Simple ipad mini install

[vas67]

As my Xcarlink system worked so well with my iPhone I thought I would make a simple ipad mini bracket.

Ipad works flawlessly, MFSW controls volume and music tracks.
Ipad mini has 3g so also have Internet where ever I go.
Can be removed in seconds so no thieving gits can get their hands on it when car is parked up.

 

[Sandra]

​Very tidy job. The ipad mini is a fantastic piece of kit, the retina screen is amazing and as you say, easily removed. Well done. x

 

[Furkz]

Sandra. The mini doesn't have a retina display.

However a quality install. Really want to do something similar but than I would never go in to see the mrs.

 

[ben.w93]

Have you got a photo of the bracket, I made up a bracket like yours for my I phone, but the I pad looks much better, Cheers.

 

[rizzini7]

Can you get satnav working on the ipad? Suppose it would always need a 3G connection

 

[ESD1711]

I like this a lot!

How does the adapter work with sound? Will it only play 'music' a la iPod, or if for example you loaded up a YouTube video, would it play the sound from that through the speakers too?

 

[shariain]

That looks really good sitting there. Really nice install wouldn't mind something like that in my car.

 

[vas67]

@Ben.W93.... I will take some more pics of bracket and upload them tomorrow.

@Rizzini7.... Apple maps and Google maps need 3G but if you download one of the many Free Navigation Apps then it will work just fine.

@ESD1711 The Xcarlink adapter works with all the sound, so yes you can watch youtube vids whilst driving to work
I have a few TV apps on there too these work great as well.

My favourite part is how the Navigation / map apps just reduces the music volume a little (as opposed to turning it off), gives you your instruction then puts the volume of the music back up, really cool.

 

[ESD1711]

Excellent. I've thought about this a few times in the past, but wanted to make sure that these adapters did play 'all' sound and not just music tracks.

My iPad is the full size felly though, so perhaps a bit trickier to mount? Would be interested in more details with regards to how you did it

 

[vas67]

Here is my simple very low tech bracket.

2 x radio key removal tools superglued to rear of cheap £2 ipad case.
If you notice I filed off the area of the radio key tool (where the cut out is) so radio would not disengage when moving bracket in and out.

The whole concept of the install is possibly a bit crude. This really was stage 1, a test to see how everything worked.

Stage 2 was going to be full permanent dash install with required fabrication, this would also require moving the symphony to the glove box. However I think I am going to stick with stage 1 as I like the easy reversal as and when I please.

 

[ben.w93]

Thanks for the photos, I might attempt something like this to use with Dashcommand and an obd2 wifi adapter.

 

[shariain]

Simple but very effective. Thanks for the pictures.

 

[ESD1711]

Here is my simple very low tech bracket.

2 x radio key removal tools superglued to rear of cheap £2 ipad case.
If you notice I filed off the area of the radio key tool (where the cut out is) so radio would not disengage when moving bracket in and out.

The whole concept of the install is possibly a bit crude. This really was stage 1, a test to see how everything worked.

Stage 2 was going to be full permanent dash install with required fabrication, this would also require moving the symphony to the glove box. However I think I am going to stick with stage 1 as I like the easy reversal as and when I please.

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View attachment 15815

It might well be 'crude' - but I think thats a really well thought out solution, well done buddy!!

I actually like the idea of Stage 1 better than I do Stage 2 to be - being able to fully remove this and leave no traces visible to any wannabe thieves is wise.

Big thumbs up from me!

 

[Furkz]

how the superglue holding up. my only concern is if i hit a bump and the glue part breaks away, it could damage the iPad.

think i will do this, its an awesome design. i also have a few of these clear cases from my ebay shop if anyone needs one for iPad and iPad mini

 

[ESD1711]

Its the kinda thing which someone could pick up, tidy up the design a bit and probably make money selling.

If this was available to buy in a 'perfected' form - i'd buy it in an instant

Gonna have a look and size up mine when I get home - from looking at the first picture, I have doubts over whether a full size ipad will fit in the same way..... if it does, think i'll give this a bash! Hope you dont mind me copying your idea lol

 

[vas67]

The superglue is holding out great, the plan originally was to go over the joint with epoxy glue afterwards for added strength.
I later found this was not necessary.
As You can see I really scuffed up the rear of the case so the glue could take a good hold, I scuffed the metal radio tools too.

There is also a very small piece of velcro on the tuner knob, this take a bit of stress off the metal brackets and also stops any vibrations whilst driving.

 

[vas67]

Its the kinda thing which someone could pick up, tidy up the design a bit and probably make money selling.

If this was available to buy in a 'perfected' form - i'd buy it in an instant

Gonna have a look and size up mine when I get home - from looking at the first picture, I have doubts over whether a full size ipad will fit in the same way..... if it does, think i'll give this a bash! Hope you dont mind me copying your idea lol

I did originally try the big ipad but it was a bit too big really but still possible if you slant it at an angle across the console vertical sections.

Post up some pics so we can see how you got on.

 

[vas67]

how the superglue holding up. my only concern is if i hit a bump and the glue part breaks away, it could damage the iPad.

think i will do this, its an awesome design. i also have a few of these clear cases from my ebay shop if anyone needs one for iPad and iPad mini

SL4VE.... Have you a link to your ebay shop?

 

[ESD1711]

I did originally try the big ipad but it was a bit too big really but still possible if you slant it at an angle across the console vertical sections.

Post up some pics so we can see how you got on.

I sized it up and came to the conclusion that it should still fit, although I think the mini will probably look 'neater'. The extra weight might not help, but i'll dig out the araldite and hope for the best I think.

Haver ordered up a case and some keys anyway so will see how I get on - for the sake of a fiver, it cant hurt to try!

Will probably be next month before I have dosh to invest in an xcarlink / denison but I can still get the mount made up.

 

[ESD1711]

Well, I decided to give this a bash with a full size iPad using the same technique..... Here's the result!


Couple of points to note - think the iPad mini is defo a better size for the job and also....... A black one works better than a white one haha!


Pretty pleased with the outcome though. Still a few bits to tidy up and finish off. Gonna put some Velcro on the bottom left and right corners of the case to stop it rubbing against the centre console.


Probably woulda looked better mounted higher but I wanted to keep the cup holder, hazards and TC accessible while the mount is in place.


Will get my xcarlink ordered up this week and then have the headache of where to mount / run that

 

[GeoffDunk]

looks good but the mini is def better size for this application. ESD, what make is you USB power adapter plugged in your cigerette lighter? Looks slick and better than the huge thing I have sticking out of mine?

 

[ESD1711]

Yeah, happy to conced that my iPad is the wrong one for the job - but no danger was I going out to buy a new one just for this purpose haha!!

It'll do the job I need it to do and opens up an infinite number of possibilities.

As far as the USB charger goes, I cant remember what brand it is as i've had it for aaaaages - I'm tempted to say it's a belkin one, but given how much (or little as is the case) I paid for it I dont think thats the case. Picked it up off ebay for a couple of quid so its certainly nothing fancy, but its a handy little bit of kit to have

Erik

 

[vas67]

Nice one ESD.
It will be great once you got it setup with xcarlink or similar.

A word if warning, I left my ipad in car for a short while in today's sun. Temp outside was probably about 18 c, when I got back into car the ipad screen was incredibly hot.
I'm kind if glad I have not gone for the full permanent dash install now.

 

[Furkz]

Nice one ESD.
It will be great once you got it setup with xcarlink or similar.

A word if warning, I left my ipad in car for a short while in today's sun. Temp outside was probably about 18 c, when I got back into car the ipad screen was incredibly hot.
I'm kind if glad I have not gone for the full permanent dash install now.

i wouldn't worry to much about it, when it reaches maximum temp the iPad will show a temp warning and not function. this happens at 35+ degrees as i found out when on holiday reaching max temps of 50 degrees in the day and no iPhone/iPad to use

 

[ESD1711]

Dont think mine will be getting left sitting for any length of time anyways - but I guess its worth noting!

Got my xcarlink yesterday, so just need to take some time to hook all that up now. Went with the bluetooth option too so will need to give a bit of thought as to where to mount that.

 

[OCDetails]

Some good ideas im after more of a permanent fabricated into the dash install also might just go get myself a spare centre console to start fabricating up.

 

[Furkz]

plush automotive do a setup, maybe worth looking into

 

[mikeb7]

Just wanted to say, that's a very ingenious mod, think I will have a go at this,thanks for sharing your knowledge,

 

[Harvey Chauhan]

Hey sorry to bring this thread back to life but I am confused on to how you power the iPad mini up and what are those keys? Complete noob but would love to install this with my iPad mini.

 

[Euans2]

Hey sorry to bring this thread back to life but I am confused on to how you power the iPad mini up and what are those keys? Complete noob but would love to install this with my iPad mini.

I'm pretty sure the xcarlink powers the iPad and the keys that they are talking about are just standard radio removal keys which have been modified to fit.

 

[Ianski68]

My boy has it fitted properly in his BMW