Thats pretty sweet! on the tablet do you have an LTE version or do you stream data from your phone?
Nexus 7 Tablet + Tuffy Console + Backup Camera + CB
- Thread starter etarasoff
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- Thread starter
- #22
That is an option I considered but I wasn't able to find any suitable, relatively inexpensive cameras that would function well in an all-weather environment. I did come across this product, however, which is a backup system meant for use in cars that operates by transmitting the signal via Wifi to your phone. I guess the way it's meant to work is that when you put it in reverse, the Wifi turns on, your phone/tablet connects, and an app opens up:
http://www.4ucam.com/iphone-android-ipad-WIFI-Backup-Camera.html
I read some so-so reviews on it, but ultimately decided that it wasn't a great option for me as my tablet is already connected to Wifi for all of its data/streaming.
Wow. Incredible idea. I'm nowhere near creative enough to think of this myself.....which is why I'm doing this exact setup. Thanks for sharing your research and model numbers. I'll be sure to give credit where credit is due when I put this up in my build thread.
No problem. If you or anyone else decides to do something along these lines for a full tablet install, here are a few tips (and a little bit of a shopping list):
- I used the Nexus 7 1st generation (due to sizing and price)
- Google "Timurs USB ROM." You'll need to root the tablet and then install this custom ROM. It supports on-the-go OTG (for connecting USB devices like hard drives, etc) with charging at the same time (via a special OTG Y cable). The custom ROM does a few other things to for car installations like this - mainly going into a "deep sleep" mode when the engine is off to preserve the tablet battery. Basically, the tablet is always on, and doesn't reboot when you start the car. The advantage there is that the start-up is basically instantaneous, and the tablet opens right back up to where you left off.
- I haven't had to do it yet, but like any computer or tablet, I anticipate there will be times when I need to do a hard "reboot" with the power button. I oriented the tablet so that the power button is on the bottom right position, just above the ash tray. I cut a square out of the metal slider piece for the ashtray so that if I need to access the power button, all I need to do is slide the ash tray out and reach my finger in:
- You'll need some various USB cables and adapters and what not. The main thing to know is that you'll need a "OTG Y cable" and (this is specific to our 80s) you'll also need a super low profile micro USB cable due to how close the tablet is to the AC box behind the dash. You'll need this cable:
http://ninjacable.com/product/ninja-cable-otg/ (Trust me - it has to be this cable. I tried a few other low profile and angled cables and nothing else was small enough. Be sure to get the OTG version of the Ninja cable as the micro USB connector end has some pins grounded which is needed for operating in OTG mode.)
...and then you'll need to cut off the USB female end of the cable, and graft on a micro USB female end so that you can connect it to your OTG Y cable. If you've never opened up a USB cable, it's nothing complicated. There are just 4 color coded wires inside.
- You'll want a powered USB hub to connect peripherals and thumb drives. I used this one, since it accepts 12V input and is all-metal: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003AVPUZG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- You'll want something to provide charging to the charging end of the OTG Y cable. You could theoretically just use the USB powered hub, but it's better to go with something that outputs more amps to allow for fast-charging. I used http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I3P6QQG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- I also used this DCDC converter (just operating in 12V regulated mode) since it has an ignition source option for auto installations. There are probably cheaper ways to go, but this was a nice piece:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005TX3M1M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KT8RZM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mobile hotspot on my phone that's always on. As a backup to that, I also have an onboard FreedomPop hotspot. The tablet will connect to my phone's wifi first, and then the FreedomPop if that's not available.
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Awesome way to do the rear view camera!
Does that 2.5" monitor dim for nighttime use?
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- #25
Hum, not really. The monitor only comes on when the truck is in reverse. Otherwise, it's not on. That aside, it's not as bright at night because the image it's showing at night has less natural light outside.
I have an iPhone 6 plus in my dash right now and I've done a bunch of iPad mini dashes. All of them have been removable so you don't have toleave it in the car. I haveno stereo head unit Bluetooth to preamp audio controller to amp. I'm gonna go back to iPad mini soon not enough apps support landscape mode on the 6 plus.
Awesome idea on the backup camera I'm going to do this.
Awesome idea on the backup camera I'm going to do this.
cheddar bob
SILVER Star
Which tuffy console is that? That's the best looking install I've seen. Any issue with folding the rear seats up?
- Thread starter
- #29
Thanks. This is the Tuffy 013 console.
Due credit where credit is due, though. I used this guide from @IronYuppy:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/how-to-install-a-tuffy-security-console-in-your-80-81.258917/
...to guide the overall install (but did a couple of things different) and I got the idea for the black bedliner from @Apounder:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/what-did-you-do-with-your-80-this-weekend.586191/page-359
I used Rustoleum bedliner and lined the bottom of the cupholder section with Ensolite for a finished appearance and noise reduction.
Nope.
- Thread starter
- #30
That's pretty sweet!
Both etarasoff and sxwatson have impressive installs - thanks for taking the time to post this info for others.
One thing people going down a similar path may want to consider is utilizing the (relatively new) apt-x bluetooth codec. Some good head units have it built in and it sends a (very close to) lossless stream from a source to the stereo. Unlike all other horrible sounding bluetooth audio options, this sounds great - pretty much at 95% of a wired connection (the 5% really doesn't matter in a car). All my audio is lossless and I stream from my iphone (using a kokkia adapter) to a Kenwood KDC-x599. Streaming from a table in the dash to a headunit in the tuffy would be ideal.
One thing people going down a similar path may want to consider is utilizing the (relatively new) apt-x bluetooth codec. Some good head units have it built in and it sends a (very close to) lossless stream from a source to the stereo. Unlike all other horrible sounding bluetooth audio options, this sounds great - pretty much at 95% of a wired connection (the 5% really doesn't matter in a car). All my audio is lossless and I stream from my iphone (using a kokkia adapter) to a Kenwood KDC-x599. Streaming from a table in the dash to a headunit in the tuffy would be ideal.
Thanks. I ordered my 2.5" screen last night, should be here Monday.
Is that kokkia adapter better than the blue tooth built into the phone?
Yes, iphones/ipad only transmit A2DP without this adapter. A2DP sounds horrible compared to aptx.
Bump
hamishpotter
SILVER Star
for the win! great setup, and well done (esp the camera)
- Thread starter
- #39
Posting an update and small video so you guys can get a better sense of how this set-up works. Since my original post, I upgraded to the newest version of the Nexus 7 and didn't go the custom ROM route this time. Completely stock and connecting to the head unit via Bluetooth exclusively. An app called AutomateIt controls forcing the tablet into deep sleep or wake up on ignition power.
Sony has a pretty cool "App Remote" app that lets you control all the head unit features via the tablet, including BT phone calls (which I didn't include in the video). I'm pretty happy with the overall set up. Since the tablet is Bluetooth connected to the head unit, I can control volume and other features (back/forward, switching apps, etc) right from the head unit where my arm and hand rests without having to take my eyes off the road.
Also notice my new seat heater switches in the center console. [emoji4]
Sony has a pretty cool "App Remote" app that lets you control all the head unit features via the tablet, including BT phone calls (which I didn't include in the video). I'm pretty happy with the overall set up. Since the tablet is Bluetooth connected to the head unit, I can control volume and other features (back/forward, switching apps, etc) right from the head unit where my arm and hand rests without having to take my eyes off the road.
Also notice my new seat heater switches in the center console. [emoji4]
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Just wanted to pass this along I ordered the otg cable from ninja cables while it was back ordered. After 2 months i have not been able to get the status on my ordered. I recieved one text from someone who never responded after I gave my inquiry. Pretty disappointed cause ive been waiting for this to do my install.
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