Clarion Won’t Punish On Price
This just in from Clarion, a reminder of just how damn clever these guys are, Sent to us with the sub heading of ‘Aftermarket In-Car Entertainment Upgrade Is An Affordable Alternative’ the following news piece is direct from the horn’s throat.
With the cost of upgrading in-car entertainment when buying a vehicle often proving prohibitive, many motorists are missing out on a more entertaining driving experience, according to Clarion, a global leader in mobile electronics.
Having introduced Europe’s first standard sized (single DIN) in-car TV solution in 1995, Clarion is ideally placed to comment on the recent mainstream move towards multimedia. Indeed its own product progression in the category since the launch of the TVX4151, has shown that there are a multitude of options open to motorists via the aftermarket, in addition to those offered by the manufacturer.
The initial development costs of fitting more equipment into a pre-set space signalled a price rise in the aftermath of its first offering with Clarion’s VRX918R delivering TV, DAB, DSP and optional navigation in 2000 at a price of £1,399, compared to £1,149 for the TVX4151 yet Clarion’s 70 years of expertise has seen a consistent drive towards more for less, ever since.
Just over a decade on from the VRX918R and Clarion’s current range-topping, single DIN in-car audio visual and navigation (AVN) unit contains every conceivable entertainment extra, yet the £899 price tag is some 20% less than its first forbear.
With increasingly more sophisticated and integrated dashboard designs also proving to be a perceived impediment for many, Clarion’s range of connectivity and fitting kits designed to work seamlessly with a car’s existing set-up and a dedicated network of dealers and installation experts, ensure that anyone can benefit from an aftermarket audio-visual navigation (AVN) upgrade.
Harnessing all its expertise, Clarion’s 2012 award-winning NZ502E flagship is an all-in-one AVN unit that makes the most of an expansive high resolution WVGA seven inch motorised fold-out touch-screen, with a new intuitive, animated Graphical User Interface (GUI).
A recent recipient of a Mobile Electronics News award for best single DIN AV unit, the NZ502E supports multiple media file formats, via CD, DVD, USB and SD, whilst TV is possible with the optional addition of the DTX502E digital TV tuner.
NZ502E is ‘˜Made for iPod’ and ‘˜Made for iPhone’ certified, so you can enjoy the convenience of an ABC Search function via the head unit to quickly access music, with a ‘˜simple control mode’ allowing operation using the iPod/iPhone control. Album artwork is also displayed to visually enhance the interactive experience.
With enhanced opportunities to further fine-tune the audio via Magna Bass EX – boosting the lowest octaves for deeper bass – Clarion’s NZ502E delivers high-tech in-car multimedia in a convenient and easy-to-operate package that does not compromise on quality.
Commenting on the latest developments within in-vehicle entertainment, Graham Case, General Manager Clarion GB Ltd., noted ‘although Clarion has a history founded in original equipment expertise, it has consistently consulted the aftermarket to drive its latest innovations, which in turn have fed back through to manufacturers. The company has come a long way since the first European in-car TV product, and we are as committed as ever to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, to ensure all consumers are catered for.’
For full details call Clarion (GB) Ltd., on 01793 859560, or visit clarion