Carputer

[Manntis]

added a carputer system to my RX-7.

Carmen, my current 1985 GSL-SE, had originally received Pamela's Sony CD/ MP3 player. A gorgeous unit that, when set in orange illumination mode, looked high-tech and yet factory at the same time.

But after 6 years and a lot of use, it's speaker output began to fail. At the same time, my interest in carputers was growing. And so I contacted Chris Wood at Mobile Computer Solutions in Pennsylvania, and had him create a system within my specs.

Jetway Mini ITX Motherboard w/ 2.0Ghz C7 CPU

1GB DDR2 Kingston RAM

120GB 2.5" Seagate SATA HD

External USB DVD R/RW drive

Built in Bluetooth & Wireless LAN

CF/PCMCIA Daughterboard

M2 ATX 160W Smart Automatic Power Supply

GPS Receiver

$739

Centrafuse XLE Deluxe with GPS including Canada $249

XP Pro $149

XP Lite to reduce boot up time $60

Lilliput HR703 $235

Total would be $1,422.

***

Package arrives from Mobile Computing Solutions in Pennsylvania. Chris kept in constant communication with me - letting me know when the software was installed, the system was tested, packed, shipped, etc.

Monitor, CPU, cabling, remote, remote receiver, GPS antenna, and external DVD drive

same kit, unpacked. Not shown: user manuals

MCS makes their own cases and brands their peripherals

The 7" touch-screen Lilliput monitor came with a bevelled surround, as it's meant to be installed in headrests.

Monitor, surround, and SE dash waterfall. The monitor is almost precisely 2.5 DIN high and 7" wide, filling the stereo opening nicely

Alas, the flanges top and bottom prevent it from fitting as it should.

You can see, however, that the monitor looks practically stock in that position

... and fits brilliantly. Too bad about the 7" wide by 6" deep stereo spot behind the monitor that'll now just be dead space!

rough cut installation of surround:

Holding the glue...

the finished body-colour / clearcoat dash piece with integrated monitor surround

Monitor fits in through the front...

the completed monitor install.

Optical drive installed - note the CD cases below to get an idea of how small it is.

[bigsi]

very nice, i do a full range of carputers also including the front end software set up to however you want it, including satnav/gps built in also. erm.. just in case anyone is interested..

[fmxa]

Looks fantastic, I've been thinking of doing something similar in my Range Rover, but at the same time I'm thinking of trading it in .....

[jfitz981]

Looks really great!! U have to love technology!

[Manntis]

yup. Nice to be able to add GPS, 120 GB of MP3 sound, etc. whilst replacing the ugly factory stereo...