First time RX-8 Owner and poster.

What I want to do:
Navigation Display now shows DashCommand™ display from laptop.

Just got my 2005 RX-8. After doing hours of research last night I think I came up with the solution to what I want to do, but I just wanted to make sure I'm not missing something.

So I figured the first thing I would have to do is remove the Navigation DVD player, and replace it with a video switch module. Browsed around a while and found the company that makes a pretty reliable one, from what reviews were.

AV Electronic Inc.
Navigation Video/Camera (Dual input) Interface

Once that's in place I'll need A/C power for the laptop, and maybe an external hard drive. I may upgrade to something like a Xbox 360 in the future. It seemed fitting from my research that I would need around a 1000 Watt Inverter. Customer reviews tend to be pretty honest, sometimes.

Duracell
The Duracell Inverter 1000

I already have a laptop that I'm going to install with heat displacement adjustments made to suit the vehicle.

The next step would be connecting the laptop to the OBD II port. Took a little longer on this specific one, to make sure it would be compatible with DashCommand™ software. Again, did more research on this site, found this product.

OBDPros
OBDPros USB Scantool

So now I've got the screen hooked up to the computer, the computer hooked up to power, the computer connected to the car, and everything should be gravy. (In theory) Only thing left is the DashCommand™ software.

Palmer Performance Engineering
DashCommand™

That should complete the set-up. Keep in mind that I have not ordered any of these parts, just to be on the safe side. Thank you for reading my post, and I look forward to your advice, flaming, or any other comments you might have. Don't worry, I have thick skin.

 

did a build like this on my older car and from what i remember you have everything in line interesting build keep us posted

 

Not sure how much that video switcher thing is, but from what I know, and I know very little, those are very pricey. That one looks basic, but if it is too expensive you may be better off with a carpc. That of course is up to you, and you wouldn't be able to use the laptop..

 

Not quite sure what you meant by that. I think a small wireless keyboard mouse set would do just fine. As far as the video switcher, It does have dual video inputs, which would not limit me to just the laptop if I was to upgrade to the Xbox 360 install. (In which case I would have to get a larger screen).

The price that AV Electronic Inc. told me over the phone for the video switcher was $250, which seems a bit much for something I could probably rig together. I'm not sure that's something I would like to sacrifice. In the back of my mind I think it's going to be worth having it anyway, even though it's a bit pricey.

 

Ordered most of the parts already, crossing my fingers they all synergize in the way that I want them to.

Instead of using the back-up wiring feature on the AV module, I'm going to install a multi-position toggle switch to control the video input. I'll either put it with the panel dimmer to the left of the steering wheel, or somewhere close to the screen itself. Pics coming soon!