I like the I pad idea


i'm thinking, I may go all out

 

How about this sleek option:
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I was going to do the iPad mini mount but ended up bagging that idea and installing a NEX 8000 . This way i was able to keep the factory steering wheel controls.

I did relocate the hvac controls, lots of work with the dremmel

 

I too installed a Pioneer NEX head unit in my D2, and not only did I keep steering wheel controls, but ability to read from SDcard, hard drives, thumbnail drives, DVD/CD, SiriusXM, HDRadio, just to name a few.

iPad only for head unit is too limited for my wants and needs. I disagree with the statement "No head unit can touch". This setup is way too reliant on wifi signal and almost everything has to be streamed.

With seamless connectivity with an iPhone, via Bluetooth, USB or HDMI, My Pioneer NEX can do everything the IPAD does and a whole lot more. Rear view Camera, Audio/Video outputs for rear view screens or headrest monitors. Navigation not reliant on internet

I also do not believe in cutting up oem wiring harnesses, when they have harness adapters for very cheap that would plug into the oem and have all the wiring you would need, Do all your wiring to harness adapter then plug into the oem to check out your work.

please do not get me wrong, I applaud the work, and if that is your cup of tea, I am all for it.

 

Thanks for the comments. For those of you asking about an iPad mini, yes, in hindsight that probably would have fit better. The main reason I didn't go that route is because the mini's use the lightning connector which puts out a digital signal, so a DAC like the iStreamer would be required and I didn't see anywhere to fit it.

The pioneer NEX sounds like a viable option as well, but the iPad is not as limited as you think. This one has 4G data so it doesn't rely on wifi. Anywhere your cell phone gets a signal, so does this. You can also use your iPhone as a hotspot but that's a bit cumbersome to me.

I finished getting the iPad mounted and installed over the weekend but ran out of steam before mounting the AC controls.




I began cutting out the top of the center console to mount the AC module but didn't get finished. As it turns out, it's going to be a little difficult to see the screen since it will be behind the iPad a little. I probably should have mounted the tablet a bit higher. But the full-sized screen is great, especially when using navigation at night.

I do have a question for the electrical experts out there though. I'm running the charging cable to the cigarette lighter. It's a 5V 2.1A charger. But it doesn't charge at a rate faster than the iPad consumes power, so it will probably die and need to be removed and fully charged once every month or two. Does anyone know of a way to up the charging power and avoid having to do this?

Robert, do you have any pictures of your setup? It sounds really interesting and I'm curious how you did your AC controls.

 

Ipad might last a little longer if you lessen the brightness just a tad. Did that on mine and battery life was extended significantly.

 

Thanks Tim, I'll try that for starters.

 

I like the HVAC relocate! Nice.

 

I would get the highest watt charger, there is one on Amazon. 24 watts, dual USB. I could not find anything over 2.4 amps.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B8M4IMK/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1436215105&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=anker+car+charge r&dpPl=1&dpID=31PRg1qi1mL&ref=plSrch

 

Thanks Joe, just ordered one. I'll give it a shot. The one I have is 2.1 amps I believe, so maybe that will do the trick.