Laptop/Tablet IN-CAR instead of gauges.

Paul_JJ

Member +
Guys, it's a good thread here, I would recommend a laptop, but the one with the touchscreen and a small size screen like 10 inch or similar, also if the screen could rotate that would be awesome as well... Oh and for the ECU software I bet it would only work properly on WINDOWS, please correct me if I'm wrong???

One of the laptops which I have for sale, might give an interesting idea to the guys as being used it's pretty cheap for a laptop and there're a few of those things on ebay. It can be twisted 360 degrees and has a small size, so it would fit nicely on the dashboard with the actual screen pointing towards the driver!!!

Something like this Lenovo (look how good the screen is - at any angle you can see a proper picture), also being a touchscreen with a pen even if you have your hands covered in oil you can still touch the screen with the pen -))))) Also Lenovo (IBM) is the most reliable laptop manufacturer in the world - so unless the air intake will get blocked it will last for ages!

https://picasaweb.google.com/108629...&authkey=Gv1sRgCNyzic3uwd2pGg&feat=directlink

The DC/AC converter can be bough for under £30 and the laptop won't need more than 100W, so even the cheapest converter will do, also because the laptop has it's own battery it wouldn't matter if the current will drop, as for example happens during the ignition - it will work just fine!

Mods - please don't take as an advert, no price or company name was mentioned - just an advise to fellow members in the appropriate thread!
 

AdamB

Member +
ive seen the torque app looks great but similar to other options think i runs of OBD2 port.

about the other options, i will be standalone but do those screens need a particular unit or any standalone do?

Phil

I know the Toucan screen is used for Syvecs/Life Racing ECU's, but I see no reason why not. Both Motec and Toucan screens link using the CANBUS network so providing your ECU supports CANBUS I see no reason as to why you couldn't use it on any standalone, most support the network these days anyway.
 

dac69er

Super Moderator
I know the Toucan screen is used for Syvecs/Life Racing ECU's, but I see no reason why not. Both Motec and Toucan screens link using the CANBUS network so providing your ECU supports CANBUS I see no reason as to why you couldn't use it on any standalone, most support the network these days anyway.

Canbus is good, but its still only newer cars that support it. If you fit a motec to a starlet I can't see them building in canbus connectivity into an ecu that simply does not need it.

I think whatever you do, Its going to get expensive.
 

AdamB

Member +
Canbus is good, but its still only newer cars that support it. If you fit a motec to a starlet I can't see them building in canbus connectivity into an ecu that simply does not need it.

I think whatever you do, Its going to get expensive.

It's used to allow connection between multiple products on the bus network, you don't have to convert the whole cars electronics. It's just used between the ecu and any other additional items. If you wanted to get fancy you could rip the entire wiring out and use a PDM.
 

dac69er

Super Moderator
whether its canbus or another network, you will still need something to read it and display the info so it wouldnt gain much over anything else.

plus it will still cost a bomb.
 

Phil

Super Moderator
Been a good thread Guys, thanks for all the info, ive went through all the links posted up to now (Lukes being the most recent as i type) and im thinking that i will maybe stick with netbook, for any time ive a slightly longer journey where loading up windows is not a significant amount of time compared to journey time, allowing me to check/log my boost/injector duty/timing/AFR/knock.

and just be thankful for a nice clean stock dash without gauges and boost controllers etc.

Maybe ill get a passenger seat tray like i had in my last gt for the netbook :)

Keep my pennies and save for other bits i still need, like MK1 front bumper :)

Phil
 

Jay

Admin
Due to the old skool technology in these cars you would be needing an old skool solution. I'd just run logworks from a laptop under the front seat and output the screen to a dash mounted monitor. Innovate offer data logging hardware to pick up the main signals I'd need to monitor.

Nothing says awesome like a dashboard full of silly gauges though..
 

Phil

Super Moderator
Haha, well true, but i cant hack to cost of a face full of noice gauges and to have the ones i want (black 60mm mechanical HKS/greddy) is almost impossible.

thinking of this quite honestly.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RAM-Lapto...d=100005&prg=1048&rk=1&rkt=5&sd=161057863507&

passenger seat rail bolt, can be pushed/pulled to suit either your mapper in the passenger seat or for gauges in the driver eye line.

and since running a samsung NC10 its windows XP so oldskool perfecto for running my ECU saft-wear :)

Boom.

Phil


EDIT only issue is the cost, bound to be a seller in the UK so i dont have to contend with the extortionate postage.

ps ruled out a dash/windscreen mounted thinga as the netbook samsung made isnt exactly tiny, and its white which would be a whole world of naff against my dashboard.
 
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Phil

Super Moderator
http://www.plxdevices.com/product_info.php?id=GSST2IMFD

There you go mate, have a look at that. Can wire up aftermarket sensors and display them on an Ipad/Iphone.

looks good.

starting to come round to the idea of a single din with 3 52mms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfvDBA1DBI0

prosport evos though in a green rather than blue.

thoughts?

though if i could find a tidy 60mm boost gauge at the right money id plump for that and fire it on the dashboard (crys) need for speed style.

but it would hurt.

Phil
 

EP91_Chris

Member +
The factory that make D1 spec & Glow Shift gauges make defi reps too. Check my build thread and have a look at mine. All the sensors are the same, it would be down to personal preferance if you'd want to run reps though.

My work PC just crapped itself when I tried youtube.

Edit: you could always do away with the radio and have RW Developments whip you up a 6 gauge carbon fibre holder. Or mount the radio where the ashtray is. Unless you have an optional extra no smoking one :haha:
 
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Phil

Super Moderator
The factory that make D1 spec & Glow Shift gauges make defi reps too. Check my build thread and have a look at mine. All the sensors are the same, it would be down to personal preferance if you'd want to run reps though.

My work PC just crapped itself when I tried youtube.

Edit: you could always do away with the radio and have RW Developments whip you up a 6 gauge carbon fibre holder. Or mount the radio where the ashtray is. Unless you have an optional extra no smoking one :haha:

i sold me optional extra ashtray to fund funs things lol

you got d1 spec in your car? i dont care about replica stuff, im game for whatever works best at my budget :)

just remembered that the jay man flashed me some gauges a while back.... might have to revisit his box of tricks.

i think you can buy a single din gauge holder on ebay easy enough and then make something work with that.

Phil
 

Gryzor

Admin
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=zfapps.toyobd1

iFlMh72phyuWG9zH5NCigpG-BC3A45LVDgQEH_4PWV7KEA22OE8D6iH7PCWrklAT-dw=h310

_jdo8W5EqMHLuFtTWiPqnkLTgeAeCbsyECsW1RaJI8vNEnEXCp_1H2eOqT3J5Os7ZA=h310
 

Jay

Admin
Looks legit?

I'll let someone else with more techno-gizmology experiment first though lol.
 
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