The standard head unit of a car is called sound reproducing equipment from one or more signal sources. As a rule, this is a radio signal receiver and a tape recorder itself. The devices combined in one housing and having a common dashboard control panel, located in the center of the dashboard of a passenger car, are called “car radio”.
Modern models of such devices are equipped with a large number of additional options and functions:
Such complex and expensive devices are called MMS (multimedia system).
A tablet is a stand-alone personal computer with an LCD touch screen that allows you to control its operation by touching your fingers. In addition to its mobility and autonomy, it has a large number of advantages in comparison with a conventional PC and laptop:
As you can understand from the technical characteristics and capabilities we have given above, a tablet of good quality (from the manufacturer), having almost the same functionality as an MMC (higher than that of a car player), is much cheaper than the above-mentioned systems.
Having not a new car, but a desire to take full advantage of modern technical advances in the field of automotive equipment, many drivers prefer to install a tablet in the car instead of a radio. We will tell you further how to choose and install such a device in a car with your own hands.
Based on the fact that, at its core, a tablet is a multifunctional screen, of course, all attention is paid to its characteristics:
Depending on the method of mounting the tablet in the car:
You can install a tablet instead of a radio tape recorder with your own hands by connecting (and purchasing, accordingly) a separate amplifier, that is, completely removing the 2 din radio tape recorder (we often call this format so, for the reason that a 7-inch display is ideal for installation in the mounting hole car radio) and leaving the player as an amplifier.
In any case, it is recommended to place a signal-amplifying device under one of the front seats of the car. Although, of course, you can place it in the luggage compartment, provided that wiring the extra connecting cable will not be difficult for you.
Since by default we completely replace the standard car player with a tablet computer, we connect it to the amplifier in order to save time and money spent on work through the audio input for headphones. Otherwise, the quality of the played music and video may be significantly worse.
The tablet battery is charged both through the USB ports remaining from the car radio, and through a regular car cigarette lighter by connecting an adapter device. It is not recommended to connect the device to the car's power system, since in this case you will not be able to avoid sudden voltage surges when starting the engine.
The seven-inch tablet itself is fixed in the seat of the car audio player with fasteners specially designed for such purposes (holding frames) or securely fixed with epoxy glue or sealant. The first mounting option is more convenient if the tablet and its capabilities will be further developed during subsequent operation of the system. And for safety reasons, this method is more reliable, as it allows you to quickly remove and take the device with you when leaving the car for a long time.
Advantages of the tablet:
Disadvantages of installing a tablet device. They are very minor and unchanged by any technical changes, but they are all worth mentioning:
Below is a video instruction on how to install a tablet in your car instead of a radio with your own hands.
22.12.2016
Nowadays, few people will be surprised by a multimedia system with a touch screen and a large number of options. But, often, automakers install such audio systems only in expensive trim levels or as an additional option, which will cost the buyer a pretty penny. You can also purchase such a radio in car audio stores, but even there, the cost of such a radio is unpleasantly surprising (from 400 USD and above). But don’t get upset ahead of time, since a solution has already been found, and in this article I will tell you how to install a tablet in a car and make a high-quality, and, most importantly, multifunctional multimedia system on a small budget.
There are two ways to connect your tablet to your car's audio system:
To begin installation work, you need the following tools:
Necessary equipment for installing a tablet in a car:
Car speakers have quite a lot of power and resistance, but the sound card in the tablet is designed only to supply sound to headphones or small speakers. Therefore, in order for the tablet to produce high-quality sound into car speakers, an external amplifier is required. As I mentioned earlier, you can use a stock radio instead of an amplifier. It is worth noting that this method is much simpler, but the sound quality when using this method will be worse. Therefore, today we will look at the connection option using a car audio amplifier. It is recommended to install the amplifier in the trunk, but if you want to save on wiring and not pull it across the entire cabin, the amplifier can be installed under the driver or passenger seat.
First, remove the old radio. Next, take the wires to connect the power supply to the amplifier ( IMPORTANT: use only high-quality wiring!
) and stretch them from the battery to the place where the amplifier is installed. Never connect the amplifier to the wiring of the cigarette lighter or radio, as this may cause a short circuit, which will lead to a malfunction or even failure of the interior electronics. VERY IMPORTANT:
plus, be sure to connect via a fuse; for this, be sure to use a special waterproof holder. You need to install the fuse as close to the battery as possible; if this is not done, a short circuit may occur, which may start a fire. 
To route the wires from the battery into the passenger compartment, you need to drill a small hole in the partition separating the passenger compartment from the engine compartment. If your car already has such a hole, you can pull the wires through it. Before pulling the wires, be sure to install a rubber sleeve or a piece of corrugation in the hole, this is necessary in order to protect the wiring insulation from rubbing against the metal.
To connect the speakers to the amplifier, I would recommend using a special adapter (as in the photo). This adapter costs a penny, but it will significantly simplify the connection, eliminating the need to cut and then solder wires. To make it clearer where each wire is and where to connect it later, stick a small piece of masking tape on each wire and label or number it. 
To output sound from a tablet computer to an amplifier, use a stereo RCA cable (you shouldn’t buy a Chinese cable for ten rubles, remember, the better it is, the better the acoustics will sound). Also, in order to prevent possible interference, it is recommended to shield the audio circuit. To save time and money, it is recommended to feed the audio signal from the tablet to the amplifier through the headphone jack, since using other methods significantly reduces the sound quality, plus, interference and noise may appear during operation of the automatic transmission. 
To supply power to the tablet, you need to run a wire to the fuse box. To connect, you need to find a connector that receives power only when the ignition key is in the ACC position, and disappears when the ignition is turned off. You can find such a connector using a multimeter or the clues on the fuse box cover. This must be done so that the tablet does not drain the battery when the car is not in use. “Plus” is connected to the fuse block using a special connector (in the photo), “minus” is connected to ground, and the “female” connector is connected to the same wires ( 12V car socket), the car adapter will be connected to it to charge the tablet. 
To install the tablet in the niche where the radio was installed, you will need a piece of plastic, epoxy glue or metal plates. First, try the tablet on the frame; it may need to be filed a little. Then, you need to cut out a piece of plastic, it should be slightly larger than the hole in which the tablet will be installed, after which it needs to be secured to the back of the frame using epoxy glue or pre-prepared clamps. Next, you need to make a small diameter hole in it through which wires will be inserted to connect power and audio output to the tablet. To prevent the tablet from falling out, secure it with . If you don’t want to worry too much, you can install the tablet using a case or a universal tablet holder.
Installing the tablet in the car (Photo 1)
Installing the tablet in the car (Photo 2)
Installing the tablet in the car (Photo 3)
Useful applications for the car:
There are also a lot of interesting applications, after installing which you will be able to use navigation, find out the situation on the road, the condition of the car and service intervals.
Previously, a car could be considered advanced if it had a GPS navigator or even a car radio that could read CDs. Drivers generally try to get rid of these obsolete devices from their cars, replacing them with tablets with touch screens. Is it possible to install it yourself instead of a radio? Quite! This is exactly what this article will discuss.
It's simple: the tablet has a greater range of functions compared to the built-in radio. And in general, standard radios, even in fairly expensive cars, are banal radios and MP3 file players that are installed just for show. The tablet allows you to turn your car into a mobile and full-fledged media center. In addition, even large modern 2 din radios have poor functionality and less convenience compared to a simple tablet. The latter can generally replace a TV, player, GPS navigator and even provide Internet access. True, for this you need to choose a model that supports third and fourth generation networks, but there are many of these on the market today.
The only possible drawback to installing a tablet radio is the procedure itself. If the owner irresponsibly installs a tablet in the car instead of a radio, then there is a chance that the tablet will simply burn or break. By the way, most often drivers break tablets, which simply fall out of their niche while driving through potholes or during rapid acceleration.
Frankly speaking, there are few options for installing a tablet in a car yourself instead of a radio. The device can either be installed in a special holder without touching the car radio, or you can remove the radio and insert a tablet in its place. The last option is complicated, but has its advantages.
If you use holders, then everything is simple. There are many different tripods on the market that are designed for different purposes. They all have special suction cups with which the tripod is attached to any point on the dashboard. The owner can only buy a suitable tripod and install his tablet in it. But it is worth considering that this method of fastening cannot be called reliable. Yes, this is the easiest option to connect the tablet to the radio in the car with your own hands, and many drivers resort to it. After all, the tablet can be easily installed on a tripod, and the charger can be connected to the cigarette lighter.
However, we will not consider this method. Let's focus on the optimal option: installing the tablet in the car instead of the radio, and not in parallel with it.
There are 2 ways to carry out the installation: without a third-party amplifier (in this case, the amplifier will be the radio) or with an amplifier. The second method is quite complicated, so we will focus on the first. What is needed for this?
To install a tablet in a car instead of a radio, you will need:
Let's start with the fact that 2 devices are connected to the car: a tablet and an amplifier. The connection is made to the battery using a thick-walled cable. There must be a fuse on this cable, and it (the fuse) must be located next to the battery.
To connect a tablet in a car instead of a radio, you need to make a hole in the engine compartment through which a thick-walled cable will enter the cabin. A rubber sleeve is inserted into this hole to prevent the cable from fraying. When driving, the cable without a coupling will rub against the metal and this can damage it, leading to a short circuit.
Through this hole, the cable connected to the battery through a fuse enters the car interior, where it is connected to the amplifier. Typically, drivers install the amplifier under the seat, and the cable itself is laid under the floor mats.
There should be 2 cables from the amplifier to the adapter. It also comes with a pair of RCA cables that connect to the tablet.
The radio must be removed from its place. The extraction process depends on the car model, but usually there is nothing complicated about it.
Now you need to measure the hole where the radio was previously located. Based on the size, you need to cut a sheet of plastic. Its width and length should be approximately 1 cm greater than the measured dimensions. This sheet of plastic is secured with epoxy resin in place where the radio previously was. You need to secure it at 6 points.
A hole for cables is drilled in the middle of this plate. Then it is advisable to paint the surface of the plastic plate with a suitable color. You need to glue holders to the corners. They are glued with epoxy resin.
After this, the cables are connected to the tablet.
When installing a tablet with your own hands in a car instead of a radio, you need to consider some important points. First of all, pay attention to the weight and size of the tablet. A large and heavy device will not work, because it is more difficult to install, and when driving on a bad road, it may come off and fall out. Choose a compact and lightweight tablet.
Before replacing the radio with a tablet, you need to install the Car Home Ultra program on it. This program will monitor various engine parameters, read errors from it and sound signals when unstable engine operation is observed.
Speaker wires must have a shield. Of course, they cost several times more than usual, but with them the driver is guaranteed to hear clear music without interference.
The process of installing a tablet in a car instead of a radio with your own hands is always an individual process. Even on identical car models, drivers may encounter different problems when installing the gadget. Therefore, it is impossible to give any universal recipe according to which this procedure could be easily and quickly carried out.
In fact, there is nothing complicated about installing and connecting the tablet. If you are at least a little familiar with electronics, then this should not be a problem. However, you can turn to specialized service stations for help, where they can provide a similar service, but it will cost money.
Thanks to its wide functionality, many car enthusiasts began to use a tablet instead of standard radios. The device can be used not only to listen to music, but also for navigation purposes. You can install the gadget in a car yourself, either instead of a radio or on a special holder.
Not every car enthusiast is satisfied with the audio and video system in his car, and this feature is observed on many modern basic trim levels. The reasons may be different, for example, the functions or interface of standard equipment are not satisfactory. Therefore, the issue of installing a tablet instead of the standard radio is quite relevant. Regardless of the reasons, the goal is the same - buying a new multimedia device. It is worth noting that equipment with wide functionality is not cheap, and if you have a tablet on hand, only two questions remain, which come down to the time spent and the work itself. Financial investments may be required if the car audio system is built-in, then you will have to worry about buying an amplifier for the tablet. If the radio is removable, then it is used as a signal amplification device to which the tablet is connected. Installing a modern gadget will require some knowledge and skills in the field of electronics, but there should not be any particular difficulties.
A tablet instead of a radio is installed mainly in cases where the functionality of the standard system is not satisfactory
Before you begin implementing the device in question into your car, you need to understand that in this case, as with any technological upgrade, there are pros and cons. The advantages of introducing a tablet are as follows:
The disadvantages include the following:
One of the advantages of installing a tablet instead of a radio is the ability to use it as a navigation device
The tablet can only be mounted in a 2 DIN connector. In this case, you need a device with a screen diagonal of 7*10 inches and an aspect ratio of 16:9. This suggests that installation, for example, of an iPad, will not work due to the technical features of the gadget. In addition, you will need to think about purchasing an amplifier, because tablets are designed to work with headphones. The number of channels of the amplification device must correspond to the number of speakers in the car. It is best to purchase a tablet with a docking station, which will ensure ease of removal and installation, as well as charging the device.
To install the tablet, you need to select a location, prepare tools and materials, and read the installation instructions.
There are two ways to install the tablet in the car:
Which option to choose depends primarily on the preferences of the owner. In the first case, the gadget can be installed quite quickly and no special knowledge is required. The whole process consists of purchasing a holder and installing it in accordance with the included instructions. Despite the ease of installation, it is still preferable to resort to the second method, since the design of the tripod is quite bulky, which can interfere with the driver. If the second method was chosen, and you do not have sufficient knowledge, then you should contact the service.
Many car enthusiasts want to install a tablet without much modification. In this case, preference is given to mounting the device using a holder. Depending on the purposes for which the tablet is intended to be used, the design of the device will differ. If you plan to use your tablet computer as a navigator or for listening to music and watching videos, then the optimal place would be the windshield or dashboard. For entertainment, as a rule, installation is carried out in headrests.
Installation on the dashboard is carried out using a gadget with suction cups. Most mounts come with a neoprene adhesive pad to attach the suction cup. The best option is a suction cup holder with a rigid short tripod, which allows you to change the angle of rotation of the screen. The holder can be attached not only to the panel, but also to the air grille, for which a special clothespin is used.
There are different designs of tablet holders that allow you to mount the device both on the dashboard and on the air duct grille
To begin installation, you will need the following list of tools:
Necessary equipment for mounting the tablet:
In order to get high-quality sound, it is recommended to connect the tablet through an additional amplifier. If you want to save money, you can connect through the standard radio. The optimal location for placing the amplification device is the luggage compartment, but there are other options - the space under the passenger or driver's seat. After the amplifier is installed, dismantle the standard radio. Then the wires are pulled from the battery to the amplification device. Connecting it to the wiring of the cigarette lighter or radio is not recommended. Otherwise, a short circuit may occur. A prerequisite is to connect the positive cable through a fuse using a special holder. The fuse is installed near the battery, which will provide the maximum level of protection. To route wires from the engine compartment, a hole is made in the engine compartment panel (if there is none). To prevent the wire insulation from rubbing against the body, a rubber seal is inserted into the hole.
One of the optimal places to install an amplifier is the trunk or the space under the driver or passenger seat
To connect the speakers to the amplifier, use speaker wires of the required length. After connecting the device to the speakers, you can start sending a signal from the tablet device. For this, an RCA cable is used, and it is advisable to purchase a more expensive wire, since the sound quality depends on it. In addition, to prevent possible interference, it is necessary to shield the audio signal circuit. To save money and time, the signal from the tablet to the amplification device can be fed through the headphone jack. This is explained by the fact that other connection methods negatively affect the sound quality. Plus, noise and interference may occur during the operation of the automatic transmission.
After installing the amplifier and connecting it to the load, we proceed to embedding the tablet itself.
To ensure that the tablet is beautifully integrated into the car, use a frame of the appropriate size.
Power to the tablet is supplied from the fuse block. To do this, you need to find a connector on which voltage will appear when you turn the key in the ignition switch.
To supply a signal from the tablet to the amplifier, a cable is used, at one end of which there are tulip-type connectors, at the other - 3.5 mini-jackFrom the above we can conclude that installing a tablet instead of a radio is not a complicated procedure, but it still requires attention and accuracy. It is worth noting that there are much more complex connection options with additional devices, for example, with control buttons located on the steering wheel using a special module, or equipped with a video capture system for a rear view camera. It all depends only on the goals and capabilities of the car owner.
By installing the tablet in your car, you can listen to music, answer calls and use GPS navigation. Read which one to choose and how to install it correctly.
Today, for many drivers, a car is no longer just a means of quickly moving from one point to another. Modern technologies make it possible to make the car more comfortable for long trips. If previously an indicator of a car’s sophistication was a CD radio and a navigator, now they are ready to be replaced by a tablet that combines the capabilities of a host of devices at once. Purchasing a tablet for a car for navigation and multimedia looks not only more profitable, but also practical than buying gadgets separately. However, reasonable questions arise: what tasks can a tablet perform, and most importantly, how to install it in a car?
The most common reason for replacing standard multimedia in a vehicle with a tablet is a lack of driver functionality. We are already accustomed to having a smartphone in our pocket, which combines a dozen devices, from an FM receiver to a camera, so why not do something similar in a car?! Agree that often what is missing is just a radio that plays music from disappearing discs. It’s another thing to get a tablet computer with a large touch screen, through which you can enjoy music, watch a movie, and even play.
Practicality also speaks in favor of purchasing a tablet for a car for multimedia capabilities and navigation. A separately sophisticated navigator and other equipment will cost a pretty penny, but one that offers exactly the same functionality can be bought for $100-200. And installing it will be much less hassle than connecting each device separately.
So, what can a tablet be used for in a car:
We’ve sorted out the advantages of tablet computers in vehicles, now let’s move directly to the installation nuances.
The first step is to decide how the tablet will be installed. There are two options:
Which method to choose depends on the preferences of the driver and the vehicle. In most cases, it is recommended to install a tablet instead of a radio. In this case, the place for installation in the car must have an appropriate design so that the tablet simply fits on the panel. In addition, as already noted, you will have to understand the electrical features of the vehicle in order to avoid short circuits. If the knowledge is not enough, then the solution may be to contact a service center, where, for a specified amount, specialists will perform a high-quality installation of the tablet.
If you don’t want to bother with a bunch of wires and installation, and the car does not at all provide for the possibility of installing such multimedia devices, then we recommend giving preference to mounts. Minimum costs, installation in minutes.
Many drivers who have a tablet lying around at home do not want to waste time studying the wires. If you are one of them, then your path lies in a car goods store, where the buyer is presented with a wide selection of various tripods for mounting multimedia devices. Here, again, it is worth deciding on the installation location: windshield, ceiling, seat backs, panel. Everything is very simple:
As a rule, preference is given to the front of the car. To make the tablet feel safe and comfortable, we recommend giving preference to mounts with a rigid base, which are attached to the panel using a special gasket and suction cup. It is better when the structure does not have a too long base, which prevents vibrations in the pits. Naturally, the mechanism should preferably be rotary, so that both the driver and passenger can comfortably adjust the position of the tablet.
Where to buy cheap?
When choosing a glass mount, you should pay special attention to the suction cups, since poor quality ones may simply not hold the tablet, which will fall off along with the tripod on potholes. If there is enough space in the cabin, then you can consider options with a ceiling mount, but you should calculate the position in advance so that in the future the tablet computer does not interfere with the driver’s view.
Anyone who is even slightly familiar with modern tablets or smartphones knows how quickly these gadgets run out of battery. Whatever one may say, the tablet will have to be charged once a day or two, or even more often. Constantly carrying the device home to the outlet is not an option, so the easiest way out is to recharge it from the car’s on-board power supply.
Where to buy cheap?
When installing a tablet using a mount, power supply is usually carried out using two methods:
Some drivers connect the tablet directly to the car's on-board network. There is little point in resorting to this method if you decide to install the tablet using a mount.
Don't forget about the sound, which won't happen if we just connect the tablet to the cigarette lighter. The easiest way to output sound is to use an AUX cable.
The radio must have a 3.5 mm minijack connector.
Everything is as simple as possible here: we buy a cable (preferably more expensive to get better sound quality), connect the tablet and the car radio. The sound, of course, leaves much to be desired, but you don’t have to study the features of a car audio system.
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi wireless interfaces can also be used for connection.
Again, both the radio and the tablet must have one of the interfaces.
A more complex method is to install an additional amplifier, which is purchased separately. The amplifier is usually placed in the luggage compartment. You will have to familiarize yourself with the wiring, provide it with power from the battery (connection to the cigarette lighter is undesirable - there is a risk of fire), and also connect it to the speakers using an RCA cable. Afterwards the tablet is connected to the amplifier. In the process, you should not neglect shielding and installing seals on the wires so that they do not fray.
Some readers are more interested in completely replacing the radio with a tablet. Here you will have to spend a little more time and effort. First, you will have to take measurements so that the result does not end up being that the tablet simply does not fit into the special frame with which the installation will be carried out. Actually, after that we move on to this very frame:
Do not connect to other connectors - the tablet will drain the battery when the car is turned off. A special adapter is used for connection.
All that remains is to check the functionality of the system.
Many users find it difficult to decide which tablet to choose for navigation and multimedia. We will help you with your choice. First, about the criteria that you should pay attention to when purchasing:
It’s clear that you don’t need to think too much about cameras, battery capacity and other features.
Finally, some quality models that are perfect for use in the car.
What do we end up with? Any inexpensive tablet can replace a whole set of devices. The main thing is GPS support and the presence of a good matrix with anti-reflective coating and wide viewing angles. Many drivers will probably also be interested in mobile Internet. Installing a tablet instead of a radio or using a mount is not a complicated procedure, so even a non-professional can carry out the installation.
