Tablet dash install (Nexus 7)

[Tarps87]

Here is my tablet dash install (currently a work in progress)

From the front:
72078

The back:
72079
Attached using the two screws for the A/C and tapping the hole at the bottom which as far as I can tell was there just for this job :)
The was some dremeling involved, I cut the small plastic pegs off the top, timed the side ones back and cut a grove in the bottom pegs for the tablet to sit in. (will get some pics)

Other bits:
7208072081

I made this is a tray quickly (drilling outside in the dark trying not to upset the neighbours) from the stock radio cradle and some bits of aluminium, will be replaced with a box when I get all the bits.
On the tray is a USB DAC, 12v to 5v (5 amp) converter, a USB hub and a USB DAB stick. The is a fuse on the 12v and 5v lines and the 5v line is wired into the sliver USB cable (will get a better pic), this powers the tablet and all usb devices.

Since the photo I have wired a basic bluetooth handfree kit into the 5v line (removed the 12v plug) and the audio is fed into the DAC, there is also a USB GPS device connected and placed on the dash.

On the tablet I have timurs rom (https://timur.mobi/timurs-kernel-n7-2013/) which allows the tablet to charge while using other devices and a deep sleep mode, about 1% battery loss over 10 hours.
Other apps:
Tablet Talk - allows the tablet to make and receive calls through the phone, audio is not forwarded from the phone hence the handsfree kit, it does mute any music until the call is ended
Spotify - for music till I get the DAB aerial connected
Tasker - automates bits, on wake I have it set to open tablet talk, connect to my phone, load spotify and shuffle play
Sygic - for sat nav, allows custom POI such as LPG stations

Next part is to replace the USB lead with one made from some network cable as it is thicker so I will get less voltage drop, currently the tablet losses power when running the sat nav

One last pic, trying not to get into trouble taking up the living room floor:
72082

[giblet]

Nifty!

[Erni902]

Very interesting indeed, this is exactly what im looking to do with my iPad mini but a bit of modification will be needed as its slightly bigger than the double din

[Confused]

I guess from the ROM you've linked this is the 2013 Nexus 7, rather than the 2014 Nexus 7?

[Tarps87]

Very interesting indeed, this is exactly what im looking to do with my iPad mini but a bit of modification will be needed as its slightly bigger than the double din

It looks like the ipad is 20mm higher (held landscape) so the A/C mount may need modding, it is almost the same width so the pegs could be trimmed and stop sideways movement.


I guess from the ROM you've linked this is the 2013 Nexus 7, rather than the 2014 Nexus 7?

As far as I'm aware there is only a 2012 and 2013 version (a visual difference is 2013 has a rear camera, 2012 doesn't)

[Confused]

Oh yes, my bad, I was a year newer in my thoughts! I thought there was a 2013/2014 version, it is in fact 2012/2013!

[Tarps87]

Small update, due to most usb wires being designed to meet the minimum current spec of 500mAh at 5v and not having any better ones around the house I have made my own improved one by cut the power wires from a usb extender and soldered a pair of more suitable gauge wires in their place (forgot to take a photo).
This means there is a lot less power drop at the tablet end so I can now run the satnav, music and handsfree (with bluetooth) app while still charging the tablet battery if needed. It is worth noting if anyone does a dash install the cable will need to be at a minimum 26awg for the power lines (you will usually see 26/28awg on the cable, 26 for the power 28 for the data)
Other than that all I've had time to do is add volume buttons to the navigation bar (next to the back and home buttons).

Should get a chance to give the satnav side a proper test on the way up to Huddersfield this weekend :)

[adaxo]

I will refresh this as eventually I start diy this, so far I dremel out centre console to fit hudl2 as it was just laying in drawer after impulse purchase 2 years ago and doing nothing, there's my first question Is it any good for this sort of use? It fits perfectly as visible screen is exact size as opening in dash but after quick reading there and there it seems that most (if not all??) roms and mods are written for specific tablet (mostly nexus) so being a market knock off it may be not 'tunable' like nexus? is that the case?


735887358973590

If its any good then there's more questions to ask, pls be gentle as I'm not very good in tablets soft or hardware.

How to power this after building in dash? it has a power button at the side which will be not accessible, it will be always on?

[Confused]

The advantage of the Nexus tablet is that (because it's so common), there are people writing custom software for it.

For the Nexus, a guy by the name of Timur has modified the core code for the tablet, which does a number of things which make it suitable for use in a car. These include ultra low power mode (so that the battery doesn't drain when not in use), automatic power on/off with ignition, use of a USB DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter) AND charging at the same time (usually it's one or the other), as well as many other useful things.


With the Hudl, as it's not as common, it's finding someone with the same inclination (and ability) to make these tweaks (especially as the software source code for the Hudl might not be as easily accessible as the Nexus) to make it suitable for use.


So, issues you may run into is - switching it on and off automatically with ignition. Battery drain when not in use (meaning it then needs to charge you need to power it back on manually when you switch the ignition on), and if you wish to use a USB DAC (for much better sound quality than the inbuilt headphone output) then you'll need to figure out how to get both that and charging to work together.


Probably best in terms of time to just get a Nexus 7.

[Tarps87]

I don't know of any roms for the hudi which may be a problem, the main features I use from the Nexus rom are the deep sleep, USB hub support and OTG power support.
In theory you could get round the deep sleep/power issue by wiring the tablet switch to a relay triggered by the ignition circuit, the main issue would be the OTG power support which tells the tablet to accept charge even when USB devices are connected. So tablets have this hard wired meaning it can't be changed, lucky they were lazy with the Nexus and control it from the rom.

It would be easier to pick up a second hand Nexus 7 although a 8 inch screen would be better :( I have been using mine for a while now and would say it works well however it is not perfect, sometime it will loose USB devices and also fail to sleep properly. Timur the guy behind the rom is still improving it and looks to be close to releasing a final version for android 5.1.1

At the moment I am toying with the idea of replacing it with a Raspberry PI or a full PC install (the PI being more likely as it is a lot cheaper :))

Confused beat me to it, basically what he said. Does that mean the Anglia is getting a tablet /Hmmm

[Confused]

I had a full PC in my car when I first started driving in 2001.

I continued to have full PCs in my car until 2014.

Now - I just use my mobile phone, with a bluetooth receiver plugged into the amp.

This has actually been the most reliable, simple-to-use entertainment system I've ever had in my car.

The time of custom building PCs and tablets etc to try to make them work in a car environment are over, as far as I'm concerned.

There's been a Chinese-built double-din Android based head unit which appears to be getting a little bit of love from the modding community (which means that it might have improvements and updates applied for a couple of years, at least), but I'm actually quite happy with just using my phone at the moment.

I always stick it in a holder on the dash when I get in the car, as I don't like having it in my pocket, so the controls for volume and next track are always within reach - and realistically, that's all I use nowadays, other than navigation (which, again, is on my phone, using Google Maps)

[adaxo]

Thanks for swift reply guys.

Its a bit of shame that virtually new hudl is going back to drawer as screen size its exact as opening in dash so it would utilise all available space and look great.

Any particular nexus is to look at or any of them will do as there's lots on ebay for peanuts so no biggie, I just not want to get one and find out its wrong ver or build or whatever :D this one (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Asus-16GB-Google-Nexus-7-1st-Gen-Tablet-Black-/171523051155?hash=item27ef920e93) any good? OR, even better, Tarps87 if you thinking of changing your setup you may consider selling what you have already? just asking as it will save me a lot of hassle completing all bits needed.


or there's other option, use hudl and get all hardware needed and then decide if I really need custom rom and switch over to nexus if needed? dunno, what Im after is NAV, Bluetooth, music player, rear cam will be good, and may use some of that funky apps which measure speed, altitude, acceleration g forces ect ect just for fun and to refresh this bland and dated interior :whistle:

[Pugme]

I run a mini ipad in a custom housing in my bmw which I'll post a couple of pictures of later when I'm home, Rikki I'll also put the link up for the fascia that I'm using as it will certainly help for what your planning. From this the audio transfers fully from the USB port to a USB on the headunit hidden in the boot.

I eventually plan to run a full windows pc setup in the legnum because I want the audio transfer to be thru optical, because of the volumes and wattage my install is I need a nice clean signal and running thru a 3.5mm jack would be pointless.

[Tarps87]

I had a full PC in my car when I first started driving in 2001.

I continued to have full PCs in my car until 2014.

Now - I just use my mobile phone, with a bluetooth receiver plugged into the amp.

This has actually been the most reliable, simple-to-use entertainment system I've ever had in my car.

The time of custom building PCs and tablets etc to try to make them work in a car environment are over, as far as I'm concerned.

There's been a Chinese-built double-din Android based head unit which appears to be getting a little bit of love from the modding community (which means that it might have improvements and updates applied for a couple of years, at least), but I'm actually quite happy with just using my phone at the moment.

I always stick it in a holder on the dash when I get in the car, as I don't like having it in my pocket, so the controls for volume and next track are always within reach - and realistically, that's all I use nowadays, other than navigation (which, again, is on my phone, using Google Maps)

Think I'm suffering from the "just because I can" problem though, I have several films on a hard drive attached to the tablet, not watched them just on there because I can :)
With regards to navigation I've been playing about with Waze, it's now owned by Google and they appear to be using it to update the traffic on their maps.

[Tarps87]

Thanks for swift reply guys.

Its a bit of shame that virtually new hudl is going back to drawer as screen size its exact as opening in dash so it would utilise all available space and look great.

Any particular nexus is to look at or any of them will do as there's lots on ebay for peanuts so no biggie, I just not want to get one and find out its wrong ver or build or whatever :D this one (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Asus-16GB-Google-Nexus-7-1st-Gen-Tablet-Black-/171523051155?hash=item27ef920e93) any good? OR, even better, Tarps87 if you thinking of changing your setup you may consider selling what you have already? just asking as it will save me a lot of hassle completing all bits needed.


or there's other option, use hudl and get all hardware needed and then decide if I really need custom rom and switch over to nexus if needed? dunno, what Im after is NAV, Bluetooth, music player, rear cam will be good, and may use some of that funky apps which measure speed, altitude, acceleration g forces ect ect just for fun and to refresh this bland and dated interior :whistle:

Would suggest the 2013 model as that is the one the latest rom is for, here's the rom info https://timur.mobi/timurs-kernel-n7-2013/
The easy way to tell is the 2013 model has a camera on the back.
At the moment I don't plan to sell the tablet as I have more projects planned for it, as for the rest of the bits they will still be used if I go down the PI route.

If you are looking at a rear cam then the Nexus rom would be the best way to go, depending on which cheap Chinese video card you get it has built in support or there is an app that covers it. (they are all sold a EasyCAP devices).
Looking at your list I expect you will need similar part to the ones I've used, once I get home I'll post up a list of them

[John TheAntique]

Darren, I have a T3 Infill car computer running windows with centrafuse which does everything a lap top does. http://www.carputer-world.com/2010/02/21/infill-t3-car-computer-install-demonstration/ It comes with a portable keyboard so you can have a complete office in your car. The only thing wrong is the pop up mechanism doesn't work after NJ played with it and it has sat at the local TV etc repair mans workshop for a couple of years. It came out of a Legnum so it will fit. Interested?

[adaxo]

I've been thinking of getting one of this android double din stereos, this one (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XTRONS-Quad-Core-Android-4-4-4-Double-DIN-6-95-HD-Car-CD-DVD-Stereo-GPS-Sat-Nav-/181852560240?hash=item2a5741db70) to be precise but what's put me off purchase is the price as i have tablet sitting idle and possible issues with quality (esp audio) and possibility of customisation/upgrades could be very limited after a year or so.


Car pc was an option few years back, there was a really good advantage, running evoscan constantly will be brill but complexity and price of good screen alone, put me off it for good, this may change now as I didn't research that subject for past 2-3 years.


List of bits needed will help a lot, thanks

[giblet]

and may use some of that funky apps which measure speed, altitude, acceleration g forces ect ect just for fun and to refresh this bland and dated interior :whistle:

One of my biggest gripes with the VR4 is the interior. I wonder if it's possible to get a raspberry pi setup running windows along with the correct cable to show evoscan settings? Not sure if the EvoDroid tablet would work with out cars but the price is a tad high

[adaxo]

One of my biggest gripes with the VR4 is the interior. I wonder if it's possible to get a raspberry pi setup running windows along with the correct cable to show evoscan settings? Not sure if the EvoDroid tablet would work with out cars but the price is a tad high

Evodroid should work, shame you need to purchase it with tablet for £250+ rather than just as app.

[Tarps87]

List of parts used:
7 port USB hub (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ID270ZU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00)
Behringer USB DAC (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000KW2YEI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00)
USB DVB stick (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009VBUYA0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00) (aerial already in the car)
Ground loop isolator (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000NVWB9O?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00)
Adapter (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0009N1MV4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00) + hands free (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009NLTW60?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00)
USB GPS device (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008200LHW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00)
EasyCAP device (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/171896735185?adgroupid=13585920426&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=kwd-75951445866&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&ff19=0&device=c&chn=ps&campaignid=207297426&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80) for rear camera

4 port USB hub (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00J9A0O6W?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00) (replaced with 7 port)
Amp (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00I1TY6JI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00) to replace single din unit in glove box, not tested yet

Had the same thought about Evodroid, shame it is based on a kindle as well.

[adaxo]

List of parts used:
7 port USB hub (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ID270ZU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00)
Behringer USB DAC (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000KW2YEI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00)
USB DVB stick (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009VBUYA0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00) (aerial already in the car)
Ground loop isolator (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000NVWB9O?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00)
Adapter (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0009N1MV4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00) + hands free (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009NLTW60?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00)
USB GPS device (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008200LHW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00)
EasyCAP device (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/171896735185?adgroupid=13585920426&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=kwd-75951445866&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&ff19=0&device=c&chn=ps&campaignid=207297426&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80) for rear camera

4 port USB hub (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00J9A0O6W?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00) (replaced with 7 port)
Amp (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00I1TY6JI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00) to replace single din unit in glove box, not tested yet

Had the same thought about Evodroid, shame it is based on a kindle as well.

thats brill, thank you, I didn't realise there's so many add ons available but now got much clearer picture of whole install.

[jaspa]

For GPS software, I've been playing with Navmii (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.navfree.android.OSM.ALL&hl=en_GB), it's free but more importantly (for me) also offline so you download the maps that you need to your phone/tablet which I don't think you can do with Waze (don't you need a data connection?). It has traffic reporting and such like if you do pair it to your phone.

I have it running on my Note4 and also my windows 8.1 tablet, It got us around a 2000 mile road trip of New England this time last year and got me around Europe this summer without issues.

Stuart

[adaxo]

I always use Google maps as they pretty damn accurate in subject of arrival time, even on 150+ miles is right, but yes it use some data and been caught in Cornwall that it take a while till it find route.

Have another question, do I need external usb gps device if I have build in one? just try to keep this install easy and clean avoiding unnecessary cables ect, similar qustion is regards audio out, can I just hook up phone jack through amp to existing cables? in that case Im not sure what is this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000KW2YEI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00) for?

[Tarps87]

I always use Google maps as they pretty damn accurate in subject of arrival time, even on 150+ miles is right, but yes it use some data and been caught in Cornwall that it take a while till it find route.

Have another question, do I need external usb gps device if I have build in one? just try to keep this install easy and clean avoiding unnecessary cables ect, similar qustion is regards audio out, can I just hook up phone jack through amp to existing cables? in that case Im not sure what is this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000KW2YEI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00) for?

I found the built in GPS didn't work well enough when in the dash so have the USB GPS device next to the windscreen on the passenger side.
As for the DAC I found the audio wasn't great from the aux port but this could have been down to the port on the tablet, it may be worth trying it out first. I have seen some dash installs that use a bluetooth connection to a head unit, usually in thing like the RX8 where the head unit is built in.



For GPS software, I've been playing with Navmii (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.navfree.android.OSM.ALL&hl=en_GB), it's free but more importantly (for me) also offline so you download the maps that you need to your phone/tablet which I don't think you can do with Waze (don't you need a data connection?). It has traffic reporting and such like if you do pair it to your phone.

I have it running on my Note4 and also my windows 8.1 tablet, It got us around a 2000 mile road trip of New England this time last year and got me around Europe this summer without issues.

Stuart

Waze is online only so I have Sygic installed incase I can't get a data connection (used it before Waze so already paid for)
I haven't heard of Navmii before so time to have a play

[adaxo]

Navimi is good I used it when travel in Europe, just make sure you upload right maps while on wifi as they are a big files and ferry 'free' wifi not allow me to download Germany map while I was on not planned journey to PL

[GalantOnly]

73654

Anyone bigger? 10.2" :)

[Tarps87]

That's it I'm putting the tv in the car :-P

What did you make the surrond from?

[billybobboot]

73654

Anyone bigger? 10.2" :)

I use to have a tv in my car with full dvd and tv chanel box ect but it only worked in japan not uk wouldnt pick up anything in uk so i removed it. Put double din in with dvd player instead can put tv tuner onto it if wanted.
I always wanted to run one of those mini computers in the boot or a notebook lap top from the glove box so you open the glove box and the laptop opened as always wanted to use it for tuning ect but the hks you can do that with so gave up and just went to a nice radio with full sound system.

[SEAN-NZ]

Anyone thought about being able to use tablet/carpc to control ac and heater stuff? I'd assume it would be very difficult

[Tarps87]

I've thought about it, not tried anything yet. My thought was using a aurdino but there are more signal and control wires than on the basic aurdino I have.

[SEAN-NZ]

So it may be more possible than I thought then?

[GalantOnly]

That's it I'm putting the tv in the car :-P

What did you make the surrond from?

I made a 3D print of custom surround from black ABS and covered is with alcantara...;)

[Tarps87]

So it may be more possible than I thought then?

It's possible and there are examples of aircon programs/code that could be modified, the tricky bit will be identifying each wire on the connector and then working out how to control them. It's something I plan to have a just need to get through the list of other work to be done on the car


I made a 3D print of custom surround from black ABS and covered is with alcantara...;)

I don't suppose you have the template that you could share? :) would be tempted by a bigger screen for the PI install if I can get it to fit nicely, also like the idea of it being higher.

[GalantOnly]

I don't suppose you have the template that you could share? :)

My VR-4's is LHD, Daniel... So the surround wouldn't fit RHD. I also made brackets for Defi Control, two ciggarette lighters, USB panel, PC switches/LEDs and HKS turbo timer in this 3D surround. So it's VERY custom made :)

[Tarps87]

My VR-4's is LHD, Daniel... So the surround wouldn't fit RHD. I also made brackets for Defi Control, two ciggarette lighters, USB panel, PC switches/LEDs and HKS turbo timer in this 3D surround. So it's VERY custom made :)
I was under the assumption that the fitting was the same, that's a shame.
Was planning on trying to use it as a base and redoing the bottom part below the heater control, just not sure what I'd put there.