My Diy Roof Console---UHF & Mac Mini----

[Nissan Kid]

Hey guys
Just need to get some carpet and ill be done.
Ive made it to house the Mac Mini, Touch Screen and UHF. Just made out of 9mm MDF Glued and nailed together. Should be good once its done and mounted up.

Started off with a template
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/My%20Car/DSC_0199.jpg

Material Prep
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/My%20Car/DSC_0202.jpg

Cutting DIN slots
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/My%20Car/DSC_0204.jpg

Test fitting
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/My%20Car/DSC_0208.jpg

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/My%20Car/DSC_0210.jpg

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/My%20Car/DSC_0209.jpg

Will update when finished

[Nissan Kid]

Right o guys All finished :p

Picked up some carpet and stuck that on $33

Then started to install it......
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0288.jpg

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0289.jpg

All the wires starting to come through
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0292.jpg

The Tv Tuner(Works great)
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0293.jpg

Considering the size of the arial
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0294.jpg

[Nissan Kid]

And all Done
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0299.jpg

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0301.jpg

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0300.jpg

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0297.jpg

[GQ10]

Nice work mate.

Is the screen just a reverse cam screen or can you play vids and stuff?

Hey It's a computer screen, that's awesome!

[Pegged]

Ripper idea, have you got the internet hooked up to that?

Would be great to check into bom for weather radar and stuff.

[Timbo]

Don't suppose you have any pics of the computer setup itself? Also, does windows works with the touch screen or is that mouse controlled?

As for getting on the internet, I'd imagine it's as simple as plugging in a wireless broadband usb.. and viola!

[Nissan Kid]

Okay so here is a little bit more info that people were asking about my Mac mini

Computer specs
-Apple Mac Mini
-Intel Core 2 Duo
-2.0GHz
-160gb HDD
-Running Mac os X with Windows XP running as a Virtual Computer(this is required to run things like Memory Map and Oziexploer)

Oh and it all works through the use of the Touchscreen, I also keep a Bluetooth mouse and keybord for ease wile stoped

The Reversing Camera, With the Work light on
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0445-1.jpg

Watching TV, SBS, waiting for Man vs Wild to come on :)
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0448.jpg

Apple Front Row, In the Music Section
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0450.jpg

And just in iTunes
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0455.jpg

Cheers

[Nissan Kid]

Thanks GQ10
Its a Touch screen and screen viewer. This means that it will take the computer input(it also has a USB input which handles the touch screen interface). So with it on the computer AV you have a fully functional computer IE, TV, MOVIES, MUSIC and internet.

On one of the inputs is for the reverse camera.

[Nissan Kid]

Cheers Mate
Yeah i have one of those Broadband 3G USB sitcks. Works well.
Yeah checking wether is a great idea or Check up on all the news on Nissanpatrol.com.au lol

[Timbo]

Its awesome work man..

Where is your mac located in the car? It would have to be really secure so it's not upset by bumps and rough terrain.

[GQ10]

Well done mate, top effort!

[Nissan Kid]

Its awesome work man..

Where is your mac located in the car? It would have to be really secure so it's not upset by bumps and rough terrain.
Cheers Mate
Sorry didnt quite make that clear
This is the computer circled in blue
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/Screenshot2010-06-23at94623PM.png

This is what they look like(this was where i was going to try and mount it but decided not to)
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/My%20Car/DSC_0016.jpg

This is the computer itself
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/My%20Car/DSC_0010.jpg

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/My%20Car/DSC_0009.jpg

After the first run with the computer in havent had any dramas with it but time will tell
Cheers

[Nissan Kid]

Thanks mate
I try to put a fair bit of effort in this kind of thing, Should be doing school work but this is more fun...lol

[Timbo]

Ahh ok.. I was wondering what that was.. it didnt occur to me that it was the computer.. for some odd reason I thought it was a CD stacker.. jesus I'm stuck in the 90's even though I use my Iphone for my music >.<

How much did the mac mini set you back?

I've thought about using a laptop instead and having it on a mount.. but the pics i've seen of peoples laptop setups looks really invasive in the cabin. Your setup is really neat and tucked away.
Having the screen coming out of the middle of the dash (where there stereo sits) would be cool. Might look into that. I want a roof console the runs down the middle of the cabin and not across it so im not sure how a screen would fit into that without it looking crappy.

[Nissan Kid]

Ahh ok.. I was wondering what that was.. it didnt occur to me that it was the computer.. for some odd reason I thought it was a CD stacker.. jesus I'm stuck in the 90's even though I use my Iphone for my music >.<

How much did the mac mini set you back?

I've thought about using a laptop instead and having it on a mount.. but the pics i've seen of peoples laptop setups looks really invasive in the cabin. Your setup is really neat and tucked away.
Having the screen coming out of the middle of the dash (where there stereo sits) would be cool. Might look into that. I want a roof console the runs down the middle of the cabin and not across it so im not sure how a screen would fit into that without it looking crappy.
Haha yeah thats the computer, Least your getting into the apple stuff with an Iphone.

Yeah the Mac i got for Dad cheap from work for about $750, It was origonaly borught to use with the Plasma at home but decided to go with a different option so i decided to pop it in the car.

The Screen i got from a mate for $150, who was going to do the same thing but decided to go and buy a tablet instead. However they can be bought off ebay for around that price.

Yeah i too have seen people do the laptop option but thought the same. You could knock one up that runs down the middle and place the scree where a UHF would normally sit above the Mirror.

The only problem with mounting the screen in the din slots in a GQ is how low they are(not a problem in a GU)
Heres what a mate of mine did in his Prado
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae96/AR0077/P7090071.jpg

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae96/AR0077/P7090081.jpg

Cheers

[Timbo]

Yeah that's what I don't want to do.. looks awful and cuts down on cabin space.. no offense to your mate.

I was looking at the sunglasses holder this morning while warming up the patrol. If I get a roof console, the screen could just mount where the sunglasses holder is, it's probably the easiest.

Or alternatively, I could put the screen in the double din spot.. but If i wanted to take the screen out, it's a bugger of a job.

I'm a PC bloke myself, don't really like macs. The iphone is just a phone with some gadgets to me, it's not because I like macs or apple. There's some really awesome tiny PC's on the market, one I'm particularly interested in is THIS ONE (http://www.yawarra.com.au/hw-fitpc2.php) which for the price, seems like an excellent unit. It's smaller than a DVD case, so it could be mounted virtually anywhere you want!

I've been wanting to make a second glovebox in the GU for a while now.. this would be a perfect spot for the computer stuff... in the compartment above the glovebox.

[Nissan Kid]

Yeah that's what I don't want to do.. looks awful and cuts down on cabin space.. no offense to your mate.

I was looking at the sunglasses holder this morning while warming up the patrol. If I get a roof console, the screen could just mount where the sunglasses holder is, it's probably the easiest.

Or alternatively, I could put the screen in the double din spot.. but If i wanted to take the screen out, it's a bugger of a job.

I'm a PC bloke myself, don't really like macs. The iphone is just a phone with some gadgets to me, it's not because I like macs or apple. There's some really awesome tiny PC's on the market, one I'm particularly interested in is THIS ONE (http://www.yawarra.com.au/hw-fitpc2.php) which for the price, seems like an excellent unit. It's smaller than a DVD case, so it could be mounted virtually anywhere you want!

I've been wanting to make a second glovebox in the GU for a while now.. this would be a perfect spot for the computer stuff... in the compartment above the glovebox.
No i do agree with you it dose intrude on the cabin space.
Yeah i cant see any way why you couldn't just do that.
Have a look on here http://www.porares.com.au/
They specialise on this kind of gear and are quite reasonably priced.
And also have a look on www.mp3car.com Some great stuff on here.

[Thor454]

Nice setup Nissan Kid, Have to agree MP3car has some great ideas.

[wuxing]

cool! Great work!

[DX grunt]

Excellent work Matt.

Can u show us the base of the stand? ie, how you've secure it?

Thanks.

Ross

[Nissan Kid]

Was this what you were after?

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt170/nissankid_308/DSC_0212.jpg

[cyanobacteria]

Mac Mini?!!@#$!@ Genius, didn't even think of that. How are you powering it?

[cyanobacteria]

Been thinking of doing this, but always put off by the boot times. How quick does the Mac Mini boot?

[Nissan Kid]

Sorry for the delay mate, havent been on for a wile.
Its not that slow maybe 20ish seconds.

[deano]

great job SICK

[beemer]

Awesome idea, I want one

[Clunk]

Love the work. Damn good idea, but unfortunatley not one I could emulate....... I'd end up smackin my head on it all the time.

[Tornado]

Now that's pretty neat. I've been considering having a roof console down the middle from my mirror back to the interior light. Your making of template idea just solved my prob I had in my mind. Thanks

[nowoolies]

dont kown about over there but here the police will fry you for that ,only allowed that sort of thing in the back seat , unless its hooked up to the neutral on your gear box or the off side of the ignition,
apart from that dribble bloody good job mate
nowoolies
Paul

[frenzy]

Nice work mate. A roof console is on my list for my GU. Thanks for the ideas.
Cheers,
Steve

[Chris_MK85]

Awesome set up mate.. how does the set up handle the ruff stuff..

[footsinperth]

Great idea.

[Robo]

Good stuff, like it.
A few hrs and presto.
Thanks for sharing.

[Alan GQpatrol]

awesome idea mate

[ckhoile]

great build thanks for the tips

[jimbeamteam]

top idea dude, i wouldn't mind trying something like this for mine