iPad Mini as AV Navi Center - Set up, Customizations, Apps

A thread for those of us who are installing or running ipads in our vehicles as primary interfaces for audio, video, navigation, OBD interface ect. Discuss set ups, apps, customizations ect.

I'm currently running DNN991HD that i installed about 6 months ago. It's driving two zapco amps, one for the Focal components up front and the other for the sub. I'm looking forward to pulling that headunit and installing the cellular enabled mini in its place. its going to be such a more elegant solution.

when you think about the $ for a unit like the DNN991 and everything needed to go with it, compare it with the ipad kit their price points are practically equal. in fact, the ipad route is prob cheaper, and endlessly more capable than the kenwood unit.

im thinking im going to jailbreak the device to allow for tweaks that will help out for having the device in the truck.

locking the device for dark night driving can be done with assistive touch. there is a jailbreak tweak to make locking the device a one touch step rather than standard 3 touches.

Navigation, I will prob use the Garmin app. since just about every place i go has cell coverage.

wallpapers?

installation of an OBD dongle to tie into an OBD app like OBD fusion.

im totally stoked for this set up.

one of the things i didnt like about the DNN991 was it closed app system which is essentially totally useless. also at night even on the dimmest settings its back lighting was a little too bright. it will be nice to have the ipad at night be full dark. not to mention rolling up on your favorite recreational locations and pulling up your favorite apps to check weather, wind, waves, snow...

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The install kit here:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/344073-ipad-mini-install.html

 

jailbroke 8.1.2 on the mini, was so easy to do with TaiG
installed the following tweaks which will really be key for being in the vehicle...

- DIM - allows the display to dim way below stock dimming level
- Activator - allows for more gestures so you can lock device by gesture ect
- betterFiveDock - fit more icons in the dock
- f.lux - this warms the display color temps for evening/night and day
- PandoraSkips - unlimited Pandora skipping

Apps so far...
Garmin - looks identical to nuvi / nav interface on my kenwood
Pandora
google maps
OBD Fusion - links with OBD reader to display info from trucks ECU)
Sony App Remote - controls the headunit
Local Radio streaming apps for when out of their FM range
plus a handful of work, sport and recreation specific apps

disabled: imessage, facetime, email
buried: camera, pictures, ibooks, clock, productivity/office stuff

 

i guess this has kind of turned into a solo blog.

for the mini, since glare can be an issue with touch screens in the vehicle, (and finger prints)...i installed a "bodyguardz" ipad mini screen protector that is anti glare. they are one of the few companies that have anit-glare. it does detract a little bit from the super crisp display but it pretty much eliminates any paw prints. and the anit-glare coating is going to be just right for the truck.

the installation is a 2 second process for a perfect fit. the screen protector is shipped to you essentially in a jig / template, that you just drop the whole thing onto the screen and it perfectly self aligns. its a thing of beauty.

 

I am here to listen. Shane is building me a dash. I am learning the ipad dash jusk now.

Soon ill have an audison unit.

 

The app MIIV. Is pretty good. I don't like how it is a tad slow.

 

more to add...
I discovered Eclipse 2, in cydia. without using winterboard, it themes the white iOS pages ect to a 'dark' mode. whats normally white iOS will now be black. I feel like this is more suitable for being in a vehicle, less distracting, particularly during dusk, dark hours.

 

Subbed. I will be installing mine soon. Have you tried inputing video to the ipad? Like having your backup camera come up?

 

That's pretty cool, Kevin. Is it easy to apply?

 

So simple. Jail breaking is one click, then through cydia just search eclipse 2 and it installs by itself without any heavy overhead like winterboard ect.

The black instead of white I think is a little more suitable for being in a vehicle full time.

 

subs my iPad is jailbreak and got some nice tweaks, like getting it auto unlock when the truck is on and auto locked when the truck is off

 

That's a smart one. What's that one called?

 

I need to figure out how to jailbreak on my Mac

 

Since I am about to undergo this project I am subbing.

Looking into a head unit for the power. What do I need to look for? something like this one: Sony MEX-GS610BT
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158GS610BT/Sony-MEX-GS610BT.html

 

Yeah, that's what most people use. That or the MEX-N5000bt if you don't need the extra USB input.

If you plan on going with one of my kits, I can give you a deal on the radio and all of the components, pre-wired so it's plug and play. I'll be showing off a new style of kit later today, as well.

 

Shoot me a PM with your price for the complete plug and play kit.

 

BUMP;

New product released for this type of application!

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

 

So Im not the most knowledgable in jailbreaking ipads. Do i need to hook it up to a computer? Is there a software That works best? I notice quite a few are out there.

 

So I can have this all set up when the dash kit is back.... Any one know what needs to be done for the iPad to wake up when I turn on the truck and go to sleep when I turn it off

 

needs to be jail broken for that. i currently do not have mine set up this way.

 

So what do you do when you get out of your truck or get in? I tried to setup a swipe gesture to lock last night but I failed