7" Android tablet install

[Junosi]

Hi all, a few people have asked me to put up a post about the 7" android tablet install I've got, so here goes.

First off - the tablet. I bought a budget model for around $220 on eBay via China/HK/Singapore, a Witstech a81g, it's no iPad but it does the job. It has:
- 7 inch resistive screen (need to use your fingernail or a stylus)
- Android 2.2 (or WinCE)
- Bluetooth
- wifi
- full USB port (only 3.3v though and drivers are an issue)
- built in GPS (very bad ceramic antenna)
- 600 MGz arm cortex a8 cpu (fast enough but not lightning)
- micro SD slot (mine has a 16gig card in it with music/movies etc)

3G connectivy is attained by either pairing it to your mobile phone data connection or using an external 3G dongle etc. I pair mine to my phone via wifi, no point paying for two data plans ! You need a data plan if you plan on using Google maps/nav, although it uses very very little data

I hesitated starting a thread about this because I'm not sure I'd recommend the Wits a81 to anyone I liked ....

The good things about the Wits are that its one of the first functional 7" android tablets around and it has built in GPS. It's functional and good for the price but it has a couple of non critical design flaws. The GPS antenna is next to useless, I use a re-radiating antenna with mine - without it the built in GPS is very feeble. It can (and does) connect to an external bluetooth GPS quite happily though - which I don't need since I got the re-radiating antenna. The screen is resistive, not a problem for those used to it but if you've been using modern capacitive screens it's a problem. I noticed a couple of weeks back that Wits now offer the a81 with a capacitve screen which I would definitely get if I were going down this path again.

There are quite a few alternative tablets around already and this year will be huge for new android tablets. 7" appears to be the perfect size for fitting in to the p38 dash cubby. iPad is too big without serious modification. Barnes & Noble Nook colour looks promising if you're up to 'tweaking' it to be more than just an ebook reader.

The install:
I removed the section of console dash that has the cubby box and clock etc and used a handheld hacksaw blade to roughly cut out the cubby box. Next I used a rasp and file to finish the shape for neatness. I stuck on a bit of felt as padding to ensure a neat fit.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/p38a-range-rover/34171d1299759145-7-android-tablet-install-imag0052.jpg
To secure the Wits I glued a couple of pieces of MDF between the switch mounts on the back of the console and screwed in a couple of aluminium arms and a piece of aluminium corner section. The arms brace against the corner section and are held in with screws. Foam was used to ensure a tight fit.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/p38a-range-rover/34172d1299759208-7-android-tablet-install-imag0053.jpg
Problems:
- The standard power button is inaccessible. I rewired mine to a button on the dash but it still has to be manually turned on and off.
- Connecting to the factory stereo. Depends which stereo you've got I guess. I've got the standard early p38 HK system. I bypassed the tape deck (what's a tape :eek:) and put the audio through that. You 'could' use one of those cassette adapter thingos or an FM transmitter - but a direct connection gives best results. Can give more info on that if required - I copied Story Wilson's approach.
- GPS still requires a nudge to get going using the wits GPS status app.

It runs most standard Android apps - including the full Google suite of products. There's quite a few GPS Nav apps around - I bought and use Co-Pilot when I'm outside of data reception range, otherwise I use google maps/nav. I believe Ozi-explorer works also although I've not tried it yet. Tons of music apps out there for mp3's. Tons of other apps out there...

More photos

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/p38a-range-rover/34173d1299760107-7-android-tablet-install-google-maps.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/p38a-range-rover/34174d1299760127-7-android-tablet-install-gps-status.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/p38a-range-rover/34175d1299760138-7-android-tablet-install-home-screen.jpg

Witstech link - it's not a fancy site ....
http://www.witstech.com.cn/product_en.html

ps Bound to have missed important bits, ask away

[PaulP38a]

I had the pleasure of seeing this unit in action in Junosi's car last weekend, and it is certainly a tidy install.

I do like the idea of having my music stored and playing through a unit like this, especially for playlists, track info etc. The Kenwood stereo/DVD/GPS/iPod thingy I have installed does this ok while the GPS is running, so before making the jump over to an Android or WinCE tablet, was wondering how the Android tablet handles this?

What about storage expansion? How do you get to the 16GB SD card? Could you use the USB port to attach a flash drive to make updating playlists simpler? Perhaps a USB M-F lead to the glove box where the drive is stored?

While I probably won't bother doing this to the Blue P38 as the Kenwood is quite adequate and I will likely be selling the Blue one anyway, it is definately an option for the Black P38 in the near future.

I really like the sound of the Alpine stereo in the black 2000 HSE so don't want to change it, but definately want my iPod or some other "modern" method of storing my eclectic music collection ;) Was thinking of buying one of those ICD units ICD Direct Control iPod Interface (http://www.incaripod.com/Vehicle/Range_Rover/ICD_Direct_Control_iPod_Interface)from the UK, but I like your setup better.

What is screen glare like?

Suggestion: that screen might be tempting to thieves... what about a hinged flap that functions as a screen cover when folded down, and when up gives some glare protection and could be a cup holder? :D

Cheers, Paul.

[Junosi]

I do like the idea of having my music stored and playing through a unit like this, especially for playlists, track info etc. The Kenwood stereo/DVD/GPS/iPod thingy I have installed does this ok while the GPS is running, so before making the jump over to an Android or WinCE tablet, was wondering how the Android tablet handles this?

That entirely depends on what music player app you use. I've literally tried about 10 of them and settled on 'Astro Player' simply because it handles 'play by folder' and has a graphic equaliser. Astro player has a lot of playlist features - none of which I use so I can't comment but they look comprehensive. Astro player has a few stability issues so wouldn't recommend it unless you need 'play by folder' There are tons of music apps around and the majority of them have quite good playlist support from what I've seen, each with their own idiosyncrisies. I found Mixzing to be quite good also, but I can't live without 'play by folder' as that's how I organise my music on my SD card.

er just realised you may have meant about the 'multi-tasking' aspect of playing music while using nav software. I happily set my music player going and start up google nav, the voice nav interrupts the music with it's spoken directions and has no other affect on music playing. Generally I mute google nav's voice (Jessica) as she's downright annoying, I'd love to get the John Cleese voice set ...


What about storage expansion? How do you get to the 16GB SD card? Could you use the USB port to attach a flash drive to make updating playlists simpler? Perhaps a USB M-F lead to the glove box where the drive is stored?

I'm not certain but I don't think USB storage is supported by the wits unit - otherwise a USB extension would be a good idea. To access the micro SD slot (with 16gb card) I'd have to remove the unit from the dash - a 20 minute exercise. But I've never had to do it so far. When I'm parked in the drive or garage the Wits connects to my house WiFi and I copy whatever music/data/movies I like across via WiFi from my home computer etc. However, the USB slot is handy for attaching an external keyboard so having a lead go to the glovebox might still be a good idea and have a 'travel' keyboard stashed in there.


What is screen glare like?

Very liveable, the Wits has three standard brightness settings accessible from the home screen widget and more if you customise them. Low is good for night driving and bright seems amply bright enough for bright daylight driving. If it's bright I sometimes have to take my sunnies off to see the screen, contrast difference I guess /shrug. Direct sunlight on the unit isn't great but that rarely happens.


Suggestion: that screen might be tempting to thieves...

That's half the reason I did this install and tried to make it look as 'factory' as possible. I was using a 'stick on the windscreen' unit for a while but was paranoid about it attracting theft. I don't know if a thief would give it a second glance if it looks like it belongs. From outside the vehicle it looks 100% factory I reckon and inside you'd really have to know what you were looking at to tell.

[glenhendry]

Wonderful - thanks Junosi. I have a 7" android tablet that will be getting the very same treatment. I would be very interested in any other details on the physical connections for making the sound from the tablet come out of the standard stereo on tape mode.

[Remy]

Can you please provide more info on this.
Cheers,
Remy



I bypassed the tape deck (what's a tape :eek:) and put the audio through that. You 'could' use one of those cassette adapter thingos or an FM transmitter - but a direct connection gives best results. Can give more info on that if required - I copied Story Wilson's approach.

[Junosi]

There's a few different ways to do the 'line input' into the factory stereo. Some opt to use the CD changer lines others use the tape inputs and apparently Roverville use the radio circuit somehow (would love to know how)

Here's some links:
Roverville do a professional looking aux input that overrides the radio when it's plugged in. Pity they're not in Australia =/
http://www.roverville.us/ (click the ipod/mp3 link)

Storey Wilson (of EAS fame and RSW solutions) posted this method which is essentially what I've done, although mine uses no tape. It involves a little soldering. You can opt to retain your tape playing ability (why? :eek:) or remove part of the mechanism and jam it on 'play'. It's problematic to disable the tape mechanism from 'playing' completely as it has both an optical sensor and a mechanical one to detect tape jams etc. Easier just to let it think it's playing.
RangeRovers.net • View topic - Ipod - MP3 - RCA Inputs - Modification Using Tape Mode (http://rangerovers.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13543)

So from the headphone out socket on my Wits it goes into the tape deck area on the head unit. I've got a line filter and a ground loop isolator on mine also - to remove buzz and electrical noise.

There's a lot of threads about aux inputs on rangerovers.net too if you have a search, some involving the cd changer lines instead. I can probably help with a bit more detail if Storey's post isn't clear enough.

[jazzaD1]

i have a 10" android tablet that i might use as something similar in my discovery

[rangerdanger]

Junosi, you've inspired me.
Where did you take the power supply from, and did you need to convert to a lower voltage supply?
My aim would be to hard wire this in on a power circuit so the tablet fires up whenever the key is in position 1, or maybe when the head unit is turned on.
Do you see any traps doing things this way?

I have a spare CD changer cable which I can butcher, and the clarion circuit diagram I have shows which pins are 12V, Ground, left and right outputs, so may attack the input that way, rather than performing open heart surgery to the head unit as per the Story Wilson plan of attack.

Any ideas appreciated
Troy N

[Junosi]

Where did you take the power supply from, and did you need to convert to a lower voltage supply?

My tablet (Wits) came with a car charger so I just remodeled it a bit and made it a permanent addition to the car - connected to the cigarette socket wires, behind the wits and hidden


My aim would be to hard wire this in on a power circuit so the tablet fires up whenever the key is in position 1, or maybe when the head unit is turned on.
Do you see any traps doing things this way?

Ideally that's how I'd like mine to work too. I did a bit of head scratching initially and ended up just slapping the button in until I could come with something more practical. The turning on and off part is really my biggest annoyance with the whole thing. I don't really know how to make it turn on with the ignition just yet. Thoughts I had at the time were to run the tablet with no battery in it and have it run off car charger only - but still have to turn it on somehow... and I don't how well Android would like being crashed off by terminating it's power. A better idea (that I don't how to achieve just yet) would be some sort of delay solenoid/switch that emulates pressing the power button for 3 seconds - to automatically turn on with ignition etc. Turn off could be done similarly I guess, just need some sort of time delay circuit for a 3 second momentary connection. Wish I took an electronics course at uni now instead of greek myths !


I have a spare CD changer cable which I can butcher, and the clarion circuit diagram I have shows which pins are 12V, Ground, left and right outputs, so may attack the input that way

Good way to do it. You can retain your cd changer functionality too if you put a switch in to select either the cd changer or your aux (tablet) - saw a few posts along these lines on rr.net

[rangerdanger]

Interesting....
I think with the pitfalls you describe with the power supply, I would just take the same approach that you have. Still a bit confused though.

If the tablet runs off its own battery, and the power supply is just for charging, how did you get the dash mounted switch to work? Is it a momentary switch or a latched switch? Any chance of posting a wiring diagram?

Regarding connecting via the clarion CBus changer cable, the more I research it, the more it looks like it won't work, as the head unit needs to "sense" the presence of the CD changer playing the CD before it will accept the signal. I think this may be the reason Roverville don't sell a plug in ipod adaptor like they do for the later model Alpine CD changers.

[Junosi]

how did you get the dash mounted switch to work? Is it a momentary switch or a latched switch?

I just extended the two power button wires from the standard Wits power button to a new momentary button on the dash - as the standard Wits button is no longer accessible while in the dash. Pressing the dash button for 3secs is identical to holding the Wits power button for 3secs for on/off purposes.


Regarding connecting via the clarion CBus changer cable, the more I research it, the more it looks like it won't work, as the head unit needs to "sense" the presence of the CD changer playing the CD before it will accept the signal.

I'm not sure but I think some just let the cd changer play a cd indefinitely so the head unit still senses a cd playing - but then bypass the audio out to an aux unit and the head unit knows nothing is wrong. Obvious downside is your cd unit will continue to wear.

[Junosi]

My aim would be to hard wire this in on a power circuit so the tablet fires up whenever the key is in position 1, or maybe when the head unit is turned on.

I've given this a bit more thought and come up with a more elegant way to make the unit turn on and off I think. I've bought an adjustable 12v timer switch/relay ($23+p) that will close the 'power button' circuit for 3 seconds when I turn the igntion to 'acc' or start - this should make it turn on. I'll leave the dash mounted switch however as it's still going to be useful for turning the screen to sleep/wake mode.

Power off will still require user intervention as android doesn't appear to support turning itself off when not on charge etc. So there's a few free apps in the android market that let the unit turn off with a single click - as apposed to the power button being held, confirming that you really want to shut down, then an ok screen to be really really sure. All the shutdown apps require 'root' (master/administrator) access to the device which requires a few small steps to achieve on most devices.

[p38arover]

Junosi, would you post some daylight pix so we can see how it looks in the dash, please?

[Junosi]

Sure, although the other ones were done in daylight also, might look a bit dark as the camera is compensating for how bright the Wits is (it's bright on its high setting and on it's dim setting its perfect for night). Here's some more, taken from the back seat with the doors and sunroof shut at about 4:30pm today.

The last photo shows a new app I've been playing with called 'Torque', it's a very configurable OBD app that can show whatever OBD info you like - in either dial form, graphs, history, logs etc etc - looks very in depth. It communicates with a bluetooth ODB dongle that is switched on/off with ignition. Currently using the free version of Torque which has an apple iPad advert on it - kind of ironic when I'm viewing it on an Android tablet ...

ps the small hole to the right of the tablet is part of the original dash, little annoying that's it there but that's life

[p38arover]

Thanks. Maybe turn the screen off and just come out a little from that of the third pic.

It's hard to see the surround of the screen and how it looks.

[p38arover]

Wait. I've edited one of the pics:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/516.jpg

[Junosi]

Here's another one, screen off.

High res version available here Wits a81 in P38 dash | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/junosi/5533627459/#/photos/junosi/5533627459/lightbox/)

[jsp]

hmmmm very tempting project to try.

Ron, maybe you could find a tablet which about fits that trim piece?

[Junosi]

I suspect the later model dash with the factory sat nav cavity would be an easier fit. My install is slightly resessed with the Wits bezel making a seal from behind which made securing it much easier. If I'd made it flush securing would be a problem and more of the dash would of been butchered. The Wits is about as small as it gets in the 7" field, it has a very small bezel, if it were much larger then fitting would be more difficult. As I said in my original post - I'm not sure I'd really recommend a Wits, there's already better tablets around - Nook colour, Samsung galaxy, dell streak etc. and there will be a plethora of new ones on the market this year.

[p38arover]

hmmmm very tempting project to try.

Ron, maybe you could find a tablet which about fits that trim piece?

I was thinking the same thing, John.

[p38arover]

I haven't found the WITS A91G capacitive screen Android for sale anywhere.

Telstra are selling the Galaxy Tab 7" Android tablet for $299 outright (an on-line deal, not in stores). I don't know if it uses a resistive or capacitive screen.

A couple of years ago I spent about $200 to buy a new Lilliput 7" touch screen and a similar amount on a 12volt PC to make up a car computer like the unit JSP made about 5 years ago. I never did get it made.

This is JSP's unit. RangeRovers.net • View topic - Home made navigation system - 95 HSE (http://rangerovers.net/forum/viewtopic.php't=5069)

[Junosi]

You can buy the a81 direct from Wits at:
The Witstech A81G A81E GPS device. Wits Tablet, Wits MID, Wits A81E, Witstech A81E, GPS, GPS module, witstech A81G - WitsTech.com (http://www.witstech.com/)
or aliexpress always has a lot listed. I've bought from Aliexpress before - its more or less China's equivalent of eBay and safe enough to use if you use Paypal.
Wholesale wits a81 - Buy Low Price wits a81 Lots on Aliexpress.com (http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale/wholesale-wits-a81.html?SearchText=wits%2Ba81&CatId=0&SortType=price_asc&SortType=y)

But, for $300 I'd definitely be giving the Galaxy Tab a serious looking at to see it could be made to fit. It's a good piece of kit with nice capacitive screen and no real faults, built in GPS and easy access to android market. This site gives good details on it: Samsung Smartphones | Samsung GALAXY Tab | Specifications (http://www.samsung.com/au/smartphone/galaxy-tab/specifications.html) According to those dimensions it's 10mm longer and 10mm taller/wider than the Wits so I reckon it could be made to fit with a bit more trimming of plastic behind the p38 fascia. I'm sorely tempted to buy one for my other car now :D

Another alternative is the new Archos 7c, not sure if it's officially out yet but can't be far away.

I used to have a Lilliput pop out touch screen in my Discovery with a laptop permanently mounted under the passenger seat as my carputer :). Running Windows XP, Centrafuse and Oziexplorer, was very handy for a while. Used it for a couple of years until the 'pop out' mechanism bit the bullet, but I'm totally sold on Android tablets now so no going back to that.

[p38arover]

Thanks for that info. I was planning to install the Rovacom software and RAVE in the carputer so they would always be there and I wouldn't need to carry a laptop.

I already have all the bits for a carputer now - it's just the effort of doing it. However, the pain of that has been eased considerably as jsp kindly gave me his touch screen and fascia panel.

[996TURBO]

I use an Ipad as a GPS

[Hymie]

Kogan are selling Agoras for $139.74 as a pre order deal.
Laptops/Tablet PCs - Buy Laptop Computers and Tablet PC devices from Kogan (http://www.kogan.com.au/shop/category/laptops-tablet-pc/)

[PaulP38a]

I use an Ipad as a GPS

I use my iPad to play "Angry Birds" but not while driving :p

Sorry, the iPad just does not look right on the P38 dash.

A 7" Windows XP/Vista/7 tablet would make most sense to run RAVE, EAS Unlock and BBS Vehicle Explorer. Secondary function as a media player and GPS would be useful too... plenty of software for Windows to do this. Problem is making it useable on a 1024x600 screen.

Maybe Android is a good compromise... Junosi's setup does look very cool and is quite cheap to implement.

The search continues...

[996TURBO]

It doesn't fit because it hasn't been built in dash right now. I appreciate a great app here that is called Iphigenie. It's a very accurate map reader linked to the french geographic institute. It's the perfect tool on the trail. Scale used is 1/25.000e and you can choose views like with google maps.

[Junosi]

A 7" Windows XP/Vista/7 tablet would make most sense to run RAVE, EAS Unlock and BBS Vehicle Explorer. Secondary function as a media player and GPS would be useful too... plenty of software for Windows to do this. Problem is making it useable on a 1024x600 screen.

Agreed, the interface of Windows on a 7" touch was always clunky. A true tablet OS makes much more sense, be it IOS or one of the Android derivatives - Android's proper tablet OS is out any day now - Honeycomb (Android 3.0), it is out on one device in the US (Xoom)

I've got RAVE running in PDF format on mine easy enough. EAS Unlock could/can happen as soon Android enables proper USB host extensions, then the USB port can be a serial port and with a little effort an Android port of EAS unlock can exist. Alternatively if anyone can find a bluetooth->serial dongle that supports 600 baud it'd be possible too (I've looked and looked but all the ones I've found seem to skip 600 and do 300, 1200 ...)

BBS vehicle explorer would have to wait on BBS - if he wrote his software to be browser based instead of proprietary it would be of great help. He's most of the way there already with vehicle explorer essentially being a browser.

PS Those $140 Agora's look good, but can't see any bluetooth support or built in GPS. Lots of the cheaper ones are missing vital functions like BT

pps Iphigenie looks a lot like a french version of OziExplorer

[Hymie]

Snipped
PS Those $140 Agora's look good, but can't seen any bluetooth support or built in GPS. Lots of the cheaper ones are missing vital functions like BT

I reckon if you Emailed Ruslan Kogan and told him what you were after he would go out and source them or have them made.

[101RRS]

Will these tablets run Tom Tom or Igo or some similar street turn by turn GPS software?

[Junosi]

Will these tablets run Tom Tom or Igo or some similar street turn by turn GPS software?

They sure do. They all come with free Google Navigation built in, which has voice guidance and an excellent interface - although it needs a data connection (3g etc - uses very very little data). Most come with some other free gps software that requires no data connection like more traditional nav software, I haven't found any of the free ones to be any good (except Google). Telstra devices all ship with whereis nav - which is an ok product but requires a paid subscription.

Personally I use Co-Pilot ($50 one off, no subs) which I find to be generally very good and if I'm not using Google then I'm very happy with Co-pilot. I believe Tomtom joined with Route66 to create their Android nav software - which reviews well but I haven't tried it. iGo has the 'myway' software for Android. You'd have to check for the specifics as to whether Australia maps are supported. There's a variety of others available out there too and more being added frequently

[101RRS]

They sure do. They all come with free Google Navigation built in, which has voice guidance and an excellent interface - although it needs a data connection (3g etc - uses very very little data).

So it does not work without a 3g connection - I will not have one so this is no good


Personally I use Co-Pilot ($50 one off, no subs) which I find to be generally very good and if I'm not using Google then I'm very happy with Co-pilot. I believe Tomtom joined with Route66 to create their Android nav software - which reviews well but I haven't tried it. iGo has the 'myway' software for Android. You'd have to check for the specifics as to whether Australia maps are supported. There's a variety of others available out there too and more being added frequently

Can I take it that while there are plans for Tom Tom etc to be used - the current versions cannot be used like they can with Windows CE.

Cheers

Garry

[Junosi]

So it does not work without a 3g connection - I will not have one so this is no good

'Google nav' and 'whereis nav' both need a data connection and won't work without it. They load their maps from the internet on demand as you move around. It's quite efficient, but as you say, if you have no data then it's no good.


Can I take it that while there are plans for Tom Tom etc to be used - the current versions cannot be used like they can with Windows CE

You can't use windows ce versions on Android no. You need an Android version (or iOS version for Apple) of whatever you plan on running. You also need to ensure you're buying an Australian map version - Co-pilot Australia/NZ for instance. Might be worth mentioning that some of the tablets are capable of running Windows CE if that's your bent, the Wits one ships with either Android or Win CE

Here's a link to Co-Pilot android version:
CoPilot Live for Android: ALK Technologies (http://www.alk.com/copilot/android/)

This page has a lot of information on various Android nav apps: Android Sat Nav Apps (http://mobile.jack-frost.co.uk/android_sat_nav_apps.php)


A quick google turned up this http://www.66.com/route66/index.php?cid=US&act=1 which is suggesting the Tomtom/Route66 version is soon to be released on Android.

[996TURBO]

Personally I use Co-Pilot ($50 one off, no subs) which I find to be generally very good a

I use Co-Pilot too but i may jailbreak the pad to use others like TomTom or Navigon that i already use with the Jailbreaked Iphone:wasntme:

[p38arover]

Will these tablets run Tom Tom or Igo or some similar street turn by turn GPS software?

The Telstra Samsung Galaxy Tab comes with Telstra Sensis maps already installed I believe.

For my iphone, I downloaded the complete Metroview GPS app with turn by turn navigation and all the Australian maps. Cost $15. I don't need to use the 3G network at all unlike using Google Maps.

[Junosi]

Yep Sensis=whereis but unless they've changed it they charge a yearly subscription and it requires a data connection like google maps. Telstra like to push it as its their baby and a money spinner for them.

The data thing can be a bit offputting but chances are high if you've got an iOS or Android device then you're already got a data plan.

One thing about Google maps/nav that I do love is that because it ties in completely with all the other google services you can use voice search and say things like 'navigate to service station' and it will start navigating you to it. Might not sound like anything new but its quite powerful - like earlier this week I said to it 'navigate to jaycar' and off we went to the nearest jaycar. Or 'map of galleries in melbourne' brings up all the galleries etc etc.

[szo]

I've been wanting to do something like this ever since the factory nav system died a while ago, not that it was that good with 10 y/o maps.( looked into new maps once and they wanted $400 for ones that were only 5 y/o!!!)

In dick smith yesterday and came across the pre-paid Optus My Tab, $149 with blue tooth,wifi,gps, 7"touch screen and expandable memory up to 32GB.

I bought it with out expecting too much for the price , but it goes much better than I expected. Within half an hour I had it unlocked and updated to Andriod 2.2.

My dash trim is already scratched up from the last owners carphone cradle, so i wont feel bad cutting(stuffing) it up, I was going to try and cut the side out so that the Tab can slide in and out easily.

Tpg have data sims for $1 a month for 50mb,or 150mb if you are a DSL customer(or know someone who is......)and looks like calls 10c/min(?).

[RaZz0R]

I am also going down this road with a 7 or 10" size.
I have been researching for a long time.

Pretty much any tablet with captive screen, 512MB ram for running programs, 1Ghz or better CPU and GPS chipset = a decent tab device.
The others are using either 256MB of ram which really isn't enough or using a cheap cut down CPU. Seems to be about 200+ for one which is making me think that 500ish will also serve as a laptop replacement.

Currently I am trying to decide on a china tablet - but fairly high end for about 250ish or do I go with a full brand @ 10" that will seriously replace a laptop?

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Eee- ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101 (http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Pad_Transformer_TF101/#overview)

[PaulP38a]

Currently I am trying to decide on a china tablet - but fairly high end for about 250ish or do I go with a full brand @ 10" that will seriously replace a laptop?

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Eee- ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101 (http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Pad_Transformer_TF101/#overview)

I want that tablet/netbook... just 'coz it seems so cool ;) dunno if it could work in the dash of a P38 though with a 10" screen plus border. Tried my iPad and it just looks silly unless you really want to modify the dash and relocate the EAS, cruise and light switches.

That ASUS unit would need a dock in the car to enable GPS, stereo integration and reversing camera to win me over as a car-tablet. If it was easily removable, but solidly docked when off-road that would be very tempting.

Laptop replacement, really? With a 32GB SSD I don't think so.

Cheers, Paul.

[996TURBO]

On the muddy trail.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uEXSMZmlSG0/TVBmnusX3WI/AAAAAAAABbA/G5ClcePAw7M/s720/DSC_0138.jpg

[jsp]

Ipads are just a bit big for my liking for this purpose.

7 inch screen fits very nicely in the P38.

Might put another one in soon.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/06/886.jpg

[p38arover]

Ipads are just a bit big for my liking for this purpose.

7 inch screen fits very nicely in the P38.

Might put another one in soon.

Do you want yours back? Or, if you are making a new unit, the Lilliput screen I bought but never used (free, of course)?

[jsp]

No, I have to decide wether to keep the P38 as my daily drive, I fixed my transmission issue, was bad joints in the trans ECU, well I have temp fixed it ;)

It did 1400k's over the weekend without fail, the first trip without a failure to proceed which cost at least $350 when I got home in about 5 years - so it knows I am thinking of retiring it.



Also if I put another screen in, I would most likely integrate a GPS in, I still am old fashioned and don't like the idea of a large pc touch type interface for music and radio, and I just don't see the point of watching movies or tv in the car.

[Remy]

nice finish JSP. How did you go about achieving this or is it original?
I saw a similar wood grain finish on RRNet but haven't been able to find the plastic parts to finish it off after much searching on the bay. Ron do you know?
Cheers,
Remy

[jsp]

nice finish JSP. How did you go about achieving this or is it original?
I saw a similar wood grain finish on RRNet but haven't been able to find the plastic parts to finish it off after much searching on the bay. Ron do you know?
Cheers,
Remy

A fair bit of patience, dremel, bog, sandpaper, spray paint, touch screen.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/06/717.jpg

[p38arover]

nice finish JSP. How did you go about achieving this or is it original?

See post #21 (first post on P3 of this thread).

[LavisLane]

Android?! Pffft

iPad!!

[LavisLane]

"what about the HEVAC and radio controls?!"

Check out the hack attached that creates a touch pad interface to run the HEVAC and radio ;)






Yes... It's bull****.

[Hoges]

"what about the HEVAC and radio controls?!"

Check out the hack attached that creates a touch pad interface to run the HEVAC and radio ;)






Yes... It's bull****.

very clever b/s! Thank goodness for that! I'd be finding it difficult to sleep for the next few weeks if it were otherwise!:D