Car PC installation specialists?

[Gagzi]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie to all of this and I'm no good at fitting stuff into cars etc etc. I was wondering who were the best people to go to for car pc installations etc?

I was looking at In-carpc.co.uk but I was wondering if there were any other ones around? I can't seem to find anything on the internet for it so i've just joined this forum today.

I wanted a couple of touch screens in the headrest as well as a roof mount so that the back two seats could watch (7 seater) all linked to the PC.

Also if a PS2 could get wired to the system as well as the pc being linked to my screen at the front (already have Sat-nav, bluetooth, iPod etc.) just to view as i'd like to keep the factory fitted stuff.

If i buy the the parts myself it could work out cheaper but I was just wondering who the best would be to fit all of this?

I was looking to use the standard centrafuse application?

Does anyone have any better ideas than what I've thought of. Basically its to cater for a family of six. Normally there will be four of us so the headrests come into play however when we're all together the kids will have to go to the back two seats.

Cheers

Gagzi

[Jan]

A car audio shop is going to be your best bet honestly.

[Sandman_p10]

Originally Posted by Jan

A car audio shop is going to be your best bet honestly.

well not over here, here they don't know that there are touchscreens with usb connection for in the car ...

i didn't even start telling them about a car-pc ... and it suposed to be a specialist ...

[Jan]

I'd venture to say that 90% of car audio shops know nothing about CarPCs.

This is not abnormal.

However, it's the same as installing an amplifier.

Now, if you're wanting someone to set it all up and configure it for you, then your out of luck. There's only a handful of businesses world wide that are up to that level currently.

Any car audio shop can install a CarPC. It's up to you to configure and trouble shoot it after that.

[Gagzi]

Looks like i'll have to pay over the odds to get all of this fitted in then. The thing is that InCar-PC actually embed everything into the headrests... a few places I've seen try to replace your headrests with the Rosen ones (they have matching BMW leather on the headrests with screen fitted inside) but they cost around £900 (not worth it in my eyes) so that'll be big cost before the CarPc is even fitted.

I've found another place that gave me the following deal for a mini PC:

Cubid 3677 Mini PC
1.6GHz Intel CPU
1GB RAM
250GB SATA HDD
DVD-/+RW
Windows XP Home
6-24VDC Regulated PSU

All for £439. Is that a good price or not?

The screens I've looked at are the linITX 7" TMR Touch screens for £255 each and a linITX 10.2" Roof Mount touch screen for £284. Are these good screens and good prices?

On top of that I've got the PS2 fitting to think about (however I don't think the kit costs that much, looking to get that from parkmyauto.co.uk - the guy from there, Russell, has been an excellent help so far).

Also needed is all the cabling to fit it all together and then the connection to the BMW driver screen (not replacing the front unit, will control from here with a wireless keyboard or rollerball mouse type thing).

Total cost of stuff

PC - £439
Headrest touchscreens - £510
10.2 Roof Mount - £284
Centrafuse Standard - £80 (?)
PS2 kit - £76.80

All prices inclusive of VAT.

So without fitting and cabling my bill is at £1389.80. What do you think it'll cost to fit all that and get the cables too?

I'm still looking around but it looks like I may have to go with InCarPc but have a less complicated package as I can't afford the price I've been quoted.

Thanks for the responses so far - if anyone does know of in car pc specialists that provide fitting please let me know as I'd like to get it done ASAP.

Cheers

Gags

[Jan]

Unfortunately this is not a cheap hobby.

The small form factor of these components is what helps to drive the cost up.

If you are willing to learn as you go, then you ca install all of this one your own and save a ton of money. All you need is some patience and the willingness to read.

I can completely understand if you don't want to go that route though.

[AnandP83]

Originally Posted by Jan

I'd venture to say that 90% of car audio shops know nothing about CarPCs.

Even that estimate is a bit generous. I'd say 95 percent have no clue. They are going to say they do, but they don't. And the 5 percent that can do installs, I bet 95 percent of those are Infill G4 installs.

[loginfailed]

If it were just a basic carPC I would say do it yourself. But with what you are describing (an overhead screen, screens in the headrest, adding a game console, integrating with factory screen) you should probably seek out a professional.

I installed car audio, security & video from 1994-2005. I enjoy working on cars, but there is a lot of work involved in what you describe. If you don't know much about the subject or don't have the tools or mechanical ability, it would be best left to a shop.

And yes as others have stated.. The average car audio shop doesn't have much experience (if any) with carPCs.

At this point in time a PC in the car is still not main stream enough to be able to go to any car audio shop to get it installed. There are a few out there that are knowledgeable in the subject of carPCs but they are few and far between.

[Gagzi]

Thanks for the info lads. It is quite a complex install. I'm still trying to contact people and see if I can get any help... thanks for the posts though.

[stuffu8]

HI
I had a shop do the install for me, They did a A+ job on the install.
We are still mostly working on centerfuse bugs, they need to get better at customer service.
when it all works I LOVE IT, I have become good fixing some things myself and I wate for other people too.

I may be of help with the pros and cons of what to install and how to set it up.

Will post picks and prints of the install soon