Ipad mini in-dash installation - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Shehadehd · 10-12-2013, 07:30 PM

So searching around on the web, I've noticed that some people have installed an iPad mini into the front console of the Carrera (996) and the later year boxster (2003+). Both of these model years come with what is known as the horseshoe front bezel. This bezel has a slim, single cup holder right below the air vents that people have used to help install the iPad. The design on the console is different from those with Boxsters from 1997-2003 and so i didn't know if an iPad would fit in my Boxster.

This weekend I tried experimenting with the possibility of putting an ipad mini in our version of the bezel. I'm not quite done with it but below is a picture of it so far. As it stands now, I'm pretty optimistic about it working. If there's enough interest in how to do this, I'll post some "along the way" photos and some instruction on how to accomplish this.

P.S. Don't mind the crappy iPad mini. I decided to use a fake one for testing rather than investing in a new one.

Shehadehd · 10-12-2013, 08:46 PM

Here's the picture of how it looks so far

986_inquiry · 10-23-2013, 05:19 PM

That's impressive. How does it look under sunlight with sunglasses on? Since these are convertibles you'll probably find yourself in that situation quite often.

I read through the thread of the 996 owner with the ipad mini dash and was surprised that it's not even his daily driver. Wow, can't imagine spending all that time hooking all that up for something I would only enjoy less than a hour a week

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

Here's the picture of how it looks so far

epapp · 10-13-2013, 12:39 AM

It looks like there are some big gaps in the bottom. If you're going to post some "along the way" photos, let's do it right the first time?

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Shehadehd · 10-13-2013, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epapp

It looks like there are some big gaps in the bottom. If you're going to post some "along the way" photos, let's do it right the first time?

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You must be looking at a different picture since I spent my day making sure the gaps are no different than those in the car already. If you have the same bezel arrangement in your car then you can see that the clover parts of the bezel are slightly raised from the the center portion, a couple mm or so.

particlewave · 10-14-2013, 08:25 AM

..........

epapp · 10-14-2013, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by particlewave

This has got to be the saddest thing I've ever seen. Don't you have anything better to do? You poor thing

OP, nice work so far!

nah, i just troll threads and bash people I know personally for fun

Shehadehd · 10-14-2013, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epapp

nah, i just troll threads and bash people I know personally for fun

Epapp is just trying to make up for the lack of 0.2l in his Boxster :P

particlewave · 10-14-2013, 04:59 PM

Tick-tock goes the clock...

Who will be first?

epapp · 10-14-2013, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

Epapp is just trying to make up for the lack of 0.2l in his Boxster :P

IIRC, our cars are literally the same speed up that long hill in the same gear at the same speed when putting the pedal to the floor. That means I'm getting better gas mileage, and lugging a lighter load. All with my DUAL row IMS. :dance:

urban · 10-13-2013, 05:37 AM

I like it! Nice work. How will you get it to turn off when you remove the key?

Shehadehd · 10-13-2013, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urban

I like it! Nice work. How will you get it to turn off when you remove the key?

Urban, I've been considering multiple options for this question. I plan on having the iPad Mini connected to a USB-to-cigarette-lighter that is wired behind the dash. That way, whenever the car is on, it will be powered.

Now, one thing I noticed is that the cigarette lighter is always hot in our boxsters. To get around this I've come up with two possible solutions. The first is that I'll wire a relay switch in series with the charger and connect it to a wire that only goes live when the car is on, effectively only letting the iPad charge when the car is on. The second option is to use the footwell lighting switch from the targa (available at ****************************************************) as a controllable switch so that the iPad charges only when I want it too and will automatically turn off when the car is off (because the switch will no longer be powered)

Thanks for all the support. I just ordered a radio removal tool so that I can get into my dash and do a quick swap for visual comparison.

2003S · 10-13-2013, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

Urban, I've been considering multiple options for this question. I plan on having the iPad Mini connected to a USB-to-cigarette-lighter that is wired behind the dash. That way, whenever the car is on, it will be powered.

Now, one thing I noticed is that the cigarette lighter is always hot in our boxsters. To get around this I've come up with two possible solutions. The first is that I'll wire a relay switch in series with the charger and connect it to a wire that only goes live when the car is on, effectively only letting the iPad charge when the car is on. The second option is to use the footwell lighting switch from the targa (available at ****************************************************) as a controllable switch so that the iPad charges only when I want it too and will automatically turn off when the car is off (because the switch will no longer be powered)

Thanks for all the support. I just ordered a radio removal tool so that I can get into my dash and do a quick swap for visual comparison.

In my car there is a "Cell Phone Prep" behind the console that is tied only on with the ignition... I hard wired my radar detector into that, but it should word for your iPad, too. Not sure if all model years have that wiring, though.

BruceH · 10-13-2013, 07:18 AM

Definitely interested. I have looked at those other threads too. I am planning on getting the new mini when it comes out since it should have the retina display. Looking forward to see what you come up with.

For those who haven't seen the 6speed post, here is the link:

iPad Mini in-dash install [996 MkII] - 6speedonline.com Forums

jb92563 · 10-13-2013, 02:44 PM

I have been thinking of doing a touchscreen as well, but it needs to do everything, music, gps navigation, interface with blue tooth OBDII for aux guages and track use, accelerometer for measuring g's, and wifi, plus removable so I can take it with me.

That being the case an ipad is not up to the task, so perhaps a windows os tablet or android with those features and peripheral ports is what im thinking.

Form factor will be important, and for either project we need to find someone with a plastic printer (reprap) to print a bezel for the space around the unit.

Shehadehd · 10-13-2013, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jb92563

I have been thinking of doing a touchscreen as well, but it needs to do everything, music, gps navigation, interface with blue tooth OBDII for aux guages and track use, accelerometer for measuring g's, and wifi, plus removable so I can take it with me.

That being the case an ipad is not up to the task, so perhaps a windows os tablet or android with those features and peripheral ports is what im thinking.

Form factor will be important, and for either project we need to find someone with a plastic printer (reprap) to print a bezel for the space around the unit.

The mini does have gps, music, navigation, an accelerometer, wifi, and I think an obd II reading capability? But it definitely won't be removable. I'm sure you can find some android tablets that will work and be removable. E really just need to be a quarter of an inch smaller. I suppose with a plastic printer the range of tablets you can use does grow. Excited to see if you find a way to pull it off.

As for the ipad mini installation, I'm not really gonna get to do anything else until next weekend. I'll probably sand and spray the trim throughout the week, but until the new mini comes out, I don't see a point in buying one just to have its price reduced by nearly $100 a week later.

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epapp · 10-13-2013, 06:18 PM

The problem with the OBD reader is that:

1) you need a wireless type connector for the obd port. Thats all fine and good, except the bluetooth connector I got stays powered even with the car off, so I can't leave it in the car (hassle).

2) It definitely needs to be wireless because with an iPad, you won't have a way to connect it up (iPad connector will be used for power).

The app for apple devices is much more limited than the Torque app for android. I also didn't find a way to link my non-jailbroken iPad up to the bluetooth connector. I needed it to be jailbroken so that you can install the bluetooth hack that allows the iPad to see all bluetooth broadcasts and not just approved ones. The non jailbroken iPad did not see the bluetooth network broadcast form the obd connector.

Shehadehd · 10-13-2013, 07:35 AM

Here is the original one in the car

Here is mine

BruceH · 10-13-2013, 07:39 AM

How much material have you had to remove? What head unit are you planning on using? Looks great so far!

Shehadehd · 10-13-2013, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceH

How much material have you had to remove? What head unit are you planning on using? Looks great so far!

I've removed the raised edges on the bezel. When I am able to get out the bezel in my car I'll do a picture comparison of the two. Basically I flattened the bezel. As far as the head unit goes, no idea. It just needs to have an aux in on the back lol. One other cool thing is that the iPad can connect to the OBD II system and provide real time engine diagnostics while driving

I hear that epapp is working on a "true solution" for the IMSB problem that can actually give you realtime info about the IMSB condition and if it pans out well, there may be an app that you can put on the mini and monitor the IMSB while driving. *this is all speculation btw*

The result makes the iPad really flush with the clover portions if the bezel.