NaviGadget

DirectUS rear view mirror GPS navigation

Nov 12, 2009 gps navigation 6 Comments

We’ve talked about GPS mirrors here on Navigadget before – but as always: the more the merrier. This time directusnav is bringing this rear view mirror equipped with a 4″ touch screen display that sits right next to you mirror. Best part about this is the wiring is supposed to stay behind the scenes so no dangling cables or window suction mounts to deal with.

Some other features of the DirectUS GPS mirror include bluetooth capabilities for handsfree calling, and the ability to hook up to a rear view camera that automatically starts up when in reverse gear.

Some specs include a 400Mhz processor, 64MB internal memory, GPS receiver with 16 channel tracking, and of cour integrated speakers for voice directions. It includes 7 million points of interests, and can do text-to-speech.

The GPS navigation software on the device is from NavNGo.

GPS Mirror now in the U.S.

Aug 11, 2009 gps navigation 5 Comments

You know how much we’re into the GPSMirror thing we’ve been seing all over the internets. Well it looks like a few online stores are offering the Cheetah GPS mirror in the U.S. of A. including Amazon – for as low as $252.

Not a bad price considering it acts as a speed and red light camera warning system too. Question that comes to mind is of course how to get power to this thing. Obviously you wouldn’t want to run a cable to from your lighter up to your rear view mirror. That question is not answered on Amazon or Buy.com but their product page offers this little snippet:

Cheetah’s elegant design leaves your dashboard and windscreen clutter free and its discreet nature makes it almost unnoticeable from outside the vehicle…

Looks like some professional installation maybe required – but it would worth it.

Azentek SmartMirror

Jan 13, 2009 CES 2009, gps navigation, navigon 5 Comments

We’ve talked about the SmartMirror here on Navigadget before. We went to Azentek booth and checked their product again at CES 2009.

Their press release we picked up says they’re shipping the SmartMirror and the VP of Sales said “initial sales skyrocketed creating back-orders after launching August, mainly through car dealerships and 12-Volt retailers”, which would explain why we still can’t find this online anywhere.

Anyways, in 2009 they’ll be upgrading the 4″ digital screen in the mirror to a 4.3″ display and make it available for $800. And it still supports a rear view camera.

If you’ve seen this online or at a store do let us know.

DS-400GB is now SmartMirror and headed for U.S.

Jul 21, 2008 gps navigation 13 Comments

The DS-400GB we mentioned a few months ago is headed for the U.S. under the SmartMirror name.

SmartMirror has the features we mentioned last time but now we have more details. For example the navigation software is Navigon Mobile Navigator 6.5 which features Reality View and 12 map updates with FreshMaps. As far as hardware, SmartMirror has a 4″ touch screen, 2GB SD card, integrated speakers, bluetooth for hands free calls, and two video inputs for rear view cameras.

We got in touch with Azentek for release date and price. We’ll keep you updated once we find out more.

UPDATE: Price is $799 and it will be available at retailers nationwide by August 1st.

inforad K1 GPS powered radar detector

Jun 18, 2008 gps navigation, radar detector, tracking 7 Comments

After their older model v4e, Inforad now came out with even a smaller version of their GPS powered radar detector. Called Inforad K1, this radar detector is completely redesigned. First off they finally added an rechargeable battery. Can’t fit much into this USB stick sized device so it is only 220mAh; good enough for about five hours. However it is charges via USB, which means you can charge it pretty much anywhere these days.

As far as features, K1 offers audible and visual alarms using the two LED which can light up different colors. There is also the integrated trip recorder and of course and the updates of radar databases are free for the life of the product.

Measuring only 2×7.4×1.5cm and weighing only 25 grams the Inforad K1 is very small and light. It can be fixed behind the rear view mirror on your windshield if you want it out of your sight.

Inforad K1 will be available starting mid July, with 2 years guarantee for only 50 €…

Read More …

another rear view mirror with GPS

May 14, 2008 gps navigation 6 Comments

We’ve talked about various sat nav systems installed on rear view mirrors before. This latest one is from Shenzhen MCD Electronics and doesn’t quite a have name yet. But with the set of features that this mirror has you don’t even need a name. This GPS navigation mirror features SD/MMC card slot, stylus pen, LED backlight, 1300mAh Li-Ion battery, and also a reverse gear sensor and a camera. How about bluetooth connectivity to pair up with your phone too?

The simulated screen images and the fact that it is from a Chinese wholesaler makes us think we way never see this in the U.S… Read More …

DS-400GB: navigation system on your rear view mirror

Mar 23, 2008 gps navigation 22 Comments

DSUS Technology of China has a new rear view mirror GPS navigation system called DS-400GB.

In addition to the GPS navigation system DS-400GB also has video input monitor for rear view camera on its 4″ screen which makes us wonder if there’s any room left for an actual mirror. This high tech rear view mirror touch screen monitor comes with hands free bluetooth module to pair up with your phone, integrated speakers, SD/MMC memory card expansion slot, and a USB port. The rear view camera is activated automatically when in reverse gear.

The fold out GPS receiver is from SiRFStarIII, OS from Microsoft, and the CPU is from Samsung.

We haven’t seen such a system at major retailers across the U.S. but we can’t wait…

GPS on rear view mirror

Feb 19, 2008 gps navigation, misc news 9 Comments

We had talked about some hi-tech rear view mirrors with embedded GPS receivers before such as the VDO Dayton MS5700 and GPSMirror.

Today we are adding another device to that lineup called MirrorPilot. MirrorPilot uses ANTARIS 4 GPS chipset with SuperSense, 2D and 3D maps, voice instructions, and traffic message channel. The display inside the mirror measures 2.2″ and has QVGA resolution.

The 700 € price tag may seem too much at first but think about how nice it will be to not have any cables and suction cups all over the place. You won’t have to worry about charging the device either or thieves braking your windows for it.

Currently MirrorPilot is only available in Europe preloaded with European maps. Expect to see this CeBIT in Germany which is coming up soon… Read More …

GPS enabled rear view mirrow knows where speed cameras are

May 16, 2007 gps navigation, radar detector 6 Comments

GPSMirror is a rear view mirror driving aid. GPS mirror uses GPS location to check it’s position against an on board database of accident black spots, common mobile cameras, and fixed safety camera locations. When you are approaching any of these, the GPS mirror provides a warning. It also displays your heading and speed and warns you if you are above a predetermined speed. Since all of this is hidden in the rear view mirror – which fits on top of your existing mirror – it is usually undetectable by thieves. You can, and probably should, spend some time on hardwiring the power cord to the cigarette lighter to keep clutter out of the way too.

Here are some more specs and features:

• wide angle rear view mirror helps eliminate blind spots
• blue anti-glare coating enhances night vision
• SiRF Star III chipset
• visual, spoken, and audible camera alerts
• 10 different GPS camera warnings
• 8 different GPS advisory warnings
• Ability to store your own locations
• Free access to Trinity database
• Updates through PC w/ internet
• 120,000 location memory

The GPSmirror costs $300. And if you want you can connect your GPSmirror to a compatible radar / laser detector to benefit from the Pro features.

VDO Dayton MS5700 rear view mirrow navigation

Aug 24, 2006 gps navigation 2 Comments

The MS5700 is a rear view mirror navigation system that features a 4 inch screen on the left hand side of the rear view mirror directing you to your destination while keeping your eyes firmly on the road.

The MS5700 is actually a combination of two products from VDO Dayton that brings together their flagship product PC5700 (box looking thing in the picture) and the MM2100 mirror. Just to clarify this will not fit onto your existing rear mirror since it requires a high tech monitor embedded behind the mirror which connects with a single cable that is hidden inside the mirror’s arm and runs up through the roof and down to the navigation system’s computer.

The mirror displays the map in a 4:3 ratio and integrates a speaker as well as an infrared eye to control with a remote control. Manually you can change the display brightness as well as the volume with the buttons on the front too.

The navigation system powered by the PC5700 stores the info on a 8.5GB DVD which can store all of Europe’s roads. More features after the jump…

C-IQ Intelligent Content on Demand
Once C-IQ is activated, you benefit from a wide range of products including up to date road maps, travel guides and special country products. Along with wide coverage, road maps come with free traffic information (TMC) and up to 1.500.000 Points of Interest (POI). The C-IQ update service automatically sends you the latest road maps free of charge. Activation takes just a few minutes anytime, anywhere. Navigation content can be chosen on a daily or monthly basis with time based payment.

Integrated RDS-TMC Receiver

Traffic information is available through the integration of a TMC receiver. The resulting combination of functions is not only better value for money but simplifies the installation. It only requires a connection to the FMAntenna.

2D/3D Map View

Through the special software, the precise and smooth map is viewable in the classic 2D or new 3D view. In the 3D view, additional Information, for example street numbers, sight seeing possibilities and traffic information, is blended into the horizon and removed from the foreground. You are able to chose up to 5 POI categories you’d like to see.

Dynamic Navigation via TMC

The system is able to process traffic information, which is provided through an integrated RDS-TMC receiver (Radio Data System – Traffic Message Channel). This traffic information is evaluated and included in the route calculation. The delta (travel time, distance) for the current route is shown and the driver can decide whether he wants to drive the alternative route or not. It is possible to customize the system’s behaviour for dynamic route planning.

Extensive Destination Input Possibilities

With the great number of input possibilities, virtually every destination can be found. The destination input is supported by the ‘Intelligent Typewriter’. Only the alphabetic characters that are necessary will be presented automatically, making destination selection considerably simpler.