Removing OEM head unit permanently and replace with tablet.....potential issues?

[AmoAgave]

Moving on from trying to make my OEM HU 5.0 Uconnect function with a LOC. If I pull the deck out does anyone know if this will cause any codes to be thrown? Like most modern cars the electronics are all tied together.

I'm thinking of just using an old 8" Vizio tablet I have laying around in place of the HU. It fits quite well up there. I purchased a Soundmate M1 that will send a true digital signal via wifi to the optical input of my DSP (Only $25!). This cheap tablet actually has a very nice screen, built in GPS (don't need a connection for GPS as long as you download maps ahead of time) and a few other nice features like automatic screen brightness etc.

It only takes 32gb SD card, but I can also add a 64GB thumbdrive to the Soundmate for a total of 96GB, plus the built in 4gb for a total storage of 100gb. Additionally I can also add any other wifi operated hard drive (or 10) or phone and it all will be accessible via the tablet and fed via optical input into my DSP, which has decent DAC's compared to a phone or tablet (not Burr-Brown, but still decent).

Assuming no vehicle issues, my other concerns would be media. 85% of my listening time in previous vehicles was my own collection. But I would like to come up with a work around for Pandora, Sirius and FM. Since the tablet will be on the wifi network of the Soundmate to get this to all work I can't stream from elsewhere (as far as I know, still learning).

This should be the layout once I make a few more purchases:
Vizio 1008 on wifi > Soundmate optical out> Alpine H701 DSP > MTX 6304 4ch. to CDT Audio 690CF Mid Bass in doors and Tang Band W3's in dash> MTX 4122 2ch to CDT Drt-25 tweeters > MTX 801D to old school Polk DB10.

Wide open for ideas and discussion at this point.

 

[troutspinner]

What if you were to buy a HU that had a removable faceplate and then remote mounted the faceplate in the visor, console, anywhere.

 

[AmoAgave]

What if you were to buy a HU that had a removable faceplate and then remote mounted the faceplate in the visor, console, anywhere.

I tried doing that with some old Sony ES stuff back in hte 90's. PIA.
But don't really see any advantage to it. A tablet will fit right in the dash where the HU is and offer much better sound quality since it's just transferring 1's and 0's to the DSP.

My 701 has the RUX controller (looks like a faceplate) which I installed in the drawer at the bottom of the dash.

 

[baum]

the other way a lot of people have been doing it is with a radio like this:

Sony MEX-GS600BT Single-Din Bluetooth Car Stereo w/ Pandora

its controlled through bluetooth on android and a cable on ios. you could hide the radio and have the tablet control the radio.

i dont know for sure, but you may still need one of the radio harnesses since it connects to the canbus system.

 

[Etroze86]

Glass the tablet in the dash, mold the Rux controler into the center console tray if you have one and bam custom tablet setup. With not having hvac in your stereo i think you will be fine. The only think I can think of that won't show up is the radio station in the EVIC. Really though you should be able to get an idea with just unpluging the stock headunit and looking through your settings.

 

[BradKnob]

I'm in for this. Sorry i don't have much input tho.

I've thought about going the tablet route but, unlike you, %98 of the music I listen to is streamed (spotify). Therefore I never really did much research but I've always wanted to try optical, and I just like the look of a tablet in the dash.

 

[AmoAgave]

the other way a lot of people have been doing it is with a radio like this:

Sony MEX-GS600BT Single-Din Bluetooth Car Stereo w/ Pandora

its controlled through bluetooth on android and a cable on ios. you could hide the radio and have the tablet control the radio.

i dont know for sure, but you may still need one of the radio harnesses since it connects to the canbus system.

That's interesting actually. I'm going to research it a little more. I will still have RCA input available on my H701 (and really no reason to need optical input for FM, Pandora or Sirius/XM). Thanks!

 

[AmoAgave]

Glass the tablet in the dash, mold the Rux controler into the center console tray if you have one and bam custom tablet setup. With not having hvac in your stereo i think you will be fine. The only think I can think of that won't show up is the radio station in the EVIC. Really though you should be able to get an idea with just unpluging the stock headunit and looking through your settings.

Don't even need to glass it in. It's almost a perfect size for the stock OEM hole. Just need a solid mount behind the console piece. Shouldn't be very hard. I currently have the RUX loose in the tray. Works perfect for tuning since I can sit as I normally would and play with the EQ, crossover network, time alignment etc. The RUX doesn't need to be used for normal day to day just for settings. Unless I need to use the volume control (which I very well may with the Soundmate seemingly sending a pure digital output).

Also what's EVIC? The screen in the instrument panel?

And yes, you're right. Might as well try it and see wth happens.


Great ideas, keep them coming.

I'm in for this. Sorry i don't have much input tho.

I've thought about going the tablet route but, unlike you, %98 of the music I listen to is streamed (spotify). Therefore I never really did much research but I've always wanted to try optical, and I just like the look of a tablet in the dash.

If you're need doing the optical the way I am, then you can easily do it. My streaming issue is due to the Soundmate M1 being seen as a wifi router. I can't hook up to 4G to stream while connected to Soundmate (that I know of).
But if I use the RCA inputs (via headphone jack, or with external deck) then I can stream from my phone (tablet has no data connection only wifi).

So it's sort of coming together here.

 

[Etroze86]

Yep screen in the cluster and yes more than likely you will have to use the rux for volume control.

 

[AmoAgave]

Yep screen in the cluster and yes more than likely you will have to use the rux for volume control.

That area above the HU that seems to do nothing might be perfect to mount the RUX.

 

[baum]

That's interesting actually. I'm going to research it a little more. I will still have RCA input available on my H701 (and really no reason to need optical input for FM, Pandora or Sirius/XM). Thanks!

on the plus side also if your truck has steering wheel controls then you can add it to this unit also

 

[AmoAgave]

on the plus side also if your truck has steering wheel controls then you can add it to this unit also

I have an Express. My truck has nothing but heated mirrors and 20" wheels. :/

The more I think about doing this, the more I realize I wish I could just get the stock unit to work with a LOC. I love projects like this but no personal time now days. Just want a decent system for my commute.

Oh well, messing with it AGAIN this weekend and will post up what happens.