empty DIN syndrome
August 28, 2017 9:18 AM Subscribe
Moving from a double DIN stereo to single DIN - what creative thing to put in the newly empty space?
On my last car the OEM stereo was a double DIN unit and I replaced it with a single DIN and a 'pocket'. After several months I realized I had never used the pocket for anything.
Now I have a new car and I'm about to do the same thing and I don't want to just install a pocket. The only other empty-DIN utility I've seen (aside from empty space storage) is a cupholder thing and I don't need to carry any more beverages, thank you.
What should I put in that space? Right now the only thing I've come up with is a a flat panel with some flip or rocker switches wired up to LEDs that do nothing. That might give me a month's worth of amusing passengers before I forget to ever touch them again. A single DIN height isn't enough to install any sort of interesting terrarium. I could make it a display for some very long skinny art but ...
... anyway, I'm pretty crafty in the Dremel and screwdriver and sculpting sense, but not handy in the soldering and electrical wiring sense. Otherwise I'd have something like a panel of four flip switches that have to be in the correct orientation before the ignition will engage, for example.
So there's the question, I guess: what interesting thing would you put in the space of a single DIN if you didn't need a storage pocket or more cupholders?
(for those of you who may have the misfortune of following me on Instagram, please don't recommend teeth stuff. I already have teeth stuff planned for the truck, just not at this particular spot on the dash .)
On my last car the OEM stereo was a double DIN unit and I replaced it with a single DIN and a 'pocket'. After several months I realized I had never used the pocket for anything.
Now I have a new car and I'm about to do the same thing and I don't want to just install a pocket. The only other empty-DIN utility I've seen (aside from empty space storage) is a cupholder thing and I don't need to carry any more beverages, thank you.
What should I put in that space? Right now the only thing I've come up with is a a flat panel with some flip or rocker switches wired up to LEDs that do nothing. That might give me a month's worth of amusing passengers before I forget to ever touch them again. A single DIN height isn't enough to install any sort of interesting terrarium. I could make it a display for some very long skinny art but ...
... anyway, I'm pretty crafty in the Dremel and screwdriver and sculpting sense, but not handy in the soldering and electrical wiring sense. Otherwise I'd have something like a panel of four flip switches that have to be in the correct orientation before the ignition will engage, for example.
So there's the question, I guess: what interesting thing would you put in the space of a single DIN if you didn't need a storage pocket or more cupholders?
(for those of you who may have the misfortune of following me on Instagram, please don't recommend teeth stuff. I already have teeth stuff planned for the truck, just not at this particular spot on the dash .)
my current vehicle came with an altimeter, pretty cool if you do much mountain driving
posted by mannequito at 1:20 PM on August 28, 2017
posted by mannequito at 1:20 PM on August 28, 2017
Response by poster: mannequito, here in New Orleans I think it would break by trying to register numbers below sea level - but I do really like that idea.
And while I'm here I should clarify: these don't have to be existing car-related recommendations. Anything you can think of that would be interesting is something I'd want to hear about.
posted by komara at 2:35 PM on August 28, 2017
And while I'm here I should clarify: these don't have to be existing car-related recommendations. Anything you can think of that would be interesting is something I'd want to hear about.
posted by komara at 2:35 PM on August 28, 2017
it's a bit ambitious, but a camera in the dash, a big red button, and a small (receipt?) printer would be a hoot. PRESS BUTTON RECEIVE SELFIE
posted by TheNewWazoo at 1:46 PM on August 29, 2017
posted by TheNewWazoo at 1:46 PM on August 29, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by destructive cactus at 9:28 AM on August 28, 2017