FoRX-8

Hello rotary people...

Just wanted to share some info on the project I just started for installing a Pocket PC on my Rx-8. It is a simple project, though. So, do not expect hyperspace nuclear engineering features!

May help some with ideas, may have some of you guys helping me with your suggestions!

Okay... Here is it...

I am installing a Dell Axim x51v... Really powerful and nice piece of technology, I have to say.

Phases:
1st -> Media Center - MP3/WMA player... Done.
2nd -> GPS nav - 1/2 done.
3rd -> Real time engine monitoring + performance... Researching on options.
4th -> I don't really know... Maybe a rear view wi-fi camera?

To install an aux input line on my 6-CD player I followed the great and neat instructions given on the well know Mazda RX-8 Custom iPod Installation (http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/)... Tx for John for such a nice job.
This solution is so cheap and so efficient that I could not go in any other direction.

I bought a ground loop isolator to start with, 20 CAD bucks from a The Source local store (http://www.thesourcecc.com/estore/Pr...roduct=2700054).

The Pocket Mount is an Arkon CM720 Powered PDA Mount for Dell Axim X50 & X51, cost me 54 bucks from Mobile Planet (http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?code=121101)...
I couldn't go cheaper, as this has all features I needed:
_ Power to PDA.
_ RJ-45 connection to GPS.
_ Additional USB port for accessories...
Not the greatest finishing in the world, but good enough.

Here are some pictures of the installation and system in action:

FoRX-8

More pics... (isn't it possible to include pics in msg body with comments in here? )

FoRX-8

Comments and suggestion are all well appreciated!

Last min. comment: I WILL change that big audio plug by a 90-deg. angle small plug... Just need to find a nice one!

Tx...

Finally: How it looks like at night...

zeblien

Nice mod. Will you do one for me

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Why not run the Hymee sCANanlyser on it for real time engine output?

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

^^ Hymee needs to release the pocket PC version first

FoRX-8

Sure... Just come by to visit me in Toronto!

Yeap! What a problem to find a good sw that works on PocketPC!

If I was doing a PC Car, I would go CANScan, cheap and nice...
But, also does not have a Pocket PC version.

The best one I found was the Autoenginuity, kinda profissional tool, so expensive $$$ ... But, includes everything I want, even a performance meter!
http://www.autoenginuity.com/products-scantoolppc.html
What you guys thing?

I ordered mine yesterday... Let's see...
I believe my G-tech will be out for sale soon...

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

i've been thinking about doing something like this with a gps system and CAN reader... thinking about trying to squeeze it into the ashtray area though

Damien019

Do you have it hooked up to an external drive for mp3 storage or just using the little internal memory you have?

FoRX-8

CANScan will work only with PC (better) or Palm, but does not include a performance meter.
I fully understand the "aesthetic" reason to hidde it somewhere... But, it will be useless and dangerous to have it on ANY position that is not in front of your eyes and "in" range of your hands reach (without any body movement needed)!
Think about it.

Nope... I am using my "small" 4GB SD card to store 600 .WMA musics (192kpbs/44Khz) at this moment... I still have another 1GB SD and an empty Compact Flash slot for another "small" card... As needed! :D

It is not a 60Gb iPod, but it still can store a lot of my stuff. And, I just need additional cards... I hope they will keep growing... 6GB... 8GB... 10000GB!

Note: Forgot to say, but I have only 9Gb of music... So, another 4GB SD card should be enough for everything... Just need "time" ($$$$$) to spend more 80 bucks on another SD card!

Cheers.

FoRX-8

Hey rotary guys...
Here is phase 3 update.

I just received my Pocket PC Scanner by Auto Enginuity (http://www.autoenginuity.com/products-scantoolppc.html).
Installed it with the bluetooth transmitter... No harsh wires!
Works smoothly... Need to see!

In this way, the installation was SO simple that I didn't even had too much fun.
I just removed the DTC diagnostic connector from its bracket and installed the scanner were I can have good viewing and access without showing the world it is there!

Good things:
_ Works good.
_ Bluetooth makes installation easy.
_ Runs with CAN support, makes parameters reading rate really fast.
_ Allows data logging!
_ Comes with a performance sw (kind a simplified G-Tech)... Haven't tested it yet, though.
_ I can clear the check engine light and do diagnostic on my car myself with full DTC support, there is even a built in library with DTC info.
_ Works on other vehicles too.
_ I can make it work with my laptop (still bluetooth) by spending 60 bucks more.

Bad things:
_ Few parameters on the basic sw... less than 30 param.
_ If I want all Mazda parameters I need to spend more 99 bucks!
But, the list is big, see it here... http://www.autoenginuity.com/Mazda-Sensor-List.html
_ Should have more param. viewing options/screens.

Following posts have some pictures of Phase 3 working...
A video of the sw working can be downloaded from here: http://www.autoenginuity.com/dloads/...ntool_demo.zip

FoRX-8

Scanner installation o DTC plug...

FoRX-8

Scanner software working...

FoRX-8

New 90-deg angled audio plug with nice installation going thru pocket mount... I used to hate myselft everytime I looked at the old big one.

Also, some screen themes I did with my 8 pics...

FoRX-8

Finally, new Pocket Music to replace the Windows Media Player...
As anything from MS, the WMP is a piece of sh... even on the pocket pc.

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

is there any software out there for a pda to control a cellphone through bluetooth?

theboy

This is awesome mod!!!!! i wish i can get someone do it here in malaysia

swoope

iTrader: (5)

nice,
i did the something close with a axim 30. used if for music and gps...before i went carputer....

a sugestion... check out the garmin gps 10. bluetooth reciver and software... again no wires and a great product...

i now use this system on my motorcycle..

beers

FoRX-8

I don't knwo bro... There might be somthing out there. Never needed.
But, do you want to talk through you PDA (using the car speakers) while your mobile is stored somewere else? Is that the idea?
I use a bluetooth earphone, that sounds simpler and nobody else with hear your conversation!

Although, it offers several nice features, that is not complicated at all... You can do yourself. Try it.

Nice... I actually used a GPS receiver I bought 2 years + ago for my old T3. It was a complete Tomtom system. And luckly it works good with my Axim (not the sw).
Then, I save on having to buy a new gps.
I won't spend money with a bluetooth GPS, because you need to have a charge cable anyways... So... Where is the bluetooth advantage? :P

I don't know... So far this "wired" one fulfills my needs as I do not use it everytime.

Cheers.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

the bluetooth advantage is the charge on it lasts about 12 hours, and you can locate it anywhere.

the big adv for me is using it in the car and on the bike. not an issue for you....

beers

FoRX-8

Hum... Good to know!
Last one I saw working from a friend of mine, could barely hold 3 hours without a charge... What would be a problem on long trips!

I seldomly use the GPS... I still need to by Tomtom again... I am using MS Pocket Streets and Trips that is a piece of sh...
And, here in Toronto everything is so easy and "squared" that I usually don't need it.
So, whenever I need, I do not bother with the wire.

Which nav sw you use Swoope? What do you suggest?

Cheers,

swoope

iTrader: (5)

am using the garmin sw that came with the reciever.

the sw that is on my pda is simple and easy to use...

the stuff on my carputer is not as easy to use, but does lots and lots of stuff...

do a google for garmin gps 10 deluxe.... the other thing i like about it is if i have to travel in a car that is not mine. i just grab the reciever and my pda. problem solved..

beers