Azentek Smart Mirror Review and Hands-On

By: Ben Vollmer, Car Audio Nationals/Team SoundDomain

A few weeks ago, I posted a blog  with a video about a new product from Azentek called a SmartMirror. Well, I bought one, and man am I happy I did! The box arrived and I was so excited. Inside the box  there is the mirror, different mounting brackets for different types of windshield mounts, a microphone, and power cord assembly. The unit has a "Getting Started" manual for using the product, but the complete users manual is supposed to be online. After poking around for some time on the Azentek website, I still couldn't find the manual. So much of my discovery was make just from poking around.   

The unit feels OEM. It doesn't feel like other units I've looked at that are somewhat cheesy - the Azentek is as solid as they come. On the passenger side of the mirror is an SD card reader used by Navigon to supply the maps and programs required for the GPS. 

So here is the unit hooked up to my trusty Astron power supply in the Ferrari Garage. 

Azentek In-Car Computers: Actual Photos

As promised, I stopped by the Azentek booth to check out their complete line of in-car computers and to grab some actual product shots. Whenever I receive a press release or pre-production computer mock-up for future product, there's always a 50/50 chance that the computer-generated image will look better than the real deal. This was definitely not the case this time. I was very impressed with the entire line; these car PC's actually look better than some of the major-brand in-dash DVD and navigation systems we came across at the show! Azentek didn't have the complete line available for viewing at CES, but don't worry, we'll keep bugging them! Pics after the jump.

And congrats to Azentek for earning a CNet "Best of CES" award for the Atlas CPC-1200!

2008 CES Sneak Peak: More Azentek!

We got even more info from my buddy Pete over at Azentek on their 2008 line-up. Not only are they going to offer Vista-powered in-car PC's, Azentek is also launching a line of Windows CE .NET 5.0-powered PCs. You'll still get most of the functionality of the Vista-boxes, built-in GPS, satellite and HD radio capability, Dolby 5.1, etc, just powered by "Windows Lite", which means not as much software or hardware expandability. These units are suited for the gadget geek on a budget that wants to experiment with in-car PCs, but doesn't want to break the bank on the first run.

Another new and really cool product I can't wait to see in person is the Azentek Zephyr RVM-450 rear view mirror with built-in GPS navigation. All the details are available after the jump.

2008 CES Sneak Peak: New Azentek Vista Car PC Lineup

Another CES exclusive sneak peak for SoundDomain: Azentek's 2008 in-car computer lineup! Azentek is probably best known for their purpose-built FordLink mobile office system, a rugged tablet-style XP-based carputer primarily designed for the industrial/construction or the sales rep on the go. For the car gadget geeks, they also offer the Atlas CPC-1000, a full-featured double-DIN in-dash car PC. I spoke with Pete Mueller, Azentek's Director of Marketing at the SEMA show about the current line-up, and he hinted  Azentek would have some great new cutting-edge products at the 2008 CES Show, but wouldn't provide any details. 
Well, CES is only a few days away, and an email from Pete landed in my inbox yesterday with exclusive details on the 2008 line-up and I must say, it is quite impressive! Pete provided some computer renderings and details of the new Car PC's to be displayed at CES, and he tells me this is just a teaser of what they will have on display! Check out the all-new lineup after the jump and stay tuned for actual shots from the show next week.