Computer Install - Navigation Bezel

troutspinner · 03-01-2005, 12:10 PM

This is a follow up of two threads, the first when I installed a computer in my Titan Computer Installed - Pics and the second when I decided to change it to the Navigation Bezel Navigation bezel

Anyways, here are the pics of the completed project. The first pic shows the install at a whole and the follow 3 pictures are close ups showing my favorite apps for MP3's, XM Radio & Navigation. The last two pics are of the front and back view of the computer under the driver's seat. Everything turned out pretty clean looking and I was VERY impressed with how well the monitor did with glare being today was sunny and snow all around, about the brightest conditions anyone could ever face and I was still able to see and use the LCD screen. Looks like I have a winner!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

troutspinner

troutspinner · 03-01-2005, 12:11 PM

oops, only f5 images a post, here is the rear view of the computer under the seat.

MacFly · 03-01-2005, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutspinner

This is a follow up of two threads, the first when I installed a computer in my Titan Computer Installed - Pics and the second when I decided to change it to the Navigation Bezel Navigation bezel

Anyways, here are the pics of the completed project. The first pic shows the install at a whole and the follow 3 pictures are close ups showing my favorite apps for MP3's, XM Radio & Navigation. The last two pics are of the front and back view of the computer under the driver's seat. Everything turned out pretty clean looking and I was VERY impressed with how well the monitor did with glare being today was sunny and snow all around, about the brightest conditions anyone could ever face and I was still able to see and use the LCD screen. Looks like I have a winner!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

troutspinner

very clean!!! great job trout!

did you have to trim down the radio bezel as previously discussed? and how much did the touch screen and navigation cost you, if you don't mind me asking. i'm debating on switching out my monitor for a touch screen coupled with a navi!

again, looks great!

airrick · 03-01-2005, 12:28 PM

looks great...finally got my bezel in today...keep you posted.
One thing i eanted to ask is how did you mount the monitor? and was cutting the radio bezel difficult?

GT-Titan · 03-01-2005, 01:54 PM

any pics of where you have the track ball?

troutspinner · 03-01-2005, 01:55 PM

Pretty much followed your lead Mac with cutting the radio bezel. I measured 7/8" down, cut off the back nubbs and took a razor blade over my mark until I finally got through, maybe 20 passes? I took it very slow, this is not a point you want to make a mistake!

The touchscreen is the lilliput 7" and can be bought for $280, obviously from there it is gut and make it work. As I said in the other post, it could have beenan 1/8" shorter and an 1/8" wider to be perfect but I won't complain. I did remove the touchscreen though. With the touchscreen on there it will not be as bright, you could however compensate with tinting your windows if not already done.

The navigation software cost $130 and about $60 for the GPS antenna but remeber, this is a P4 Windows XP machine so there are MANY other things to get.

airrick, for me silicone was my friend. Since you received the bezel, you can clearly see there are no mounting holes. Putting a screw into the bezel will certainly break it so I decided I would go with hot glue until someone recommended using silicone as it stands up to heat and cold better as well as actually gives you a little bit of shock protection when going off road. I was a little leary about doing that but threw caution to the wind and went for it and have to admit, this thing is going NOWHERE.

If the monitor ever breaks then I'll be cutting some silicone out, not an easy job but I'll cross that bridge if it ever comes.

As for cutting the bezel it is not hard but tedious. Be extremely careful, slow and methodical. Measure, measure, measure. Tape off the rest of it to protect it. When I was finished with the cut the line was not perfect so I then took a file and only filed away from the front, continually going the entire width of the bezel until I was happy.

Airrick and Mac, I am off of work this week but when I get back there is something we have called track cap that is used on sliding doors. I am thinking this track cap would make an awesome finished looking edge for our cut. Even though they look fine now if I can improve it, why not. Anyways, If it works out I'll post some pics and if you like it I'll send you guys off some in the mail.

troutspinner

troutspinner · 03-01-2005, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT-Titan

any pics of where you have the track ball?

The trackball is a wireless handheld trackball so it just sits in the cubby hole near the shifter, when I need it I grab it. There are a couple on the market and the one I've gone with is from Sakar. It's kind of spaceage looking but it works flawlessly. Targus makes a really nice one too, small and sleek but it has RF issues, I've tried several units. I wish I could find something like the Targus but with the Sakar guts.....hmm, maybe a new project?

troutspinner

MacFly · 03-01-2005, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutspinner

Airrick and Mac, I am off of work this week but when I get back there is something we have called track cap that is used on sliding doors. I am thinking this track cap would make an awesome finished looking edge for our cut. Even though they look fine now if I can improve it, why not. Anyways, If it works out I'll post some pics and if you like it I'll send you guys off some in the mail.

troutspinner

thta would be nice, thank you! pls let me know.

again, great job and even better recap!

tmoran · 03-04-2005, 06:07 AM

So how do you actually use the features? Is everything done with the remote? Like switching tracks on the MP3 player or typing in an address for the navigation. Can all that be done with the remote??

troutspinner · 03-04-2005, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmoran

So how do you actually use the features? Is everything done with the remote? Like switching tracks on the MP3 player or typing in an address for the navigation. Can all that be done with the remote??

Everything is done via the remote. The handheld trackball is just like a mouse on your home pc, music just continually plays on the MP3 player, if I do not want to listen to the next random song I just press the Next button on the software the same way you would on your home pc as well as when listening to XM I just click the preset buttons just like a radio. A touchscreen would be the preferred method for this task but when it comes to navigation or any other computer task for that matter a touchscreen is a pain. This is where the accuracy of the trackball is so convenient as entering an address with a small onscreen keyboard becomes quite easy.

There are voice control prgrams out there and good ones at that specifically meant for this purpose but I have not tried them yet. I may but it is not a priority right now as I am pretty happy with how it is working.

There is a wealth of info at mp3car.com, if you are at all interested in pursuing something like this, this site will definitely help you.

troutspinner

jedi7001 · 12-13-2005, 08:51 PM

Trout! your the man. I am an MP3car user and installed one in my new BMW last year. What a pain. I just bought my wife an 06 Titan and the size of the truck makes the PC/audio experience endless. I am excited to get started and yours is an inspiration to what I want to do. Did you add a seperate monitor in the back? Also, do you have any picks of your mouse/trackball? I agree that the touchscreen is not practical in the titan but I use it extensively in my Bimmer. Here is my link if you guys are curious of my install or need pointers.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28895

grunge311 · 12-14-2005, 09:30 AM

Can you read that screen OK from the drivers seat?

troutspinner · 12-14-2005, 10:00 AM

Jedi,

I did not add any monitors in the back. I am not into the DVD thing so my system really only gets used for XM, MP3 & Navigation.

This is a link to the trackball that I use. http://www.eagepc.com/products/4056/...use-10385.html

I've been using it for about 6 months now and have never missed the touchscreen. IMO it is the preferred way to control the system.

Grunge, no problem at all. Most programs geared around car use use nice large buttons and fonts and you can obviously tune the computer settings however you want so things are visible.

If there is anything I can help with, just ask.

troutspinner

tmoran · 12-14-2005, 06:42 PM

troutspinner,

You mentioned in one of your post that you were thinking about a magellan version. Were you going to abandone your computer install?

troutspinner · 12-15-2005, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmoran

troutspinner,

You mentioned in one of your post that you were thinking about a magellan version. Were you going to abandone your computer install?

The jury is still out on that one. I use my computer for MP3, XM and Navigation and have been using it in this vehicle and my last vehicle for close to 2 years now. I know that I will never need the computer for anything else so along comes this unit from Garmin (suppose to be on the market Dec. 22nd) that is suppose to do navigation, XM & MP3. If it does everything it says it will do then I will probably move over to it and abandon the computer project.

The major reason for the change up would be for portability. I could easily take the unit and put it into the wife's car or a friend's car.

troutspinner