Gotta Have It: Azentek SmartMirror

By: Ben Vollmer, Car Audio Nationals/Team SoundDomain

I recently ran across this and fell in love, it's the Azentek SmartMirror.  It looks like a larger-than-average rear-view mirror, but has a 4" screen built-in with integrated GPS navigation and Bluetooth. The navigation software is from Navigon, and also includes two additional video inputs. I have yet to find anybody selling it, but was supposed to be on sale the 1st of August for about $800.00.

What do you think?

in the forums!

Where NOT to Mount a GPS Unit

By: Ben Vollmer, Car Audio Nationals

Portable GPS Units have been hot for a couple of years now. It seems like almost every car I pass on road trips now has one mounted to their car somewhere now. And my wife and I have spotted them mounted in all sorts of stupid locations. Most people usually mount them under the rear view mirror. As much as this position makes sense, I have seen some rather unique variations as well.

There was a Mercedes convertible where the owner mounted the GPS unit in the bottom side of the windshield (which makes making changes or accessing other features while driving difficult.)

This past weekend in Reading, PA, I saw a Toyota Camry Solara drive by that I just had to take a shot of. The driver had mounted the GPS unit on the driver's side window! It was about 8 inches back from the steering wheel and right where the driver has to look in his side mirror. Sorry for the lousy picture, it was snapped by my phone while the car was moving, (which almost always leads to lousy pictures).

(Click to enlarge)

What stupid location have you seen a portable GPS unit mounted?

I Want That: Kenwood DNX8120

Out of all the blogs we've posted since the site relaunch in January, none have been more popular than our coverage on Kenwood's amazing DNX8120. And for good reason - it is one of the most feature-packed, easy-to-use multimedia navigation radios on the market, and it looks really great in just about any dash.
This week Al & Ed's decided this should be the focus for their installment of "I Want That", and Mr. Mobile breaks down what makes this radio so cool, and they even give you a chance to win one! Want to learn more? Follow the jump and check out the video!

Smallest Radar Detector Ever?

This has to be the smallest radar detector I've ever seen, but it seems to pack quite a bit into its small package. The Inforad K1 features a rechargeable battery Li-Ion that's good for about 5 hours of use, but it's charged via USB, which means there shoudl always be plenty of places for you to re-juice it (especially with may of today's radios coming with a USB jack).
However, the coolest thing about the K1 is that it's a GPS-equipped system, and it stores a database of known speed traps as well as a memory for new speed traps you encounter. Inforad also includes a lifetime subscription to the speed trap database. The radar alerts features an audible alarm, and two multicolor LEDs provide the status display. No information is available on this coming stateside, but I suspect we would probably see something similar hit our shores, if not this year, then maybe next. We'll keep our eyes peeled at CES.

in the forums!

Source: GPDandCo (translated) via Navigadget

Garmin Nüvifone: Now In White

Next to the 3G iPhone, the Garmin Nüvifone  is probably one my most anticipated mobile phone releases. The feature list is pretty darn impressive, and the design is simple and somewhat elegant. And the latest news for this GPS mobile multimedia device? It's going to be available in white.... maybe. These images have to been confirmed by Garmin, and their company website still only shows it available in black. Looks good though. Larger images available over at Navigadget.