Each year as we cover the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), it starts the New Year off with us in search of the latest products, trends, and innovations. In early January, the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center were filled with more than 2,700 manufacturers who displayed their new products throughout the 1.7 million square feet of exhibit space. An estimated 20,000 new technology products were unveiled at the show, making it impossible to report on all the latest gadgets. However, the common thread of the car electronics hall continued with its connectivity theme from previous years. In-vehicle connectivity ties all aspects of portable and wireless means to your truck, such as the iPod, Zune, cell phones, USB, AUX-in, Bluetooth technology, and other connectivity formats offered by both aftermarket and OE audio systems.
| 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show Top 10 Products las Vegas
Satellite television, Internet, navigation, traffic, weather, and mobile concierge services are just some of the vehicle tech that made the search most interesting. You can have it all in your vehicle! The product offerings seem to all be designed with the idea to keep us connected and entertained, and this is especially beneficial since studies show we are spending more time commuting in our vehicles. Also, the continued small, space-saving footprint offerings were plentiful for amplifiers, subwoofers, and portable navigation devices as they have been redefined and refined. Don't worry, if you like the traditional-sized product or even super-sized product, there were still huge subwoofers weighing more than 100 pounds, and amplifiers that fill the entire rear seats of your truck.
While we would like to have shown you all of the latest and greatest gadgets and products from the show, we have narrowed it down to the Top 10 Products with 8-Lug readers in mind.
Versatile Navigation
Detachable And Mountable Into In-Dash Unit
Eclipse AVN4430 comes with a detachable navigation unit for portable use and functions with a permanently mounted in-dash source unit for an integrated fit. The AVN4430 features CD, DVD, iPod, Bluetooth wireless technology, steering-wheel control (availability based on make of car), and rearview camera capabilities. The unit plays DVDs/CDs/CD-R/RWs/MP3, and WMA files. iPod functions are seen on the unit display screen and the unit is also equipped with a USB port. The AVN4430 is developed jointly with TomTom NV and has a 4.3-inch WQVGA display with a separate mounting kit, as the TomTom navigation can be used in another vehicle. The Eclipse AVN4430's suggested MSRP is $850.
www.eclipse-web.com
| 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show Top 10 Products eclipse Avn4430
Top-Of-The-Line All-In-One Video Navigation Double-DIN Unit
Clarion's introduction of a true all-in-one audio video navigation (AVN) unit, the NX509 is equipped with a more intuitive user interface. The NX509 is its top-of-the-line double-DIN AVN unit with built-in GPS navigation, 3D display mode for city or elevation maps, icons and landmarks, fully motorized 7-inch sloping color LCD touch-panel control, true USB direct iPod control (CCA723), Bluetooth ready (BLT370), and is satellite radio ready (Sirius/ XM). The NX509 incorporates technology for exceptional sound quality with BBE MP, 24-Bit D/A converter, Magna Bass EX, subwoofer control, and built-in high-pass and low-pass filters for unsurpassed sound quality. All the bells and whistles packaged in one unit delivers sound, guidance, and entertainment. The Clarion NX509 retails for $1,199.99.
www.clarion.com
| 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show Top 10 Products clarion Avn Unit
Upgraded Receiver With New Technologies And Features
JVC MOBILE El Kameleon KD-AVX77
Award winner of the 2009 CES Best of Innovation Award for the "In-Vehicle Video" category, the upgraded El Kameleon single-DIN touch-screen receiver features a 5.4-inch ultra-wide monitor with a high-resolution 192,000 pixel TFT panel able to display aspect ratios up to 3:32:1 for super-wide Cinemascope viewing experience. The ultra-wide monitor can also display multimedia video and AV input content at the same time in split-screen mode. The KD-AVX77 receiver is loaded with built-in Bluetooth with high-quality wired microphone, Satellite Radio, CD changer connections, and is HD radio-ready. It also features full-speed control for iPod/iPhone via an included full-speed USB 2.0 port and offers Dual Zone, Dolby Digital 5.1-Channel surround decoder, and a high-quality DVD pickup and mechanism. The JVC EL Kameleon KD-AVX77 retails for $649.95.
www.jvc.com
| 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show Top 10 Products jvc El Kameleon
Component Systems Offer Complete Range of Frequencies
KICKER RS-Series Matched Component Systems
The RS-Series offers a more affordable solution from Kicker for those who seek an outstanding mid-range/tweeter/crossover combo giving music lovers another source for a complete range of the smoothest, richest frequencies available. Offerings include the RS65.2 (6.5-inch midrange woofer) and RS60.2 (6-inch midrange that will also fit as a replacement in locations that were designed for 5.25-inch speakers) that use a polyimide former and copper-clad aluminum wire to help decrease hot temperatures within the motor. Each system's 1-inch, high-end tweeter pair with advanced DuPont Tetoron elliptical domes includes redesigned crossovers that are more flexible and reliable. Configuration choice rests with the listener-the new, two-way bi-ampable passive crossovers have 18 dB/octave high-pass and 12 dB/octave low-pass filters at 3.5 kHz to optimize output. A tweeter output-level switch (0dB, +3dB, +6dB) determines tweeter volume, while the crossover itself provides incandescent tweeter protection. The Kicker RS60.2 retails for $399.95 and the RS65.2 retails for $449.95.
www.kicker.com
| 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show Top 10 Products kicker Component System
