Part 1 is here.
Part 2 is here.
I’m reaching the end of testing with the Vega now. There’s a lot more I want to do but it’s time to move on to other things and let someone else have a play. (I’ll be sending the Vega out to a few sites over the next few weeks.)
Today I was planing to get in the car with the GPS software and car interfaces this afternoon but I haven’t had much luck with software.
Streetdeck was my favoured software but the software failed as it needs Direct3D support. That’s the end of that then as the Vega doesn’t only has 3DNow support (and OpenGL I believe.) I also tried GPS.radar but Google Earth is so slow that it’s just impossible to use.
I checked out a few CarPC forums and Carputers.org has a nice list of resources that I went through. After trying out some installs, the one that I’ve chosen to test with is inCar Terminal. I looked at Road Runner too and this is my second choice if I reach a dead-end with InCar Terminal.
Unfortunately, as with most of the Car/Auto PC software, they require back-end programs to do some of the work. Especially navigation. I’ve got the following to install this evening:
- Alternative Bluetooth stack (for headset support)
- PhoneCtl.net (phone control software)
- .net Framework 1.1
- InCarTerminal (front-end software)
- Back-end Navigation software. (probably Navigon.)
When I’ve got this all loaded up ill give it a test run and do a decent video tomorrow which will probably conclude the Vega tests. I need to start on the full report!
Regards
Steve / Chippy.
tags: carputer, umpc, Vega, navigation
Hi Steve, are you still going to do a detailed write-up on the Vega? The car series is nice but not exactly a review of the unit from every angle for the majority of us who want a pocket computer.
Are all the buttons user programable? Is the screen color nice or just okay and does it have a contrast coating on it?
Any idea when this is coming to market by either dynamism or other online stores?
Do they plan on putting direct 3d compatibility in the retail store models?
Is the on-screen keyboard resizable and is there a zoom feature for the screen?
Did you find after long use that it was uncomfortable to hold because of weight and/or heat?
Is the heat generated more in the warm versus the hot realm?
How comfortable is the joypad for it for games? Responsive, too loose, or just right? How are the accessories for it like the protective case? Is the stylus easy to secure to the Vega?
Sincerely, Jerry.
“I need to start on the full report!” was the last line in this post ;-)
Buttons not prgrammable, screen colour is really nice (not bright enough for outside though), its on the market in Korea, resellers already working with Vega for EU and US, Direct3d is unlikely (not supported by the chipset), no zoom feature, OSK is resizeable (although has a strange focus behavior), it gets more into the ‘hot’ zone after a while, joypad is good but too loose for gaming. You can switch it into ‘cursor’ mode which might be better. I haven’t got the case. Stylus I haven’t used for 3 days now! (its a lightweight touch screen and you get used to mouse, shortcuts and finger useage.)
I’ll try and inlcude all these points in the review.
Regards and thanks for your comments.
Steve.
Thanks Steve, Jerry,