iPad Mini Install (Removable) with Shopping List and Pics

BEM-S4 · 06-27-2017, 01:36 PM

After loading up the car with the Escort 360 and Escort Live, Waze, OBD Fusion, etc. etc. etc. I realized I needed more screen real estate when I wanted to use all of this stuff at once. That said, it will be rare that I actually want to go "all out" and deploy all the technology I now have at my disposal. I was just messing around with my iPad mini in the car and realized it fits perfectly in the cup holder area. So the goal was something that would be easy to take in and out of the car, not require a dedicated iPad, and require no car modifications. Did a 100 miles each way on the turnpike the other day with BMW screen running Navigation and small split screen for next turn. iPhone mounted in the ProClip was running Escort Live. iPad had Waze and OBD Fusion split screen. Also had police scanner running in the background on my iPhone (it's an app) and playing through the stereo. I actually wasn't even driving very fast, just wanted to try all this stuff out. It was pretty awesome. CB radio may be next.

The shopping list is simple:
2x Belkin Smart Phone Cup Holder Mounts ($30 ea on Amazon)
Speck Smart Shell Case ($8 new on eBay)
Plastic Epoxy ($5 I think at Home Depot)
Apple Smart Cover ($10 new on eBay)

Sorry I didn't take any mid-process photos but it's pretty simple. First remove the Belkin stickers on the cup holder mounts. You will see 4 screws. Remove those, remove the cover plate. Remove and discard the sliding arms and the internal gear, then replace cover plate and screws. Do that twice, then put both in your cup holders and twist the dial to expand to fit. Take the Speck cover, do a dry fit. You will have 1/2" clearance top and bottom. Then just mix up some epoxy and have at it. I did a small amount at first since I did not want a mess in the car. Once set I removed from car and applied more for added strength to the back. That's it.

I am really pleased with the results. The iPad tilts up and down for ideal viewing angle for driver regardless of height. One note on the Speck shell. I specifically chose that one because it's compatible with the Apple Smart Cover. I have a grey one pictured so it's easier to see, but I plan to use a black one to keep this as unobtrusive as possible. I wouldn't leave the iPad in the car over night or anything, but if I happen to be on the turnpike and stop at a rest stop to use the bathroom or something it would keep the casual passerby from noticing anything glaring.

Anyway the photos should be pretty self explanatory. Enjoy!

Viffermike · 06-27-2017, 02:08 PM

... and the Tesla-fication of the world's consumer vehicles just advanced a hair.

Pretty damned impressive, kemosabe.

BEM-S4 · 06-27-2017, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viffermike

... and the Tesla-fication of the world's consumer vehicles just advanced a hair.

Pretty damned impressive, kemosabe.

Ha. I was thinking I could work for Mercedes design. Just slap a big screen on after the interior is all done. Don't integrate it into anything just find a spot it'll fit and get some glue.

mburg · 06-28-2017, 08:14 AM

What did you use to link the car's computer system to the ipad?

BEM-S4 · 06-28-2017, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mburg

What did you use to link the car's computer system to the ipad?

Nothing it's purely standalone for OBD Fusion and Waze.

mburg · 06-28-2017, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Nothing it's purely standalone for OBD Fusion and Waze.

Sorry - which OBD adapter?

BEM-S4 · 06-28-2017, 09:15 AM

Ah sorry didn't understand what you were asking. This one. Tried a few this was best. Painted it flat black (maybe 6 coats) bc lights bothered me at night in the footwell. Use a different wifi one for coding w BimmerCode. Available on Amazon.

LELink Bluetooth Low Energy BLE OBD-II OBD2 Car Diagnostic Tool For iPhone/iPod/iPad

mburg · 06-28-2017, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Ah sorry didn't understand what you were asking. This one. Tried a few this was best. Painted it flat black (maybe 6 coats) bc lights bothered me at night in the footwell. Use a different wifi one for coding w BimmerCode. Available on Amazon.

LELink Bluetooth Low Energy BLE OBD-II OBD2 Car Diagnostic Tool For iPhone/iPod/iPad

Thanks!

Cool install!

BEM-S4 · 06-28-2017, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mburg

Thanks!

Cool install!

No problem. One issue I will point out, maybe I need to change something in settings but I do not believe you can connect two devices to that OBD reader at once. So in my case I can either have readout on iPad or iPhone, but not both.

Not a huge issue just something to be aware of.

kohlzor · 07-03-2017, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Quote:

Originally Posted by mburg

Thanks!

Cool install!

No problem. One issue I will point out, maybe I need to change something in settings but I do not believe you can connect two devices to that OBD reader at once. So in my case I can either have readout on iPad or iPhone, but not both.

Not a huge issue just something to be aware of.

Awesome install!
Do you keep your iPad connected to the Odb connector via wifi the entire time? I have car play and wonder if that would be an issue.

BEM-S4 · 07-04-2017, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kohlzor

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Quote:

Originally Posted by mburg

Thanks!

Cool install!

No problem. One issue I will point out, maybe I need to change something in settings but I do not believe you can connect two devices to that OBD reader at once. So in my case I can either have readout on iPad or iPhone, but not both.

Not a huge issue just something to be aware of.

Awesome install!
Do you keep your iPad connected to the Odb connector via wifi the entire time? I have car play and wonder if that would be an issue.

I don't have CarPlay but I use a BT dongle for OBD. Seems to works quite well. Tried wifi first could t get it to work properly. I have wifi one that I only use for coding.

JohnnyCanuck · 07-04-2017, 01:13 PM

BEM-S4 thanks for the idea about the Belkin cupholder. Never could figure out how to take it apart.

I wanted to use it to attach my phone mount to (I have a Moto Z so I also have a Moto Mods car dock that was designed for vent mounting (which I hate)). Used your idea to do this:

Would also probably work for anyone who wanted to use a Qi wireless mount or similar.

BEM-S4 · 07-04-2017, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

BEM-S4 thanks for the idea about the Belkin cupholder. Never could figure out how to take it apart.

I wanted to use it to attach my phone mount to (I have a Moto Z so I also have a Moto Mods car dock that was designed for vent mounting (which I hate)). Used your idea to do this:

Would also probably work for anyone who wanted to use a Qi wireless mount or similar.

Nice! Once you've got the clips off it's a nice stable platform that still tilts to mount whatever you want in there.

06-27-2017, 01:36 PM	#1
BEM-S4 Major General 4517 Rep 8,942 Posts Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (5)	iPad Mini Install (Removable) with Shopping List and Pics After loading up the car with the Escort 360 and Escort Live, Waze, OBD Fusion, etc. etc. etc. I realized I needed more screen real estate when I wanted to use all of this stuff at once. That said, it will be rare that I actually want to go "all out" and deploy all the technology I now have at my disposal. I was just messing around with my iPad mini in the car and realized it fits perfectly in the cup holder area. So the goal was something that would be easy to take in and out of the car, not require a dedicated iPad, and require no car modifications. Did a 100 miles each way on the turnpike the other day with BMW screen running Navigation and small split screen for next turn. iPhone mounted in the ProClip was running Escort Live. iPad had Waze and OBD Fusion split screen. Also had police scanner running in the background on my iPhone (it's an app) and playing through the stereo. I actually wasn't even driving very fast, just wanted to try all this stuff out. It was pretty awesome. CB radio may be next. The shopping list is simple: 2x Belkin Smart Phone Cup Holder Mounts ($30 ea on Amazon) Speck Smart Shell Case ($8 new on eBay) Plastic Epoxy ($5 I think at Home Depot) Apple Smart Cover ($10 new on eBay) Sorry I didn't take any mid-process photos but it's pretty simple. First remove the Belkin stickers on the cup holder mounts. You will see 4 screws. Remove those, remove the cover plate. Remove and discard the sliding arms and the internal gear, then replace cover plate and screws. Do that twice, then put both in your cup holders and twist the dial to expand to fit. Take the Speck cover, do a dry fit. You will have 1/2" clearance top and bottom. Then just mix up some epoxy and have at it. I did a small amount at first since I did not want a mess in the car. Once set I removed from car and applied more for added strength to the back. That's it. I am really pleased with the results. The iPad tilts up and down for ideal viewing angle for driver regardless of height. One note on the Speck shell. I specifically chose that one because it's compatible with the Apple Smart Cover. I have a grey one pictured so it's easier to see, but I plan to use a black one to keep this as unobtrusive as possible. I wouldn't leave the iPad in the car over night or anything, but if I happen to be on the turnpike and stop at a rest stop to use the bathroom or something it would keep the casual passerby from noticing anything glaring. Anyway the photos should be pretty self explanatory. Enjoy! Attached Images __________________ 2022 Macan S 2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
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06-27-2017, 02:08 PM	#2
Viffermike Colonel 1753 Rep 2,942 Posts Drives: '18 black-n-blue 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Big D iTrader: (0)	... and the Tesla-fication of the world's consumer vehicles just advanced a hair. Pretty damned impressive, kemosabe. __________________ --Life is a journey made more exciting with a fast car.-- --Helmets are for closers.-- <<Current: "Blackened" '18 NBM Porsche 718 Cayman ... Gone (but not forgotten): "Blackened" MG '15 228i M Sport w/aFe filter/scoop, Hertz drivers, P3Cars multigauge, other goodies>>
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06-28-2017, 08:14 AM	#4
mburg MBurg 63 Rep 236 Posts Drives: '22 230 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	What did you use to link the car's computer system to the ipad?
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06-28-2017, 09:15 AM	#7
BEM-S4 Major General 4517 Rep 8,942 Posts Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (5)	Ah sorry didn't understand what you were asking. This one. Tried a few this was best. Painted it flat black (maybe 6 coats) bc lights bothered me at night in the footwell. Use a different wifi one for coding w BimmerCode. Available on Amazon. LELink Bluetooth Low Energy BLE OBD-II OBD2 Car Diagnostic Tool For iPhone/iPod/iPad __________________ 2022 Macan S 2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
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07-04-2017, 01:13 PM	#12
JohnnyCanuck Major 1254 Rep 1,352 Posts Drives: 2018 Audi RS3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	BEM-S4 thanks for the idea about the Belkin cupholder. Never could figure out how to take it apart. I wanted to use it to attach my phone mount to (I have a Moto Z so I also have a Moto Mods car dock that was designed for vent mounting (which I hate)). Used your idea to do this: Would also probably work for anyone who wanted to use a Qi wireless mount or similar.
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