Previously, a car could be considered advanced if it had a GPS navigator or even a car radio that could read CDs. Drivers generally try to get rid of these obsolete devices from their cars, replacing them with tablets with touch screens. Is it possible to install it yourself instead of a radio? Quite! This is exactly what this article will discuss.
Why even install an Android tablet instead of a car radio?
It's simple: the tablet has a greater range of functions compared to the built-in radio. And in general, standard radios, even in fairly expensive cars, are banal radios and MP3 file players that are installed just for show. The tablet allows you to turn your car into a mobile and full-fledged media center. In addition, even large modern 2 din radios have poor functionality and less convenience compared to a simple tablet. The latter can generally replace a TV, player, GPS navigator and even provide Internet access. True, for this you need to choose a model that supports third and fourth generation networks, but there are many of these on the market today.
The only possible drawback to installing a tablet radio is the procedure itself. If the owner irresponsibly installs a tablet in the car instead of a radio, then there is a chance that the tablet will simply burn or break. By the way, most often drivers break tablets, which simply fall out of their niche while driving through potholes or during rapid acceleration.
Installation options
Frankly speaking, there are few options for installing a tablet in a car yourself instead of a radio. The device can either be installed in a special holder without touching the car radio, or you can remove the radio and insert a tablet in its place. The last option is complicated, but has its advantages.
If you use holders, then everything is simple. There are many different tripods on the market that are designed for different purposes. They all have special suction cups with which the tripod is attached to any point on the dashboard. The owner can only buy a suitable tripod and install his tablet in it. But it is worth considering that this method of fastening cannot be called reliable. Yes, this is the easiest option to connect the tablet to the radio in the car with your own hands, and many drivers resort to it. After all, the tablet can be easily installed on a tripod, and the charger can be connected to the cigarette lighter.
However, we will not consider this method. Let's focus on the optimal option: installing the tablet in the car instead of the radio, and not in parallel with it.
Installation process
There are 2 ways to carry out the installation: without a third-party amplifier (in this case, the amplifier will be the radio) or with an amplifier. The second method is quite complicated, so we will focus on the first. What is needed for this?
To install a tablet in a car instead of a radio, you will need:
- Regular soldering iron.
- Crosshead screwdriver.
- A small sheet of plastic measuring 30 x 30 cm.
- Electric drill.
- The tablet itself.
- 12 volt cigarette lighter plug.
- External car audio amplifier.
- Thick-walled wire with fuse.
- Audio wires for speakers.
- Mini RCA cable for tablet.
- Insulating tape.
- Epoxy resin.
- Rubber couplings for wires.
- Adapter for connecting speakers.
Connection
Let's start with the fact that 2 devices are connected to the car: a tablet and an amplifier. The connection is made to the battery using a thick-walled cable. There must be a fuse on this cable, and it (the fuse) must be located next to the battery.
To connect a tablet in a car instead of a radio, you need to make a hole in the engine compartment through which a thick-walled cable will enter the cabin. A rubber sleeve is inserted into this hole to prevent the cable from fraying. When driving, the cable without a coupling will rub against the metal and this can damage it, leading to a short circuit.
Through this hole, the cable connected to the battery through a fuse enters the car interior, where it is connected to the amplifier. Typically, drivers install the amplifier under the seat, and the cable itself is laid under the floor mats.
There should be 2 cables from the amplifier to the adapter. It also comes with a pair of RCA cables that connect to the tablet.
The radio must be removed from its place. The extraction process depends on the car model, but usually there is nothing complicated about it.
Working with a footprint
Now you need to measure the hole where the radio was previously located. Based on the size, you need to cut a sheet of plastic. Its width and length should be approximately 1 cm greater than the measured dimensions. This sheet of plastic is secured with epoxy resin in place where the radio previously was. You need to secure it at 6 points.
A hole for cables is drilled in the middle of this plate. Then it is advisable to paint the surface of the plastic plate with a suitable color. You need to glue holders to the corners. They are glued with epoxy resin.
After this, the cables are connected to the tablet.
Important Features
When installing a tablet with your own hands in a car instead of a radio, you need to consider some important points. First of all, pay attention to the weight and size of the tablet. A large and heavy device will not work, because it is more difficult to install, and when driving on a bad road, it may come off and fall out. Choose a compact and lightweight tablet.
Screen, standards support and other criteria for choosing a tablet
Before replacing the radio with a tablet, you need to install the Car Home Ultra program on it. This program will monitor various engine parameters, read errors from it and submit sound signals when there is unstable operation of the motor.
Speaker wires must have a shield. Of course, they cost several times more than usual, but with them the driver is guaranteed to hear clear music without interference.
Conclusion
The process of installing a tablet in a car instead of a radio with your own hands is always an individual process. Even on identical car models, drivers may encounter different problems when installing the gadget. Therefore, it is impossible to give any universal recipe according to which this procedure could be easily and quickly carried out.
In fact, there is nothing complicated about installing and connecting the tablet. If you are at least a little familiar with electronics, then this should not be a problem. However, you can turn to specialized service stations for help, where they can provide a similar service, but it will cost money.
In order to charge any portable device, such as a phone or tablet, from the car’s 12-volt on-board network, you will have to use a DC-DC converter. But it is not necessary to buy an inverter when you can assemble, for example, a very simple design based on the 34063api chip yourself.
The chip is specially designed for this purpose, and many charger manufacturers use it as the main driver in car chargers. It was this microcircuit that became the base for most “chargers” powered by a cigarette lighter.
The microcircuit has a built-in output stage that delivers current up to 3A to the load. Thanks to this, it can be considered universal - it can charge almost any mobile device, including devices with large batteries, such as tablet computers.
The microcircuit provides a stable output voltage of 5 Volts. It is optimal for recharging batteries of a wide variety of portable devices. The choke consists of 20 turns of 0.6 mm thick wire wound around a dumbbell. Drops and surges in on-board voltage are not dangerous for the microcircuit, since the input voltage range is from 7 to 40 Volts.
The microcircuit operates stably even with sudden temperature changes and weather changes, without overheating in the process. You can connect 34063api using several schemes. Here is the most reliable option, which is also simple and easy to reproduce.
A particularly valuable quality of this microcircuit is that it is possible simultaneous connection to the exit of several mobile phones. At the same time, the quality of charging, even if all models are different, will be no worse than through a standard device. You can also exclude input and output capacitors from the circuit, which are needed only to filter noise.
22.12.2016
Nowadays, few people will be surprised by a multimedia system with touch screen and a large number of options. But, often, automakers install such audio systems only in expensive trim levels or as an additional option, which will cost the buyer a pretty penny. You can also purchase such a radio in car audio stores, but even there, the cost of such a radio is unpleasantly surprising (from 400 USD and above). But don’t get upset ahead of time, since a solution has already been found, and in this article I will tell you how to install a tablet in a car and make a high-quality, and, most importantly, multifunctional multimedia system with a small budget.
There are two ways to connect your tablet to your car's audio system:
- Connection using a standard audio system (a radio will be used instead of an amplifier).
- Using an external audio amplifier (complete replacement of the head unit).
To begin installation work, you need the following tools:
- A set of tools for car repair.
- Soldering iron, tin and electrical tape.
- Drill and drill bits 3-6 mm.
- Sharp knife.
Necessary equipment for installing a tablet in a car:
- Tablet computer, the diagonal of which should not be more than 8 inches.
- Car audio amplifier (if the tablet will be connected using a radio, an amplifier is not needed).
- Car Audio Adapter
- An adapter that will charge the tablet.
- Wiring for connecting power to the amplifier and speakers (subwoofer).
- Heat shrink tubes.
Installing a tablet in a car instead of a radio.
Car speakers have quite a lot of power and resistance, but the sound card in the tablet is designed only to supply sound to headphones or small speakers. Therefore, in order for the tablet to produce high-quality sound in car speakers external amplifier required. As I mentioned earlier, you can use a stock radio instead of an amplifier. It is worth noting that this method much simpler, but also sound quality when used this method, will be worse. Therefore, today we will consider the connection option using car audio amplifier It is recommended to install the amplifier in the trunk, but if you want to save on wiring and not pull it across the entire cabin, the amplifier can be installed under the driver or passenger seat.
First, remove the old radio. Next, take the wires to connect the power supply to the amplifier ( IMPORTANT: use only high-quality wiring!) and stretch them from the battery to the place where the amplifier is installed. Never connect the amplifier to the wiring of the cigarette lighter or radio, as this may cause a short circuit, which will lead to a malfunction or even failure of the interior electronics. VERY IMPORTANT:
plus, be sure to connect via a fuse; for this, be sure to use a special waterproof holder. You need to install the fuse as close to the battery as possible; if this is not done, a short circuit may occur, which may start a fire. 
To route the wires from the battery into the passenger compartment, you need to drill a small hole in the partition separating the passenger compartment from the engine compartment. If your car already has such a hole, you can pull the wires through it. Before pulling the wires, be sure to install a rubber sleeve or a piece of corrugation in the hole, this is necessary in order to protect the wiring insulation from rubbing against the metal.
Connecting acoustics
To connect the speakers to the amplifier, I would recommend using a special adapter (as in the photo). This adapter costs a penny, but it will significantly simplify the connection, eliminating the need to cut and then solder wires. To make it clearer where each wire is and where to connect it later, stick a small piece of masking tape on each wire and label or number it. 
To output sound from your tablet computer to an amplifier, use a stereo RCA cable (do not buy Chinese cable for ten rubles, remember, the better it is, the better the acoustics will sound). Also, in order to prevent possible interference, it is recommended to shield the audio circuit. To save time and money, it is recommended to feed the audio signal from the tablet to the amplifier through the headphone jack, since using other methods significantly reduces the sound quality, plus, interference and noise may appear during operation of the automatic transmission. 
Connecting the tablet to a 12V network
To supply power to the tablet, you need to run a wire to the fuse box. To connect, you need to find a connector that receives power only when the ignition key is in the ACC position, and disappears when the ignition is turned off. You can find such a connector using a multimeter or the clues on the fuse box cover. This must be done so that the tablet does not drain the battery when the car is not in use. “Plus” is connected to the fuse block using a special connector (in the photo), “minus” is connected to ground, the “female” connector (12V car socket) is connected to the same wires, and the car adapter for charging the tablet will be connected to it . 
Installing the tablet in place of the radio
To install the tablet in the niche where the radio was installed, you will need a piece of plastic, epoxy glue or metal plates. First, try the tablet on the frame; it may need to be filed a little. Then, you need to cut out a piece of plastic, it should be slightly larger than the hole in which the tablet will be installed, after which it needs to be secured to the back of the frame using epoxy glue or pre-prepared clamps. Next, you need to make a small diameter hole in it through which wires will be inserted to connect power and audio output to the tablet. To prevent the tablet from falling out, secure it with . If you don’t want to worry too much, you can install the tablet using a case or a universal tablet holder.
(Photo 3) Installing the tablet in the car
Useful applications for the car:
- Tasker – this application will allow you to configure the tablet so that it adequately falls asleep immediately after turning off the ignition and wakes up after turning it on.
- TTS iVona– a program that allows you to teach your device to greet you when you turn on the device, in your native language.
- Torque Pro– this software, using an OBD2 adapter, allows you to turn your tablet into a full-fledged one on-board computer with the ability to diagnose the car.
There are also a lot of interesting applications, after installing which you will be able to use navigation, find out the situation on the road, the condition of the car and service intervals.
An on-board computer in a car from a tablet is a logical choice, given the prevalence of these devices now. It allows the driver to get a lot additional functions, in addition to the car's standard stereo system. Currently, standard vehicle systems have GPS. But owners of budget cars in the basic configuration are deprived of this. Android device offers a more advanced GPS system. An Android tablet can save all your Google contacts, access GPS directly, and have its own calendar of events. Can store music, use Internet radio, or play music using cloud players. These are features that are not available on even the most modern luxury cars.
I recommend choosing a tablet that already has a car dock. It can be installed, for example, instead of a 2-din CD player. Plus, the car dock makes the device easy to remove, so you can prevent theft and use the tablet for other purposes. Unfortunately, the cost of such models with a docking station starts from $300. For example, you can consider models such as ASUS Transformer Book T100TA 64 GB dock and HP SlateBook x2 32 GB. Universal dock There are no stations; each tablet model has its own, specially designed.
If your car doesn’t have a standard system or you don’t want to cut anything, eat it yourself on the dashboard.
Connecting a tablet through a car amplifier
There are two options here:
- If your car has a standard audio system, then it can be replaced using an external amplifier and a tablet.
- If you have a removable radio, then you can use it as an amplifier and connect it to the tablet.
I used the first option.
Replacing a stock stereo system with a tablet requires connecting an external amplifier. The fact is that the tablet cannot be directly connected to the speakers. The audio output is for headphones only. That's why an amplifier is needed. I chose 4 channel because my car has four speakers. I have the amplifier installed under the front passenger seat, but it can be installed almost anywhere, such as in the trunk of a car, but I think that is too far from the battery. I chose a location under the passenger seat to limit cable length. The seat will have to be removed, but it's really not difficult. Google how this is done in your car.
The amplifier will be powered directly from the battery. To do this, you need to run fairly thick wires from car battery. Read the amplifier's instruction manual to determine the required cable size. There are amplifiers that come with wires for connection. You can also save money and go buy such a wire yourself.
I chose the cheapest amp I could find. I rarely listen to music, mostly audio books, so the sound quality didn't bother me too much.
Tools and materials
You will need a ferrule crimper on the end of each wire. I have tips that have heat shrink cambric. Not a bad option and looks very professional.
Tools:
- Wire Stripper/Crimping Tool
- Soldering iron (recommended)
- Screwdrivers
- Drill
- Knife with cutting blades
Equipment:
- Tablet from car dock (I chose Samsung Galaxy Tab 7+)
- 1/4" Lexan sheet (approx. 10" x6")
- Dye
- 1-1/4" circle cutter
- 3/8" drill
- Amplifier
- Car Audio Adapter
- 12 V plug into cigarette lighter
- Wire - thick-walled to the amplifier
- Wire - for speaker signals
- Gaskets
- Insulating tape
- Scotch
Connecting the tablet to the car’s on-board network (important note)
You need to connect two devices to the on-board network - a tablet and an amplifier. Of course, they can also be connected through the cigarette lighter, but this option can only be considered temporary. To avoid short circuits and ensure stable power supply, you must connect directly to the battery.
Important! You must put a fuse on the amplifier's power cable. There are small waterproof fuse holders commercially available that can be used for this. The fuse should be installed as close to the battery as possible. Without this fuse, a short circuit and fire may occur.
Running wires through holes
Additionally, to run the cable from the battery to the amplifier, you will need to drill a hole in the car's bulkhead. You can of course run the wire through an existing hole. In any case, you need to use a rubber coupling as in the figure. This will prevent the wire from being damaged by rubbing against the metal.
My car has a small hole in the passenger foot area. I ran the power cable for the amplifier directly through it, under the rug, to the amplifier under the seat.
Adapter and Wiring Connectors
To connect to the amplifier's speakers, I recommend that you buy a special adapter. This will save you from having to cut the wiring in your car (see picture).
You will need to run 2 cables from the amplifier to the car adapter. It is better to use solder joints with heat shrink. I recommend using a piece of tape wrapped around a piece of paper to mark the ends of the wires. It looks very neat and it is clear what kind of wire it is.
To connect an Android tablet, you need a stereo mini cable for RCA (red and white). If you plan to use Charger, then it is necessary to shield the audio circuit. Otherwise, static electricity may be generated.
In the fuse box, I chose the one that has no power when the car is turned off, so as not to drain the battery.
Using GPS on your tablet will quickly drain your battery. So charging your tablet is a must. If you look in the fuse box under the hood, you will likely find empty auxiliary fuse holders. The fuse box markings are usually on the bottom of the fuse cover. For this power wire, you can add a female 12V connector connector (cigarette lighter socket). These can be found in auto parts stores or at the radio market.
Mounting a tablet in a car
I had no problems securing the tablet. I simply removed the part of the dashboard where the built-in CD radio was located. If you don't know how to do this, read the manual, look up instructions on the Internet.
If you want to install the tablet somewhere on the dashboard, here it is.
I measured and cut a piece of plastic slightly larger than the hole where the radio was. This kind of plastic can be found in the store.
To secure the plastic in place, I attached it along the back with epoxy glue. This material is excellent for fastening objects of complex shapes.
Installation
I used a circle bit to drill the hole in the middle. I also drilled a hole to route the power and audio cables through.
Plastic is quite easy to paint. I sanded the surface with sandpaper (no. 220). Then I applied a coat of primer and then a coat of black paint. The paint should not be thick.
The finished result
Noise in car speakers when charging and playing from a tablet
I didn't like the idea of connecting the headphone cable at the top of the tablet. The docking station connector has contacts for connecting audio. I purchased a cable that allowed me to charge the tablet and also play audio through the same cable. However, when testing this cable in the car, I was unable to get rid of the noise when charging and powering the amplifier at the same time. The main reason is the quality of the 12V - 5V adapter. Those that are inserted into the cigarette lighter are absolutely not suitable, but high-quality ones cost $20-40.
After that, I bought a Bluetooth audio receiver and connected it to the amplifier. This option worked great, and I was able to use audio without connecting a second cable. However, the sound was not as high quality as using an audio cable. Therefore, to save time and effort, I would recommend connecting only using a headphone cable. This is the best option.
It would also be possible to use a car radio with Bluetooth (for example JVC KD-SD80BT) and send sound to the speakers through it.
Automatically turn on the tablet
To automate the processes of turning on and off, I recommend installing the Tasker application for Android. In this case, you won’t have to waste time on unnecessary button presses.
Programs
Car Home Ultra - Android application for drivers with a user-friendly interface and all the necessary tools and functions https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=spinninghead.carhome&hl=ru. Torque Pro https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque (paid, Google to find a cure). Program features:
- Check-Engine error diagnostics
- Display parameters in real time on a virtual dashboard
- Diagnostics of oxygen sensors
- Warning about critical parameter values
- Logging with a wide range of options
- Approximate calculation of travel costs and gasoline consumption
- Record a video of a trip with a map overlay and sensor readings (using the TrackRecorder plugin)
- Telnet server for direct interaction with the adapter (for developers)
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By installing the tablet in your car, you can listen to music, answer calls and use GPS navigation. Read which one to choose and how to install it correctly.
Today, for many drivers, a car is no longer just a means of quickly moving from one point to another. Modern technologies make it possible to make the car more comfortable for long trips. If previously an indicator of a car’s sophistication was a CD radio and a navigator, now they are ready to be replaced by a tablet that combines the capabilities of a host of devices at once. Purchasing a tablet for a car for navigation and multimedia looks not only more profitable, but also practical than buying gadgets separately. However, reasonable questions arise: what tasks can a tablet perform, and most importantly, how to install it in a car?
How can a tablet be used in a car?
The most common reason for replacing standard multimedia in a vehicle with a tablet is a lack of driver functionality. We are already accustomed to having a smartphone in our pocket, which combines a dozen devices, from an FM receiver to a camera, so why not do something similar in a car?! Agree that often what is missing is just a radio that plays music from disappearing discs. It’s another thing to get a tablet computer with a large touch screen, through which you can enjoy music, watch a movie, and even play.
Practicality also speaks in favor of purchasing a tablet for a car for multimedia capabilities and navigation. A separately sophisticated navigator and other equipment will cost a pretty penny, but one that offers exactly the same functionality can be bought for $100-200. And installing it will be much less hassle than connecting each device separately.
So, what can a tablet be used for in a car:
- To play music. Very few drivers can do without this feature, and the tablet implements it very well. Load your favorite songs in a variety of formats into memory or memory cards and listen. In addition, every modern tablet is equipped with Wi-Fi, which allows you to connect to any point. Well, more expensive models even support SIM cards, which makes it possible to listen to music online.
- To play movies. If you travel often or just spend a lot of time on the road, then this feature is very useful. Depending on the tablet model, from local storage or use Wi-Fi and mobile Internet.
- For internet surfing. What an ordinary radio cannot provide is comfortable access to the Internet. By using the Wi-Fi interface or Mobile Internet, the driver can read the news or interesting article thanks to .
- For navigation. A huge number of tablets support GPS, which allows them to be used for navigation. The large display makes it easy to navigate, and the operating system gives you access to hundreds of .
- Games, applications. The tablet can also keep you entertained with thousands of games available for free download. In addition, you can use the ones you are used to working with. The system will allow you to customize the interface for yourself.
Installing a tablet in a car: which holders to choose
We’ve sorted out the advantages of tablet computers in vehicles, now let’s move directly to the installation nuances.
Selecting a location
The first step is to decide how the tablet will be installed. There are two options:
- By fastening. The easiest way to install a tablet in a car. You just have to buy an additional mount, the variety of which can amaze: for installation on the dashboard, to the ceiling, headrest, and so on. The method is characterized by ease of installation: install the mount, the tablet, and connect the wires. However, in this case there is no smell of aesthetics and special reliability. The wires will dangle outside, and if there is strong shaking, there is a chance that the tablet will fall.
- Installation instead of a radio. A more complex method, but at the same time it allows you to do everything efficiently, reliably and beautifully. Here you will have to understand a little about electrics, estimate in advance the size of the installation space, use some other tools and time. But in the end we get a reliable and very nice design.
Which method to choose depends on the driver’s preferences and vehicle. In most cases, it is recommended to install a tablet instead of a radio. In this case, the place for installation in the car must have an appropriate design so that the tablet simply fits on the panel. In addition, as already noted, you will have to understand the electrical features of the vehicle in order to avoid short circuits. If knowledge is not enough, then the solution may be to contact service center, where, for a specified amount, specialists will carry out high-quality installation of the tablet.
If you don’t want to bother with a bunch of wires and installation, and the car does not at all provide for the possibility of installing such multimedia devices, then we recommend giving preference to mounts. Minimum costs, installation in minutes.
Installing a tablet in a car using a mount
Many drivers who have a tablet lying around at home do not want to waste time studying the wires. If you are one of them, then your path lies in a car goods store, where the buyer is presented with a wide selection of various tripods for mounting multimedia devices. Here, again, it is worth deciding on the installation location: windshield, ceiling, seat backs, panel. Everything is very simple:
- Will the tablet be used for navigation, movies and music? Select a tripod for installation in the front of the car: windshield, dashboard or ceiling (depending on the car’s interior).
- Do you need something to keep the kids interested during a long trip, or just give the passengers in the back the opportunity to watch movies? You can attach the tablet to the back of the front seats.
As a rule, preference is given to the front of the car. To make the tablet feel safe and comfortable, we recommend giving preference to mounts with a rigid base, which are attached to the panel using a special gasket and suction cup. It is better when the structure does not have a too long base, which prevents vibrations in the pits. Naturally, the mechanism should preferably be rotary, so that both the driver and passenger can comfortably adjust the position of the tablet.
Where to buy cheap?
When choosing a glass mount, you should pay special attention to the suction cups, since poor quality ones may simply not hold the tablet, which will fall off along with the tripod on potholes. If there is enough space in the cabin, then you can consider options with mounting on the ceiling, but you should calculate the position in advance so that in the future Tablet PC did not interfere with the driver's view.
Charging your tablet in the car
Anyone who is even slightly familiar with modern tablets or smartphones knows how quickly these gadgets run out of battery. Whatever one may say, the tablet will have to be charged once a day or two, or even more often. Constantly carrying the device home to the outlet is not an option, so the easiest way out is to recharge it from the car’s on-board power supply.
Where to buy cheap?
When installing a tablet using a mount, power supply is usually carried out using two methods:
- ThroughUSB- port of a radio or car. Most modern radio tape recorders are equipped USB port, which is used to connect storage devices with music. In our case, it will become a power source. The most common micro-USB cable is connected to the connector, which connects the tablet to the radio. However, the voltage produced by the radio is not too high, so charging a capacious battery can continue for a long time.
- Using a cigarette lighter. Another tool for charging a tablet in a car is a cigarette lighter, which can be found in almost any vehicle. In this case, the connection is made using a special adapter inserted into the cigarette lighter. Similar adapters can be found in any auto supply store, and their cost, so to speak, is not bad. Then we simply connect the tablet via wire.
Some drivers connect the tablet directly to the car's on-board network. There is little point in resorting to this method if you decide to install the tablet using a mount.
Sound output
Don't forget about the sound, which won't happen if we just connect the tablet to the cigarette lighter. Most in a simple way Output sound using an AUX cable.
The radio must have a 3.5 mm minijack connector.
Here everything is as simple as possible: we buy a cable (preferably more expensive in order to get best quality sound), connect the tablet and the car radio. The sound, of course, leaves much to be desired, but you don’t have to study the features of a car audio system.
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi wireless interfaces can also be used for connection.
Again, both the radio and the tablet must have one of the interfaces.
A more complex method is to install an additional amplifier, which is purchased separately. The amplifier is usually placed in the luggage compartment. You will have to familiarize yourself with the wiring, provide it with power from the battery (connection to the cigarette lighter is undesirable - there is a risk of fire), and also connect it to the speakers using an RCA cable. Afterwards the tablet is connected to the amplifier. In the process, you should not neglect shielding and installing seals on the wires so that they do not fray.
Installing a tablet instead of a radio
Some readers are more interested in completely replacing the radio with a tablet. Here you will have to spend a little more time and effort. First, you will have to take measurements so that the result does not end up being that the tablet simply does not fit into the special frame with which the installation will be carried out. Actually, after that we move on to this very frame:
- the frame, if necessary, is modified: additional holes are made for the output of wires for the power and sound buttons;
- Next we move on to providing power to the device. At this point, the tablet needs to be connected to the fuse box. The connector is activated, which receives voltage only when the ignition key is turned. It is not difficult to find it using the clues on the fuse box cover and a multimeter;
Do not connect to other connectors - the tablet will drain the battery when the car is turned off. A special adapter is used for connection.
- We connect the tablet to the audio system, the amplifier is used, which is described just above, or a direct connection.
All that remains is to check the functionality of the system.
The best and simply good tablets for the car
Many users find it difficult to decide which tablet to choose for navigation and multimedia. We will help you with your choice. First, about the criteria that you should pay attention to when purchasing:
- Brand. Today there is no point in chasing expensive market representatives, especially if you do not pursue the goal of getting the most productive and high-quality tablet for your car.
- Screen. The size of the diagonal depends on your personal preferences and cabin capacity. Models with 7-8 inches look most optimal. There is no particular point in considering smaller ones, but you can pay attention to slightly larger ones. It is advisable to have a higher resolution – FullHD; if you don’t have enough budget – HD. Particular attention should be paid to the anti-reflective coating and viewing angles so as not to experience discomfort when using.
- Performance, memory. Since using a tablet in a car does not involve serious loads, there is no point in chasing hardware. Optimal volume random access memory– 2 GB. We recommend a storage capacity of at least 16 GB, expandable with memory cards.
- Navigation and Internet. Of course, a tablet for a car must support well-known GPS navigation systems and preferably GLONASS. It will not be superfluous to support a SIM card, which will provide access to the Internet.
It’s clear that you don’t need to think too much about cameras, battery capacity and other features.
Finally, some quality models that are perfect for use in the car.
- Onda V10. Quite a large 10.1-inch representative of the line of the Chinese company Onda. I got a good FullHD display that behaves well in the sun. One of the main features is the version of Android 7.0, which makes the tablet one of the most current on the market. It has 4G and GPS support, which is very important for a motorist. I received 32 GB of memory, which is enough for more than one hundred musical compositions and a dozen films.
- Teclast X98 Air 3G. A more compact 9.7-inch device with a screen resolution of 2048×1536 pixels. It has a productive “filling” with 32 GB of memory, support for 3G and GPS networks. In addition, the tablet is available in a version with two operating systems(Android+Windows).
- Lenovo Tab 3 TB3-850M. The choice of those who need inexpensive tablet for navigation and music playback. Equipped with a high-quality 8-inch display, there is support for LTE and GPS. Received 16 GB of memory, as well as current Android version 6.0.
Conclusion
What do we end up with? Any inexpensive tablet can replace a whole set of devices. The main thing is GPS support and the presence of a good matrix with anti-reflective coating and wide viewing angles. Many drivers will probably also be interested in mobile Internet. Installing a tablet instead of a radio or using a mount is not a complicated procedure, so even a non-professional can carry out the installation.
