Just curious if there are any neat tech-toys available for our cars other than the usual ipods, guages, and lights.

Some things I've been specifically looking for (and failing, for the most part):

Accelerometers -- I'd like to know how hard my car is pulling in the turns. I just got a suspension upgrade and I feel like I'm out-corning my friend's Evo. It would be nice to get some actual figures; as the saying goes "Your butt is not a dyno." Yeah, well, it's not an accelerometer, either, so where can I get one specifically for automotive use?

HUDs -- I know they make 'em, I just don't know where to find 'em. All google searches lead me to either video games or aircraft. Are they still refered to "HUDs" when they're in cars (am I searching for the wrong thing)? I've got pretty shitty eyes and my periphrial vision blows, so the the further I don't have to look away from the road the better.

Cameras/LCDs -- Not for taking videos of my driving; I've got that covered. Like I said earlier, I really don't like to take my eyes off the road for very long, so replacing my mirrors with fisheye cams and small LCD screens would be well worth the investment in my eyes.

Blind spot detectors/Collision alarms -- I've noticed a lot of luxury cars now come with sensors of some sort that let you know when people/vehicles/objects are in places where your visibility isn't all that great, or where your attention might not be. I've never been in an accident before, but I've never owned a car that let me drive quite so aggressively before, either. I'd like to keep my crash-free record, so if there are any collision avoidance assistors on the market, I'd like to check them out.




I'm also open to any suggestions; I'm a big techtoy dork, so if you've come across something that I didn't mention, but you think I might like, feel free to suggest it.

Thanks in advance!

 

Oh, I feel your pain ... here's among the toys I have:

- Ipod/MP3 player hookup. Don't remember what I bought, but I bought one and put it in - my MP3 player plays through the stereo and I'm quite happy about that.

- G-Tech Performance Meter - you're looking for an accelerometer? Do a google search on G-Tech products. I have a very old G-Tech generation-one performance meter that measures 0-60 time, 0-100 time, 1/4 mile time, 1/4 mile speed, 60 foot speed, 70-0 braking distance, and lateral g's - both dynamic and peak. Mine was like 30 bucks on eBay ... but it's "dos" in a "windows world" - the user interface on it is **** - but man, it's fun to doodle around with. You can buy their latest gizmos (with $300 price tags) at all manner of car gear shops.

I also have two different portable GPS toys (a Lowrance 350i and a DeLorme bluetooth that works with my PocketPc) and a few other bits.

Check out:

Herrrington.com
Griot's Garage

and many other sources.

Brother's in the Geek Bond, baby!

Stew

 

got any pics of the Performance meter in action? Did you need a carputer to get it to work, or is it a stand alone unit?

 

check out Veypors (http://veypor.com/) They were originally designed for motorcycles but now work in cars, too. They can measure 0-60 mph, 1/4 mile times, trap speeds, reaction time, full insturmentation (MPH, RPM, etc), roll-on timing from any speed, MPG computer, gear indacator, 60-0 braking tests, Rally computer, full data logging (upload to a PC), an available lap timer module, programable speed light, drag coefficent measurements, clock, calander, and you can graph your runs, too.

They do make a HUD, but it mounts to the visor of your helmet so I don't know if you could mount in the car. You could try, tho. Or if you track your car, mount it to your helmet that way. Pretty slick little devices, I loved mine on my GSX-R750

 

I've been wanting a HUD for years... But most fo the stuff I can find on Google is OEM, nothing aftermarket... Any takers?

 

i install all kinds of cool gagdets in large cabin corporate jets. Stuff like HUD, night vision display systems, multi-channel sat tv, high speed internet, in-seat monitors (even in the lavatory so you don't miss the show) and ultra high end cabin entertainment. The biggest hit is the night vision displayed over the HUD. I predict that will be the next big thing in the automotive world. Here's a link.

http://www.physorg.com/news6565.html

 

the corvettes come with the HUDs on their car that u can turn on at night, but I highly doubt I can get it to work on an 8, cus that thing is huge, and probably have to change a whole load of ****..........it came off of the 50th 2003 corvette

and, I dont have anything on my car, although I'm a geek, its already hard for me to even use my phone while driving the 8, I just keep on driving

 

That reminds me, do huds only work at night?

(Sorry - I haven't had a chance to check the links yet, I'm still at work)

 

Wii accelerometer:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread

 

my friend has a 2000 grand prix gtp...he has a HUD. and it works during the day...i would love to have one installed with night vision...

1/2mv2...i've been wanting to add the cameras and remove my mirrors for a long time. that would be awesome! main thing is...would that be legal? and even if it is legal...you'd probably get hassled by the cops constantly...but let us know that goes

 

Defi makes a HUD system.
http://www.defi-shop.com/product/con...ncept_top.html

 

psh! "hassled by the cops"?? hahaaha!!

Have you read any of my other threads? It's pretty much a hobby at this point...

 

Mine is a G-tech circa 1994 ...

Check out this link - mine is the cheap and cheesy one at the left. But it works GREAT.http://www.gtechpro.com/prod.html