Does anyone have a carputer/car pc in their matrix or other car?

I'm seriously considering putting a pc in my car, considering the headunit I want retails for $1200 at futureshop, I could build a cheap car pc, and get a 7" touchscreen for that price. And the pc could do way more.

I've been looking into software for the pc, and so far RideRunner (formerly RoadRunner) has the best user interface. I'm currently downloading iGuidance, which is a laptop/car PC gps software. If I can get iGuidance to work on my laptop with RideRunner, I will probably start purchasing parts.

I'm just looking for feedback from the MO family regarding pro's/con's, and maybe see what setup you guys have.

I know I will have to buy an amp to power my speakers, and I've seen people just run a RCA to 3.5mm jack to plug the amp into the computers sound card. I've already looked into USB GPS receivers and USB radio tuners, etc.

There are a couple of People on here who has a setup in their Trix.. PM Happyhooder for info on his..

I just finished downloading iGuidance and got it integrated into RideRunner, just gotta buy a gps receiver

I'm going to be doing exactly that at some point, but it's one of those projects I never get to.

I have all the hardware, and I've written most of the custom software for it, I just haven't had the time to put it in the car and get it all going.

One of these days..

do you have a touchscreen monitor?

Ya. In-dash 7".. sitting in my basement.

Once you finish yours dnm we can work on mine. But I need to be able to run the GReddy software as well. Which you should facilate as well for yours.

Is it something like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Double-DIN-Lilliput-62...2#ht_2823wt_939

No. Mine's single din.. it's motorised and slides out.

when you get this installed I gotta see it!

I just purchased a USB GPS receiver and a car pc power supply off ebay

Sounds pretty awesome. Post some pics of the install and the interface. We'd love to see them.

does anyone know how to get the computer to turn on when the car turns on? I don't feel like running to the trunk and pressing a button everytime I turn my car on

It was the first thing I planned for when I got the car.
cutom laptop dock
OBDII - digital gauges
optical to 5.1 dts (I still have to figure out where to put the center channel)
steering wheel controls
nav
touch screen (of course)
centrafuse 2.0

I'm still thinking about adding hd radio to the mix.

A relay.

this looks interesting i got the 7" but to actually see Windows 7 in my dash would be nice....no need to bring my laptop

I looked into it and its the "intelligent" power supply that controls the computer.

http://www.mini-box.com/M2-ATX-160w-Intell...DC-Power-Supply

controls the on/off status of the motherboard based on ignition status, pretty cool. I'm not too sure if the power supply I ordered does this, I might have to order another one

Turning the P.C. on is the easy part, just give it supplied power. The intelligent power supply's
are intended for shut down purposes, whereas when you turn off the ignition you can program the power supply when to start the shut down process on the P.C.. To keep cost cheap you could use a standard computer power supply and a power inverter, it is kind of the ghetto way, and you would still have to manually shut down the P.C. to avoid hard offs.

Ride runner is the best free front end available (IMO the best FE available for carpc use). There is more support available then just about every other front end including the non free front ends.

Where are you going to mount the P.C.? are you going to do a custom screen? if you are going to do a custom screen install you can get a 8.6" in the dash but you will have to relocate the hazard and rear defrost buttons. another option for a screen is something from these guys http://bybyte.com/index.html under $300 for the screen and mounting, no fab work needed.

Aron

I bought a lilliput 7" screen which will fit in the double din hole with minimal fabricating. I got ride runner working with iGuidance. Just waiting for all the parts to be shipped in

i got one that is similar it's pretty sweet b/c there are time i forget to shut off and it does it for me.... the turn on the pc, i tap the blue wire that you would give to your amp to turn on... but i have that on an on off switch so i can leave it off when driving if need be.....