Hey guys, I don't really come around here much anymore, but I thought since this project is an Android project too, I'd post it here.
FIRST: I don't want to hear about how this is a stupid idea or anything like that.
Anyway, here's what's going on:
I will be installing a Nexus 7 in my dash, completely automated, integrated, and removable. When it is slid into the dash, it will automatically turn on Wifi, Bluetooth, and Music, thanks to NFC tags. The N7 will stream audio to a Bluetooth receiver, which then feeds into an EQ. From the EQ, it goes to my sub and 4 channel amps. The N7 will be kept charged by a hard-wired POGO pin charger.
I'm debating whether or not to make a pod for my GNex (also removable) that will use NFC to automatically turn on Wifi Tether.
Update 12/5
My prototype POGO pin charger works! Although currently looking like a death trap, I will clean it up and hard wire it into the car when it completely ready. (Testing was done with my GNex. I know the pins are in different positions, this was just very early stages of development, for testing purposes.)
Update 12/7
The Nexus 7 will be bought on 12/9. NFC tags and RCA level controllers were ordered and should be here in a week or two.
Update 12/9
Picked up the Nexus, and began cutting my dash to fit it. More cuts will be made, and then fiberglass will come.
Update 2/6
The dash is coming along quite nicely. Fiberglass is done, time for body filler.
Cool make sure you get some pictures of your build
Definitely. I'm mainly a car audio guy, and this build is on my favorite car audio forum as well, so of course I will be taking pictures. :P
I'll be updating this thread with photos as they happen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by binary visions
Nice. I've been considering a dash mount for mine. Not really in-dash, but hopefully just a bracket of some kind.
My only concern is head/cold fluctuations and how well the N7 will deal with them.
Well, the N7 will be removable, and only in the dash while I'm driving. I use (will use...) it at work a lot (I currently rely on my GNex), and also at home. So, the tablet will pretty much be with me at all times when its not in the car.
Right, I am mostly concerned about things like, say, shopping, or visiting a friend... times where I want the tablet as a media device in the car, but do not want to take it with me so it'll sit for several hours in a car that could be either very hot or very cold.
Right, I am mostly concerned about things like, say, shopping, or visiting a friend... times where I want the tablet as a media device in the car, but do not want to take it with me so it'll sit for several hours in a car that could be either very hot or very cold.
Ah, I see what you mean. Im sure there week be no issues, not around my area at least. We don't have extreme hot or cold around here.
Also, for the future, I will be posting pics along the way on my Instagram account.
If you want to see the photos before I post them on various forums, feel free to follow me.
Device(s): Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0, ASUS Nexus 7 (8GB & 32GB), Samsung Galaxy S III
Carrier: T-Mobile
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Quote:
Originally Posted by binary visions
Right, I am mostly concerned about things like, say, shopping, or visiting a friend... times where I want the tablet as a media device in the car, but do not want to take it with me so it'll sit for several hours in a car that could be either very hot or very cold.
Umm... I wouldn't just leave a tablet on the dash in an unattended car for several hours for potential opportunistic passerby's to see...
Neat project! Compared to the cost of a high end head unit, a N7 is a really inexpensive option that gives you crazy flexibility and features.
Are you married to the idea of a BT audio streaming? If you can find a way to hook into the pogo plugs on the side of the tablet to get a line level audio feed out, you won't have the audio quality degraded by the BT streaming.
I also don't think I saw the type of vehicle mentioned in the thread. What sort of ride are you installing this into?
-SF
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If I could figure out how to wire the pogo pins to allow audio out, I would attempt to do it that way. I'm not really married to the Bluetooth, I'm married to the "wireless" aspect of it. I don't want to have to plug in USB or 3.5mm every time I put it in the dash.
I would prefer to do it via POGO pins, but I just can't find enough documentation to help in this this.
Some tape to hold it in place, to give you an idea of what it will look like when it's done.
Hopefully buying the fiberglass resin this week to get started on the actual build.
So, I stopped at Advance on the way home to pick up fiberglassing stuff, and the cashier asked "What are you working on?" So I told him I was putting a tablet in my dash. He answered with a confused look and "Like uhh... internet tablet?"
Anyway, I have my fiberglass resin and whatnot. Waiting for it to either warm up, or me to find a warm ventilated area to proceed.
Looks like my NFC tags will be here tomorrow, my POGO probes will be here at the end of this week, and my RCA level controllers some time this week as well.
I love the idea of doing this. Shame no one car/tablet combination (certainly not mine) merits a proper kit, but this DIY version looks great. How's it coming along?
Device(s): Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 7, LG Esteem, LG Revolution, LG Connect, LG Spectrum, Huawei Mercury
Carrier: T-Mobile
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kewl, too bad my 94 Cherokee doesnt have a good dash for such a mod lol
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Just so everyone knows, no, I haven't given up on this project lol. I'm just extremely busy with work, and it's a bit too cold to be fiber glassing at the moment.
I love this idea! I'm hoping to do the same thing in my car soon.
One thing though, not sure if you're aware but Bluetooth A2DP uses lossy data compression, not to mention cutting out and breaking up when there's interference on the same frequency band.
If you're using a sub and 4 channel amp, I assume you care about sound quality. You'll get better sound using the headphone output. Or MUCH better sound using the micro USB port to outsource the conversion to an external DAC, which is going to be much better than the little DAC built into the N7. That's what I'm looking into myself.
Going wireless is nice but you're going to have some compromises. Since the tablet will be plugged in your car for power most of the time anyway, why not also have the audio signal wired?
Interestingly enough, I have had no issues with streaming audio to my current headunit. No cutting. To the "naked ear" the sound quality is fine, but I may look into it more.
If could find a pin-out chart, I may end up wiring the POGO pins itself to a DAC. Hell, I might just spend a couple bucks and by the N7 POGO dock that has all the wiring done already, and just use that. I still have some decisions to make.
In terms of progress, it has been raining nonstop (literally... nonstop...) for about 4 days now, and we are supposedly getting anywhere from 1 to 5 inches of snow tonight. Needless to say, these are not the conditions to be fiberglassing in.
Just got my nexus 7 today and am looking at doing the same thing but mine will be going in an r33 nissan skyline also had the idea of using nfc tags to put my phone into tether mode and the n7 to turn on bluetooth and wifi.
It all works fine connected through my sony bluetooth head unit with no sound loss
My only issue is getting it to charge as to do it buy usb would make it awkward to just slip in and out so the idea of incorporating the official stand is something i will have to look into once i get round to it.
It's not the prettiest thing, but it will all be covered up.
I will be covering the card slot thing and putting 2 knobs there. One for volume, and one for subwoofer controller. Once I get that done, I plan to add a thin felt of some sort to the place for the nexus to sit in.
I still need to figure out how I will make sure the Nexus doesn't move while its in there. I'm not 100% sure if I'm going to be doing the POGO charging at the moment. I'm getting a little tired of this project already, and just want to be done with it... lol.
Next step is some body filler. Hope to get that done in the next couple of days.
Device(s): Samsung Galaxy Note II
HTC G2
Apple iPhone 4
Nexus 7 32GB
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imnotmikal
I still need to figure out how I will make sure the Nexus doesn't move while its in there.
Depending on what is going to be behind the tablet these will actually work great if it's a firm surface. This will also allow you to pull it it out when needed.
Depending on what is going to be behind the tablet these will actually work great if it's a firm surface. This will also allow you to pull it it out when needed.
I've done all the fiberglass and body filler. Going to do a little sanding tonight and hopefully primer/paint. After that, I'll need a small amount of fabric to cover the hole where the Nexus will sit.
Once that's done, its a waiting game until I can purchase the remaining equipment.
It's been a while... Anyway, time to start working on this again... lol
The dash itself is done save for a little sanding and paint. Next is the wiring. I've ordered the Bluetooth receiver, an I think I know how I'm going to do all this.
Only thing(s) I have left to order are: A few sets of RCAs, Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty, and the amp. Then I will pretty much be ready to finish this up.
Well, she sure ain't pretty yet, but I'm getting there. Gonna apply a little bit of filler to some small holes, then get her primed, sanded, and painted, and then I'm gonna cover the pocket with a felt material of some sort.
Cool project. I did something similar for my f150. it may not let me post a link here but you can search removable nexus 7 dash and find my YouTube video or mp3car thread. To answer an earlier question, if I am out of the vehicle for a long time I just put it under the seat. Don't know how it will hold up this summer but its been fine so far
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Nexus 7 In-Dash Project
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