Tablet for car dash.

[pit5000]

I would like the next head unit for my car to be a tablet. (some mid-sized nexus device)

 

My current car is a 2009 VW CC.

 

What kind of equipment would I need to connect a tablet to the car's electrical and audio systems and have a pleasant experience?

 

From videos I've seen. People buy cheap bluetooth dash units and hide them behind the tablet or elsewhere to do audio. But I'm wondering how they also hook up electrical to have tablet turn on/off with car's power and monitor speed, engine RPM and other stats. I don't want to do a huge project just to have incompatible hardware that has idle battery draining.

 

Can somebody point me to the equipment of where I can get PROFESSIONAL help?

[Kyuubixchidori]

OH OH PICK ME!

 

I can help a little, as Im doing something sorta similar. Not permanently mounting,(probably) but using my galaxy tab 3 7.0 has a music player/nerdy stats. 

 

Pick up a cheapo obdII sensor. then get the torque app, get the full version, as its cheap and exponentially better, it has a better polling rate then the free version. I picked up a 10$ adapter and it works flawlessly in my escort, and my dads focus. Keep in mind it did not work in my friends bmw, so may want to do more research about them working with a VW. 

 

that works off bluetooth, and would allow you to view your engine info, for charging, you can wire a second cig outlet behind your dash, then run a charging cord off that. if you can solder, that would be very simple and just a few bucks. 

 

the only part im not sure about would be mounting it. that would be the most difficult part. I have acess to 8-10grand of 3d printing equipment at my school, so i could use that. but other then that, wish you the best of luck

 

edit: @pit5000

[pit5000]

are there no pre-certified kits out there for car brands and my usage needs?

[TheKDub]

Pretty sure people were suggesting the nexus 7 a while ago, no clue what equipment would be needed.

[cjm86]

I'm not sure if they have your car, but this might be a good place to start.

http://www.soundmanca.com/

And this is a guy that does subwoofer competitions. He has an ipad mini in his truck.

[vembutech]

Hi,

 

How about Nexus 7 Tablet ?

[Aniallation]

 

Considering the dash of the CC I'd assume you'd want something just in the dash to replace the stock head unit. A 7" tablet would likely work nicely. You don't really need much for car monitoring applications like Torque and media stuff. There's plenty of people who have did a DIY replacement into their double-din slots using Nexus 7 and Galaxy Tab. I don't know where around your area you could have a shop do this for you though, if you aren't looking to mod it yourself.

 

 

 

are there no pre-certified kits out there for car brands and my usage needs?

If you're looking for something specific to your car then there are some drop-in Android replacement head units. Most of them are cheap low-spec Chinese units, so don't expect the performance of an off-the-shelf Android tablet coming from them though. Again however it's fine for most uses.

 

 

 

For OBD II monitoring I'd suggest one of these http://www.scantool.net/scan-tools/smart-phone/

 

They would be able to communicate to the head unit, given it's running Android and can have an app like Torque installed, and display information about your car. 

[pit5000]

i've seen some crappy work done by "local shops" (nav head unit into lexus that required cutting a ton of wires and lead to a battery drain problem)

 

I just want a custom tablet dock with a tiny head unit hidden behind it. If i can get a head unit with specific model number and simple plug/play wiring without battery drain that will be good enough.

[Aniallation]

i've seen some crappy work done by "local shops" (nav head unit into lexus that required cutting a ton of wires and lead to a battery drain problem)

 

I just want a custom tablet dock with a tiny head unit hidden behind it. If i can get a head unit with specific model number and simple plug/play wiring without battery drain that will be good enough.

Use quote to respond to people or they won't get a notification. 

 

There's a Sony head unit that docks your phone, but as far as I know there's none that dock a tablet, you'd have to custom fabricate that.

 

[bob345]

I have a nexus 7 in my cars dash. What i did is a permanent installation though. From the sound of if you want just a dock, is that correct? I used to be an installer so i should be able to help you out. Here is what i have done in my car. Let me know if you want to know more.