Help looking for a carputerish setup
I'm having issues finding what I'm looking for so I'm gonna list what I want it to do and hopefully more knowledgeable ppl than me can help me out.

I currently have the crap tastic OEM 08 nav system. (Is it true that the 2011s get the ford sync setup?).

What I want: (Let me know if I'm asking for too much)

• A good (free to update) nav
• HDD (preferably solid state but doesn't have to be)
• DVD
• FM
• Sirius compatible (already have the Sirius box and antenna
• ability to have evoscan running (with music)
• Bluetooth
• USB

I know I could build a carputer but I'm hooooorrrriiiible with car audio. I'd rather just buy a unit and have it installed with new speakers (nothing too fancy just better than the RF OEM setup) and a small sub box where the middle back seat folds (where it should have been in the first place too me).

Thanks for any help y'all got out there.

 

Anyone familiar with the Navisurfer line? Seems like the price isn't too terrible but like I said not at all good with car audio.

 

2011's get the FUSE system, which is similar to Ford's SYNC.

Check out the MP3Car.com store to get an idea of what hardware and software is available (LINK). Centrafuse is the most popular front-end (running over top of Windows) and has a version with included navigation now.

The VIC Navisurfers seem like a great idea, but when I was checking them out before, they seemed kinda cheaply built and there wasn't many reviews about them. Revo-sys also makes some nice all-in-one systems like the Navisurfer, but they're a little pricier (LINK).

 

That Revo-Sys looks nice but expensive. It doesn't include the OS or Front End software either.

As AFD said, Centrafuse does have a version with GPS but I personally don't like the GPS software built in. You can also look into the Ride Runner front end which is free but not quite as easy to use and set up.

 

Checked out Mp3car.com its a lot of options but I'm weeding my way thru it.
Looked at the Centrafuse, still investigating.
Yeah I'm kinda over the Navisurfer.
Thanks for the info.


I'll check that out, thanks.

I'll post whichever way I end up going.

 

The Nav unit changed since the car launched? I didn't know that. Top Gear said the unit was one of the best they've ever used.

My 2011 has the nav and everything, and I love everything about it, except that it doesn't recognize my iPhone 4. But it looks like it can be updated, so hopefully it gets a fix.

 

You have the new nav not the craptastic one that came with the 08.

 

Hey ya man,

Hit up FreshDesign's INC

http://freshdesignsinc.com/

They do a lot of good work and are pretty reasonable, in the area thats saying a lot.
I've gone to them a lot. They can answer questions and help you out. They've done a crap load of Carputer setups as well.

 

Check out Centrafuse as a frontend if you go the custom route.

 

Centrafuse is the only decent-looking solution on the market right now, short of running android, which has some of its own shortcomings.

 

I see...

 

I am currently looking into a carputer setup as well, with similar objectives to the OP.

As far as the Navisurfers are concerned, it looked *very* promising for the price point, however the only non press-release information I could find on them were horror stories with damaged or incorrect units being shipped.

Revo-sys also looked very promising as well, except for the price. From what I understand of it, revo-sys is just a distributor of the hardware units. You can find the exact same hardware for cheaper, though without support. Oddly enough, for all the recommendations I have found for Revo-sys hardware, I have not seen many actual reviews.

I am still investigating the revosys path, as well as a fully custom setup. Unfortunately I know a lot more about PCs than I do about cars and car audio.

 

Build your own. It will be much more powerful and versatile.

Check out my build for ideas on parts.

 

The only decent carputer software is Centrafuse. There's a big following with lots of developers. It is worth the money because there's constantly updates and bug fixes. As far as your other wants..

You need a proper screen. One with a VGA/DVI input, and touchscreen. I recommend getting one with a built in amplifier so you plug in your speakers/amps/etc just like a normal radio. You'll still have the ability to use steering wheel controls too with that special metra adapter. Something like this.. http://www.revo-sys.com/65_inch_doub...pc_monitor.php

For the Sirius, you need this: http://store.mp3car.com/MJS_SC_C1_US..._p/sat-011.htm

If you wanted FM, you could get the extra USB module, or just use the one built into the radio/screen I linked at the top.

For the PC aspect, all you really need is a AMD Zacate mini-ITX computer with a 64GB SSD.. I recommend a SSD drive because I've found even "tough" laptop drives **** out after you hit a few hundred potholes. On the PC you can tether to a 3G/4G phone for internet via wifi sharing.

And one more thing: For starting up and shutting down, get a power supply for the carpc like the PicoPSU automotive version. You can set delays so it starts up and shuts down when you turn your ignition on and off. It works really good.

 

I would recommend getting the non navigation Centrafuse. The built in navigation sucks. I'm using a centrafuse plug in to use iGuidance.