BRZ Custom Remote Audio Controls - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

reallifeonhold · 05-03-2016, 03:14 AM

Just finished making and installing a set of remote switches for controlling various functions of the stock BRZ headunit:

I really wanted steering wheel controls, but after weighing all of my options, this seemed like the best compromise. The case and buttons are 3-D printed and painted Satin Nickel. Icons were created in Illustrator, printed on waterslide decals and then covered with an acrylic clear coat. Circuit board was just a piece of protoboard that I cut out in the shape of the controller and installed the switches and various resistors on. The connector is a repurposed computer power connector. If there's any other clarification needed or questions, ask away!

Huge thanks to @nalc and others who posted up their findings with the stock head unit, pinouts and resistor values.

Additional pics:

Circuit Board:

Prototype:

Prototype Installed:

Underside:

Painted case with icons:

Mim · 05-03-2016, 04:47 AM

Wow what an amazing home brew sort of a project! Came out looking really well.

Does your hand normally sit around that area as you drive? I imagine after a while your fingers would find the appropriate control easily.

reallifeonhold · 05-03-2016, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mim

Wow what an amazing home brew sort of a project! Came out looking really well.

Does your hand normally sit around that area as you drive? I imagine after a while your fingers would find the appropriate control easily.

Thanks, it's been a drastic improvement in the functionality of the stock system

For me, the controller works out very well ergonomically as my hand naturally rests right in that area. The ridges do a good job of preventing accidental button pushes and the offset center button makes it easy to find the correct button without looking down.

lbroskee · 05-03-2016, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reallifeonhold

Thanks, it's been a drastic improvement in the functionality of the stock system

For me, the controller works out very well ergonomically as my hand naturally rests right in that area. The ridges do a good job of preventing accidental button pushes and the offset center button makes it easy to find the correct button without looking down.

Nice. I did the same thing. Tho sometimes my track/volume up buttons don't respond right away for some reason

reallifeonhold · 05-03-2016, 11:45 AM

If I didn't have the heated seat switches there, I definitely would have used that area for placement, as well.

lbroskee · 05-03-2016, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reallifeonhold

If I didn't have the heated seat switches there, I definitely would have used that area for placement, as well.

U cud always relocate them lik jive turkey did

DAEMANO · 05-03-2016, 01:23 PM

@reallifeonhold - What did you use for the button labels? They look pretty clean.

reallifeonhold · 05-03-2016, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

@reallifeonhold - What did you use for the button labels? They look pretty clean.

The labels are waterslide decals that I printed with a laser printer. The designs were created in Illustrator. After application, I sealed them with an acrylic clear coat.

DAEMANO · 05-03-2016, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reallifeonhold

The labels are waterslide decals that I printed with a laser printer. The designs were created in Illustrator. After application, I sealed them with an acrylic clear coat.

This man knows what he's doing. Great job!

reallifeonhold · 05-03-2016, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

This man knows what he's doing. Great job!

Haha, thanks! It was a fun project.

turtlefeeder · 05-03-2016, 11:07 PM

haha those are cool credits for that!! but... the head unit is not even far so.. lol for fun DIY!!

reallifeonhold · 05-03-2016, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turtlefeeder

haha those are cool credits for that!! but... the head unit is not even far so.. lol for fun DIY!!

You FR-S guys have no idea how truly horrible the stock BRZ headunit is to use. If it had come with physical buttons, this thread probably wouldn't exist.

turtlefeeder · 05-03-2016, 11:16 PM

Wait woah I thought the brz had the same head unit? @_@

just checked lol your dilemma sorry

reallifeonhold · 05-03-2016, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turtlefeeder

Wait woah I thought the brz had the same head unit? @_@

Nope. The BRZ unit has no [useful] physical buttons:

05-03-2016, 03:14 AM	#1
reallifeonhold Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Drives: BRZ Location: SD Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	BRZ Custom Remote Audio Controls Just finished making and installing a set of remote switches for controlling various functions of the stock BRZ headunit: I really wanted steering wheel controls, but after weighing all of my options, this seemed like the best compromise. The case and buttons are 3-D printed and painted Satin Nickel. Icons were created in Illustrator, printed on waterslide decals and then covered with an acrylic clear coat. Circuit board was just a piece of protoboard that I cut out in the shape of the controller and installed the switches and various resistors on. The connector is a repurposed computer power connector. If there's any other clarification needed or questions, ask away! Huge thanks to @nalc and others who posted up their findings with the stock head unit, pinouts and resistor values. Additional pics: Circuit Board: Prototype: Prototype Installed: Underside: Painted case with icons:

05-03-2016, 04:47 AM	#2
Mim Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: MY11 Maxima 350st, MY15 BRZ Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 534 Thanks: 304 Thanked 342 Times in 185 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Wow what an amazing home brew sort of a project! Came out looking really well. Does your hand normally sit around that area as you drive? I imagine after a while your fingers would find the appropriate control easily. __________________ MY15 CWP A/T BRZ \| Leather heated seats \| STI CAI filter, A/T leather shifter, strut brace, V-brace, draw stiffener, battery tie down, Radiator cap, Oil cap, push start button \| TRD door stabilizer \| YoSpeed STI console garnish \| Pioneer AVIC-F70DAB + Rev-camera, TS-WX710A sub \| JL speakers, Amp \| TOMS' Clear Brake Lights \| Cusco 4.556 FD \| Driveshaft Shop aluminum shaft \| Tein FlexZ, EDFC AP+GPS \| Crawford BPB

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05-03-2016, 11:45 AM	#5
reallifeonhold Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Drives: BRZ Location: SD Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If I didn't have the heated seat switches there, I definitely would have used that area for placement, as well.

05-03-2016, 11:07 PM	#11
turtlefeeder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Drives: UltraMFrS Location: OC Posts: 701 Thanks: 204 Thanked 135 Times in 100 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	haha those are cool credits for that!! but... the head unit is not even far so.. lol for fun DIY!!

05-03-2016, 11:16 PM	#13
turtlefeeder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Drives: UltraMFrS Location: OC Posts: 701 Thanks: 204 Thanked 135 Times in 100 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Wait woah I thought the brz had the same head unit? @_@ just checked lol your dilemma sorry

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