mr_spicoli wrote:stevey500 wrote:Ask all the questions you want and ill answer in as much detail as you'd like!
Software program costs and difficulty of integration?
What maps are you using?
GPS receiver, SIRFIII, mounting location?
How does the system power on, and does it take a long time to boot up and acquire the signal?
Oh, I'll have more questions.
Software cost: NOTHING... (besides windows) I used an old XP disc, upgraded it to the latest service pack. I then stripped all of the part of the OS out that I was not going to be needing. There's a lot of tutorials for that if you hit up google. There's quite a few freeware apps you can find to strip down windows with your copy of windows you have.
EDIT: iGuidance is not free (GPS mapping software that ties in with RoadRunner)
The software running on top of windows is called RoadRunner (check out the
www.mp3car.com forums to find out more about these programs)
The interface skin running on top of RoadRunner was made by MarkBPR(his username).
The base audio/video player running entirely hidden is the latest copy of winamp.
The GPS software is iGuidance 4.0 Running the whole US map(probably around a gig of data or so). I have a generic SIRFIII USB waterproof GPS mounted on top of the rodeo with a built in magnet, Ran the usb cable under the trim and out to the top by the passenger door. The receiver is very small and self powered.
RoadRunner(the interface touch based Graphic interface) controls Winamp and iGuidance. RoadRunner has many other features also, such as external XM/Serius sattelite controls along with TV Tuners.
My phone(motorola Z6m on Alltel) is also intergrated through Bluetooth and can pause music playback and display who is calling upon receiving a call or Text message, very customizable. Calls may also be placed and contact list can be read on the touch screen.. This is a plugin inside of RoadRunner called freefone(flash based).
The system powers on when it received 12 volts from the iginition into a specific pin in the serial port(just like a computer would work if it was hooked up to a UPS battery backup). If that 12 volts is lost ( key turned off) the system goes to standby. From the point of turning the ignition on to the point that the computer is resumed back to the point of where it was shut off is maybe 2-5 seconds. It varies. The GPS will hold its sattelite connection for around an hour. If the computer is off (standby) for more than an hour, on a resume, the GPS will take roughly 30 seconds to be reconnected to the satellites and accurate.
The computer running with the very very stripped down version of XP is very stable. I haven't had any issues so far. I am a mac user, I despise windows anymore. Use to be a big fan for years. But this XP installation runs great. IF there is to be crash (bluescreen) or lockup, the system takes maybe 7 seconds to boot and automatically lunch roadrunner, iguidance, and winamp 8 seconds later and roadrunner resumes to exactly what it was doing before, even same part of the song I was at. Not bad. I replaced the boot loader screens with the isuzu graphic shown above.
I do have a manual power button that I installed near the lower left of the LCD screen in the dash. I cut a hole out of the dash with my dremel, got a button at radio Shack, I ran the wires from the button and soldered them to the power button contacts on the laptop. This button is set to tell the computer to standby or resume.
I have a 4 gauge wire running under the trim and carpet to the subwoofer in the rear, the power supply to the laptop computer is tapped into the 4 gauge wire so the laptop constantly has power. Having left my rodeo for a week straight without shutting down the laptop completely (just left it in standby), the rodeo started perfectly without hardly any notice at all of any low voltages. The computer and 12v power supply converter hardly pulls any current at all when the computer is in standby.
Sometime here soon I may install a slot-loading Optical reading drive in the dash.
So here is the software in layers:
from bottom to top
Windows:
Winamp:
iGuidance:
Xport
(shares the USB port of the GPS to RoadRUnner and iGuidance, RoadRunner has built in GPS "Gauges" for altitude, the Compass[shown above-below the isuzu logo] and other things.)
A few helper applications to make all of the functions work in roadrunner with the skin I have installed.
Roadrunner. = the controlling interface of all of the software underneath.
Sounds like a mess. But it looks clean, all the software talks to each other very well. Runs clean, very fast, and without a glitch. What's even real cool, is that when iGuidance is reading me GPS directions such as "Exit 233 on the right in 500 feet, merge right" it will tell winamp to reduce the music volume really low and resume to original volume when it's done telling me its' comand.
First Glance Shot
Music Player Main Menu
GPS in 2D mode, powered by iGuidance software
Under vehicle camera (i move it from time to time) currently directed toward the front viewing the front left tire.
Subwoofer. 400Watt RMS 10" DP Audio with an isuzu sticker lol.
Very quick removal setup by using a 6 Pin trailer harness for folding down the seats for quick camping trips. Also installed a LED light on the back of the subwoofer box to make quick adjustments when needed in the dark.
Rear tweeters, were too loud at first, a lot louder then the front stock tweeters so I soldered on some resistors, sounds very level, doesn't make the eyes twitch or bring on a headache anymore for rear passengers.
another full view dash shot, dash mat appears purple though it is black.
Center console area.
A different angle view of the carbon fiber dash kit.
Loading screen I made in photoshop, never see it though as its rare I have to restart the system.
Oscar climbed on the window a little curious as to what I was doing...
