I am really looking for something to insert into the original fold-down shell... the one I saw posted just wasnt the style I had in mind... I am also looking for a DVD player to replace the current Nav system. but still to be able to play the Nav Cds. Has Anyone run across anything like I have meantioned? Or does it still not yet exist?

any (real) help would be apreciated!

 

Doesn't exist.

What you want is what I imagine building for an 8. Use the stock nav hood... buy a 7" touchscreen VGA LCD monitor. This connects to a VIA MII 1200 powered computer with a slot-in DVD/CDRW drive. Nav is provided by a USB nav receiver/antannae mounted in the dash. nav software will likely be Destinator. OS.. likely WinXP Pro. Front end software is undecided... I'd also get a spare stoch nav mouse/pointer and hack one to work as a mouse on the PC, OR try to find some mouse or game controller than can be hacked for this mounting location.

A bit of work... but better than stock.

 

it has to have the right jacks for gaming system though and u got ur self a customer : )

 

but the Real question is do i buy my rx8 without the stock navigation system?... will it be more benfeicial in the long run, as people like excentric and japan 8 are seriously coming up with better alternatives??????

 

Especially since I'm not a vendor (yet) and also because everything comes down to personal taste... I'll tell you this... similar to what I just posted in another thread.

In places like central DC, the UK, and what not... people are steal LCD screens out of cars. I want mine hidden. Sure the 1DIN unit retracts, and... you still know it's there. Someone might get interested in you car... maybe not. The stock nav unit locks the screen down nice a tight... I like that. I like the fact that it makes me car look stock... I am VERY big on that. Ordering the stock nav for $2000 or negotiating it down bit to $1,500 is still a lot of money. I figure be patient... eBay or the junkyard should eventually have RX-8 parts and that's what I'll be looking for.

On the other hand... there is a nice motorized 1DIN unit with built in DVD player coming out in June. Another with even more features in Q1 05. Check it out on http://www.mp3car.com. The touchscreen will be pretty easy to reach in comparison to the stock nav location. How long until you find a use nav dash panel? If not... how much is the new one?? Do you want to bother with fiberglassing in the 7" screen to the stock nav dash panel? Good reasons to go with the 1DIN unit. What you have to do here is just decide what fits you... what is it that you like and go with it.

BTW OrigMiniViper.... the Lilliput or Xenarc 7" screens either come with 2 sets of rca inputs inaddition to the VGA input or it can be ordered that way.

 

Thanks alot for your feedback as you have put some very valid points. I agree that saftey is an issue but my bigger concern is that my aftermarket lcd screen should blend into the car and not look out of place. If you have any advice on this ill greatly appreciate it.

As im a computer programmer (one of my double majors ) like Thrasher, i would like to build my own system with the options i want. It would be more cost-effective than the stock nav and have more options like dvd playback, mp3, video camreas and whatnot... the possibilities are endless. I still have to figure out the hardware details and how the hybrid system will hookup to the car baterry power supply etc. (details details!)

 

Even for free software... check MP3Car.com Sure you can start from scratch, but there are several very good package out there. A new system is fully customizable... Moblie Media Center. You should take a look...

 

thanks japan8 I will look into it ; )