Sony NV-U94T
Top of the line in Sony's Nav-U family, the NV-U94T ($400) adds a photo viewer, audio/video player and Bluetooth to its mapping capabilities. A large 4.8-inch touchscreen makes it easy to make out directions and provides gesture commands for quick routing. This feature lets you doodle patterns on the screen to do things like zoom, route home, and so on. Other conveniences include Quick Link search buttons that let you preprogram POI searches for things like gas stations or banks. The device cradle has a built-in RDS-TMC traffic receiver for real-time traffic which automatically reroutes you around congestion (the first 90 days are free; after that it's an optional subscription).
www.sonystyle.com/navu
EGO Look
The biggest gripe with most Bluetooth hands-free kits is sound quality. Noise from the engine, the road and wind all take a toll on clarity. But Funkwerk Americas' new Software Version 8.0 is programmed to substantially decrease road noise and other sonic clutter. Integrated into Funkwerk's EGO LOOK Bluetooth hands-free multimedia car kit ($351), the updated software lets drivers talk more freely. The kit has other nifty features like the ability to read out incoming text messages from compatible phones. All audio comes through the car's speakers, including music, thanks to Bluetooth audio streaming. If your phone supports voice commands, you can also make calls simply by speaking.
www.egohandsfree.com
Mio Knight Rider
For a different sort of nav unit, check out Mio's Knight Rider GPS ($269.95). Its sleek black casing and red indicator LEDs emulate the car from the television series, and it even sounds like KITT, too. The indicator LEDs move in sync with the voice for turn-by-turn driving directions. You can also program a personalized voice greeting whenever the unit starts up (it includes more than 300 recordings of common names). Of course, style aside, the unit also gets you where you need to go with over 4 million points of interest and preloaded maps of the U.S. and Canada.
www.mio.com
Gryphon Navbook
For the same price as a mid-level navigation unit, you can pick up Gryphon Mobile's Mini Navtop ($349) and have a mini tablet computer/navi. This compact portable computer accesses the Internet via WiFi, a Bluetooth connection to a phone with a data plan, or the built-in network card. It lets you check your e-mail and surf the web on the go. For navigation, the screen detaches and works with the included windshield mounting hardware. Audio comes in through the built-in speakers, 3.5mm jack or FM modulation. It weighs a mere 2 pounds and measures 230 x 146 x 33mm, so it's super portable.
www.gryphonmobile.com
Motevo Factory Replacement NAV Units
With each model fashioned to perfectly fit an individual model of car, Motevo's navigation units integrate perfectly into a factory dashboard. Double-DIN head units, like this model for Volkswagen, feature 7-inch touchscreens to control built-in navigation (which uses mapping from Navteq). Other features include integrated Bluetooth for hands-free calls, an iPod interface, SD card slot and USB port. It also plays about every digital format known to man, including, DVD, VCD, CD, MP3, MPEG1-4 and DIVX 5.0. If you have extra video screens, it comes with two A/V outs and has an A/V in with auto switching to a separate rearview camera input. Price TBD.
www.motevomobile.com
V.I.O. POV.1
Serious driving is much more fun when you can share your exploits with others. With V.I.O. Inc.'s new Wide-Angle POV.1 ($699.99) you can do just that. The imaging system (wearable so others can see your exact point of view) records real-world action regardless of the conditions. The Wide-Angle POV.1 imaging head increases the field of view capturing area to 110 degrees, a boost of 30 degrees over its predecessor. The waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant system includes the wide-angle camera, built-in video recorder with LCD screen and mic, a wireless remote and video software. Don't worry about breaking this one at the track.
www.vio-pov.com
Parrot Mini Kit Slim
Installed Bluetooth car kits put a serious hit on your wallet, but plug-and-play units are usually too bulky to bother with. Parrot's MINIKIT Slim ($99.99) changes that scenario, blending a sleek form factor with top-notch features. It uses Parrot's voice recognition, DSP technology and text-to-speech capability. Once your phone is paired with the address book and automatically loaded, all you need to do to place a call is say "Call so-and-so." To "install," simply clip onto your sunvisor-thanks to its compact size it won't bump into your forehead. And with 10 hours of talk time and 20 days of standby, you'll hardly ever have to recharge it.
www.parrot.com/usa
VentureCraft Paparazzi Accident Logger
Wary drivers take note. If you've ever been in a collision and wanted proof that it wasn't your fault, you should pick up VentureCraft's Paparazzi Accident Logger ($350). The compact digital recorder continually records as you drive and saves material 12 seconds before and 8 seconds after an incident. It automatically saves to memory whenever you brake suddenly, or you can manually save video by tapping a large button. Unlike other recording systems, the Paparazzi is easy to install, sticking to your windshield and drawing power from the cigarette lighter or power outlet. Data is stored on a big 2GB SD card, so it'll take months to fill.
www.paparazzi.jp/en
Go Pro Hero Wide
This incredibly small camera ($199.99) captures your motoring exploits with ease. It comes with five quick-release mounts that let you stick it to almost any part of your car, inside or out. The suction cup is so strong, it's even approved for drifting. For a more driver's point-of-view experience, stick it to your helmet and hit the track. The digital recorder captures about 56 minutes of video on a 2GB card (sold separately), but you can adjust the settings to take a photo every 2 or 5 seconds, for example, or turn off the sound. The durable camera is waterproof to 100 feet and shockproof, so the only thing you have to worry about breaking is your neck.
www.goprocamera.com
Mobileye AWS-4000
Of all the cameras at the show, this one was the most unique. Much more than just a camera, the Mobileye AWS-4000 ($1,240 installed) is a safety solution to prevent accidents. The camera, located in the windshield, uses Mobileye's proprietary technologies to detect and measure the distance between your car and the cars around you. It will then give you warnings if there's an imminent collision with the car directly in front of you or if you're going to unintentionally leave your lane (if you use your turn signal, a warning will not go off). It's an excellent tool, especially with all the distractions today's drivers may have, like cell phones, fatigue due to lack of sleep, and raucous passengers.
www.mobileye.com
Sony XS-L156P5
Driving big sound with its 15 inches of diameter, Sony's new XS-L156P5 subwoofer ($170) is a welcome addition to weak factory sound systems. When paired with an appropriate amplifier, this baby can handle 1,500 watts of maximum power (450 watts RMS). It's enough to give your ride a solid thump or two (or three). It features a rigid P5 (pentagonal shaped polypropylene) design paired with gold-plated, five-way binding posts. The minimalist composite woven cone is composed of mica-reinforced glass fiber. The Xplod logo etched into the capless design is the only hint of decoration on this no-nonsense sub.
www.sony.com/xplod
Autonet Mobile
aNowadays you can access the Internet just about anywhere. A solution built specifically for the car, Autonet Mobile lets multiple people access the web on the road, creating a mobile WiFi hotspot. The system includes a router ($499) backed up by a $29-per-month subscription for the service. Using their laptops and other WiFi-enabled mobile devices, passengers can then check e-mail, play games, and do anything else web-related with ease. The network works on 95 percent of U.S. roads, regardless of location or driving conditions. Installation is simple-just plug it into the cigarette lighter or power socket and you're ready to go.
www.autonetmobile.com