XGPS Car Kit Mod

[qpwoeiruty999]

In continuation of this topic http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=284909, i used all the information collected in this forum and other forums and i will briefly present you the procedure i used to modify XGPS car kit, so that it provided me with audio/microphone outputs, so that i can connect it to my car stereo, using it's line-in OR using an RF modulator.

First of all, i disassembled my car kit, using just a screwdriver :)

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/3945/dsc00395my2.th.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00395my2.jpg)

Then, using a soldering iron, i removed the integrated speaker (since i will not need it).

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/5674/dsc00405te1.th.jpg (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00405te1.jpg)

After that, i removed the existing 2.5mm connector, and i cut all the wires that lead to it. I used some plastic welding epoxy, to give strength to the plastic base that the PDA "sits". I then drilled a hole, in order to insert the new 2.5mm 4 conduct plug!

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/4364/dsc00411so5.th.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00411so5.jpg)

[qpwoeiruty999]

This is the new plug, taken out off my old handsfree

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7567/dsc00416aa0.th.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00416aa0.jpg)

And this is how it looks inserted into its place :eek:

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/440/dsc00414ug8.th.jpg (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00414ug8.jpg)

Then, i screwed it back on the car kit, and i used my "Wizard" in order to assure that it fits as before. With the "Wizard" still in place, i put some plastic welding and finished!!! Wait for 15 minutes for the epoxy to dry, and my 2.5mm 3 conduct factory plug, is replaced with a 4 conduct taken out of my old unused handsfree

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/5645/dsc00417vr7.th.jpg (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00417vr7.jpg)

[qpwoeiruty999]

I prepared 2 small "boxes", for holding speaker/microphone connectors(rear box) and for adding some small blue leds to give my mod a more "artistic" look(front box)!!! I mainly used some acrylic sheet(2mm) and aluminium sheet(1mm). I curved acrylic by heating it, using a heat gun i had. Generally, i had almost all the necessary tools/material already from my previous PC mods.

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/3509/dsc00424yg2.th.jpg (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00424yg2.jpg)


http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4298/dsc00432mr4.th.jpg (http://img244.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00432mr4.jpg)


http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/7533/dsc00434ww5.th.jpg (http://img244.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00434ww5.jpg)


http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/431/dsc00435pc1.th.jpg (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00435pc1.jpg)

[qpwoeiruty999]

Acrylic boxes and alluminium covers, we painted black using a spray gun. The rear box, was(i have to admit) better prepared. I'm already planning to redesign the "front" box.

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/3574/dsc00438od9.th.jpg (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00438od9.jpg)


http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/8691/dsc00442ka3.th.jpg (http://img267.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00442ka3.jpg)

Rear and front boxes are screwd on the factory cradle.

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/2841/dsc00444ls3.th.jpg (http://img129.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00444ls3.jpg)


http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/9090/dsc00445ir2.th.jpg (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00445ir2.jpg)

[qpwoeiruty999]

Some more pics!!!

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/3595/dsc00447fy6.th.jpg (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00447fy6.jpg)


http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/1244/dsc00450am2.th.jpg (http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00450am2.jpg)

Here are the connectors i'll use. 2 for speakers(stereo-black) and 2 for microphones(mono-beige). I'll explain more on my decision in next posts

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1425/dsc00454ex7.th.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00454ex7.jpg)

Here are the connectors mounted on the rear box

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/4383/dsc00456ps2.th.jpg (http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00456ps2.jpg)

[qpwoeiruty999]

Here is my hand!!!:D
Alright!!! It took me some practise in order to solder the small wires of my old handsfree. In fact, i extended them using some wires i had, so that soldering on the connectors would be easier-and it was!!!

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6194/dsc00457pr7.th.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00457pr7.jpg)

Now, why did i use more connectors than needed? The reason is simple. The connectors are setup as master-slave(at least in Computer hardware, this is how it's called). That means, one of each 2 connections of each type (speaker/microphone) come first. So, i'm planning to connect the 2nd connector to my car stereo(maybe using an RF transmitter). If i need to make a private call(that means cancel audio from my car stereo), then i simply plug in a stereo headset. This way, i can hear from the headset, without having audio from my car stereo! If i change my mind, i simply unplug the headset, and audio is directed again to my car stereo. Hope i didn't make it very complicated!!! The same applies for microphone (i already bought a small cheap microphone from ebay).


Now, on the picture below, you may notice a greenish layer(actuall it's ocean blue). This is actually some sort of UV acrylic. Some leds are inside the front box, so that when connected to the car, it displayes a light blueish color (Uv acrylic makes it look fantastic!!!)
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/318/dsc00459ou8.th.jpg (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00459ou8.jpg)

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/6217/dsc00460bn6.th.jpg (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00460bn6.jpg)

[qpwoeiruty999]

Now, you can preview the back cover(made off 1mm aluminium) of my cradle. It's also painted the same black color. 4 holes will be used to insert 4 black rivets to secure it in place

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6233/dsc00461nu9.th.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00461nu9.jpg)


http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/8209/dsc00462ne9.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00462ne9.jpg)


Unfortunately no more pictures for now... I'll try to post more in the next days, as the cradle is ready and already installed in my car. I get power from my car's switch(12V) to drive the cradle and an RF transmitter (Monster Radioplay 300). My stock head unit doesn't have an audio-in, so this explains my decision. Sound is perfect when using it for handsfree (no echo, great sound). Now, when playing music, it sounds as it gets from a strong radio station, so i guess this means success!!! Plus, i have the option to connect it to my future head unit (if it has a line-in of course!!!).

Now, my next steps;

1)I'll redesign the front cover, so that it looks more tidy(i used some ugly screws-paint also is very glossy)
2)I'll make a small stand for my car, to mount the RF transmitter and the microphone.
3)Prepare my "Wizard" for speach recognition, used to make calls-play songs etc-Do you have any suggestions on that?

So.... more pictures to come in the next days!!! Pls ask for any questions or any help you need if you want to make something similar or better OR if you have any suggestions/questions