I don't even have the Freelander yet and I'm already thinking about what can be done with the electronics.

I'm getting an 11MY HSE SD4, which means the one missing feature I'd like is integrated MP3/iPod playing.

The cheap and cheerful option appears to be an iPad change + audio out lead for a couple of quid off Amazon, which will work to get me started, but still has to be controlled from the iPod/Phone screen, but I can live with that to start with.

I'm also seriously interested in adding the GVIF interface to add a reversing camera, just because it seems an interesting project. But the GVIF has some more inputs that can be selected, which got me wondering....

What if I got a Raspberry Pi, raspbmc, and a CANbus interface - so that I can monitor the in-car communications between the various switches.... We're now in the land of having a small Linux computer that can talk to everything in the car.

IF I understood, I would want one too.

When you get it going, please post update.

I simply want an integrated method for either iPhone 4 or iPod to play music etc. Apple not Rasberry

Good luck.

I've been toying with the same ideas. I've looked at small mini PCs, rPi's, and iPad minis.

Right now, though, I think I've narrowed it down to an rPi or a Parrot Asteroid SMART. The Parrot is definitely the easiest way to go and would require a minimum of wiring (I want to add a rear cam, as well), but the geek in me has a bit of a chubby over the idea of wiring a linux box into my ride. I think what you need to do is narrow it down to the things you want to accomplish. For me:

1) Stream music from my phone
2) Not lose functionality of the car - steering wheel controls, reverse sensors specifically
3) Add nav

The Parrot throws in a ton of extra bells and whistles (once you root the stereo... and let's be honest, the idea of rooting your car stereo is sexy as hell to a geek) and allows you to install apps from the Google Play store.

I suspect you'll find the parrot box is a Linux box too.... 2011 MY SD4 HSE + planning some interesting stuff
Previously: 2004 Discovery Td5 ES Premium + lots of stuff
Previously: P38A Range Rover 4.0 SE
Hampshire and Berkshire 4x4 Response Founder and Treasurer

Yes, absolutely, but not in the same style as a DIY mini case or a rPi card. It's got a refined GUI slapped on top of it.

PuffyMcScrote wrote:

I've been toying with the same ideas. I've looked at small mini PCs, rPi's, and iPad minis.

Right now, though, I think I've narrowed it down to an rPi or a Parrot Asteroid SMART. The Parrot is definitely the easiest way to go and would require a minimum of wiring (I want to add a rear cam, as well), but the geek in me has a bit of a chubby over the idea of wiring a linux box into my ride. I think what you need to do is narrow it down to the things you want to accomplish. For me:

1) Stream music from my phone
2) Not lose functionality of the car - steering wheel controls, reverse sensors specifically
3) Add nav

The Parrot throws in a ton of extra bells and whistles (once you root the stereo... and let's be honest, the idea of rooting your car stereo is sexy as hell to a geek) and allows you to install apps from the Google Play store.