iPad mini in a 2nd gen?

Actually you can. You just have to get a navigation app that downloads and stores the map data like TomTom or Navigon.
I use CoPilot GPS. It's more affordable and you can download the map data for smaller regions of the country rather than being forced to download all of the map data for the whole country (takes up less storage space). I don't always use the offline navigation apps but they're a good backup in case you end up in an area with no data availability.

 

Motion-X is another good offline-mapping app .. works great offroad also!

 

Ah, I was not aware of that... Well played, sir!

 

Well crap. A negative to a positive and now more questions. This IHeart Radio you talk about, is that like and app to listen to local fm station? Will I still be able to use my steering wheel controls? I know some of the reason why I want an Ipad but now I'm seeing more for use in the truck. There are apps I would like to get for hunting but as for the truck. Some of you guys just mention it, hidden radar detector & vehicle information. Just thought of another plus but I could get it with a DBL Din, playing movies for my little one while we travel. Oh yeah, the part you're talking about that I need to be able to drive my system with the Ipad. What is it called or look like? Sorry so many questions. I do want to get an Ipad mini but if it will benefit me to install it into my truck also, I just want to have my research done right.

 

I can answer a few of those Qs

I Heart Radio - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iheartradio/id290638154?mt=8 - about 1500 real FM stations, and a Pandora-like feature to create your own.

Steering Wheel Controls - yes and no. If you install the iPad using a HU that is iPod/iPad compatible then you have the option to retain volume up/down and possibly track up/down. This would require an adapter to use the factory steering wheel controls with the compatible aftermarket HU.

PAC swijack is popular and what I use with my Clarion HU. Without a traditional HU and the swijack I'm not sure if they can be retained.

Power/Amp - either a hidden HU with iPod connectivity, or a Digital Audio Converter (converts the iPad digital signal to analog RCAs) and Gain Control connected to an aftermarket amp

 

Just thought of another question...

Being that I have an iPad and stuff, whenever you get done with it, it will automatically go to sleep after a minute or so. I know you can go into settings and turn that to "never", but by doing so it will drain the mess out of the battery...

So my 2 questions are 1. Is the charger going to be able to charge the iPad even though the display can be lit up for extended periods of time. And 2 are we still going to have some sort of access to the lock button to where we can lock the device if we're wanting to conserve battery if we end up having to put the device on the never sleep mode...

 

I plan on getting a new head unit when I get my iPad mini installed and your questions bring to mind something I hadn't thought of before.... The HUs that support data and charging via a built in USB port may possibly not support charging for an iPad/iPad mini. The iPad needs a little more power to charge than the iPhones do. Ever notice when you connect an iPad/iPad mini to a PC that it doesn't charge? That's presumably because a standard PC USB port doesn't have enough power output to charge the iPad/iPad mini.
Now I'm curious as to whether or not those HUs with built in USB ports have enough power to charge an iPad mini or if charging only works with an iPhone...

The only reason I might want access to the lock button would be to turn the screen off if I'm driving down a dark road and don't want the added glare. I imagine a levered button could be engineered into the dash kit but it'd take some extra work.

 

Charging is designed to be done through the integrated lightning port while in the dash.

HU would be for audio only.

 

Straight from Apple:

Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system

Some USB ports, especially on older computers, don't have the required power. But it's absolutely supported.

 

I understand this... But I work for at&t and we have an ipad on display and if we use the charging cable from the display it doesn't have enough juice to power the ipad throughout the day. If we don't use the actual iPad block then it won't stay charged throughout the day because it draws so much power...

Granted the iPad mini uses a iPhone block not an iPad block to charge to obviously it doesn't take nearly as much juice to charge... I just don't wanna go on a road trip and have the iPad work for 4 hours then die becuase the charging is just like a trickle charge. I want to make sure it's getting enough power to stay charged when I leave it in the dash and I'm driving down the road...

 

Looks better than my current setup for the regular iPad...

 

yeah, I've heard of those issues with the regular iPad. On the iPad gen 3&4 there are even issues staying charged with the AC brick if you are using graphics or processor intensive apps. Also, what kind of charging cable does the "ipad on display" have? Some sort of proprietary setup, or USB to a computer?

So far I haven't seen or heard of these issues with iPad Mini... my company (Broadcom) provides the wifi/BT/touchcon chips for most iPad/iPod/iPhone so we have lots of testing to draw experience from

 

WELL YOU WIN THEN!!! Is that what you want from me?!

 

um no, just backing up my comments, you mentioned your charging expertise came from working at ATT.
I mentioned my charging expertise comes from working with the engineers that design and test them.

I didn't even disagree with you

 

I'm just giving you hell dude...

 

okay .. hard to tell online sometimes

 

Ya, that's why I made sure to insert a cliche smiley face at the end... Lol

 

Hi guys! I've been keeping up with the thread just been stupid busy to reply to any posts. Now that my holiday hours are over at work this project is about to be in full force! I'm moving at the end of the month though so we will see. I am ordering about 5 or 6 hard cases this week so I can fab up some more trays and ill order some dash kits and some more sheets of abs plastic as well. My hinge design didn't work out as well as I planned so onto plan B. I am going to try and design a fully functional slide out diesel while trying to keep it aesthetically pleasing.

 

thanks for the update.. can't wait to see some final pieces