Installing a tablet in lieu of a head unit

[Emerge]

This will probably require the help of all the audio genius yaris world has to offer.

I would like to exchange my current head unit and use my tablet instead as my entertainment center. It has been done with the iPad, and I would like to do it for my non apple tablet since I want to replace my head unit anyway.

For example, take a look at these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SkltRqOF5k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsU6RxHwsu4


But the absolute best, in my opinion is this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSnIXfoSU6I
It's a 4 part series of videos, I think. You can find the rest easily after watching that one.

So, what do you guys think of these installs? Anyone, besides me, interested in doing this?

[MickZEL]

Video does not work

[Lil Abner]

What size tablet do you have? And I'm assuming it's an Android one. Does it have everything you'll need? GPS? AM/FM radio?

If the tablet is small enough to fit where the CD player was, that would make it very easy. If not, you'll need to do some fabricating. You'll need to figure out how you want to control your volume. If you're putting this into a STOCK Yaris, then you are going to need to add an amp to power your speakers. If you add an amp, you could get one that has a remote volume knob that you could mount in your dash. Then you'd just run a 3.5mm to RCA cable from the tablet, into the amp, which then feeds the speakers.

The kit in the first link is cool, but it also screams "STEAL ME!!" If you can mount it flush in the dash, making it look like some aftermarket radio, I think you'd be better off. There are plenty of us on here to help you through this!

[Emerge]

Fixed the last link.

[sqcomp]

I would suggest a good line output converter OR a processor that can help you take the level of the integration even further. I'm thinking anything from a JL Cleansweep or an MTX ReQ to an Audison Bit Ten D (or even better a Bit One .1) or a JBL MS-8. I just installed the Audison Bit One in my system, even though I don't NEED it. A piece like this gives you the ability for exptreme control.

[Emerge]

Originally Posted by Lil Abner

What size tablet do you have? And I'm assuming it's an Android one. Does it have everything you'll need? GPS? AM/FM radio?

If the tablet is small enough to fit where the CD player was, that would make it very easy. If not, you'll need to do some fabricating. You'll need to figure out how you want to control your volume. If you're putting this into a STOCK Yaris, then you are going to need to add an amp to power your speakers. If you add an amp, you could get one that has a remote volume knob that you could mount in your dash. Then you'd just run a 3.5mm to RCA cable from the tablet, into the amp, which then feeds the speakers.

The kit in the first link is cool, but it also screams "STEAL ME!!" If you can mount it flush in the dash, making it look like some aftermarket radio, I think you'd be better off. There are plenty of us on here to help you through this!

I have the ASUS EeePad Transformer. It is, indeed, running Android (Honey Comb 3.2 to be exact.) OS. It has everything I need. As far as AM/FM goes, with an app I can be on any radio station in the country which is cool.

It is actually bigger than the double din I have going on. Which means I could do an ugly mount with some makeshifting, but that would look terrible in my opinion. I would rather do the type of install that looks much more OEM.

As far as controlling the volume, I would probably get a bit one like SQ recommended. Or, something like this:







I think the biggest issue I will have is getting the tablet integrated to my interior. Currently, my car looks like this:



But, installing the tablet where the radio goes now is not optimum for use during driving. Ideally, it would go where the AC controls start. But, how the hell could I possibly change the locations of the AC controls? Also, I have no way of molding stuff from fiber glass. I can barely use a screwdriver. =/

[CTScott]

I totally missed the echo part until the last post. That's not a lot of space to work with and a tough position for that small of a screen. I messed around with the car PC thing a while back and actually drove around for a couple of months with a 10 color CRT mounted to the center of the top of the dash of my Subaru.

[Emerge]

Yeah, the small space presents some major problems with me if I want to try to have a factory look.

[Lil Abner]

I keep looking at this, and it seems like an interesting challenge. Moving the temp controls would be tough if you have no experience in molding. The better bet is putting in the stock location. But that seems like a terrible spot, and the viewing angle would be terrible. If you put it in the stock location, you'd have to angle it upwards to make it readable. You might be biting off more than you can handle. Sorry.

[toy_toronto]

Curiosity got the best of me and made a huge mistake of opening this thread to learn about the OP's tablet model (the ASUS Eee Pad).

I am now endlessly searching for the best deal to get my hands on one including a dock




p.s. I don't plan to mount it to my dash lol (unless emerge finds an ideal way to mount it haha)


-toy

[Altitude]

Originally Posted by toy_toronto

Curiosity got the best of me and made a huge mistake of opening this thread to learn about the OP's tablet model (the ASUS Eee Pad).

I am now endlessly searching for the best deal to get my hands on one including a dock




p.s. I don't plan to mount it to my dash lol (unless emerge finds an ideal way to mount it haha)


-toy

I was thinking it's better to find something with a 7 inch screen so it's an easier fit. So far it looks like the Dell Streak might be a good option.

[Emerge]

Originally Posted by Lil Abner

I keep looking at this, and it seems like an interesting challenge. Moving the temp controls would be tough if you have no experience in molding. The better bet is putting in the stock location. But that seems like a terrible spot, and the viewing angle would be terrible. If you put it in the stock location, you'd have to angle it upwards to make it readable. You might be biting off more than you can handle. Sorry.

Appreciate the honesty lol. I really don't want to buy a new head unit though. =/

[Emerge]

Originally Posted by toy_toronto

Curiosity got the best of me and made a huge mistake of opening this thread to learn about the OP's tablet model (the ASUS Eee Pad).

I am now endlessly searching for the best deal to get my hands on one including a dock




p.s. I don't plan to mount it to my dash lol (unless emerge finds an ideal way to mount it haha)


-toy

The transformer is the best tablet out now; trust me, I researched for months@!

[Emerge]

Originally Posted by Altitude

I was thinking it's better to find something with a 7 inch screen so it's an easier fit. So far it looks like the Dell Streak might be a good option.

If it's bought with the intent to integrate to your car's entertainment system, I agree. But, then again, it depends on what type of car you have. Some can handle the bigger tabs quite well.

[eTiMaGo]

get yourself an exogear exomount with tablet adapter:

http://www.mobimega.com/exogear-exom...martphone.html

the suction cup also has an adhesive coating so it sticks to pretty much anything, you might be able to stick it in front of the speedometer and have the tablet hand in the area in front of that little pocket thing... worth a try!

[toy_toronto]

Originally Posted by Emerge

The transformer is the best tablet out now; trust me, I researched for months@!

I'm officially picking mine up tomorrow --Thanks for doing most of the leg work for me

I agree, it's a very legit tablet per the reviews I've read.


-toy

[Emerge]

Originally Posted by eTiMaGo

get yourself an exogear exomount with tablet adapter:

http://www.mobimega.com/exogear-exom...martphone.html

the suction cup also has an adhesive coating so it sticks to pretty much anything, you might be able to stick it in front of the speedometer and have the tablet hand in the area in front of that little pocket thing... worth a try!

Cool products on that website. Thanks for the input, it might be worth a shot.

[ezhacker1]

i was thinking of getting a 7in android tablet too. Either the Galaxy Tab 7 ~$300 or the Nook Color ~$200 and get android on it. As for GPS, the nook color doesnt have it but i have a BT gps keychain anyways. Theres pros and cons to both but the IPS screen on the Nook Color seems the best in a carpc kind of role. Of course i want to do double duty with the tablet and undock it for normal day use..then again i already have the asus Transformer with dock.

With that said, im looking forward to see how you mount yours.