Yang1815

Hey all, I have been thinking about this... Should I get a COMAND installed by Steve since he's coming to the midwest? Or should I do a carputer system thing... I could have a custom setup installed... It'd have a 7inch wide TOUCHSCREEN in the center of the console where the radio and the little space is, move the stock HU to the glovebox. Then run wires to the trunk and put in a small computer which has a 200GB hard drive and will be mounted on the top of the trunk so it doesn't take up much space. I can play DVD/movies/MP3's and have GPS, Wi-Fi, and bluetooth... Everything will be controlled by the touchscreen or a wireless device. The whole install will cost about 1000-1100. Or should I get a Euro COMAND?
I guess the pros and cons are listed below for getting the COMAND:
Pro: stock looking, integrated with the car and would display information on the LCD screen on the dash, will increase the value of the car more than the custom setup if I want to sell/trade-in
Con: smaller screen, only does GPS, none of the extra stuff, 400 dollars more, it's stock...
What do you think?!?! Opinions are very welcomed, thanks :-)

Jkw

Go Custom !!
Don't worry about resale value get what you want!
Jkw

Yang1815

well a guy at a different forum is selling his used EURO COMAND for 1000!!! Damn this decision just got harder... Same price?!?! I really like the stock look and the integrated information displayed on the LCD... ARGH, and I'm not sure about voice guided on the custom carputer... I'll have to check that out. I really like the voice guided stuff so... But then I know I can't play CD or listen to radio when I have the GPS because it'll probably go through the tape wiring. Whereas the COMAND would do both simultaneously. HELP ME OUT!!!

Jkw

Can't get that with Comand system.

I don't know the tec side, good luck.
Jkw

Yang1815

COMAND doesn't have voice guided?!

HiTEC

I'm a more frequent user over at Audiworld, because my MB is my wifes car, but from what I've seen from the guys over there.... A couple people have done really nice carputer setups, but after a couple months the novelty wore off and they became more of a pain in the -ss if you know what I mean. They have ended up tearing them out and trying to sell on eBay.

I could definately see that happening. I personally would go with the Comand system. I like the OEM look of things in the car, and you don't have to mess around with an OS in your car.

HiTEC

Comand has voice guidance.

CitronC230K_03

COMAND not only has voice guidance but will display on your MFD the next set of directions. my brother has a touchscreen kendwood which i sreally nice in his GTI. but for me, i wanted a stock look, keep my steering wheel controls so i went with COMAND. i recommend it to anyone.

Yang1815

that's the setup my friend's doing
his friend has an Audi A6 4.2 and he did it in his Audi, then my friend saw it and did it in his 330ci. Now I saw it and kinda want it in my MB but I'm debating between that and the COMAND...
yeah and the MFD thing's what I really want. plus yes, I don't want to mess with an OS... what if it crashes... what about the hard drive and the vibrations from the car... I don't know, I'll have to decide some time and hopefully with all of you guys I can make the decision :-)

CitronC230K_03

i didnt want to loose steering wheel controls and the MFD was the best part of it all. granted its not dvd based but there are those pluses to it. i love mine.

breastroker

I love my euro Comand installed by Steve. It gets me places faster that I could using maps and guides.

Next I want to add the voice controls. That also works if you have the MB car phone, which would be the next mod after voice control.

CitronC230K_03

yeah i want to add voice controls to mine as well. i dont think id go as far as an MB phone but will definately get the mikbox when its available.

Yang1815

thanks guys! I still don't know yet but I'm leaning toward the COMAND now after reading some stuff on audiworld... also, does anyone know that if Nebraska is on the same cd as Kansas City? Maybe there's a reference guide for what the 11 CD's contain? Thanks!

CitronC230K_03

i looked at my CD set and they go by regions. like ohio valley, southwest. mine done say the states. im sure if you go to the dealer and tell them the state your looking for they will tell you what it all includes. i know the southwest includes, hawaii, california, nevada and i think arizona.

vraa

The easiest way would to just ask your dealer.

Dr Chill

Why the hell do you need COMAND in Nebraska. Just go left after the cornfield and it's just over yonder!

CitronC230K_03

lol. you need the voice to have an accent too! like a twang!

Yang1815

because I'm from San Jose, California? I'm in Nebraska for school... Did I ask if I need COMAND in Nebraska? I guess it's too much to expect that everyone here is nice. Why does it matter where I'm at right now? I don't like Nebraska either and I'm not from Nebraska... But why do you have to say something like that? Can I not ask for opinions on which system to get in my car?
It's also my money and my car... Why do you care if I get a GPS in Nebraska? Do I come out and say "hey Dr. Chill, you got ripped off paying 100 dollars for a C-Spot Coupon that was given out for free!" No I don't say that because it's YOUR MONEY.

CitronC230K_03

get the COMAND. does anyone really need it whether they are in LA, San Jose, NY, or Nebraska. People survived without, and they will continue too. its a novelty item which people dont need, but want. i use mine from time to time, but all in all its a conversation piece. get it, your money, and you wont regret it.

DL_AMG

My friend has a Euro-spec. VW Navigation on his Passat. It works just like our Comand, probably made by the same manufacture, but he doesn't have the luxury of having Steve to install and have to do a lot of research and find someone who specialized in Audi to try to make it work and he did it.
Keep the story short, he has put a Ti PowerBook 400, his out dated notebook, in the truck right below the rear speaker area. Video input thru Video adapter (PAL only) into Navi screen. Audio input thru from Powerbook's USB (digital out) into a D/A Converter (very nice one) then to CD Changer splitter. Sound Quality is AMAZING.
Control the Powerbook thru his Sony/Erassion bluetooth phone. He can play iTune, DVD, surf internet (thru bluetooth connection from his phone), screen saver and visual on album is playing and photo album displays, etc...
Since he has a laptop in the car, he also add a portable 80GB hard drive which he can download all his favor shows from TiVo and view them in the car.
Everything works really well and everything look stock. The only draw back is the screen is way too small for surfing.
Very cool setup.

moa4r

wow, that does sound really cool, got any pics, thanks

DL_AMG

The website is a bit old. Pic is before the Navi installed. At the time the carputer is already control by the bluetooth phone thru CD splitter.

Carputer

Here are some file after the intergration. There are more upgrade after the link created....ie HD TiVo TV shows and newer phone, wireless mouse. :P

Some more files

Yang1815

That's the kind of setup I'm talking about. A laptop in the trunk hooked up to a screen inside the car... But it'll have everything including GPS... I don't know, I'm still waiting for Steve to respond so I can decide I guess... Thanks guys :-) And yes very good point, people in NY, LA have survived without it, no one needs it...

CitronC230K_03

i dont need it, but i "need" it you know. i love it and wont have another car without it. nor without bix lights. just me and what i require.

DL_AMG

My friend's setup have EVERYTHING.
Stock VW GPS + All Computer features + DVD/MP3 + Internet surfing. I think total cost him almost $3000 including the laptop and time spend on it.