Headunit / Car PC

[olaf]

I am thinking of installing some kind of car PC into my Leon.

Mainly for capabilities of having access to all my MP3s and also for Sat-Nav.

Would you be able to hook a PC audio output up to the Aux Input on a headunit?
Im somewhat clueless when it comes to this

 

[RobM]

Check out www.mp3car.com as there is loads of info on there on every aspect of this type of thing.

 

[olaf]

Just after some advice.

Which route do people think is best....
1) Headunit + Screen
2) Screen only with amp

Or more simply...
3) Headunit + Ipod

 

[RobM]

What are your needs? Do you sit in your car for long periods of time, wishing you had a film to watch? Do you play games or surf the net and wish you could do it from your car?

The In-Car PC is a good idea, as it gives you all the storage you want, movies, DVD's, Sat Nav, internet, and a whole host of other things. But you have to be honest and ask yourself if you'll actually benefit from all this?

If you just want the ability to watch films on the odd occasion, but want loads of music on board, there are other options....

See if you can find a Double-DIN dash fascia for the Leon. They are a couple of hundred pounds new from Seat, but occasionally crop up second hand. These are the dash fascias that are used with the standard fit Sat Nav option. Fitting one of these will allow you to fit a Double-DIN sized head unit of your choice, and the choice of these is getting larger all the time.

Alpine, Kenwood, JVC and Pioneer all make Double-DIN sized screens. Imagine a pop-out screen that's not pop out. This one is the Alpine option, as an example of what I'm blabbering on about....

Now this plays CD's, MP3, DVD's, MP3's from a DVD (so 4+GB worth of music!)... as well as being a damn good head unit. You can also add on Bluetooth hands free, navigation, TV Tuner, iPod connectivity and a few other bits and bobs should you wish.

They aren't cheap... but aren't far off the price of a good spec In-Car PC and screen.
If you want those options, but don't want the Double-DIN idea, then just look at a normal pop-out motorised screen instead.

That aside, you still have other (cheaper) options. If watching films is a priority, then look at JVC KD-AVX2 that is a normal sized head unit, but plays all the same things as the Alpine I mentioned above. This also has a small 3.5" widescreen TFT built into it. So not great for turning your car into a cinema, but ideal for the occasions where you're stuck in the car waiting for someone or something.

Other option is as you mention... a head unit and an iPod with the necessary lead.

 

[olaf]

Since your post on the Becker Mexico I'm tempted to go down that route - looks lovely! That and a large Ipod should cover the music, which would be my main priority.

Sat Nav etc would be nice but im not sure I would use it enough to make it worthwhile.

Im going to have an investigate in the car and see what I think I could fit where.

Its all good fun

 

[RobM]

Becker do a nice iPod adaptor, so you're well covered there. And if you want Navigation, the latest Becker units have that built in too. Oh, and let's not forget the built in handsfree kit (Bluetooth)

You could then fashion a simple enclosure for the iPod and sit it safely in the glovebox. Run the wire to that area and you're done - Excellent sounding head unit, iPod, Navigation and a Bluetooth car kit all in one tidy package.

Check out the Becker Indianapolis Pro 7952

 

[olaf]

Its just the look of the Becker unit! Compliments the interior of a Leon so nicely.

Seems a shame to ruin it with an LCD screen and the like, plus its alot neater and easier to do, means I can order the stuff shortly I'm hating only having 20 or so tracks on an audio CD.

 

[RobM]

I know what you mean, that's why I changed my Alpine to the Becker. Sound quality improved too, which was a bonus