Customer Reviews

Geek My Ride: Build the Ultimate Tech Rod (ExtremeTech)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I won't argue that there is some worthwhile stuff in here, and there are mentions of product names and websites that may prove useful. Many will even find the information presented worth the purchase price.

However, don't purchase this book thinking you are getting anything close to 400 pages of content. To begin with, there are many pictures, each using up half a page. That sounds good, right? Nope, the pictures show such things as an ethernet cable, a Dremel sanding bit, a picture of an extension cord and a pcture of how to use a measuring tape to measure a piece of Velcro.

More depressing, you get to look at these pictures several times, as well as read much of the content over and over. Each chapter is written as if there were no preceeding information, so you'll get to read the same information about the same products and techniques multiple times.

You know those little plastic plugs that go into A/C outlets to keep toddlers from poking pins in them? Did you need a description of them? How about a half-page picture of 4 of them artfully scattered on a table? How about multiple half-page pictures of them? How about for the extension cords, the sanding bits, etc.

I was expecting to get a 400 page book with 400 pages of information. It's nowhere near that. You may still find it worthwhile, but I found the repetition lame and unprecedented and personally resented being hoodwinked.

This is a great guide to installing all sorts of cool technology in your vehicle. In particular, I was interested in integrating a game console into the back seat for those long trips out east, so the Game Cube example was what drew me to the book.

I have been pleasantly suprised to find all my questions answered here, and have come to realize that there is more than I was expecting in terms of getting the power requirements right. Regardless, it was all covered, and written in a very friendly and easy to understand manner.

I agree with another reviewer's comments about using velcro as one of the primary ways of securing things in the car, although that is certainly not the only method covered. For me, the use of velcro is a sound, inexpensive method for getting the job done, and I don't have to worry about ripping everything out when the time comes to sell the car, when we want to move the Xbox easily to and from the car and into the house, or if I simply want to move it to the trunk when I am parked somewhere where I dont necessarily want to "advertise" my high-tech gear.

The author does make some assumptions about potential readers, so if you have never built a PC before, you may want to tackle that before you dive into some of these projects. A little experience with basic wireless networking will help too, although the steps are outlined fairly well in the text.

All in all, this is a great solution for the do-it-yourself reader who wants to add these sorts of projects to his or her vehicle. I imagine there are certainly more ellaborate (and expensive) solutions, and if I wanted to go that way I would heed the author's advice to stick with the pros. Even if you don't like the author's particular example or method, he generally gives you the right approach to take if you are a little more adventurous and want to take things a step further.

Bottom line: If you have a screw driver, some extra time, and have always wanted to add these sorts of projects to your vehicle, this is the perfect guide.

I don't want all this stuff in my car. So why did I get this book? Because I want a lot of this stuff in my delivery vehicles.

I don't much care about a game console. Not true, I do care, I don't want it there. But a PC, a GPS, internet connection, and a printer make good sense. This would make a lot more sense than simply having people calling in all the time on their cell phones.

One I liked about this book, was that it had all the information I needed from the technology, through installation, through the actual use. While I'm not going to do the installation myself, now I have a feeling of what the technician has to go through and I'm a lot less likely to get snowed by what he says.

The first guy I talked to about doing this wanted to sell me an industrial grade PC for several thousand dollars. Instead the cases and other components discussed here tell me how to get the job done with a small fraction of the cost.

The other thing that I liked about this book is that each project or device is separate and free standing. I didn't need to read about the audio visual system to find out what I needed to know about putting the PC in the vehicle.

For me this book did exactly what I wanted. That's all you can ask of a book.

I found this book clear and easy to read. I especially liked the OBD-II listing in the back, where I found my car with ease. The wireless music synching chapter was very cool, and so was the extensive list of resources in the back.

The book starts out with the basics: power, heat, cabling. Then there are "beginner" chapters which introduce you to different projects (computer, game system, dvd player). The "advanced" chapters build on those and get into the real nitty gritty of neat projects for cars.

All in all, a very well-rounded book, and the author is willing to help on his web site, where you can post questions and comments. He already responded to mine, so that's cool.

The book is a collection of ideas and where to go for more information. Many of the ideas end with "get a professional."

A lot of material is literally cut and pasted into other chapters of the book. Everytime velcro is used there is a picture of "Scoring the plastic to make the velcro stick better". In fact velcro seems to be the primary mounting technique for everything. There are plenty of warnings and trivia that have little to do with the subject matter. "What is Bluetooth" for example.

The DIY projects are pretty beginner level and do not go into how to install stuff while still making it look nice. Most of the authors installation pictures look pretty sloppy. "Adding a USB hub to the dash" is a 6 page project. (cut hole in ashtry, glue in hub, wire hub to computer) The chapter on "Integrating a Game Console" is 14 pages long but could be summed up in "Get a TV, get a game cube, velcro game cube to floor (don't forget to score the plastic), connect to TV." etc.

I bought this book for the "building an auto-tracking in-car satellite TV unit" listed in the reviews. Its not in there. The coverage of satellite TV is basically: "its available, its expensive, and you should have a professional do it."

Frankly I've bought a lot of books over the years, this would be the first one I ever considered returning.

(My review of "Geek my ride")
"Very unprofessional" This is what every un experienced pc wiz and unknowledgeable custom ride street pro has thrown in there brand new bubble chevy on dub quads. If you already know that it takes a regular house plug to plug in a pc, game console or whatever it is you're desire to bring from "crib" to "auto" (having an inverter is needed). thanks to "GEEK MY RIDE" they let you know that. -duh- they also jerry rig glue scissors and tape oh yea lots of fashionable Velcro plus most of there projects lack experience. putting a book together for a geek is clumsily easy these days. and what's even really neat is now "geek('s) in question" can tell his or her com padres they've been published. everything in this book can be learned by watching a downtown crack-head (given the chance) putting a computer in a vehicle.
my copy is being recycled by now, way of-
"the old blue bin"
H. Stephen williams, consumer 06'

It's not a bad book by any means. But compared to Car PC Hacks by Damien Stolarz, it's repetitive and it lacks depth. It's less of a project book, but not much of an easy read either. There's some fun projects in there and some nice solutions, for sure. But try not getting tired of the endless "I wouldn't want you to get in an accident, while watching a DVD in your car". AAAARRGHHH.

This was the first book in a while that i have been able to pick up and read and be interested in. I just read it for like.. 3-4 hours today without noticing the time fly by.
Step by step Auri shows you how to put any electronic crap you could want in your car. It's so easy to understand, and even now im using the book for reference when im deciding on what things to buy, and planning things out, and to make sure not to forget to buy something that i'll need.
If you want to stick any electronical gizmos in your car, then get this book! Right now im planning a setup; a Car PC, video surveillance, and a nice 7" VGA monitor. I CANT WAIT!

Anyone who gives this book a bad review must be a guy trying to make a competing book or something!

(...)



The car undergone a lot of changes from Henry Ford's day when he rolled the four-wheel monsters off the assembly line giving you any choice you wanted ... as long as it was black. Even back then people couldn't keep their hands off the stock modes of transportation as they gave their cars unique personalities.

Over the past 10-15 years the automobile, designers and engineers have added a little computer here and a little computer there. Today it is almost impossible for mere mortals to work on his or her cars. Even auto mechanics have become computer specialists. Race teams still have their wide assortment of wrenches, hammers and screwdrivers but computers have come to be a mainstay in the pit.

We always knew Auri Rahimzadeh we "heavy into" technology of all sorts but we never envisioned we just never thought of him as someone who prowled car shows to see what neat, cool technology people were modifying to meet their driving, riding and entertainment/information needs. But Geek My Ride gives mobile technology and communications a whole new meaning.

While it is obvious that Auri loves technology, he has done an outstanding job of explaining in words ordinary folks can understand how they can blend the latest technology into something they can use in and around town as well as on the open road. At the same time he covers a series of super cool projects that will entice geeks to get out of their darkened rooms and into the sunlight to blend the latest in technology with their vehicle.

Sure the drop-down DVD player and GPS are now available as standard options on most cars today but what about a gaming PC, internet access, videoconferencing and let's go all the way with a complete in-car network.

The great thing about Auri's approach is that the book isn't a running narrative about technology in a car. Instead it is a how-to guide on how you can carry out any number (actually he spells out 15) of technology solutions you can install in your car. Each project spells out the tools and skills you're going to need to attack the project. Then he gives you superbly clear step-by-step instructions on how to do the work yourself without having to call in a skilled (expensive) specialist.

While we're not as technoid as Auri and certainly don't know our way around a circuit board as well as Steve Wozniak (co-founder of Apple), his collaborator and advisor, we appreciated the fact that he gave us a solid mixture of projects we could do as well as projects we would probably need professional assistance to undertake. The idea of being able to wirelessly sync our MP3 player with our home music collection is worth the price of the book for anyone who likes to listen to distortion and commercial-free digital music. Combine that with his step-by-step guide to installing a single-source AV system and you are already way ahead of most of the offerings that come from the auto industry.

We're not quite ready to install video conferencing or an in-car wireless PC yet but it's nice to know that it can be done. As soon as voice recognition software is more bullet proof we may consider the projects. No we won't undertake them ourselves but it is nice to know what to ask the professional before the installation begins to not only ensure the project is successful but also affordable.

If you spend a lot of time on the road and want to make your time more productive and profitable Geek My Ride is a great technology roadmap for you. If you simply want to have the coolest and most informed car in town, Auri helps you understand what you can do and how to carry out your projects without going into serious debt.

Auri gives automotive high tech a new meaning. He has also opened the door for mobile communications/entertainment companies to deliver more solutions and more value to the auto industry. But if you can't wait for your car company to take the hint...pick up a copy of Geek My Ride and choose the entertainment and communications technologies you can't live without.

Auri "almost" makes tech toys easy to work with. At least he makes them sound like a lot of fun!

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This was awesome - from the intro chapters to the projects, I could get into everything. It was very easy to understand and when spring comes around I'm gonna try it (it's pretty cold right now). I'll definitely get the music-in-car stuff done this winter, but the more complex stuff will have to wait for spring.