Car computer?

[Tri-edge]

Does anybody have any knowledge on how to do one?

I have this POS (point of sale not piece of  . I know what you guys are thinking  ) computer that was used in a kiosk for selling phones and it's pretty small and uses a power brick similar to a laptop.  In fact it's about the same size as a laptop.  It's pretty useless as a regular computer but I know it doesn't take much to run windows CE. 

I heard about computers in cars and how they are used for gps and other stuff and I was thinking I could do that IF I know HOW.  I look around on the internet and I can't find a simple guide.  Is there anybody here that knows how?

[Tec_]

your best bet is going to be http://www.mp3car.com/

if you have the computer already you just need to find your self a touch screen and either a 120v 12v inverter for your car or 12v to 12v car PSU

[ryan0]

the inverter is an essential,other than that it's a matter of how much you want to spend,how much time you want to spend,and how clean of a job you want to do.You could do fibreglass moulding,flip out screen,have the computer control things like the stereo,lights,etc.

[Tri-edge]

won't the inverter make it so I have to flip a button every time I turn my car on?  I just want something that has gps and a radio inside my dash.  I'm counting up the costs right now. 

dc-dc adapter: $70-$100
7in touch screen: $70-$150
GPS software:  $100
GPS hardware $40
FM thing for radio to computer: unknown
other stuff: unknown

it looks like it would be cheaper and easier right now just to get something like this:http://cgi.ebay.com/7-LCD-CAR-IN-DASH-TV-FM-IPOD-DVD-PLAYER-GPS-NAV-7-1_W0QQitemZ190342354531QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2c5149d663#ht_11142wt_1006

[blackburn]

i wouldnt go with something that cheap, go with a kenwood or pioneer haed unit. Carputers are a lot of work and can be pricey after buying all adapters and stuff needed to get the basics. Not to mention you have  have a way to route the audio from the computer to your stereo which is usually done by keeping a single din head unit wired in somewhere with the AUX IN connected. Not to mention youll have to wire in a volume control and a few other little things. I looked into doing this about a week ago until i realized all the work it would take and hacking up my car that I value too much, not to mention that parts are hard to find for my car.

[Tri-edge]

i wouldnt go with something that cheap, go with a kenwood or pioneer haed unit. Carputers are a lot of work and can be pricey after buying all adapters and stuff needed to get the basics. Not to mention you have  have a way to route the audio from the computer to your stereo which is usually done by keeping a single din head unit wired in somewhere with the AUX IN connected. Not to mention youll have to wire in a volume control and a few other little things. I looked into doing this about a week ago until i realized all the work it would take and hacking up my car that I value too much, not to mention that parts are hard to find for my car.

I see them for about $200 on ebay.  I just saw that one and linked.  I don't want to spend much more then $200.  If I put anything more expensive in it would be worth more then my car.    that and theft is big here.  All I want is a radio and a gps in my car and get them both via this "all in one" unit is cheaper then buying both separate.

[Tec_]

that would be the way to go

[GhoSt]

gps is going to be obsolete in a few years...

[Tri-edge]

gps is going to be obsolete in a few years...

it was 2 sd card slots, one of which you can download new maps for it.

[GhoSt]

Nah you got me wrong, apparently in the next few years gps will be phased out and taken over by its successor Galileo.

[Tec_]

Nah you got me wrong, apparently in the next few years gps will be phased out and taken over by its successor Galileo.

yes but the GPS satellites will still be up there

[Skullmaster]

yes but the GPS satellites will still be up there

unless they decide to bomb the moon with em lol

[GhoSt]

so the military will still allow public use? I guess that makes sense considering the amount of public gps units in use. Sorry for changing the thread topic.

[~:Dhruv:~]

actually Galileo is a natural extension of gps offering increased accuracy. It in no ways means that gps is going to be obsolete. Europe too is planning an equivalent of the galileo project and so is china/japan. Rest assured , gps is not going anywhere.   

[GhoSt]

my science teacher was wrong then.

[robin1989]

galileo is the EU version of GPS and is compatible with new GPS units of the past 3 or so years.

[Modded Matt]

yes but the GPS satellites will still be up there

your teacher was correct, the gps is a military project, and like most things the military does, they start off strong then fizzel out, and details get forgot about. like maintnance. there was a press releace that stated the gps satilites will start to become more and more incacurate around the end of 2009, with total failure around the end of 2010..

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/GPs-Network-Fail-Satellite,news-3961.html