Does anyone here own a Samsung Galaxy Tab? Original RRP was around $999 when released. It has since dropped to $595, then $408 and now Telstra is selling them for $299 (free delivery). Seems to be a runout sale due to the newer 8.1 and 10.1" versions soon to be released. I'm curious to hear from someone who owns one. Ever since they came out I thought they'd be an ideal substitute for a car stereo. Judging from the size (~double din) they should fit without major mods to the Z32 console. Here is one installed in a Kia here is part2 and a Alfa. However, this could be better integrated into the Zed console with a custom surround and some minor mods. I know there are other 7" Tablets out there but the Samsung Galaxy Tab seems to be the more powerful, better built and more mature unlike other Chinese rip-offs. I think this should make a great alternative to a car PC as it's self-contained, doesn't require a separate screen, aftermarket 12v Power Supply, aftermarket case, separately purchased hard disk, ram, less cables to run, etc. Therefore it's a more complete solution and should prove to be more reliable and easier to fit. Main features are Audio Player, Satnav, Wifi, Bluetooth, 3G, touchscreen However, the Android OS may be limited in car related applications, although there is a android console application to connect to our ECUs. This was discussed on this forum recently. If it can replace your Mobile phone carkit, Satnav, Stereo Head Unit, etc, the $299 price tag begins to appear very reasonable. I'm wondering what peoples thoughts are, and whether I've overlooked anything with this idea? Damn it, I'm sure I paid more for my Garmin 760
Just bought one for my dad, pretty ****in good feature set for 300 bucks. 16gb internal ssd plus you can drop 32gb micro sds for like 30 bucks in it, 3G internet, awesome GPS and map software, ITS A PHONE.... what else can you ask for? Amazing screen, excellent resolution:size ratio (DPI) responsive touch screen (unlike regular gps) excellent video playback. You're right it's perfect for a carpc.
I'm going to be seriously looking into this down the track. There are a few options: If you have an ODBII compliant 300ZX (Which, afaik, is only the 1996 onwards models) you can use an app called Torque which is, to be blunt, freaking amazing. You can get readouts of anything and display it however you want and do whatever basically. There is also an app called NikoZ which is similar but meant for Pre-ODBII Nissan stuff (Like most of us here's zeds). The problem is it's not super popular for obvious reasons as it's very limited in use and although it has all the information the layout isn't as awesome as Torque. That said, if someone was to throw some money at the dev, I'm sure he'd expand on it more. At the very least it would be very simple to use it as in car movie player, 3G internet, WiFi if you are near somewhere (McDonalds carpark ), Audio, GPS, bluetooth integration, and pretty much anything else android can do (LOL Angry Birds). It would be a HUGE job to convert a zed over to ODBII and you'd lose about 20hp in the process but would end up with the most complete and easily available setup. That said, for the cost, just speak to the NikoZ dev and throw the few thousand $'s his way and ask him to make it work like torque - it'd really just be some GUI updating and data formatting - while I'm no dev I can't imagine it being too hard to do as the core of the work is done, all the readouts and interfacing is there, the GUI is just not as good as Torque's.
NikoZ I can't see how the NikoZ program would link to the ECU If blazt USB cable is needed it would mean an adapter USB FM/FM to allow the GalaxyS Phone cable to be used? I take it there is no bluetooth to '90 ECU ?
more searching found this link .. http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-306974.html The answer is a Bluetooth dongle ..of course? TY
Only thing I can see being difficult is fitting the tab and a head unit to link the thing up to the sound system?
The tablet will replace the whole head unit but if you really wanted to keep the HU, you could plug the tab into the aux in (if the HU has it) or if your HU is bluetooth capable, send the audio to it that way (not sure if this will work)
Ive actually been looking in to this for a few months now. I picked mine up for $200 (perks of working at JB HiFi). My first concern was audio tho since im spending a lot on my car sound setup. Options are: 1- mounting the tab in with power on the bottom slot and simple 3.5mm headphone jack to amps. However this has potential of sounding horrible and also having electrical feedback through the device. 2- using the OEM desktop dock to charge it and run HDMI out to a DAC box and then to the amps. I think this will be better but mite still have a chance of the electrical interference due it it being charged and audio running out. If anyone can shed some more light on this and the best option that would be awesome, ive spent months trying to plan this. Also android has plenty of awesome looking speedo amps etc just for showing it off I came across another problem as well tho, the galaxy tab has a very reflective screen and when mounted flush, i couldnt see a thing. However this could maybe be solved by bumping up brightness and maybe a matte screen protector
Really good idea.. Maybe run an external audio processor like the audison bit one, rockford fostgate 3sixty.2 or even the jbl equivalent. For 300 plus the external processor and keeping the original dock to charge it and stuff it wouldn't be to bad of an idea. Even getting a galaxy dash kit made up similar to this may be the go http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=/&gl=AU#/watch?v=5SkltRqOF5k I'm going to do a little more research and see how it goes
Yeah its a bluetooth dongle that plugs into the cars computer and transmits data to the phone over bluetooth.
This cable might come in useful. The problem is I believe this connector is also used to charge the device. As for the OEM dock, it has a 3.5 mm jack that's labeled "Line Output" and not "Headphones". 3.5mm jacks are not idea for line output though.
This looks perfect, If someone does go ahead please get as many photos as possible and do a write up! im upgrading my sound system at the moment, and if clear sound can be harnessed from the tab to the sound system ill snap one of these up tomorrow
JB Hifi has all of there stock on hold atm, so dont bother asking for them from there for atleast another week. I'll post it up here when we are selling them again. I think its going to be around when the new catalogue comes out.
Got one coming and will take lots of pictures when fitting it into the dash , so others can follow or make better. By the way Vodafone still has then on plans thou, but $29.00/mth for 24 mths (10GB data) and A Samsung Galaxy Tab with Car holder (free) cant beat it. ( this was no means a way of advertising a particluar vendor or supplier ) LOL stand by and keep watch for the pictures.
I placed an order 2 nights ago as JB HIFI and Testra shops were sold out. Got an email yesterday saying they were sold out and awaiting a new shipment, however today they said it had shipped out from their warehouse, so I should have it soon.
Online order, however you have the option to select "pickup from store" when ordering & paying online. I chose to have it delivered.
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