after all lol.

 

^^ Certainly an “all-in-one” double-din device (i.e., the AVIC D3 you mention or others available from Kenwood, Eclipse, etc.) is the simple solution favored by most members here. It’s easily installed and designed for a car. That means the device handles the temperature extremes of a car’s interior, and the jostle of rough roadways.

My point is that the upper/forward cubby in a Z begs for an LCD screen, and that is a great viewing position. Driving this screen with a carPC is not simple since it involves a great deal of research (and probably some experimentation) to configure and maintain. I agree with you that a laptop computer is an easier carPC solution, but the purists would disagree.

If you go with an upper/forward cubby LCD installation, your easy solution is one of the Kenwood products I mention in my previous posting. It’s no problem installing an easily-accessible DVD player in the Z’s normal H/U position. That can be done if you combine a separate DVD player with a single-din H/U in the normal mounting-position. Another option is purchasing a single-din H/U with an integrated DVD player that you output to a LCD screen in the upper/forward cubby. That way, access is not a problem

You should look at the Audio Builds subforum to see lots of LCD installation solutions.

--Spike

 

OK, so your recomendation is to place an LCD in the upper cubby.

Buy modules that support your wants, e.g. gps, dvd player etc.

But you still don't have the ability to player music?

So you have to buy a single / double din deck to go in he stock location?

This seems really expensive, and I am still stuck with the issue of having a deck that is ugly. Kenwood doesn't make a single din unit that I don't find to be "fast and furious"

I like the idea of relocating the the LCD to the top cubby. Better viewing angle, etc.

Are there an alternatives to buying the LCD and having to buy a single din to go in the stock location?

 

^^ mYes. The Kenwood KOS system supports this. You can even add this to your OEM CES; so you only add components but keep your existing stuff. Search the Audio Builds sub-forum for information.

Of course, if your budget is tight, the solutions I mention may not be what you want.

--Spike