DD vs Car PC .... Help???
 

Hello Audio Guru's,

I normally tend to help out here, but this is one of those instances that I'm asking for some knowledge.

As many know I have a 2003 Infiniti G35 Sedan with the Bose system.

As for audio upgrades, I have ONLY upgraded the subwoofer. So I have installed an amp along with a JL 10w6. Eventually I'd like to upgrade all other speakers so that it can be a much cleaner sound.


As for the knowledge that you guys/gals can assist me with:

I'd like to have a touch screen, nothing astronomical. a simple 6-7inch setup that I don't need to make custom kits or anything out of the normal.

Firstly can the 2005 JDM DD Kit be retrofitted for the 2003? I read on a few threads that the headunit or the amp controls the A/C functions?

It's a MUST that I retain the dual A/C function, I've seen the crutchfield.com DD Kit, looks too flimsy I'd like to either retain my buttons, or upgrade to the 2005's.

Next on the list is the unit itself.

Benefits of a Carputer (Car-PC)?
(when the power turns off, can it turn off automatically?) Can I control it with the steering wheel buttons?

Which unit provides the most USEFUL features?

Bluetooth integration, Backup Camera, GPS/Navigation


Since I have the Akebono BBK, I can no longer use the Standard G35 spare tire so I have space that I can utilize to place a compact Carputer or any other ideas that can come to good use.


Thanks in advance.

I found this:

http://www.japanparts.com/db/parts_d...=&SEARCH_page=


Can I grab my buttons and slap them on to this??

playing a game so not much time to read your post

GO WITH CARPUTER

Much better solution and you use a power supply that will trigger the pc to boot up and shut down safely. You can do anything like bluetooth, xm, internet, navigation, media front end, email and what ever. You can use a mac mini or build a mini pc. You can use a double din that is made for car pc or mold a 7" screen. You should have an aftermarket setup for audio like Amp for speakers and Amp for subs along with component speakers in the door and sub in the back.

This was my first car Acura Vigor with a carputer.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...3/carputer.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...5052006007.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...3/interior.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...z23/screen.jpg

I'd like to retain the OEM buttons on the steering wheel too. :(

I debated it for a long time when doing mine.

Here's my opinion.

The only reason to put together a carPC anymore is to show off that you have a carPC.
When headunits didn't all play videos off USB, or play MP3s on external drives/iPods, there was some reason to have one, but now, it's just a huge waste of effort.

Seriously, what are you going to do with a carPC that you can't do on your smartphone?

If you go totally hardcore with it, and connect it to a cell phone and a USB relay board to get control over the door locks, windows, alarm system and such from anywhere with an internet connection, it could be interesting, but anything less than that is better served with a real headunit and smartphone combination.

Understood, and valid reason at that. Just trying to sort what direction to take. I have a few laptops and mini PC's laying around. But if I have to get a Avic or Kenwood or?????? I would. Just trying to make it simple.

Put a laptop in the trunk. That's all the carPC you need.

Right now, from cheapest to most expensive, the radios I'd get:
Pioneer 2300 (no bluetooth, no nav)
Kenwood DDX518 (bluetooth, no nav)
Pioneer X930 (bluetooth, nav, detachable face)
Pioneer Z130 (bluetooth, nav, HD radio, traffic, voice command of iPod & nav)
Kenwood 9960 (bluetooth, garmin nav, traffic, voice command of iPod & nav)

What I'd hate is get into the car and have to wait a Minutes or two to load operating system just to get to music or sat navigation... and loss of OEM buttons

Steering wheel buttons can be retained with the right adapters, and with a solid state drive booting a slimmed-down operating system can be up in less than 30 seconds, but that's a lot of work to get something to come close to the ease-of-use and such of a real radio.

10 or even 5 years ago, a touchscreen carPC would be awesome. Now, every ddin is touchscreen and does all the things you'd realistically want a carPC to do. Just not worth the exponentially more complicated installation and price tag... even a unit like the Pioneer AVH-2300 does stuff that most people wanted their carPCs to do years ago, and the whole unit is about the same price as a half-decent touchscreen used in a carPC.

Oh, and when you feel like doing the DDin installation, if you want to drain a gas tank in
both directions, you can come up to Savannah and we can knock it out here.

Oh yeah, and your 2nd post - you'll need to buy the JDM a/c controls as well, since you cannot separate the buttons for the a/c from the radio.

Carpc will outperform any headunit on the market and gives you the most bang for the buck. You can have a full system in your car for about $800. That will cover your touchscreen, pc and wires. You will have to have an aftermarket amp but thats about it