Another Tablet Cubby Thread (Nexus 7)
 

Well I have posted in a few threads my desire to mount a tablet in my Z for various reasons. After months of research I decided the best tablet for me ( I know some will disagree) was the Nexus 7.

The main things I want to use it for is a GPS, music/movie player, and torque pro for an OBD display. I also want to be able to remove it when I want to. It will power on/off with the car. With the help a few apps this should be no problem.

I am pretty much a noob to this kind of stuff so the install will take me some time. I really like the way member Bandit Kaine went about installing his iPad Mini and plan on doing a similar setup. Bandits Thread

I would like to have my power and audio cords hidden behind the cubby/dash. I am trying to read up on where to get my source of power so it is only on while in ACC or the car is running. I will probably be asking for help with this part.

My part list and prices so far are:

Nexus 7 - 249.99
OBD MX - 149.99
(Update 4/12/13)
Asus Factory Cable - 5.60
N45 1/2" x 1/16" Neodymium Magnets x10 - 7.87
Dual 3.1A 15W Car Charger - 10.99
Poetic Element Hard Case - 8.95
Anti Glare Matte Screen Protector 3 Pack - 2.97
Torque Pro (App) - 4.95
Tasker (App) - 1.99
Fiberglass - 5.99
Fiberglass Resin - 11.99
Bondo - 14.99
iSimple ISNI572 - 84.00

Current Total - 560.27


I know im going to need magnets or some sort of clips, I want a hard case for the Nexus, an anti glare screen protector, and misc parts for fabbing the cubby.

I think I will be around 700.00 total once im done and have all the paid version of apps I need. I will post pictures and info as I go.

Any tips to help me along my way are appreciated!

The fabrication part is easy... I'll help any way I can.

I've been mulling over doing something similar. Subbed for updates.

Power to the cigarette lighter is off when the car is off. Many ppl use it for GPS, cell phones, and such. It's close to the cubby and pretty easy to get to the back to tap in.

Edit: I don't know how this compares to what you are using, but it's a lot cheaper.

Thanks brother!

I already purchased my Nexus 7, and OBD MX. Actually my wife called me and they arrived today. When I get home im going to fiddle around with it and get used to the controls vs our ipad and kindle fire.

If I had not already purchased it for 70 bucks I guess that one is worth a try, but im a firm believer in if "It sounds to good to be true" then it probably is. That my friend is cheap, but at the same time I guess the Nexus and iPad mini are not priced to much higher.

An easy way to get power is to use the passenger side power plug, what I did is unscrewed it and shoved it up under the dash, then plugged in a high power (2.1w) adapter and ran my cable from there. You've still got the power plug in the arm rest if you need it.

Edit.

Also I'd suggest unlocking and rooting your nexus to get the most out of it, a rom like AOKP will allow you to change the size of the nav buttons, quick toggles, and orientation locks to help use it in a car. If you need help with that let me know, I've been an android evangelist for a few years.

Let me know if you have any questions. I remember talking to you about this regarding my 7'' tablet install.

I personally am not familiar with the obd that you purchased, but the Kiwi PLX is a hundred bucks if you want to save a little cash.

PLX Devices Kiwi Bluetooth Wireless Trip Computer and OBDII Scanner : Amazon.com : Automotive

I would also suggest pulling power from the passenger side plug. it's not very hard to run at all once you have the center console out. Tight in a few places but there's plenty of area to work in.

Also, I would suggest wrapping the interior of the cubby with some kind of material for a finished look. I used DiNoc.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news and hopefully I can catch you before you open the OBD MX, but I have this :

Soliport ELM 327 Bluetooth OBDII OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner : Amazon.com : Automotive

$15 shipped and works perfectly with Torque

I personally wouldn't suggest that adapter, as (if I remember correctly) the transmission rate can be pretty slow at times. Since Torque toggles through each dial multiple times a second and updates them one at a time, the feedback can really slow down once you add more than 2 or 3.

You can see how often Torque recieves info based on the little blinking light on each gauge.

But, if this unit works as fast as the PLX, go for it.

sub'd for results! Its of no use to me, but looks cool!

can't wait to see your results

OT: What material is the cubby? I think it feels really nice lol.

I think I'm just going to go the ghetto way and purchase a clip and put my phablet there when I'm in the car.

Hey guys thanks for all of the support. I'm using the nexus now and so far I love it. There are a few hurdles I will have getting it set up but nothing major.


The N7 (figured out this is a short name for it) that I have has no problems with screen orientation I guess they fixed that problem with Jelly Bean 4.2. I am reading up on rooting the tablet but that stuff is was over my head. I may be back for more info on that.


You have convenienced me to use power from the passenger outlet. I will be using an app called tasker to program the N7 to turn on the screen and leave it on when it senses power. I will then have it default to torque for the OBD display.


The reason I went with the OBD MX is for the data rate. It will allow me to use more gauges than the cheaper models. I have read great reviews for it with the next best being the Kiwi. How ever it is 4x faster than it.


I'm going to keep learning the features of the N7, torque, and tasker because they are the main focus of this install. I found some magnets, case, and anti glare screen protector that I like. I will probably order those tonight.


Back to the power did you guys splice into it? Or just use a plug inside the dash? I also have to make sure I get the right charger because I have read, and don't completey understand the N7 has charging issues.

There are several methods that work well, which is best for you depends on how much experience you have.

Arguably the best method, but also the hardest to do, would be to solder your taps directly to the wires going to the lighter and insulate with heat-shrink tubing.

You can also use a fuse tap* at one of the fuse blocks. Easy to install and easy to remove if needed. The fuse block on the outer wall of the driver footwell is easy to get to but kinda defeats the purpose of finding a close place to tap power. You can grab power at the IPDM, but then you have to thread the wire through the firewall (not that difficult to do but I like to avoid going through the firewall because of possible leaks).

Then there are the crimp-type taps* that are very easy to install but can nick the wire and are more-or-less permanent. An acceptable method but, IMNSHO, low on the list.

*Not a recommendation, just the first example I found.

Ok so if I tap into the power going to the outlet....

1) Is it ok to hack up a Micro USB and tap in with it?
2) Will the outlet still have power to charge something? If not it kind of defeats the purpose of tapping into it.

3) How the fudge do I tap into it, I cant seem to find a diagram for it.

EDIT: One more thing! That would be coming right off of the 12V supply from the battery 14-15V while charging correct? Not sure of the amps...but that is to high of voltage I would think. Would I need some sort of resistor?

Sub'd for cool idea.

This might even suit apple guys with their music on an iPhone (like me). I can see doing N7 for torque pro and GPS in cubby while keeping a head unit strictly for music.



Tapatalk2 ...