2008 SEMA - Azentek SmartMirror SM-450 with GPS navigation

Making our way through the two million square feet of exhibits at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, we’re finding many new products that catch our eye. One such shiny object is Azentek’s SmartMirror.

Aptly named, the SmartMirror is designed to replace an original equipment rearview mirror with one that includes a navigation system and can also be used as a display for a rearview camera. Roughly the left two thirds of the SmartMirror is a conventional mirror, and the remainder does double duty as a display for the navigation and optional rearview camera.

Navigon provides the navigation software, and the look, feel, and performance of the system is likely to be comparable to Navigon systems we’ve tested. The navigation screen measures about four inches. It does include spoken street names and reality view, which displays major highway interchanges and signage as they look to a driver. However, it does not include voice recognition.

The SmartMirror also includes Bluetooth for hands-free phone duty and a 2GB SD card for storing maps, pictures, and e-books.

The product retails for $799. Azentek says installation should take a professional about 20 minutes on most vehicles. The rearview camera costs another $99 plus installation, although the manufacturer says do-it-yourselfers should be able to do the whole job.

—Jim Travers

Read about more cars, gear, news, and views from SEMA.

Comments

[melville248]

This just seems like a bad idea to me.