mlombard Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Hello folks with the headphone jack hack done to my Bose head unit thanks to the fantastic guide here I have my sights set a little higher. I am looking at using an old phone as a carputer. What I will do is load this app as the skin. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=spinninghead.carhome&hl=en Then bypass the battery hooking the phone (galaxy s2 or 3) to a switched 12 v supply . I can then add a hard drive using the devices in built micro usb and extend this to the behind seat cubby. I am looking at housing it in a custom frame ( cf wrapped mdf) and placing in thedash cubby , hooking up the headphone jack and that's it. As a result I will have : Nav Music Videos Touch screen Costs maybe £70 all in What do you think good or bad idea? I have most of the parts so if the consensus is good I will get building :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexx Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Main concern I would have is the size of the screen. S2/3 aren't big screens, and if you're gonna be faffing around trying to start a music app or change a track whilst driving it's going to be a hazard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Looks a very good app, there is also one for the iPhone. Good Luck with the build, post some pics of it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlombard Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Yeah to be honest I have my phone up there at the moment its 5 inch and using a music app its nice and big. The buttons all enlarged far bigger than the Bose units( about the size of the big round button on the Bose unit). but yeah you wouldn't want to be working through sub menus so a driving skin is a must. Perhaps I could use a larger phone or small tablet know the s2 is a 4.2 inch screen so could get a cheap 5 inch device using the drive app above . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlombard Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Let's see , his is gonna be a slow thread will get some pics up as I build won't be for another few weeks as still deciding on what device to use . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fluke Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Why not use a phablet? Some thing like the Ulefone U7 U69, it has a 7 inch screen and a good spec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulletMagnet Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 I have tried repurposing an old iPhone in the cubby before and it was a neat install, BUT being a mobile phone and having the proximity to the head unit, I got that noise you get when a phone is expecting a call, that "dut du-dut du-dut du-dut" So scratched that idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy_Baton Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 (edited) Just get a small tablet and a flip case then hold the thing onto the cubby hole via a big bit of elastic. Quick simple easy to remove. I've also got an ipod classic mounted in the cubby hole Edited November 9, 2014 by Randy_Baton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 A thread you might find interesting mlombard and also a video ~ just to help give you some ideas. Link: http://www.350z-uk.com/index.php?showtopic=47922 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvansJD2112 Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Why not use a phablet? Some thing like the Ulefone U7 U69, it has a 7 inch screen and a good spec. I fitted one of these. Perfect fit to replace oem satnav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlombard Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Why not use a phablet? Some thing like the Ulefone U7 U69, it has a 7 inch screen and a good spec. I fitted one of these. Perfect fit to replace oem satnav This looks great where did you get this one ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlombard Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Why not use a phablet? Some thing like the Ulefone U7 U69, it has a 7 inch screen and a good spec. I fitted one of these. Perfect fit to replace oem satnav This looks great where did you get this one ? Ooh and did you find it hard to fit the 7 inch tablet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlombard Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Just get a small tablet and a flip case then hold the thing onto the cubby hole via a big bit of elastic. Quick simple easy to remove. I've also got an ipod classic mounted in the cubby hole Looks good was thinking of a permanent install that I could hide nice idea though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvansJD2112 Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Why not use a phablet? Some thing like the Ulefone U7 U69, it has a 7 inch screen and a good spec. I fitted one of these. Perfect fit to replace oem satnav This looks great where did you get this one ? Ooh and did you find it hard to fit the 7 inch tablet I bought mine from 1949deal.com; they seem to be out of stock. Aliexpress have a few sellers: http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20141109092924&SearchText=ulefone+u7 It was really easy to fit. i installed upside down so that the power button is accessible by removing the oem satnav controls. I use e-robot to detect when it gets power; this turns bluetooth/GPS/data etc on and then turns them off and forces deep-sleep when power goes off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlombard Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Lookg great I think this might be the best solution . My centre console is the non nav though suppose I would just cut out the back of the cubby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlombard Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Ok change of plan just ordered a samsung tab3, figured out how to boot it straight to the driving app. Fingers crossed will start next week and post pictures of my progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 ^^ Sounds like a good plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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