My Android Tablet install

IT stinks that mine doesn't have the USB port... and I'd miss my back-up camera.

 

I agree. With the issues BestBuy had with your backup camera, I would steer clear unless 1) You want to roll up your sleeves and do-it-yourself, or 2) You find a really good audio shop that can do an install. Based on your past troubles, that may involve some travel to another city to find someone worth their salt.

An easier alternative might be to mount the tablet in a separate holder and plug in through your auxiliary port. It would eliminate all of the install work. However, you may still need to fiddle with the tablet to get the right apps to do what you want.

 

Yeah, I think I'm going to have to trade cars. It seems the Prius isn't fully equipped and I'm not physically able to do the kind of modifications I would like. California seems to be the place to go and that is a long way from West Texas.

 

What do you feel you are missing?

You may want to see if there are any other indepen shops locally. I did a quick search and there is a shop called Stereo Choice in San Angelo (JL Audio,Digital Designs,Kenwood,Alpine,Memphis Car Audio,Home Theater,Car Stereo by Sounbox - San Angelo, Texas). They may be able to help you better than Best Buy.

 

I heard they went out of business, I've dropped them a line to see. It seems no one around here wants to work on a Prius because it is so easy to short something out or whatever and that would be expensive.

 

It's funny how so many shops think the Prius is made by unicorns using pixie dust. It's advanced, but I haven't found anything too magical about it that makes it any different than working on any other car. In my opinion, the same risks of shorts and potentially expensive repairs apply to the Prius as other cars.

 

Exactly how do you pull your tablet out when it looks to be inside the dash kit? I'm buying exactly the set-up you have, but I want to make sure that I have some security when I have everything set-up. I would love to be able to remove it without any hassle for security purposes.

 

Last question Xcuter... sorry!

You're using the Acer Iconia 810 tablet that has a screen size of 7.9". Do you have more screen space for possibly an 8" screen size or a 8.4"? I'm thinking of using a Samsung Galaxy Tab with 8" screen size.

 

Did you go with the 8" 4.4.4 pure Android model thats floating around on eBay and alibaba for about 400.00 for everything. Im guessing you might of done that model for the sake of retaining everything. I was tempted to go the tablet route with a android or iPad mini for simplicity, but the few videos of that 8" android one seems to be pretty solid and is plug and play. Slightly more than this setup cost wise but color wise and options it seems to retain everything. If this is the one you have, how is the sound audio quality vs the tablet setup vs the stock setup. I intend on leaning towards this 8" model and either use the internal deck power for time being or pop in a 5 channel and go all out.

 

This is kind of cool I guess but keep in mind you are sort of cutting things up roughly and it wont look too good (more care might be required to make things look OEM)

What this mod is basically doing is this: Imagine how you use your existing phone plugged in the aux cable to listen to music and navigate with GPS Google Maps. This is basically a fancy "phone" or (tablet) holder to make it look like its integrated into the car. You will lose your entunes, your car settings, your backup camera, your touchscreen controls for bluetooth. I imagine you can still make/receive calls as normal if your car is equipped with BT. You just can't pair/unpair anything new unless you put back the stock Toyota stereo (so you can see what you are doing)

Question for the OP: How are you using navigation. Are you saving the maps somehow? That would be a lot of maps to save. Is there a program that has the entire US? Or are you using data with your tablet?

Edit: OR you are using your phone as a HOTspot. that's probably it. This might be kind of a cool mod to do maybe in an alternate location. So you can have your HU AND fancy music player/GPS screen.

 

Thanks. BTW, the Lexus wheels look nice on your car. What is your average MPG, and what is your average MPG compared to your stock wheels?

 

How is it work with the stearingwheelcontrol and backup camera, no cd now?