Nowadays, checking off an option box at the dealer or buying a spiffy detachable handheld unit is the most popular way to get a navigation system in a vehicle. While we've found most factory-installed nav systems work fairly well, they usually come with premium price tags and an inability to support a variety of new-age media. Low- to moderately priced detachable systems are a good option if you want bare-bones directions, but are limited otherwise.
| eclipse Avn726e face
So what's a directionally challenged audio/video aficionado to do these days?
The solution, according to audio brand Eclipse, is what it calls AVN. It's essentially the one-stop shop for audio, visual, and navigation systems and, luckily for us, we got our hands on its latest AVN726E model (MSRP $1299.99) showcased in one of company's custom-built CES show cars, a 2009 Toyota Sequoia. It's been appropriately designated the Audio Assault Vehicle and, if you haven't already surmised, it also boasts a complete Eclipse-branded audio system.
| eclipse Avn726e toyota Front View
Back in 2004, Eclipse was the first to introduce an AVN system to world markets and five years later it's still at it, claiming its newest model is the best of the best. So to see if it does, in fact, live up to that bold claim, we took the Audio Assault Vehicle into the real-world highways and byways of Southern California.
At heart, we're die-hard car guys here at MT and before we even touched the AVN726E, we had to check out the brand-spanking-new Sequoia. Eclipse took the already huge, brutish SUV and lowered its ride height, threw on a set of 22-inch Momo wheels, added a Corsa exhaust and a K&N air induction system and tacked on a heap of sponsor decals and other goodies. The additions make it a bona-fide magnet for onlookers, and it's also no doubt one of the loudest vehicles they've ever come across when the volume knob is turned way up.
| eclipse Avn726e interior Sound System
Space is one thing the Sequoia is good at providing, so Eclipse's builders went all out in creating their rolling audio display, installing no fewer than 11 speakers powered by four XA4200 four-channel amps. Two amps mounted on each side of the massive central tunnel house all the system's intricate wiring and circuitry. Set in place of the stock third row of seats is a trio of 10-inch subwoofers waiting to bump bass to inconceivable levels. Three ZA1200 mono subwoofer amps surge power to each.
| eclipse Avn726e head Unit
With the turn of the key, the entire telemetric organism came to life, capacitors diligently churning power to each component, especially the sleek seven-inch screen set center stage in the Sequoia's massive dash. It's a full digital-to-digital TFT display (akin to current high-definition LCD TVs) and gave no hint of glare in virtually any light situation. Indeed, it's clearer than anything we've experienced from any OEM supplier -- a point further proven to us as soon as we popped in a DVD movie.
| eclipse Avn726e head Unit
Among the first things we noted was the responsiveness of the unit. Rather than having to tap a digitized control multiple times as we do on some factory touchscreens, the AVN was super-quick and never delayed to "think" about its actions.
During our fun navigating L.A.'s streets, we found address input to be just as speedy as button control thanks largely to the system's built-in flash memory. It's very intuitive and user-friendly with its brightly lit buttons.
| eclipse Avn726e interior Sound System
Navigation commands were clearly asserted, and we especially liked the AVN's take on the advanced turn warning that indicated which way and exactly how far we were from the next direction change. Mix in the colorful 3D maps, digitized speedometer, compass, and exact GPS location pin-pointer, and the AVN easily one-ups factory navigation in our books. As an added bonus, maps can be stored in the flash memory for future recall, further easing the process of roaming the roads. Points of interest can be additionally searched and designated as destinations.
We were never misdirected by the AVN and thanks to its Sirius Traffic real-time updates ($3.99 per month) we were consistently able to cut commute times. Just to find out how it would react, we intentionally strayed off path on multiple occasions and each time we were hastily re-routed correctly.
Aside from the cool interactive maps, there's also the audio and video aspect of the AVN combination. The AVN726E's spec sheet is impressive. The unit supports USB, auxiliary audio players, iPod, rear passenger DVD players, satellite radio, rear and side view cameras, DVD movies, DivX, MP3 CD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and just about any other CD/DVD format known to man. Basically, throw in any disk, and this thing can probably play it. There's even a security feature that only allows system use once an owner-approved CD (aka CD Key) is inserted.
Up to five phones can be connected to the AVN via Bluetooth and, if the phone/digital audio player permits, can stream music through stereo speakers. Connectivity and pairing were as easy as it comes and streaming audio quality sounded bell-clear, but that was only after we found a compatible phone. Unfortunately, not all Bluetooth-enabled phones can connect to the system, but if you have one that it supports everything works well.
DVD video playback was spectacular. Video data transfer is entirely digital -- eliminating any sort of noise or picture lagging. The only thing that really hindered in any way was the AVN's screen size, but then again, this isn't truly intended to be a full-blown movie theatre. That said, it does sound like a real movie theatre. Mr. Dolby Digital is apparently a close friend of the AVN, and he and the rest of the system left their mark on our ear drums after a viewing of the epic car-chase scene in "Ronin." Once relocated to the back seats, we were treated to twin FECI06 seven-inch screens set in the front passenger-seat headrests. Another identical set of screens was installed in the back-seat headrests just for flash.
| eclipse Avn726e toyota Front View
How was the stereo system? Simply mind-blowing. The best comparison we can muster was with the 15-speaker Logic7 system with 7.1 surround sound installed in the 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe - arguably the best, most-refined OEM audio system on the market today. The Audio Assault Vehicle matches the double-R's setup in clarity, but blows it away in terms of sheer volume and bass. It's one banging system.
We've never really been ones to compare aftermarket head units, full audio setups, or navigation units, but after an uncomplicated real-world test of the AVN726E, we're believers in what the aftermarket and, most specifically, Eclipse, can offer consumers seeking more from a navigation system. Overall, this top-range double-din AVN is sleek, attractive, and easy to use. By itself, it's impressively simple and effective, and if you dare to hook up a few speakers or subwoofers to it, be forewarned: You'll never look at any navigation setup the same way again.
