Ipaq..carputer...maybe My Next Project

[Fargo]

So i was thinking about the possablity of an Ipaq carputer, but not knowing a lot about what an Ipaq can do, i got some questions that perhaps you guys cna help with..

Can it play Mp3's..extra drivers needed, what software to run, is there a PDA winamp ?.

Can you get an accessorie that will allow me to hook up the ipaq sound to the aux in of the stereo, ie headphone jack to pair of rca's.

Is there a way to add say an external hardrive.

Can you output to VGA.

[MrADeveci]

ipaq plays mp3s .... via windows media player .........

[Fargo]

thought as much, how can one output the sound.

[necromax]

There's loads of stuff out there, and I believe there is a 'jacket' you can get for the Ipaq which provides a VGA output. I'm mounting my Ipaq in the car too, and linking to the caputer. That way I can update calender in Outlook in work, which updates Ipaq and updates carputer, and reminds me of stuff as I drive... sad I know :)

[Brettster]

you can add IBM micro type drives to the ipaq via a compact flash jacket or pcmcia jacket, to be honest tho, if you looking to use it for an MP3 jukebox, i wouldnt bother, the sound quality isnt that great and the access speeds even on a 400 mhz pda isnt amazing either. Stick with the mini ITX :)

[Fargo]

thanks damien, brett..

@ damien, would be intereested in these 'jackets'... i assuem your just be lining up cia the usb cable just for syncing purposes.

@ brett, so three are no drivers or accessories that cna be used to improve the sound quality.

[Brettster]

Ive never seen any external sound cards for ipaq, I guess if you could find drivers you could use a pcmcia soundcard, but i doubt it very much.

[necromax]

To be honest I have no idea what the sound quality is like. Maybe there is a jacket which not on has VGA out, but audio out too? I know they are aimed at presentations, so they must produce a reasonable sound output.

You are absolutely right about via USB.. I have got a mount from those nice Brodit people, and will position the Ipaq to the left of the headunit. The holder has the interface built in, which the USB sync cable simply plugs into, providing power and USB connection to my carputer. Its kind of a backup plan if I am not happy with Map Monkey, at least I can put TomTom on the Ipaq if its no good :)

[necromax]

For storage you can get 1 gig SD cards now, so you could always have a collection of cards with a few different mixes or genres of music on. the 512mb SD cards are less than £20 each now

[Fargo]

me thinks this project is dead.

[Anees]

To be honest I have no idea what the sound quality is like. Maybe there is a jacket which not on has VGA out, but audio out too? I know they are aimed at presentations, so they must produce a reasonable sound output.

You are absolutely right about via USB.. I have got a mount from those nice Brodit people, and will position the Ipaq to the left of the headunit. The holder has the interface built in, which the USB sync cable simply plugs into, providing power and USB connection to my carputer. Its kind of a backup plan if I am not happy with Map Monkey, at least I can put TomTom on the Ipaq if its no good :)

←

Damian mate,

I've been trying out Map Monkey. It looks fantastic but...

the voice guidance is a load of ****

It your on a road with alot of bends it keeps telling you to turn left and then turn right. Its not too hot on roundabouts either. The routes it has calculated so far however have be ok (similar to Tom Tom). It seems to get confused easily too if you take alot of wrong turning at once.

I wouldn't trust the software - I would have Tom Tom available as a backup. Maybe as I get more used to it, it will grow on me. The 3D view is great however and in most cases you can ignore the voice and just follow the map.

The new version of Infomap Navigator is out too - v4.3. It has a new Car PC interface, but again NO 3D view yet. It may be worth trying.The best bet seems to be Co-Pilot Live Laptop 8 when its finally realeased for the UK - been out for ages in the US, but its expensive.

Fargo - as far as I am aware the sleeve that you can get for the IPAQ are for the older generation IPAQs??

Good Luck in your project! :D

Anees