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. 

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!

Hands-On: Alpine IVA-W505

SoundDomain member Erin "bikinpunk" Hardison picked up an Alpine IVA-W505 and decided to document the unboxing and provided a pictorial walk-through of some of the different menus and screens. If you've considered picking up one of these multimedia powerhouses, click through to the forum to check out everything from the basic CD and DVD controls to the USB input interface and sound-shaping controls.

Check it out!

Product Review: Alpine IVA-W205

Team SoundDomain member Robert Petty's weapon of choice for head units is the Alpine IVA-W205, a double-DIN multimedia powerhouse with good looks and user-friendly functionality. Since "Which Should I Get...." is a common question in the Head Unit Help section, Robert decided to post up a pretty great review of his IVA-W205 with plenty of photos and explanations as to why this is his preferred sound quality source unit. Robert also incorporated steering wheel controls and the incredible Alpine PXA-H701 processor to his multimedia mix. And while I wouldn't think to question his choice of equipment for even a second, his music selection is a whole other story.... (Kidding Robert!... Kind of)

Check Out Robert's Review!

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?