Android Tablet Retrofit Inside OEM Flip-Up Screen LOTS of Pictures

[jul2412]

Hey guys,

After searching a lot on the net for ideas how to install a screen in my car that didn't come with iDrive (2011 BMW 135i), I finally decided to go with an Android tablet retrofit inside the OEM flip-up screen that came in the 2008 models.

The final result looks like this:




I would first like to thanks the authors and posters of these threads, which helped me a lot during all the process. If you ever want to attempt it yourself, do it at your own risk and feel free to read these other threads:

http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=46963
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=286884
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222753
http://www.head-fi.org/t/400813/how-...3-5mm-diy-plug

Here is the list of features I wanted to have (in priority order):
-OEM look with no showing wires
-Navigation
-Ability to play music from different sources (Spotify, etc.)
-Connect to an OBDII dongle to monitor/code the car
-Cool feature: Ability to use it as a dash cam

The first thing I did was to order from eBay the OEM flip-up screen that came with the '08 models. I had to search for a long time before finding what I was looking for. The only sellers I found were from eBay Germany. I paid around 200 EUR for this. This is how it looks like once disassembled:


I chose this type of enclosure because I knew it was possible to fit a 6.5''-7'' tablet inside. I would of originally liked to install a Nexus 7 tablet but after further reading, I realized it wasn't the easiest option because of the bezel all around the tablet. Thanks to deesto on the babybmw forum, I decided to go with a Sony Xperia Z ultra phone/tablet. It has a full HD 6.4'' screen when the OEM screen was 6.5'', not a big difference. I didn't want to go though all this and install a cheap and slow Chinese tablet.

As I mentioned earlier, a cool feature was to be able to use it as a dash cam. After looking in the Play Store for apps that were able to record through a USB camera, I chose the Logitech c270. After a lot of testing, I found the USB Web Camera app from the Japanese developer Serenegiant was the best available. One thing to consider is that you need to connect the webcam to the tablet through an OTG USB cable (I'll get to that later) and with a POWERED USB hub (IOGear GUH274), since the webam drains too much current for the tablet.

Take a look at then pictures below for a better idea of how it looks:




Had to use a Dremmel to sand where the audio out connector is:


Back cover with a hole for the webcam to go in, with some thermal insulation since the sun reflects directly on that side:


Webcam fitted in:


Since I was at it, I decided to wrap the enclosure with some 3M carbon fiber vinyl I had bought to wrap my magnificent real fake wood interior trims


Here is how the other side looks:


As you can see, space is very tight around the tablet. In order to still be able to connect the audio jack and USB OTG cable, I had to make my own very slim connectors.

Base on this how-to, I did this very low-profile 3.5mm audio jack.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/400813/how-...3-5mm-diy-plug


For the USB, I reused a right-angle regular micro-USB cable that came with a rechargeable mouse and modified it to become an OTG (add ground wire):


The tablet is secured inside the enclosure with some trimmed pen caps and pressed by the webcam and isulation:


Another important thing was to be able to access the power button. I just used a plastic peace to reach it:


A fun thing about this tablet is the ability to charge it through a magnetic port on its side, thus leaving clear its USB port for OTG devices. I used this cable: http://magnector.com/?product=magnec...magnetic-cable




That's how it looked, before installing in the car:


For charging the tablet, I used a 2 amp charger similar to this that I removed its casing and soldered some wires:
http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F8Z689/


Now the fun part! Since the American and Canadian cars don't come with a dash top storage bin, I had to cut a hole in the dash to fit the enclosure. To do this, I followed this guide: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222753

The template looks like this:


Template installed:


Hole in the dash


Since also installed a webcam in the screen enclosure, I couldn't fit the OEM circuit board anymore (required to connect to the Canbus of the car for flipping the screen when the key is in).

The best place I found was behind the HVAC controls. There is quite some free space in there:




Also had to solder some extension wire that go to that board:


While at it, I wrapped all the fake wood interior trims, so I had to remove the entire center console, thanks to the trim that is screwed from underneath:




I was lucky enough to plug and play directly the Canbus to a harness inside the hole in the dash:


Work in progress:








All the wires routed through the glove box light:


Installed and soldered to the wires going to the 12V socket under the arm rest the USB charger:






Audio wire routed under the arm rest:




TADAM! The final result:




Thanks for reading! Hope you didn't fall asleep reading
Don't hesitate if you have questions!

[jsphczz]

Great work. Is it annoying to lean forward to use the touchscreen on top of the dash or do you use a remote or voice command?

[jul2412]

Originally Posted by jsphczz

Great work. Is it annoying to lean forward to use the touchscreen on top of the dash or do you use a remote or voice command?

Thanks! No it's not too annoying to use. I'm using Car Dashdroid and the buttons are pretty big so it's easy to navigate. But I'm going to order this soon to be able to change tracks with the steering controls and stream via Bluetooth: http://www.amazon.com/ViseeO-Tune2Ai...+usb+bluetooth

[jsphczz]

Originally Posted by jul2412

But I'm going to order this soon to be able to change tracks with the steering controls and stream via Bluetooth: http://www.amazon.com/ViseeO-Tune2Ai...+usb+bluetooth

Good find. I'm currently using a regular bluetooth adapter plugged into AUX to stream music from phone but would love to be able to use steering wheel controls. I dont think the one you suggested shows song titles on android but not a big deal.

How is the tablet screen visibility at different times of the day/night? Is the ambient light sensor blocked from the bezel of the motorized unit?

[jul2412]

Originally Posted by jsphczz

Good find. I'm currently using a regular bluetooth adapter plugged into AUX to stream music from phone but would love to be able to use steering wheel controls. I dont think the one you suggested shows song titles on android but not a big deal.

How is the tablet screen visibility at different times of the day/night? Is the ambient light sensor blocked from the bezel of the motorized unit?

You're right about song titles but like you said, it's not a big deal. Concerning the screen, I'm using the Tasker app to adjust the screen brightness based the sunshine/sunset time. I didn't want to drill holes in the front bezel so yes the light sensor is covered.

Tasker is really great for other things, such as setting the output sound level (no acess to physical buttons), start apps, etc.

[str8shot]

Nice work. Looks pretty good.

If you want to run a Nexus 7" tablet, they make a pre-made housing. Would save you some work and time.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1126051

Here's my Nexus 7 installed:

[jul2412]

Originally Posted by str8shot

Nice work. Looks pretty good.

If you want to run a Nexus 7" tablet, they make a pre-made housing. Would save you some work and time.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1126051

Here's my Nexus 7 installed:

Thanks! Yours looks pretty good too. What apps do you use on the tablet?

[chesticals]

Originally Posted by str8shot

Nice work. Looks pretty good.

If you want to run a Nexus 7" tablet, they make a pre-made housing. Would save you some work and time.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1126051

Here's my Nexus 7 installed:

Where can i find this housing? Sold out on ebay

[AGAV13]

Originally Posted by str8shot

Nice work. Looks pretty good.

If you want to run a Nexus 7" tablet, they make a pre-made housing. Would save you some work and time.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1126051

Here's my Nexus 7 installed:

Damn, that looks awesome. If I didn't have idrive this would be #1 on my list.