Clarion
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Clarion's double-DIN MAX685BT head unit sports Bluetooth, iPod controls
We've oh-so-little to go on right now, but initial impressions of the double-DIN MAX685BT are underwhelming at best. This in-dash AV center looks to sport a relatively ho hum display, integrated cellphone / navigation support and Bluetooth connectivity, but none of these totally expected features are likely to drop any jaws. Additionally, it plays nice with your dock-connecting iPod and offers up a built-in USB port, but unless Clarion reveals some earth-shattering addition that we're not yet aware of, we'll probably pass on this one.
Clarion unveils colorful double-DIN head units
Oh sure, we've seen plenty of flashy and sophisticated devices aimed at filling that gaping double-DIN hole in your dash, but how's about a device that 10-year old passengers and suckers for all-things-adorable would also dig? Enter Clarion's newest duo, which comes in either white (DUB275MP) or black (DUB275MPB; seen after the jump) and actually packs quite a nice feature set considering the lighthearted design. Aside from the CD drive, it also offers up a front-mounted USB port for loading up MP3 / WMA files, customizable accent lights, optional Bluetooth, AM / FM tuner, a 50-watt x 4 amplifier and a cutesy display to boot. Check 'em out later this month for ¥34,650 ($295) apiece.[Via ShinyShiny]
Clarion DRC-3 DriveEye captures vehicle crashes
It's been a tick since we've seen a new in-car accident recorder hit the market, but just in case none of the previous flavors caught your eye, Clarion's DRC-3 DriveEye can certainly do the trick. Per usual, this wee camera attaches to your windshield, and when an impact or sudden braking / acceleration is detected, it captures the 20 seconds before and after the event. Moreover, the built-in power backup system ensures that your recordings stay in tact regardless of electronic failures within the vehicle, and just in case you feel like logging a few frames of that Lambo ahead, the manual recording button allows you to indulge. ¥49,800 ($411) gets you the camera, a 128MB CF card, and all the sensors and switches needed to rig this up, but here's to hoping you never actually need it for legal proceedings.[Via Switched]
Clarion MAX9700DT all-in-one does in-car NAV, 1Seg, and MiniDisc
Oh how we wish it were all just a horrific dream, but somehow, the engineers behind Clarion's flashy new MAX9700DT in-car navigation unit still felt it necessary to include support for a format that just refuses to die. Granted, the system is loaded to the hilt with features and supported formats, but we have a hard time believing that even the Japanese really still find MiniDisc and ATRAC all that attractive. Nevertheless, the unit also boasts a seven-inch touchscreen display, built-in 1Seg TV tuner, DVD player, a 40GB hard drive, iPod compatibility, 50-watt x 4 amplifier, AM / FM radio, and support for a whole host of audio formats including WMA and MP3. Getting around shouldn't be too difficult given the expansive screen and "3D maps," and just in case that 40GB of internal storage isn't quite enough, you can cram an SD card or Memory Stick into it for a bit more space. As nice as all this sounds, few from crowds other than the elite will be pondering a purchase, as ¥341,250 ($2,868) isn't exactly bargain basement (or even "good deal") territory.[Via NaviGadget]
Clarion intros "drip-proof" CD player for scooters
If you've got your scooter all tricked out but are still looking for a way to drown out the noise (or jet engines, as it were) you may want to give Clarion's latest CD player some consideration, which promises to hold up even if you regularly go for drives in the rain. You'll also be able control it relatively safely, with the included remote control ready to be attached to your handle bars. Of course, you don't necessarily have to use it with a scooter, with Clarion also suggesting it as a solution for motorcycles and "leisure boats." What's more, Clairon's also planning to release an iPod interface for the unit, although there would seem to be other, less expensive ways to enjoy your iPod while you're motoring about. Look for this one to be released in Japan next month for 44,100 Yen, or about $375.[Via Akihabara News]
Clarion's DrivTrax P5 nav unit for Japan
Nothing we haven't seen before: 4.3-inch touchscreen, SiRF Star III chipset, 400MHz Samsung processor and a SD slot. Clarion puts a bit of shine on this DrivTrax P5 of theirs, but it's nothing we aren't used to by now. Naturally, the device can play back photos and audio, with a built-in 1.5W speaker and 3.5mm headphone jack. Clarion claims 4.5 hours of battery life, and some hefty navigation software, with 11 million addresses and 8 million phone numbers indexed for searching. The P5 should be hitting Japan in April, no word yet on price.[Via NavGadget]
Clarion showcases Bluetooth / SD FB275BT head unit, touts "no moving parts"
Clarion's already shown us its N.I.C.E. 430 navigation system here at CES, but its "semiconductor car stereo" stole the show by offering up an in-car stereo with "no moving parts," which means you won't find an optical drive or HDD in here. The single-DIN FB275BT instead receives music care of the SD slot (unfortunately, no SDHC support was mentioned) behind the front white panel or over Bluetooth, and pumps out the jams with it's 50-watt x 4 internal amplifier. Aside from also boasting handsfree connectivity with your mobile, it features an FM tuner (sorry, AM lovers), two-line LCD display, rear auxiliary input for your DAP of choice, two-channel RCA output, and a modest assortment of equalizer / bass boost presets. The faceplate boasts eight large, curved buttons as a part of Clarion's HMI (Human Machine Interface), which reportedly seeks to "minimizes the number of buttons while maximizing functionality," and plenty of indirect lighting keep it lookin' good when nightfall hits. So if you're ready to ditch the CD for good, you can pick up the FB275BT sometime this year for $249.99.[Via Tech-On]
Clarion unveils N.I.C.E. 430 navigation system / PMP
Although Clarion's N.I.C.E. navigation unit got a decent review way back in the day, it was certainly in dire needs of a makeover, and since your P200 is probably half melted by now, you may be interested in the fresh N.I.C.E. 430. The latest handheld GPS / PMP device to come from Clarion's doors sports a 4.3-inch touchscreen LCD, 1GB of internal memory, SD flash card slot, SiRF Star III GPS antenna, built-in speaker for the MP3 playback / robotic creature giving you turn-by-turn directions, handsfree Bluetooth support, photo viewer, rechargeable battery, and USB connectivity. Really, the only thing completely necessary still missing about the $499.99 device is a hard release date and a blown up glamour shot, but we do know it'll be launching "sometime in 2007."
Clarion's N.I.C.E. P200 in-car navigation batteries recalled
No, the word "recall" isn't entirely synonymous with "battery," but in this case, we're afraid the dreaded overheating Li-ion curse has struck again. This time the recall is hitting Clarion's N.I.C.E. P200 in-car navigation / entertainment unit, and the problem seems to be the same as nearly every other recall currently out -- it's too hot for comfort. Reportedly, about 2,500 units are potentially problematic, and with "four reports of the unit melting or overheating" due to a faulty Li-ion cell, the company isn't taking any chances. So if you've got the 4-inch flavor of Clarion's do-it-all with a serial number ended in "UE" or "UF," you should power that bad boy down immediately (and call for a free replacement) before that "NAVBATTERY" gets a little hot under the collar.
Clarion 2.0 and FastScripts updated
You can now add Clarion and Fastscripts to your list of Universal applications (just like I am doing here at TUAW. What? You haven't noticed our new 'Universal Binary' category? Over the next few days we'll be going back and tagging all the apps that we have reported on). Both apps from Red Sweater software have been revved and tested for Intel Macs, plus each app has gained some new features.Clarion is a small app that is designed to help you with your musical intervals (costs $15) and Fastscripts is a script launcher (which is also $15, though there is a free lite version).
