Thread: Kenwood Stereo/DVD/iPod/GPS/Bluetooth

Maybe I should go this route instead of trying to make a car computer.

From previous experience, dont make a in-car PC far too many hassles. They arent worth it. I've explored many options and the Kenwood KOS series is the go. Seperate modules that you bolt in hidden away somewhere, then plug them into the in-dash screen. The downside is its quite expensive with all the modules.

Paul, have you checked if you have the latest firmware loaded on your Bluetooth module?

About in car PC's.

Been there done that.

I destroyed 3 cheap laptops, hard disks crash. Then bought an EEEPC with a solid state disk, much more reliable.

My system was; netbook JUST sat in the glovebox, USB GPS unit sat in the corner of the dash, I had an 8" touchscreen mounted over the cubby hole.

I used OziExplorer off-road and a PC version of Igo8 for on road.

Rearview camera allowed easy backup to camper.

This was a good system, but there were a few issues; screen was just a bit too big, have to reach over and around to use buttons, boot up time could be a bit slow, started to have troubles with the boot sector on the netbook, don't know if it was just my unit or something to do with the environment. Then just before christmas my cable from the screen to the netbook broke from too much flexing and angle.

So, plan B.

Bought a 7" stand alone GPS for less than $200 delivered. Came with iGo8.

Installed OziCE onto the SD card.

Mounts in the same place much better.

Very happy so far. Just returned from Yadboro Flat, south coast NSW, and the iGO (Kate) gave perfect directions through all the fire trails in the mountains. (Usually the role of Ozi).

Only critisim so far is the GPS reception is not quite as good as the external unit, glare can be a problem (but this was the same with the 8" one).

I still have to play with the music player, bluetooth and FM outputs to see what I can do with these, but there certainly not deal breakers.

One of the best $200 I've spent.

Anyone want an 8" touch screen with a broken VGA cable?