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August 11, 2005
Back to the Future with Super High-Tech Gadgets, Pt. I
The days are long gone when a stereo with a cassette deck and a CD player would impress anyone -- least of all the average consumer, who is loading up on high-tech options and gadgets in their vehicles that were mere concepts less than a decade ago.
Whether due to the increasing time spent in vehicles as commutes creep longer in both directions, or just the ubiquity of technology that creates the desire and availability of taking tech along for the ride, vehicles are becoming rolling computers and multimedia centers. With cupholders, of course.
What follows is a starter list of super high-tech gadgets, available in new vehicles as factory options, dealer-installed extras and pure aftermarket purchases.
Navigation systems
As prices decline and consumers become more aware of their benefits, GPS-based nav systems are destined to become one of the most popular options in vehicles. Currently priced between $2,000 and $4,000 as options, navigation systems take about 15 minutes of orientation and data entry to get started -- but after that, it’s smooth sailing no matter where you need to go.
Most nav systems feature voice instructions to your destination. Once entered, the system literally tells you in advance of upcoming turns, thus eliminating driver distraction in looking at a dash-mounted screen. The days of printing out Mapquest directions will soon be behind most drivers -- with the added benefit that nav systems also recalculate your route in the case of missed turns or when you deliberately attempt to evade traffic jams.
With the availability of cheaper aftermarket units -- ranging from $300 to $1,250 -- GPS navigation is starting to achieve greater consumer awareness, increasing demand for factory units and likely driving prices down. The industry leader in aftermarket, Garmin, recently added five new models, and a European-based company, TomTom is starting a U.S. marketing effort of their products. TomTom recently hired British comedian John Cleese to lend his voice to an optional, downloadable voice, so you can get your driving directions from a properly funny man.
Satellite radio or iPod -- why not both?
In terms of audio systems, even the six-CD changer is now taking a back seat to a tandem revolution that has changed the way music is stored and delivered.
Excepting the hardware of head unit and speaker array, essentially a car audio system is nothing but a content delivery system -- and with the choice of satellite radio and Apple’s iPod MP3 player, drivers are now truly at the wheel of their audio environment.
The two satellite radio companies -- XM and SIRIUS -- have waged a well-publicized arms race to sign up automakers to factory install their receivers. Hyundai, for example, recently became the first company to announce they are going to offer satellite radio [XM, in their case] in each of their vehicles. Both companies have reported that about half of their new subscribers come through the OEM/new vehicle channel.
However, until every automaker has the receivers available, consumers have had a couple choices -- dealer-installed head units or "Plug n’ Play" receivers sold by the respective companies. The Plug n’ Play units work either through a cassette adapter or via an FM wireless transmitter that broadcasts the signal through the car’s existing stereo system.
Apple’s iPod is a slightly different case -- OEMs and dealers can offer either ground-up designed systems that allow the iPod’s content to be played over the system, or "integration" kits that accomplish the same. The iPod is essentially a portable hard drive that allows consumers to download music via online services, primarily Apple’s iTunes portal.
BMW was probably the very first to realize the importance of the iPod revolution, with their now famous commercial featuring hip-hop artists, rock and rollers and mariachi players all piling into the back seat of a BMW. The ipodyourBMW site has information on the $149 dealer-installed kit, while Mercedes offers a similar service for $299. Scion recently announced they were offering an optional iPod-ready Pioneer stereo in each of their three models for $260.
Apple also has a special site for iPodding your vehicle -- which includes links to OEM and dealer options, after market accessories such as the Dension Ice>Link and the affordable Griffin iTrip, a wireless transmitter that sells for only $39.
Back-up sensors and rear-view cameras
Judging from personal experience with both of these options, they add a level of safety and peace of mind that make them worth the cost. In the case of the Nissan Titan full-size pickup, the back-up sensors assist the driver in parallel parking the big rig almost as easily as a compact car.
Back-up sensors are usually located in the rear bumper of a vehicle, visible only by quarter-sized dots aligned in a row. As the vehicle approaches an object -- either another vehicle, utility pole, tree or metal garbage pail -- a hard-to-miss audible alarm starts ticking off, alerting the driver. As the vehicle gets closer to the object, the beeps come closer together, and, seemingly, also get louder.
The sonar system on the Titan comes packaged with several other options, starting at $1,100.
The rear camera on the Lexus GS 430 provides a remarkably wide angle view of the area behind the vehicle, which is displayed on the center console screen. Automatically engaged when the GS 430 is shifted into reverse, as the screen comes to life the side view mirrors simultaneously change position for optimal backing assistance. During the first few encounters with the crisply automated system, it feels all James Bond with a sack of fish and chips.
Also bundled into an options package, the rear view cameras on the Lexus costs $4,030, which considering the vehicle category, is on the high end for this option. Compare Honda’s price for a rear view camera, also part of an options package on the Odyssey minivan, for $2,200.
Aftermarket rear view camera kits are available, such as this Prius kit which costs $674 with all necessary components.
To read the second part of this article, click here.
Posted by Frank at August 11, 2005 8:37 PM | Filed under Auto News
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