Kenwood released sometime back their “premium-level in-dash CD receiver with integrated Bluetooth and enhanced multi-line display capabilities”, the KDC-BT838U.
Some features include:
…streaming wireless audio from another Bluetooth device through A2DP compatibility…A highly visible, three-line full-dot display provides the ability to view address book names and call status as well as full telephone numbers. High-speed USB connectivity … of iPod, USB mass storage
It’s available now, for anywhere from $199 and up. Read on for the full press release.
Alpine’s most highly anticipated “Mobile Multimedia Station” has been released…. since April 10th, yea were late….
7-inch WVGA touch-screen monitor for your fondling pleasures. As well as a few other nifty features, such as:
The IVA-W505 is a full-featured DVD/CD/MP3/AAC/WMA/DivX audio/video head unit that boasts a new, intuitive graphical interface and touch-screen control over virtually any digital media source in the car, as well as Bluetooth® connectivity. The 2-DIN unit also serves as the in-dash docking station for Alpine’s PMD-B200 Blackbird portable navigation device, enabling consumers to enjoy the car-to-car convenience of a portable unit while also gaining the myriad benefits of a fixed navigation system.
The suggested retail price is $1,100. Read on for the full press release and gallery.
Scosche has been busy last few days dolling out the dash kits. The 2006-up Mitsubishi Eclipse, 2008-up Mitsubishi Galant, 2008 Ford Escape, 2008 Mazda Tribute, 2008 Mercury Mariner, 2007-up Hyundai Elantra, and 2001-2006 Lexus IS300 all will be getting the after market dash kit treatment.
Prices range from $20 uo to $50 depending on the model. They each accommodate either a single ISO DIN mount, an ISO DIN mount with pocket, or ISO Double DIN mount. They all are made of high strength ABS plastic and are painted to match the factory color and is contoured to match the factory dash.
Pioneer seems to love Europe more. This spring, they will be releasing the NavGate version of the previously mentioned AVIC-F900BT. Same unit with most of the same features, just an upgraded navigation component with multilingual support.
Navigation capabilities include:
the pre-installation of Europe-wide mapping on the 2GB fast-response flash memory,
the display of maps in stunning high-resolution relief with elevation and 3D detailing,
voice guidance that’s available in 20 languages (as are all menus),
TMC bulletins and
Text-to-Speech (TTS) functionality to provide more informative route guidance (add list).
Smart technologies also ensure accurate positioning in areas where GPS coverage is compromised.
Pioneer dropped their new AVIC-F Series units, starting with AVIC-F700BT and AVIC-900BT, and ofcourse a Premier AVIC-F90BT. They join the AVIC-F500BT portable unit we covered in January. Some of the main and advanced features shared amongst the units include:
Apple iPod® connectivity, Bluetooth®, MSN® Direct, HD® radio, XM® and SIRIUS® Satellite Radio, single CD, DVD video playback and compressed audio and video playback through USB and SD memory devices are among the players’ numerous capabilities. Additionally, each unit offers an advanced conversational voice recognition system for hands-free dialing of compatible Bluetooth enabled cell phones and control of an entire music collection on iPod players.
All the units come with a 5.8-inch high resolution WVGA touch panel display. Map database supplied by Tele Atlas® covers the entire United States, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii and includes more than 12-million points of interest (POI). You also get 32,768 customizable illumination colors, so users can establish a refined factory OEM look and feel. For safety and convenience, each unit is equipped with a camera input and back-up trigger as well.
pioneer_avic-f900bt_1
The Pioneer AVIC-F700BT, AVIC-F900BT and Premier AVIC-F90BT will be available in June 2008 for a suggested price of $850, $1,100 and $1,200 respectively. Hit the jump for the gallery and the full press release.
Pioneer has released the latest addition to their Amplifier selection, the PRS-A900. What you have here is a 4-channel reference class A/B amplifier feeding 50 x 4 @ 2 and 4 ohms released under the Premier brand. It seems like a lot of time, energy, and money went into producing this baby, as expressed in this short from the release:
The PRS-A900’s reference audio quality begins with an independent, symmetrically isolated circuit board intended to prevent noise, both in the form of electrical interference and physical vibration, from entering the audio signal path. Copper shielding bars in a T-shaped pattern are used to isolate key components from the internal power supply section, blocking any potentially radiated electrical noise that may distort the signal. The copper shield layout design is also utilized in the output section, to isolate the left and right channels preventing any cross talk interference.
This amp can be had right now, but at the high suggested retail price of $1500 smackaroos. A steep price to pay for the average car audio guy, but might be worth it to those who settle for only the best. Hit the jump for the full press release.
Get touch control for your Kenwood CarPortal KOS-V1000 or KOS-V500 systems! The KOS-L432 is 4.3″ of touchscreen gooeyness! It’s basically an advanced remote to top off your custom install.
No word on pricing or availability date as of yet. Hit the jump for the full press release.
Three new amp series offered up by Clarion this year. We Have the DPX (pictured above), APX, and APX Illuminated series (pictured below). You get a total of three mono amplifiers, three two-channel and two four-channel amplifiers
The DPX Hybrid series feature Class G/H technology, which is said by Clarions to “have the efficiency of a Class D amplifier with the sound quality of an A/B design”. Other features of the DPX include integrated electronic crossovers, speaker level inputs, and gold plated RCA connectors.
Your DPX options include the DPX2251 for $449, with 180 watts x 2 at 2 ohms, and mono amplifiers the DPX1851 and DPX11551 with 850 and 1550 watts @ 2 ohms, and $499 and $699 respectively, in a small footprint measuring 16 3/4” w x 10 1/8” l x 2 3/8” h.
For more info and pictures, on the APX and APX Illuminated, read on.
Is there anything else that needs to be said??? Oppurtunities like this come once… every few months or so. Right now Pioneer is offering a $200 rebate on the purchase of a Pioneer AVIC-D3 from an Authorized Pioneer or Pioneer Premier Dealer between February 1, 2008 and March 31, 2008.
Clarion has introduced three new units that support the XM Mini-Tuner, the first ones to do so. Two double dins, the DUZ385SAT, and MAX685BT (pictured above), as well as a single din, the VRX785BT (pictured after the break).
The MAX685BT and VRX785BT both sport a 7″ touch panel monitors. Some of the other features shared amongst these two units include the following:
Direct USB iPod Audio Control
MP3/WMA/AAC/DivX Playback
NAX980HD HDD Navigation Accessory Compatible
CCD Camera RCA input
Built-In Bluetooth for Hands-Free Calling
OEM Steering Wheel Interface (via PAC SWI-JACK)
2-Zone Capability
Changeable Wallpaper
50w x 4 Built-In Amplifier
6ch/2V RCA Output
Built-In IR Eye (Remote Included)
The DUZ385SAT was slated to be available in last month at a price point of $299. The VRX785BT is available this month, with theMAX685BT being offered next month. They both will set you back $999 smackaroos.
Although very feature rich units, at those prices, you can get a navigation included unit with more or less the same. Read on for additional pictures and the full press release.
