nemo

I think I am gonna go this route as well. Definitely. I think that case can slide right into the owner manual booklet slot in the glove compartment. I started pricing it at work just now... and this is what I've come up with:

Artigo Kit: $299.99

RAM/HDD: $86.98

Slim DVD: $49.99

M3-ATX: $79.99

BR-355 (GPS): $39.99

Lilliput: $200

Got prices from websites... everything + shipping came out to ~ $790

A tad more than what I wanted to spend. But if I can get everything into the glovebox, or behind the HVAC/Cubby, it will be worth it.

Awesome awesome awesome. I looked at the Artigo kit and it is a bit pricey, but I think it might be worth it considering it seems that the Artigo case is the smallest of what is out there. A separate case seems to run ~$100 anyways.

Got any regrets with the lilliput? I haven't found a definitive answer on whether to go Lilliput vs Xenarc.

Also... I'm looking at a picture of the PX, and I don't seem to see where the M3-ATX would go. In that linked picture, would it get plugged into the set of jumpers directly under the center of the fan?

Interesting. I definitely think I am going to go the route that you went. It seems to be the best solution for me. I was planning on going SATA as well. I don't think it should be a big deal. I am thinking that if I order the parts separately everything should be fine.

What is the setting with the M3 that you are not liking? You using a Lilliput or Xenarc screen?

edit: Do you have any issues with hibernate/standby and coming out of it?

Ahhh you answered all my questions exactly how I hoped Wonderful! I have a feeling I am going to go this route. A few more questions

Do you have any pics of the setup outside of the computer? I particularly want to see how big the case is and how much room is left inside of it. Did the Mobo come with the fan, or you added it yourself?

Also, if you're using the M3-ATX, how come you're making another startup/shutdown controller? I'm assuming the factory PSU that you mention is the one that came with the Artigo kit?

Thanks for the info. What motherboard does it have?

I am going to assume you are using bluetooth (usb?) and obviously gps (bu-353)? Has their been any issues with the Pico board? Where do you have the GPS mounted? What about a cd/dvd drive?

I hope you don't mind answering all the questions

*takes a bow*

when i finish my new startup/shutdown controller tommorow i'll post finished pics

How's that Pico computer performing? I think that might be an option for me. I'm really only planning on using the CarPC for GPS, Music, and ODB-II. And the occasional Video (maybe some dvds).

what you asked is different from what you commented on.

 

Behind the HVAC/radio/CD there is little to no space.

 

Behind the cubby where most of uss put the screen/where the factory nav is located - there is about 7 inches of usable space in depth and "about" enough space for a double din. There is a cross bar (structural resistance) which gets in the way but people have installed things. Look up FWEASEL or PM him.

 

Summary

1) NO space behind the HVAC/radio/CD

2) Plenty of space behind the cubby

Yeah, I should have clarified what I meant. I meant more of the entire area. I was even toying around with the idea of taking out my 6CD changer (if it's even possible) and mounting the PC/CDdrive to use the existing cd slot to load cds/dvds. I haven't looked yet to see if it's possible. I don't think it is.

nope. I saw over on the mp3car forums that CombatQCB put everything back there... but he used a nano-itx board and built a custom mount right behind the LCD screen.

I'm trying to figure out where to put everything. I don't think there is much room under a seat for a case, nor in the glove compartment (unless i went the route of a mac-mini or Aopen minipc), and I really don't want to go into the trunk.

I just pmed japan parts for a price... you have any clue on how much they'll cost?

Why do I have a feeling it'll be like 3grand?

Can anyone photoshop these wheels on to a BSM wagon? Thanks.

 

http://www.harmanmotive.com/catalog/images/HM08E1875SL.jpg and http://www.harmanmotive.com/catalog/images/HM08E1875GM.JPG

:drool: I want.

It is a very sweet front end. While 2.0 RC1 has a LOT of bugs, the majority of these will be fixed in RC2, which is due out in a matter of days. Then it should be much more stable... theoretically.

That's what I've heard

Interesting...

Centrafuse is really ridiculous. I tried the 2.0 version and it seems pretty sweet, but I haven't used it very much, nor in a CarPC. But from what I understand, there are a lot of bugs to be worked out. I find CF >>>>> RR.

My main concern with the GPS was the hibernation issue. I figured it was a trade off for the speed of USB compared to serial. If there isn't a huge difference, F-it, I'll go serial.

As far as nLite, I don't know of anything off hand, but if I recall correctly there was a guide on the mp3car forums detailing what could be eliminated.

Why would you go to a serial GPS rather than a USB? USB is faster than serial, which would allow for faster location updating.

And yes, LOL I meant nLite. You should try to eliminate stuff from the beginning before you even install it. You'll notice one hell of a difference.

And are you guys paying for Centrafuse? I think the cost is a bit absurd...

OSX is a great software but in the carPC arena lacks a lot of possibilities... thus I'm using Windows XP. Yes, all recent Intel-based Macs can boot Microsoft Windows XP: you can choose between a dual-boot system (with Apple Bootcamp software) or do a single boot Windows installation simply booting from an XP installation CD and then adding the hardware specific drivers from a Mac OSX Leopard DVD.

 

The Mac Mini is a nice piece of hardware: it is very compact, supports hibernation (which is a great feature for fast booting carPC) and it has not a BIOS splash screen which can be annoying in the car.

I even streamlined my XP image by using NLite to remove non essential OS parts. Current boot times from cold are around 40 seconds and about 15-20 seconds from hybernation.

 

As frontend software I'm using Centrafuse XLE togheter with a few plugins (TPMS, FileSync, ecc.).

That answers a bunch of questions. Thanks. What about bluetooth and GPS? Are there any problems with the mac mini in those features?

I do not think your typical VOOM case fits under the seat BUT the tinier ones (micro atx) actually do. When I will rebuild mine, this is what I will do (outlined above)

 

let us talk OS tweaks and boot time. Mine is horrendous.

I'm gonna have to check out the sizing as well. I was looking at the VoomPC-2 cause because it seemed to be the best solution for the glove compartment. But if I go under the seat, another case can be a solution... I'll just have to look around for a flatter, wider case. I think I have seen plenty around.

As for OS tweaks and boot times, I'm assuming you're using XP? Did you do a custom install using vlite to eliminate all excess garbage and services?

I had the same identical doubts and decided to buy an Apple Mini that a shop was selling on discount (not the latest model). If you add the cost of a motherboard with a case, probably there isn't much difference from a price point of view and anyway the Mini provide ample performance numbers (I bought a Core Duo 1.67/512MB RAM/60GB HDD).

My plan is to mount it in the glove box for the same identical reasons you explained; inside the glove box there there is a compartment for the manual which has the same identical dimensions of the mini (I own an Outback MY07). I think you can't find a smaller box than the mini, for what it provides.

 

About cooling I think that it will not a problem: I plan to open the glovebox in the back and let the air go out in and under the dash. The mini is super silent and does not produce too much heat.

 

Last thing: remember these are ideas/intentions and as I didn't yet realized them I can't guarantee they work!

 

Good luck with your install.

You're following the same exact train of thought that I am. I never really considered an Apple Mini. Are you going to to use OSX? Are the Mini's capable of booting windows? If so, that might be a solution for me as well.

Good advice guys. I know the space could be a problem, but I never seriously considered going under the seat for 2 reasons:

1) Wire run length

2) People kicking the PC

But now that I think about it, it's probably a better overall solution.

Stang, what case are you using?

I am planning on going the Mini-ITX route. I want to put the computer in the glove compartment to minimize work and wire runs. I've built computers before, but I don't know poop about ITX boards, and there really isn't THAT much information out on them. I was looking at going the Intel D201GLY2, but I really not sure if it's the best route or not.

I'm really only planning on using the PC for GPS, Music (leaving everything stock), Videos (maybe DVD playback), and ODB-II stuff.

I really need to get on with installing the carputer into my car

I know how you feel. I still haven't ordered parts yet LOL. I'm still stuck on what to buy