SmartMirror combines rear-view mirror with GPS

Azentek's SmartMirror, known as the DS400 in its native Britain, is coming to U.S. roads. Its gimmick is simple and efficient: it puts your sat-nav alongside a rear-view mirror, meaning you can simply replace your existing one instead of cluttering up the dashboard or obscuring your view of the road.

It has bluetooth to hook up to phones; stereo speakers; an SD card slot for adding new data; and a USB port to hook it up to your computer for software updates and the like. With that 4" display, though, you'd better have great eyesight! Oh, yes, and when it appears on Aug. 1., it'll cost a quite ludicrous $800.

DS-400GB is now SmartMirror and headed for U.S. [Navigadget]

[#1 posted by PetroleumJelliffe , July 22, 2008 5:47 AM]

Couldn't they at least have photoshopped a road with the right number of lanes in the rearview? It looks like she's driving between both lanes, too!

[#2 posted by kpkpkp , July 22, 2008 7:16 AM]

The focal distance I use for my mirrors is about the same as for looking ahead. I am not sure if the screen in the mirror is large enough or in the right place. Most dash mounted GPS requires less head turning to read it, and comes with a large viewing area.

[#3 posted by Bottlekid , July 22, 2008 9:05 AM]

You'll need to bring it in every night or it will be gone before you learn how to use all of those features.

There's really no need to obsure your view with a portable unit. I mount mine near the bottom of the windshield, on the driver's side. I can't understand the thinking off all the logically challenged folks I see driving around with their units mounted in the center of the windshield.

[#4 posted by mdhatter , July 22, 2008 10:43 PM]

Clever, but I use my whole mirror, and so should everyone else. Also. I regularly grab my gps for use in other cars, especially rentals. I also don't like 75% of the GPS units I've used, so this would likely not be a selling point on a new car. This gadget is not for me.

[#5 posted by Jerrycar101 , July 30, 2008 8:37 AM]

I like the mirror. It makes sense to not clutter up the windshield with a suction cup. I also know that many stated in the US it is not legal to have a suction cup on the windows and Bluetooth hands free is required ( California July 1, 2008 )

Also I know this navigation software is from Navigon. The view you see here is "Relaity" view. it is showing what lane you need to be in to make the turn coming up. This is a great! feature... try driving in LA or Chicago and you will LOVE this feature.

I like it and have my on order....

IMHO it is great!

[#6 posted by shijifeipu , December 26, 2008 7:57 AM]

PHOPS Technology of China has launched a new rear view mirror GPS navigation system called PH-438. The PH-438 also has video input monitor for rear view camera on its 4.3-inch screen. This high tech rear view mirror touch screen monitor comes with handsfree bluetooth module to pair up with your phone, integrated speakers, SD/MMC memory card expansion slot, and a USB port. The rear view camera is activated automatically when in reverse gear.

Rear-view Mirror GPS To Come to US,Named PHOPS
Previously named the PH-438, the PHOPS is a GPS system that is mounted in place of your conventional rear-view mirror, and has a rear-facing cam input. With Navigon Mobile Navigator 6.5 inside, it's got "reality view", a 4.3-inch touchscreen, integrated speakers and Bluetooth and takes SD cards. It's actually got two inputs for rear-view cameras, which may be good news for the parking-skill-challenged. It sounds like a neat solution, but I'm a little unconvinced that mounting a GPS high up there on the windscreen isn't actually going to distract you from looking in the rear-view mirror— after all, we know how distracting GPS can be