Mug

Maybe extend the screen harness wires to the foot well for a temporary connection?

niebur3

I have the skills, but in Florida right now...lol!

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

holy cr*p...what an innovator, nicely done!

dwb993

iTrader: (13)

subscribed!

Gryphter

Good eye! I didn't address that in the explanation much. However the Acer that I have uses a 12 volt 1.5 amp source. Exactly the same as what the car produces. (Within .5 amps) That small variation will not cause an issue as long as the volts match. Wire in a fuse just for safety and you're good. This is again why the acer is perfect for this project.

Other tabs that have a different source will require some sort of inverter. Thus complicating this project even more. Not knowing what to expect on this one I wanted to keep it simple.

niebur3

^^ Very nice that the Acer is so compatible like that!

emilio320

this is an AWESOME idea!!! i absolutely DESPISE Acura's built in navigation system, the logic is completely stupid when searchng for POI'S, very often it gives me results that are Thousands of miles away so i can honestly only ever use my navi for getting to a place i already have the address for. My question for you is, am i giving up any other of my built in Acura features by integrating this tablet? I.E. Voice control of the AC system and various other voice controllable functions?, HFL Bluetooth calling?, and how reversible is this mod?

dwb993

iTrader: (13)

All you're doing is removing the OEM LCD and installing the tablet. Completely reversible.

He mentions the only thing he is missing is the ability to change the clock (done thru the OEM navi screen), but if you've updated to a more recent navi disk, even this is not a problem.

Looks like the most difficult part of this is getting the tablet to fit the OEM bezel and making all of the connections.

I've been investigating this as an alternative to my carPC. The only other thing I would recommend is a USB hub. The tablets all seem to only have a single USB port---throw a hub on there and you could connect multiple USB devices.

emilio320

Ok well i just realized there is definitely one MAJOR (in my eyes) thing i will no longer be able to use with this mod... my back up camera!... and i used that thing A LOT, so i am wondering is there any way you guys can think of possibly keeping that functionality by somehow incorporating it into the android tablet? MAYBE there is a dedicated camera button on this tablet that can be connected to the same reverse light trigger? but instead of activating the built in camera you can program it to launch an app that shows you the video feed from an outside camera source? Would all of this be more plausible with a windows version of this same tablet? (Sorry for all the questions i'm just brainstorming here)

Splke

iTrader: (1)

who can I pay to do this for me?

Gryphter

Yeah... i am thinking windows tab on this one. There just isn't enough integration with an android tab to make this happen. I am not saying some programmer out there couldn't easily make this happen, but using existing apps and inputs this would be difficult to accomplish.

For instance: the android tab would need an input that it could be listening on for the backup camera to turn on. While the tab has usb capability, someone would have to come up with an interface that would work with backup cameras and switches and then write an app that would understand all of the signaling and launch the backup camera view... and so on. This just hasn't been done yet and the likelihood of it being done is low in my opinion simply because there isn't much of a market for it.

One simple way that you might achieve a simple backup camera is to relocate either the forward facing or rear facing camera on the tab to the rear of the car. Just extend the wiring to the back. I have NOT looked at whether this is possible or not. Just brainstorming at the moment. One of the issues you might run into is simply the proprietary cables and things inside the tablet and the fact that the cameras are usually soldered to a circuit board.

dwb993

iTrader: (13)

Maybe use the HDMI out to an RCA connector to a NavTool and let that do the switching. Just dunno if there is an adapter out there that converts HDMI to RCA. Talk abt not much demand!!

EDIT: Apparently, there are adapters for this on Amazon! Google "mini HDMI to RCA".

Losing the backup cam would be a deal-breaker for me. I already have a CarPC, but have not completed my touchscreen integration yet. I think I'll pass on the Android tab idea and continue down my road.
This is a good alternative for others, though. Thanks for posting it up!

emilio320

The relocating of the actually built in android camera would be a great idea, however i am worried that the field of view would be too narrow, plus like Gryphter mentions who knows if these ribbon cables are extendable or not or if they are soldered on to the board for that matter. I like the HDMI to RCA idea however, the only thing is that i would rather keep the android system vs the windows system for in-car operations and the simplicity. I don't want to have to deal with a laggy windows OS in my car :/ .. Quick question:The MINI HDMI on the windows tablet, isn't that OUTPUT only? or it can actually receive video also?

dwb993

iTrader: (13)

I believe its output only, which is the problem. If the display would accept another input, you could fairly easily incorporate the backup cam.

emilio320

Guys, I may have found the solution!! Its a kit that allows you to mirror your phone's screen on your built in Navi. I just need to confirm that there is such an adapter i can use to convert my phone's HDMI output (Galaxy S II) to a composite signal that the OEM screen can read and display. Check out the link for more info what do you guys think?

http://www.customgadz.com/store/prod...?id_product=16

FCVadi

iTrader: (3)

the funny part is Acura Navi is the best in-car Navi.. well from reviews that I have read.. at one point.. say about 5-6 years ago it was one of the best all around Navis (even against portables)

emilio320

well i guess things were much worse 5 years ago, cus google maps has completely spoiled me.. how hard is it for acura to understand that when im looking for the nearest Marshall's clothing store i did NOT mean Marshalls hardware in IOWA when i live in Miami, FL .. wtf?! i think ALL navi's should be programmed to show you nearest results first, and completely illiminate results that are unreasonably far.. anyways OFF topic lol, anyone check out the link i posted above? that mod looks promising!

dwb993

iTrader: (13)

I bought from customgadz not too long ago. I got the switch so I can integrate the OEM touchscreen with my CarPC. Shipping took quite some time (they're in Australia), but it was over the Xmas holiday. They seemed pretty responsive to my inquiries. I will need them again before I try to install it. I'll let you know how helpful they are.

emilio320

That would be greatly appreciated thanks!.. would also love to know what the parts are that i need to have the switching settup between OEM and my android phone being mirrored, apparently there are a bunch of different kit options and different connector types, do you know which ones are needed for the TL?

Gryphter

Emilio - Way to go! That is AWESOME! I have been looking for something like that for ages. I am thinking that is exactly what I need for the project in my wife's van. Perfect!

dwb993

iTrader: (13)

Our cars use the Type A touchscreen interface

surge21

iTrader: (1)

This is AWESOME.

geekybiker

When I saw the nexus 7 tablets come out I was wondering if this would work. I have a non-navi so other than moving the LCD it doesn't look too hard.

surge21

iTrader: (1)

Yeah that's what I was wondering too. The audio port is on the bottom of the Nexus 7 instead of the top so it might be a little easier to work with.

-XIV-

I was JUST about to make a thread asking this and gladly came across this one!

Amazing!! *Suscribed*

Gryphter, thanks for sharing and providing pics. One question: What made you choose the Acer specifically? I was going to go with the Galaxy Tab 7 2 because of it's dimensions (7.6" x 4.8" x 0.4"). Thought it being thinner of many other 7" would be able to squeeze in there.

Glad I came across your project, I was under the impression I'd have to remove the WHOLE unit.


I came across this thread over @ reddit and there could be some helpful tips to use with this. The most is the app TASKER.

LINK to another ANDROID in car project

imakeholesinu

You may want to spring for the part that replaced your clock in your non-navi with the digital read-out for your fans and radio display if you decide to do that, otherwise you won't be able to see what your radio is tuned to. I am thinking the same thing perhaps when I get time to take the car apart and it cools off some here.

geekybiker

In the other non-navi installs they have moved the entire double din display. I like the lower mount replacing the CD pocket and cig lighter method. The one question I have is every seems to move to the navi bezel while doing this. Is there a reason why they just dont cut down the non-navi display?

Turbocoop

iTrader: (3)

This is a great idea, I might do this instead of the carPC thing I was planning on doing. Thanks for the info man, it will help a lot

ociaran

hey guys, just wanted to share some pics of my gyphter-inspired install. it was just a happy coincidence that i had bought the same tablet (acer a100) for this project. i have an '04 non-navi, so i had to dremel out a spot for the tablet to go. i had never used a dremel before (had to buy one specifically for this) so it's not the "cleanest" install. i can live with it though



here is a link to more pics of the entire process

ociaran

https://plus.google.com/photos/10279...PLU6db57tSDlgE

dwb993

iTrader: (13)

Clean, Andy!

emilio320

holy crap that looks awesome!! great job dude!

03type_s6speed

NICE job. I want to do this with the Nexus 7.

jpaprota

I think anyone who has even considered doing this will be attempting it with the nexus 7, especially for the price, just waiting for a car dock to be released for the tablet, which will help with integration.

genokan

I wouldn't put the Nexus 7 to waste by installing it in a car, I think I'd rather use it as a tablet.

The Acer seems PERFECT for this because of the power supply, which would be independent of the USB port meaning you would have the USB port free to hook an external HDD up to, correct? I'm not sure if tablets have the capability to have an external USB device attached that they can read/write from.

Plus, I'm finding these things as cheap as 180 bucks at Walmart... My Navi DVD is hosed so, Pay 400 bucks to Alpine or 200 bucks for a droid-in-dash. Hmmm.

geekybiker

Most newer tablets support usb2go which is the standard for using devices like mice, keyboards, hdd, etc on tablets and phones.

Slayer-33

iTrader: (1)

Incredibly awesome... God damn.

TLRD

How does this 'cartab' affect the stereo's display? I'm having the infamous DVD drive issue so my stereo display as well as my Navi doesn't always work. Would this need to be sent to Alpine and fixed or would the tablet eliminate it?

Gryphter

Some of you have asked for a supplies list for doing this project so here is a basic one from memory.

• audio cable - 3.5 headphones jack to some sort of right and left
• Connectors that match your right and left for the car's audio wires (use these to connect to your cable)
• Power connectors (your choice of design) + & - for tablet and + & - for car side
• Light gauge wire for soldering to power button on tablet
• super glue - for glueing down circuit boards and things you move around
• foam sheets for insulating circuit boards so they don't short against each other
• soldering gun
• needle point tip for soldering gun
• solder
• electrical meter - for testing your solders to make sure they aren't shorting
• Bravery, sense of adventure, willingness to F stuff up!

You will probably find something I missed but that's most of it. Good luck!

Gryphter

Just wanted to give a quick update on how the tablet ingration is doing. The report is good! Just one issue so far. The tablet has some sort of thermal protection and shuts down if it gets overheated. This has only happened twice since I have installed it.

The first time was on a trip to Dallas, TX and I was running Google Nav and streaming pandora and several other things. Eventually after about 2.5 hours it shut off. After about 10 min it came back on.

The second time wasn't even on a very hot day and I wasn't doing anything but flipping the screens. I am not even sure it was thermally related. Could have just been an app I downloaded. In that case it stopped responding altogether. I held the power button down and shut it off. Then turned it back on. Everything was fine.

That's all for now.