Lowell Conn
Sun
– GPS GIANT RETURNS
In 2004, Pioneer Electronics hit critical and consumer paydirt with its AVIC-N1 multimedia entertainment and GPS system.
Two years later, the company returns to the well with Part Three in the series, the AVIC-N3, comprising a 6.5-inch touch-screen monitor, DVD/CD/MP3 player and an enhanced GPS system. The product comes with two DVDs packed with data for Canada and the United States.
The retractable screen complements a detachable control panel with 10-character display, 64 megabytes of internal memory and 11 million points of interest. The device also arrives XM- and Sirius-satellite radio ready and is compatible with Pioneer’s iPod interface adapter and features a rear-camera input.
There’s little functionality in the entertainment and navigational sphere that this puppy doesn’t include. There’d be an AVIC-N3 in every North American vehicle if not for the hefty price tag and crazy demand ensuring it’ll be sold out by most retailers for quite some time.
$2,075; visit www.crutchfield.com for details.
– INTERNATIONAL HUE
The Blaupunkt Los Angeles MP74 CD/MP3 player features a motorized detachable fold-down face with animated display, it will play every type of music format you’ll ever need.
The device comes with a remote control and features compatibility with the iPod. A built-in file browser lets users scroll through MP3 files by name. The five-band equalizer adjusts 31 different frequencies while storing three tone curves. But the name of the game with this high-end item is customization.
The MP74 features two sets of four-volt pre-amp outputs alongside a mono output for a subwoofer. Rounding out the package are 24 FM and 18 AM presets.
$530; visit www.blaupunkt.com for details.
© The Vancouver Sun 2006