Sound bar - factory mounting location under dashboard

[SichuanHot]

I actually do this for work vehicles. I cannot stand the radio, and I don't like bluetoothing my phone. Long ago when you could have offline music, I'd load a flash drive, SD card, or CD. Now I need to put an SD card into a speaker, so I am used to it.

You can still have offline music. That's what I do, but I bluetooth my phone to my aftermarket headunit. Android phones work best because you can put a 512gb sd card and load all the music you want. You don't need to work around Apple itunes or any of that trash.

 

[SadRobot]

I think the removable Bluetooth speaker is a theft magnet.

if we do get a slate I’m planning on a double dstereo hardwired to real speakers and it will support wireless Carplay + have a real volume knob!
Theft proof, simple, low cost, and I can keep my phone in my pocket if I want.

im fine with slate not putting in a factory infotainment center as long as I can add my own.

I feel the same about using an iPad as your interface with the app. No way I'm leaving an iPad in my vehicle and then having to drag it around everywhere with me is also not appealing. I love the idea of a real volume knob and wireless carplay.

On a side note about having infotainment there is currently a bill proposed in the Senate that would "require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule requiring AM radio capabilities to be standard in all new passenger vehicles." At the moment it looks like the bill is going nowhere but if it does pass that means Slate is going to have to go back to the design board and make some changes.

 

[sodamo]

I’m hoping for a convenient place to stow my ipad. Remove from mount, slip into pouch or something behind or under drivers seat, somewhere out of sight.

so can just anyone get into a properly locked ipad?

 

[cvollers]

I’m hoping for a convenient place to stow my ipad. Remove from mount, slip into pouch or something behind or under drivers seat, somewhere out of sight.

so can just anyone get into a properly locked ipad?

I just bought a very expensive 13” iPad Pro. No way am I leaving it in the vehicle. Just the phone for me with the best Bluetooth powered speaker solution I can find.

 

[sodamo]

I just bought a very expensive 13” iPad Pro. No way am I leaving it in the vehicle. Just the phone for me with the best Bluetooth powered speaker solution I can find.

So I’m plotting to assign my current 11 inch ipad to my Slate, then I will “need” to replace with a new one. I think the wife will agree to that. 😁😁

 

[Lanthian]

I've got a little Ryobi radio I bought to use while tinkering in the garage. It looks like it would fit perfectly in that holder. Its sound quality isn't perfect, but good enough!

 

[cadblu]

I just bought a very expensive 13” iPad Pro. No way am I leaving it in the vehicle. Just the phone for me with the best Bluetooth powered speaker solution I can find.

Wondering if the optional console has a lockable storage space for your iPad? I don’t want to carry my tablet around every time I park.

Does anyone really think that seeing a Slate parked on a street is going to be a theft risk?

And being this is a bare bones vehicle, I’m going to assume there is no theft alarm. Yet another after market option to be considered!

 

[Luxrage]

On a side note about having infotainment there is currently a bill proposed in the Senate that would "require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule requiring AM radio capabilities to be standard in all new passenger vehicles." At the moment it looks like the bill is going nowhere but if it does pass that means Slate is going to have to go back to the design board and make some changes.

This one confused me a bit when I was reading about it as all the way through the 50s, to the 90s you could still option radios out of base and fleet cars. I am assuming this means if your vehicle comes with a radio it has to support AM. If I recall this started with Tesla and a few other OEMs wanting to get rid of AM radio as all of the various wireless and electronics in cars were causing AM interference. I can remember some nights my brakelights being on causing AM noise.

Hopefully simply not having a radio at all negates this ruling.

 

[SadRobot]

This one confused me a bit when I was reading about it as all the way through the 50s, to the 90s you could still option radios out of base and fleet cars. I am assuming this means if your vehicle comes with a radio it has to support AM. If I recall this started with Tesla and a few other OEMs wanting to get rid of AM radio as all of the various wireless and electronics in cars were causing AM interference. I can remember some nights my brakelights being on causing AM noise.

Hopefully simply not having a radio at all negates this ruling.

Here is the summary of the proposed bill. So if it passes any Slate manufactured after that date would be required to have equipment that can receive AM radio. At the moment it looks like it's just been put on a calendar for debate in the Senate but that was a few months ago. Will be interesting to see where this ends up.


Introduced in Senate (01/29/2025)

AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule requiring AM radio capabilities to be standard in all new passenger vehicles. (AM radio is often used to deliver emergency alerts and news and entertainment programming; some newer vehicles do not include AM equipment.)

Specifically, this bill applies to passenger vehicles (1) manufactured in the United States for sale in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce; and (2) manufactured after the rule's effective date. The rule must require all such vehicles to have devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM stations or digital audio AM stations installed as standard equipment and made easily accessible to drivers.

Prior to the rule's effective date, manufacturers that do not include devices that can access AM radio as standard equipment (1) must inform purchasers of this fact through clear and conspicuous labeling, and (2) may not charge an additional or separate fee for AM radio access.

DOT may assess civil penalties for any violation of the rule. The Department of Justice may also bring a civil action to enjoin a violation.

DOT’s authority to issue the rule expires 10 years after the bill’s enactment.

Further, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on the dissemination of emergency alerts to the public, including by conducting an assessment of AM broadcast stations relative to other Integrated Public Alert and Warning System communication technologies.

 

[Luxrage]

My only worry is that if they are required to put a AM/FM radio in the Slate, they'll have to pick some overly-chrome and LED BestBuy special and slap that in there. Shame the modern radios that match the 'bare bones' ethos of the Slate are either way expensive or... well are old car radios.

Gimme a cutout in the front panel and slap one of these in there

Just ignore the fact that these are $250 - $400.

Edit: This MUCH cheaper Continental doesn't look too out of place:

 

[SichuanHot]

That VDO Continental TR7412UB-OR is pretty much the go to head unit for period correct cars. A lot of E30 and E36 owners use that head unit. It keeps the cabin looking clean with no RGB funkiness you see from other head units while still giving you bluetooth and other modern features.

 

[cvollers]

That VDO Continental TR7412UB-OR is pretty much the go to head unit for period correct cars. A lot of E30 and E36 owners use that head unit. It keeps the cabin looking clean with no RGB funkiness you see from other head units while still giving you bluetooth and other modern features.

…and an amplifier? [edit: yes, 25w RMS]

 

[cadblu]

You cannot get AM band in a Tesla!
However, here is what's included:

FM radio
Sirius XM
Live one
Apple music
Tidal
Audible
Amazon music
You Tube music
Tunein radio
Spotify free

note: all subscription based except for FM, Tunein, and Spotify

 

[cvollers]

You cannot get AM band in a Tesla!
However, here is what's included:

FM radio
Sirius XM
Live one
Apple music
Tidal
Audible
Amazon music
You Tube music
Tunein radio
Spotify free

note: all subscription based except for FM, Tunein, and Spotify

Ugh…when my radio is on, its almost always tuned to 710am (Seattle Sports).

 

[sodamo]

Is AM radio available via internet?