A dashcam has become an essential feature for your car but many are turned off because they are too big and obtrusive – but that’s not a problem with the Navman MiVue ALTA DC  – it can blend into your vehicle and be your eyes and ears on the road.

Having a dashcams you have a record of what happened if you’re involved in an incident on the road.

These recordings can be offered to the police or an insurance company to support your side of the story if there is any kind of dispute or offence.

The MiVue ALTA DC dashcam is the first of its kind and looks a factory-fitted accessory.

Rather than the usual square or rectangular shape, MiVue ALTA has a slim and vertical profile and can be integrated in the middle of the windscreen next to the rear-view mirror and out of sight for the driver.

We installed the Navman ALTA in a Kia Rio for our review, and it sat neatly on the left side of the rear view mirror.

The MiVue ALTA DC also has a rear camera as well and requires professional installation. There are no visible cables.

And from the driver’s seat you can’t even see it.

The front and back cameras record full HD at 30 frames per second with H.264 compression so allow more recordings to fit on the included 32GB endurance microSD card.

The MiVue ALTA DC is constantly recording and if the onboard 3-axis G-Sensors detects a sudden change in motion or impact, the video is stored in a separate folder.

Each file not only includes the video of the event but also a map and your direction of travel.

It also puts a time stamp on the video along with the current speed and longitude and latitude.

The Navman MiVue ALTA DC can also record audio from inside the car – this feature can be turned off in the settings if you’re not keen on your calls and in-car conversations being recorded.

And not only will it record your video it will also provide safety warnings about red light cameras, school zones and accident black spots.

What keeps the MiVue ALTA DC so small is the fact it doesn’t have a screen.

Your smartphone becomes the screen when you connect to the dashcam using the Navman MiVue Pro app.

Once installed users can link to the dashcam via wi-fi – it creates its own little network – with your smartphone so you can access the settings and decide on video clip length, the sensitivity of the sensors and the volume of the voice notifications.

This is also you can download videos to share if needed.

The Navman MiVue ALTA DC also has a parking mode with the addition of an optional Smartbox ($79) which can trigger the camera via the built in G-Shock and motion sensors to automatically record five seconds prior to impact and 15 seconds after.

This is ideal for capturing accidents while your car is parked and when inside shopping centre car parks.

If the other driver doesn’t leave their details after hitting your vehicle, their car’s number plate will be easily seen via the captured high definition video.

The Navman MiVue ALTA DC is available now and is priced at $499.

Tech Guide readers can enjoy a 20 per cent discount + free shipping by ordering the MiVue ALTA ($329 before discount– Single Camera) or the MiVue ALTA DC ($499 before discount Dual Camera) through the Navman website www.navman.com.au when you use the code “TECHGUIDE” at checkout. Offer will be available until November 19, 2023.

VERDICT

The Navman MiVue ALTA DC is a gamechanger for dashcams that can offer you protection on the road discreetly thanks to its breakthrough design.

The post Navman MiVue ALTA DC review – the dashcam that can blend into your car appeared first on Tech Guide.

The MG ZS is not only the first fully electric SUV in Australia – it has also been priced competitively so it can be a serious consideration for any customer thinking of making the switch to an EV.

Tech Guide got behind the wheel of the MG ZS EV which looks and drives just like a regular SUV but instead of refuelling at the petrol bowser – you plug it in.

I’m already very familiar with electric cars – I’ve been driving a Tesla for almost three years – so this is going to be two reviews in one.

One for those who have never driven an electric car and another comparing it with the Tesla experience.

For those new to EVs and thinking of moving across from a petrol vehicle the MG ZS EV is much more affordable option at $43,990 on the road.

Before this the only option to switch to EV was to get behind the wheel of a Tesla Model S or Model X which was well over $100,000.

Even with the release of the more affordable Tesla Model 3 in 2019, you’re still looking at more than $72,000 for the base model.

Now the MG ZS EV is no Tesla – it doesn’t offer the performance, range and level of technology – but it’s an excellent option for those with an eye to the future who don’t want to pay for petrol any more.

On the safety side, the MG ZS EV has already achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating thanks to its high strength cabin and torsional rigidity of the chassis design.

When you sit inside the MG ZS EV for the first time you really can’t see any difference with a regular car.

And that’s a good thing because most people don’t want a steep learning curve or want to radically change their driving habits.

The interior of the MG ZS EV is nicely appointed with high quality materials and workmanship.

What we really loved was the massive panoramic sunroof that covers 90 per cent of the roof – one of the largest in its segment.

It has the same start/stop button of a regular vehicle as well as the usual instrument cluster in front of the driver and an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen.

When you hit the start/stop button, the car comes to life and the displays instantly switch on.

The only difference is you don’t hear and feel a large combustion engine roar to life.

So far, so good.

One difference you’ll notice is the regenerative braking which will start to slow the car down as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator.

When you do that the motor is immediately thrown into reverse and the energy this action generates goes back into the battery.

You can set the level of regenerative breaking from mild to aggressive which adjusts how power you can recoup. We ha it set at aggressive and it wasn’t too much of a jarring adjustment.

Aboard the MG ZS EV there’s the usual array of knobs for the air conditioning and audio volume – which is also on the wheel.

There is no central gear shifter or stalk on the steering wheel.

Instead there is a gear shifting knob which is twisted to drive, neutral and reverse and the button on top puts you into park.

The range of the MG ZS EV is about 263km which is fine for city drivers but might not be an option for those who need to drive longer distances regularly.

The biggest adjustment an electric car owner has to make is finding places to charge the onboard 44.5Kw battery.

The obvious choice would be to charge the vehicle at home using the supplied adaptor cable which then plugs into a regular power point.

Charging this way will take many hours so it would be a case of leaving it overnight so you wake up to a full battery.

You can get a slightly faster charge at a destination charger in shopping centres, hotels and car parks and also you can also plug the car into a supercharger and get to 80 per cent battery level in just 45 minutes.

The charging port is locating behind the front grille – simply press the MG badge the grille pops open and swivels upwards to easily gain access to the charging port.

There’s a battery level indicator in the driver’s instrument cluster in the same place where  you’d see a petrol gauge.

One thing you’ll notice is a much quieter drive – there is no internal combustion engine remember?

Performance-wise the MG ZS EV is a zippy drive.

Now you’re not going to get the same hit between the shoulder blades like when you hit the accelerator on a Tesla but it’s as good as what you’d get with your old petrol car and can go from 0-60km/h in 3.1 seconds.

The power is there when you need it and you’ll quickly find it’s a fun car to drive.

In terms of connectivity it’s easy to pair your smartphone via Bluetooth or with a cable to charge it from one of the USB ports located in a small niche below the main screen.

It has both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay so you can connect your phone with a cable and have full control of the apps you’re allowed to use behind the wheel via the car’s touchscreen.

Onboard is MG Pilot which includes a range of drivers safety technologies including adaptive cruise control, front collision warning, emergency breaking, speed assist and lane departure warnings.

The MG ZS EV compact SUV has a driveaway price of $43,990.00 and is backed by an 8 year 160,000 kilometre battery warranty, a five year unlimited kilometre warranty plus five years of roadside assistance.

VERDICT

The MG ZS EV is a great first choice for an electric car because it’s not actually too different from a regular car – apart from the fuel you put into it. MG has done a great job creating a vehicle that offers the same features as a regular fuel car with a comfortable and spacious cockpit and the technology you’d expect from a modern car.

Standard features include:

– One variant/Trim level

– Two tone 17-inch alloy wheels

– MG logo with charging breathing light

– Diamond radiator grille

– London eye headlamps

– Lipped waistline

– Synthetic leather flat bottomed steering wheel

– 360-degree Turbo vents

– Soft touch dash material

– Rotary Gear Selector

– Electric Parking Brake

– 3 Regenerative Braking Modes (Light, Moderate, Heavy – S-Pedal)

– 3 Driving Modes (Eco, Normal and Sport)

– Centre Armrest

– Panoramic Stargazer Sunroof

– 8-inch colour touchscreen

– Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

– Satellite Navigation

– Synthetic leather upholstery with French double-stitching

– Silver Roof Rails

– MG Pilot – Driver Safety Technology

• • Traffic Jam Assist
  • Intelligent Cruise Assist
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Speed Assist
  • Forward Collision Warning
  • Automated Emergency Braking
  • Intelligent Headlamp Control

Exterior Colours

– Clipper Blue, metallic paint (Exclusive to MG ZS EV)

– Diamond Red, metallic paint

– Regal Blue, metallic paint

– Dover White

– Pebble Black
Dimensions of the MG ZS EV

The post We get behind the wheel of the MG ZS electric SUV – driving into the future appeared first on Tech Guide.

There are numerous Amazon speakers powered by Alexa you can buy but if you can’t bear the thought of leaving Alexa behind when you get in your car then you can try the new Echo Auto.

It is designed to bring Alexa along for the ride and enjoy the convenience of accessing information, directions and all kinds of content using your voice.

And like a regular Alexa speaker, Echo Auto gives users access to Alexa skills

The Echo Auto unit is quite small – it’s 8.5cm wide, 4.7cm long and 1.3cm thick and has an action button and microphone-off button on top of the device.

It comes with a vent mount so you can easily the unit up on your dashboard.

The vent mount didn’t suit our car so we had it in the centre console and it worked just fine.

If it is attached to the vent mount you’re going to have a USB cable running down to your car’s 12V power source.

It connects from the device’s micro-USB port to the power source via the included car adaptor which has two USB ports to power the Echo Auto and another device.

Echo Auto also includes an eight microphone array so it can easily pick up your voice in the car.

Next step is to connect the Echo Auto via Bluetooth to your smartphone and the phone is then in turn connected to your car.

And don’t worry if your car doesn’t have Bluetooth – it can connect directly to your vehicle’s AUX IN port (if it has one) from the Echo Auto 3.5mm jack with an included audio cable.

Whichever way you’ve connected Echo Auto relies on your smartphone’s data to bring you the information and content you ask for so it’s going to use your data.

That’s no different to streaming content through your car’s system when your smartphone is linked directly via Bluetooth or through CarPlay or Android Auto.

But what Echo Auto brings to the table are its abilities to access music, podcasts and audiobooks just by asking for them.

Now if you have a newer car, you can probably already use your voice to place calls and access some of your content.

Anyone with an iPhone or Android phone can use Siri or Google Assistant in their car which might make some of Echo Auto’s features redundant but even then the device can still be quite useful.

With Echo Auto connecting to the app on your phone, users are able to do a lot in the car.

Like asking for directions, for example.

We set up Amazon’s Echo Auto in our car – a Tesla Model S – and our car already has a massive screen and a huge map and navigation we can access via voice control.

But not every car us like ours – some don’t even have a screen and rely on their phone for their directions.

In this instance, and if your phone is legally placed in a holder, it’s really handy asking Echo Auto to find a location.

We noticed on the iPhone users are required to touch their screen to start and the default is set at Apple Maps.

But you can choose either Apple Maps, Google Maps or Waze as your default mapping app and you’re on your way.

Android users actually have it a litter better here because it will open up Google Maps automatically without the need to touch the screen.

What we particularly liked was being able use our voice to access content – especially our podcasts and audiobooks.

Normally this requires you touching your device’s display and scrolling through to your content.

We love listening to audiobooks on Audible (which is owned by Amazon) and our favourite voice command was saying “Alexa, resume my audiobook” and it picked up right where we left off.

That’s something that required a few more keystrokes under normal circumstances.

But for those who don’t have CarPlay or Android Auto or even Bluetooth in their car, Echo Auto will be remarkably liberating.

It will allow you to answer your calls hands-free and also play your music and even ask for a particular artist.

But you can also do things like add items to your shopping list, check your calendar, check your commute and set reminders.

And you can also take advantage of the numerous Alexa skills so you can do everything from playing a game and checking your bank balance to getting the latest news headlines and ordering a pizza.

Another standout feature is being able to command your smart home with Echo Auto if you already have Alexa set up at home.

Now with Echo Auto you can turn on lights and heaters and the air conditioner and also check to see if you’ve left the iron on or if you’ve shut the garage door.

The Echo Auto will offer different experiences for different customers depending on how they connect with their car.

A newer car will already have a display, built-in GPS and voice control along with CarPlay and Android Auto.

For these drivers, Echo Auto can still be useful but they wouldn’t get as much use out of it as someone driving an older or less tech advanced car.

And, of course if you’re already wed to Alexa as your assistant at home, you might as well take that relationship on the road as well.

The Echo Auto is available now and is priced at $79.

VERDICT

The Echo Auto is an ideal choice for customers who want to make their car smarter and easier to control with their voice to access music and content along with skills and numerous other features. And if you can’t bear to leave Alexa behind.

The post Amazon Echo Auto review – take Alexa on the road and make your car smarter appeared first on Tech Guide.

Ever been stuck with a flat battery? The Uniden UPP136 jump start kit can get you out of trouble without the need to call roadside assistance which gives every driver peace of mind.

The powerful 12V portable battery pack can not only jolt your car back to life but also charge up your mobile devices and laptop on the move as well.

Uniden’s UPP136 comes with a set of jump cables with universal 12V clamps to supercharge a dead battery along with regular USB cables for your phone, tablet and other portable devices.

There are even eight laptop connectors to suit various brands of laptops for mobile charging as well.

This essential travel item has enough power to jumpstart most cars several times on a single charge.

It can work with cars without 5L petrol engine and vehicles with up to a 3L diesel engine.

All you need to do is connect the jumper cables to the cars battery terminals and then plug the cables to the Uniden battery and switch on the vehicle’s ignition.

The Uniden UPP has a capacity of 13,600mAh and has a built-in powerful LED flashlight as well.

The flashlight can come in handy and has three flashing modes if you find yourself in an emergency situation.

The battery itself is slightly larger and thicker than a smartphone that has a small LED indicator which can show you the remaining battery power.

There are also two USB ports as well as a concealed port where the jumper cables can be connected.

It also has an output port to fit one of the eight PC laptop connectors – but you’re out of luck if you’re using a MacBook – none of the connectors fit, it’s powered with a USB-C cable.

The Uniden CPP136 itself can be recharged using the included power adapter.

It all fits inside a durable and compact carry case that can be stored in the boot of your car until needed.

The Uniden UPP136 is available now and priced at $149.95.

VERDICT

The Uniden UPP136 is one of those products that is really handy and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. The fact that it can get you out of a jam if you’re stuck with a dead battery makes it an essential device and worth every cent.

The post Uniden UPP136 review – jump start your car and charge your mobile devices and laptop appeared first on Tech Guide.

As drivers we are taught to keep our eyes on the road and Uniden has just released the iGo Cam 80 that can record any on road incidents in 4K ultra high definition.

This is one of the first dash cams to offer such high-quality recordings which makes it even easier to distinguish important details like number plates, locations and people in the videos.

Despite the excellent video quality it can produce, the iGo Cam 80 is surprisingly small and can be discreetly fitted to your windscreen with 3M stickers.

It has a 2.4-inch LCD colour screen which can display the current view from the camera and other information like the local speed limit.

The device also has GPS on board so it not only knows your location it can also warn you when approaching speed and red light cameras.

The camera has a wide 150-degree field of view so it can capture a wide area of the lanes ahead of you.

Users can set the recording resolution from 4K all the way down to 720p as well as determine the loop recording length which we had at three minutes.

If nothing happens within that time and there is nothing we want to save, the iGo Cam 80 just records over that video.

The device is also smart enough to adjust to the light each day and balance the image to give drivers sharper footage and greater clarity.

This is a handy feature for those looking to capture their scenic drives as well. As a result the video quality is surprisingly sharp and clear –  great for identifying other vehicles in the event of an incident as well as admiring the surrounding landscape.

iGo Cam 80 is always recording and loops the video onto the onboard microSD card (which is not included).

In the event of an incident, the device’s G-sensors can save that footage into a folder for users to either access directly from the card or wirelessly transfer to their smart phone using the free Uniden iGo app.

There is also HDMI output to play video off the device to a computer or on your television.

Video can also be viewed when connected to a PC using the Uniden Player which can be downloaded from the company’s website.

This makes it even easier to view files all from the microSD card.

And this feature also works when your car is parked. If the iGo Cam 80 senses a sudden vibration it immediately triggers the camera to record.

For example, if a car hits your vehicle in a car park, the iGo Cam 80 will spring into action and record the car that struck your vehicle.

And with that 4K resolution it is easy to read off a number plate and also present that footage to your insurance company or to the police when you make your claim.

Any captured footage is tagged with a timestamp and a GPS location.

iGo Cam 80 starts recording as soon as it is powered when the car is started.

The device easy to set up –  it’s just a matter of plugging the device into your car’s power supply.

It also has a photo mode to allow drivers to take still images.

Unfortunately, you need to have the cable connected at all times for the camera to work so this meant having a cable running from the windscreen down the dashboard to the 12V power socket.

It does have an internal battery but this is only used in parking mode to shoot a few seconds of video if required.

It would have also been nice to have a touchscreen on the product but the 2.4-inch display may not have provided enough room for accurate navigation.

Instead there are buttons below the display that can steer you through the menus and features.

Apart from the speed and red-light camera warnings, there are additional safety features including Lane Departure Warning which sends a visual and audible alert if you drift out of your lane.

This could be a life-saving feature for anyone prone to fatigue on long trips including truck drivers.

This is a feature normally found on luxury cars but is included with the iGo Cam 80.

A LUX sensor can also detect external lighting conditions and give the driver an alert to turn on the headlights.

Users also have the option of purchasing a rear camera which can be connected to the iGo Cam 80 and this would have to be hard wired by a vehicle electrician.

Uniden iG0 Cam 80.

Price: $279

VERDICT

The Uniden iGo Cam 80 is a sensible investment for any driver –  it can not only be your eyes and ears on the road but it also has your safety in mind as well.  It’s hard to go past that sort of all-round protection.

The post Uniden iGo Cam 80 review – the dash cam that can capture 4K video on the road appeared first on Tech Guide.

Audi has produced a powerhouse with its new flagship SQ7 TDI SUV that delivers on style, performance, innovation, features and its impressive on-board technology.

The Audi SQ7 is a 48-volt mild hybrid with an all-new 4.0 V8 TDI engine that delivers 320kW of power.

And it sounds like it too. When we were driving it for the first time the sound of the rumbling engine made is think we had it in the wrong gear.

But that’s how it sounds, and after a while you get to like that engine growl.

It’s also the world’s first seven seat diesel SUV with a new drivetrain and dynamic handling that really makes it a one-of-a-kind SUV.

Luxury and performance SUVs are all the rage the moment and also one of Audi’s most popular lines.

The SQ7 is a big car but doesn’t handle that way.

It is silky smooth to drive and feels like a regular sedan.

What helps in this department is the specially tuned adaptive air suspension system.

The car has an eye-catching design with a solid stance, aluminium exterior mirror housings, distinctive rear haunches and wheel arches with the trademark double arrow shaped headlights.

The interior is also as spacious as it is luxurious with plenty of room all the way back to the rear seats to fit in your sixth and seventh occupant.

Under the hood, that 4.0L V8 by turbo engine can get you moving from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds.

And yet it has miserly fuel consumption, sipping just 7.2L of diesel per 100km.

The engine has two variable vein exhaust turbochargers which are supported by the electric compressor.

This technology eliminates turbo lag with the compressor wheel able to spend up to 75,000rpm in less than 250 milliseconds.

This is also where the 48-volt electrical architecture comes into play while it runs in parallel with the standard 12-volt system.

But what really caught our eye was the technology on board.

Technology in cars has become so important for customers. It is often one of the deciding factors for their purchase.

Audi has definitely upped their game in this area with their on-board infotainment system.

The minute you get inside the car, a screen gracefully rises out of the dashboard so you can access GPS navigation, phone communication, entertainment.

The beauty of the system is that drivers can talk to the car to navigate, call contact or access their music.

There is also a trackpad in the car which allows for gestures and even writing. We found this to be pretty inexact.

We never attempted it while we were driving, but even at rest with the trackpad located to our left it didn’t make much sense for a right-handed person like me to use.

We had to leave it to passenger when we had one.

Thankfully there were other easier ways to enter text into the system to find an address.

But what we enjoyed more than the native system was Apple CarPlay. There’s also Android Auto onboard  as well.

Also available with the Audi virtual cockpit was the massive 12.3-inch screen in front of the steering wheel.

This display can be adapted to one of three different layouts depending on whatever you need to pay attention to like GPS navigation, for example.

You can choose to take up part of this display all the entire display. It could all be controlled through easy access buttons on the steering wheel.

And the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System with 3D Sound was one of the best in car audio systems we have ever heard.

The speakers also rise up gracefully from the corners of the dashboard – it puts on a little show before you start driving. And have them folded away with the screen also protects them from harsh sunlight.

One thing we didn’t like was the constant interruption to our audio content every time the parking sensors were engaged.

We would have to manually increase the volume to continue to hear what we were listening to every time we had to back in to a parking spot.

There are also plenty of visual indicators to how close we are to other vehicles and walls so the constant audio warnings got annoying really quickly.

The Audi SQ7 performance SUV is available now and priced from 155,511.

VERDICT

The Audi SQ7 certainly exudes luxury and performance and, while it’s not the cheapest car you can buy, you do get a vast amount of features and technology for your money.

The post Audi SQ7 TDI performance SUV review – style, performance and technology under the hood appeared first on Tech Guide.

Zus, the company that brought us the Smart Car Charger, is back with another product for your car – the Smart Tyre Safety Monitor – which can offer a safer driving experience and save you money on fuel.

The Smart Tyre Safety Monitor comes with four pressure sensors that can provide real-time monitoring of each tyre’s pressure.

It pairs with your smart phone and the companion app to allow drivers so you can check the pressure of each tyre at any time.

Having this information helps boost safer driving and can also save you money.

On the safety side, a driver can detect high-pressure and high-temperature that usually comes before a blowout or flat.

And with the intelligent AccurateTemp algorithm on board, the ZUS tyre is the first product of its kind that can warn you about slow leaks before they become a major problem.

Through the app, it is easy to set up and customise pressure thresholds based on your vehicle and your individual tyres so you can receive a warning of any danger before it’s too late.

And there is no need to go and check your tyre pressure at the service station because the information is right there at any time within the app from each of the four pressure sensors.

Users can instantly see if a tyre is under inflated and immediately rectify the situation.

Under inflated tyres on your car will increase your fuel consumption by up to 11 per cent so seeing this information before it costs you money means the Zus Smart Tyre Safety Monitor can pay for itself in no time.

Installing the pressure sensors takes a few minutes. Each sensor has a label to correspond to a particular tyre on your vehicle.

And you don’t have to worry about anyone stealing the sensors of your tyre – there is a set of four locking nuts included to keep the sensors in place.

The sensors link back to a receiver in your car that needs to be connected to a USB power source.

And you’re not losing a USB port in the process because the receiver has a reversible USB port of its own to charge your mobile devices.

We plugged our tyre pressure receiver into the Zus Smart Car Charger – made by the same company.

We installed our tyre pressure sensors in minutes. But it took a few attempts to sync to the app. But we kept at out and we were able to see our individual tyre pressures on the screen.

The Zus Smart Tyre Safety Monitor  will be available from Harvey Norman later this month and will be priced at about $189.

VERDICT

The Zus Smart Tyre Safety Monitor is a handy product for any car or truck owner. It can keep you safe and ensure you keep your tyres properly inflated to save you enough money per year so that it pays for itself.

The post Zus Smart Tyre Safety Monitor review – drive safer and save money on fuel appeared first on Tech Guide.

Driving in this age of smartphones and connectivity it’s important to keep our eyes on the road and our hands off our devices and the Navdy Head Up Display can help you do just that.

The device sits on the dashboard in front of your steering wheel and projects all the relevant information for your vehicle, communication and navigation onto a small screen that’s in your direct eye line as you’re watching the road.

So this means you don’t have to look down at your instruments or at your phone or reach down to your car’s console.

It’s all right in front of your eyes and can be controlled without you even taking your hands off the wheel.

SET-UP

Set up is surprisingly simple and it’s just a matter of positioning Navdy in the right place and at the right height.

The unit is supplied with stands to cater for different vehicles so the driver can come up with the ideal height so you can see the display while you’re watching the road.

Navdy clips in to a pad that adheres to the dashboard and links it to power. If you don’t get the position right the first time the pad can be easily removed and repositioned.

That pad is also your power source and its cable needs to be connected to your car’s OBD-II port. Every car’s got one – you just need to find yours.

The Navdy companion app has a directory of cars, makes and models to locate where your car’s OBD-II port is located.

For us it was right below the steering wheel and we neatly ran the cable along the side of the dashboard and down the seal of the door to make the connection.

To tidy things up, we used a couple of cable ties and we had a nice clean connection.

The next step was installing the Navdy Dial on our steering wheel. This was the device that would help us navigate the Navdy system without taking our hands off the wheel.

It had a rubber strap and clip that made it easy to attach.

Next up we installed the Navdy app –  which is available free on the App Store and the Google Play Store – and connected to the Navdy unit and the Navdy Dial.

Our next task was to tilt the small screen on the device to an angle that would direct the projected display so we could comfortably see it behind the wheel.

This is why it was important to have the unit at the right height so that you’re looking through the screen and seeing the road behind it rather than looking down at it.

HITTING THE ROAD

Our Navdy was mounted, our Navdy Dial was in place. We were ready to hit the road.

We could see the transparent image on the device’s screen but could keep our focus on the road as well.

Because it’s connected to your car’s OBD-II port it means it can draw not only power but also information from your vehicle like your speed, RPM and other telematics.

It not only tells you your current speed but also the speed limit and changes colour when you go over it so you’re always conscious about how fast you should be going.

The display is easy to read even in the brightest sunlight, while wearing polarised sunglasses and even at night.

There are a few ways you can interact with Navdy – through the dial, using gestures and with your voice.

The dial lets you navigate through menus and adjust exactly what you see on the screen.

Beside the speed reading you can choose to see your next appointment, compass, or the music you’re listening to, RPM or fuel range

Navdy Head Up Display powered by Google maps and you can start a trip just by speaking to the unit.

You can say “navigate to 21 Market Street” or “take me home” or “parking nearby” and it will find your directions and display them right before your eyes so you can literally see your next turn on the road ahead of you.

MESSAGES AND NOTIFICATIONS

Navdy is linked to your phone and the companion app via Bluetooth and can also display all your messages and notifications.

Text messages, emails and other notifications can be read out loud by Navdy and you can respond using Siri if you are an iPhone or Google Assistant if you’re using an Android device.

You can also jog through pre-prepared message replies using the Navdy Dial and send them with the present button.

Navdy can also link up to your calendar and keep you on track for your next appointment as well as display notifications from Facebook, Whatsapp and even keep you up-to-date on the weather.

It can also talk to you and let you know if you’re approaching a speed camera.

GESTURE CONTROL

The Navdy system also responds to gestures through its sensor that faces the driver.

If you receive a call you can choose to accept, dismiss or return a call without even touching your phone at all with a simple wave of your hand.
Gesture control also works to dismiss other notifications while you’re driving.

We love this feature but other drivers on the road thought we were waving at them and not the Navdy.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Navdy is priced at $899 and at that price it is quite an investment but one you’ll be glad you made it especially if you spend a lot of time behind the wheel.

The product is available now from JB Hi-Fi and the Navdy online store.

VERDICT

The Navdy Head Up Display has reinvented the way we drive and connect with the outside world so we can still do both safely and easily. Now you can keep your eyes on the road and be connected to your car and your network at the same time at all without taking your hands off the wheel.

The post Navdy Head Up Display review – reinvents the way we drive and connect appeared first on Tech Guide.

Wouldn’t it be great if there were products that could charge your mobile device quickly, tell you where you parked your car, remind you when the meter runs out, check your car’s battery health and log all your trips in the car.

To do all of this you don’t need a number of products, you only need one – the ZUS Smart Car Charger.

It’s a handy in-car device that does so much that you shouldn’t start your car without it.

The device is about 8cm long and fits into your car’s 12V charging port – what we used to call the cigarette lighter.

The only gripe we had with the device was its size which meant we couldn’t close our front console where our plug was located. But that was a very minor complaint.

The first time it’s plugged in to your car you can pair the device with your phone using the ZUS app.

The most obvious use for the ZUS Smart Car Charger is, of course, as a charger.

There are two reversible USB ports on top of the unit which means it removes the 50 per cent chance that you’re going to plug USB cable in the wrong way.

The USB ports are illuminated so there’s no fiddling around in the dark to connect your charging cable.

And on top of that you get fast charging which can charge your phones and tablets in more than half the time as other in-car charger.

We have a built-in USB port on our car and it charges so slowly we’d be lucky if it advanced more than 10 per cent in an hour.

Now that feature’s good enough right there but that’s only scratching the surface of what the ZUS Smart Car Charger can do.

It also has vehicle intelligence and GPS onboard so you can locate your car and it can track your trips.

The ZUS Smart Car Charger – being connected to your car’s electrical system – can give you a snapshot of your car battery’s health and its performance over time so you can avoid being stranded with a flat battery.

What ZUS also does is save the location of your street parking spot – a handy feature if you’ve parked in an area you’re not familiar with.

The app can direct you back to your car using a map or an arrow to point you in the right direction.

It won’t work as well if you’re in an underground or multi-level shopping centre car park.

If you’re in a timed or metered parking space users can set the timer to remind them when time is up so they can avoid an expensive fine.

It’s also possible to share your car’s location with others via Family Share.

But that location data works to log all your trips as well.

If you’ve ever kept a log book you know how tedious it is. Well it’s a hell of a lot easier than with the ZUS Smart Car Charger.

Each trip’s distance and duration is logged with a time stamp.

The journey is plotted on a map and the average cost of the trip is also calculated.

Drivers can also add parking fees and tolls to the log and classify the journey as being a business or personal trip.

The ZUS Smart Car Charger will also work with accessories which are due for release later this year.

These include Smart Tyre Safety Monitors which screw on to your tyre’s valves and to monitor each tyre’s pressure so you can save fuel and prevent blowouts from over-inflated tyres.

Nonda, the company behind the ZUS Smart Car Charger, also makes the iHere 3.0 – a keyring attachment that can locate your phone, your keys and double as a selfie shutter trigger.

The ZUS Smart Car Charger is priced at just $69.95 and is available from Officeworks, Harvey Norman and David Jones.

VERDICT

The ZUS Smart Car Charger certainly lives up to its Smart name but it should also be called versatile because it’s oen of the handiest in-car devices you can ever own.

The post ZUS Smart Car Charger review – one of the most versatile in-car devices appeared first on Tech Guide.

Volvo has always had a great reputation for safety with its vehicles but the launch of the new prestige vehicle – the S90 – they’re also making a name for themselves with in-car technology as well.

Tech Guide got behind the wheel of the Volvo S90 D5 diesel two litre, four cylinder, four-door sedan.

And while the car drove superbly and is luxuriously appointed and elegantly designed, it was the technology that caught our interest.

Technology, connectivity and convenience are deciding factors for customers when choosing one car over another.

And the Volvo S90 certainly delivers in those areas.

At the heart of the vehicle is the intelligent Sensus system that puts all the relevant features at your fingertips.

It starts at the 9-inch display that dominates the centre console of the S90.

From here you can access the four main areas – navigation, entertainment, phone and connectivity.

And because most of the controls are located on the screen there are less buttons and knobs on the console so you’re getting a cleaner and sleeker look.

The display itself has a black background so it’s easy to read day or night. It’s also non-reflective so you can see it easily even with bright sunlight beaming through the sunroof.

Climate control can also be accessed through the screen.

The driver’s display in front of the steering wheel is also fully electronic. There are no physical gauges – the entire area is a screen.

This means that area is also adaptable so you can choose to display your speed or your map if you’re being guided to a destination.

On the entertainment side, you’ve got access to AM and FM radio as well as apps like Spotify and Pandora which can be installed on the S90 like they would on your phone.

You can also enjoy the music from your smartphone whether it’s connected via Bluetooth or physically with the AUX IN port.

And if you want to listen to your CDs you do that too. But it took us a while to find out where to insert the discs.

Usually it’s under the display on the dashboard. In the Volvo S90, it’s under your elbow below the armrest in the central console.

And your music sounds great though the 18 in-car Bowers & Wilkins speakers which have been tuned to perfection by Volvo and Bowers & Wilkins audio engineers.

Some of the speakers feature the distinct yellow cones that look great inside the car.

Connectivity is also important for drivers. We all want to make and receive calls while we’re driving.  The S90’s microphone and speakers are crisp and clear so your calls sound load and clear.

Smartphone connectivity also extends to Apple’s CarPlay and Android Auto. When you connect your phone with a cable and activate the respective system, the lower half of the S90’s screen is transformed and displays the apps that can be used behind the while like navigation, music and audio books.

Other features include a head-up display which projects your current speed, the speed limit and your navigation instructions, if you need them, up on the windscreen so they are in your sight line when you’re looking at the road ahead of you.

This is a handy feature but if you’re wearing polarized sunglasses you won’t be able to see it.

This is an issue across all car brands and not unique to Volvo.

The only other issue we had with the Sensus system was its position to the left of the driver. Not much can be done about that seeing our cars are all right hands drives.

But if you’re right handed, like most of the population, operating the touchscreen with your left hand took some time to get used to.

It’s a lot easier controlling something tactile like a knob or button with your left hand. But when you need to swipe, scroll and press a touch screen with your left hand while you’re driving, it’s is a different story.

It’s certainly not extremely difficult but it does take a little while to get the hang of it.

VERDICT

The Volvo S90 is an excellent car drive with head-turning looks. And on the technology side, the Sensus system completely addresses the needs of the modern driver in style.

The post The technology onboard the Volvo S90 is your drive into the future appeared first on Tech Guide.

We’ve all seen those batteries that can recharge your mobile devices but what about a battery that can do all of that and also have enough to juice to jump start your car if you’ve got a flat battery.

That’s exactly what you get with the Power Jump 7.5 battery.

It weighs just 222g and, at 16mm thick, is about the size of a small portable hard drive.

If you’ve got a flat battery you can use the device to jump start a car, motorbike, speedboat, snow mobile – any petrol engine with up to 3.0L capacity with a battery.

Inside is a lithium polymer battery that is smart enough to avoid overcharging and discharging so your power is there when you need it.

On the top edge of the device is a connector to plug in the included 12V booster cable jumper lead as well as a USB port to connect the adaptor cable which Lightning, USB, microUSB and even the old 30-pin iPhone connector.

What you don’t have is a USB-C connector to charge the latest smartphones and tablets but you can connect your own USB-C cable to the Power Jump 7.5’s USB port and still get a charge.

Also onboard the Power Jump 7.5 is a strong LED light that can be used as a torch with strobe and SOS modes also available in an emergency.

The device has a 7500mAh battery onboard that takes up to two hours to fully charge either through the wall charger or car charger.

The Power Jump 7.5 is available now from www.elsi.com.au in your choice of colours – orange, black, green and pink – for $79.95 which includes postage Australia wide.

The post Power Jump 7.5 battery can charge all your mobile devices and jump start your car appeared first on Tech Guide.

Driving a car like the iconic Ford Mustang certainly turns a lot of heads. And when it’s race red and also a convertible we found out it stands out on the road even more.

In fact, after a lunch I was walking back to the car where it was parked in The Rocks and, as I approached, I saw a woman taking a selfie with the car.

When I unlocked the car with the remote from a distance, she was startled and ran off.

That is just part of the life of being a Mustang owner.

The legendary American pony car has a cool vibe and a certain romance to it which appeals to both men and women.

It is a streamlined car with an aggressive stance with that galloping Mustang on the front and back that is instantly recognizable.

The alloy wheels were also black and always looked because you couldn’t see the brake dust.

And while the Mustang certainly ticks the boxes in the looks department, it also has it where it counts under the hood and with the built-in technology.

Our convertible 6-speed automatic Mustang had the twin-scroll turbocharged 2.3L EcoBoost engine which delivers 233kW of power and 432Nm of torque.

We drove the Mustang in the city and also in the country and it certainly had plenty of power when we needed it.

It also has a satisfying growl when you start the engine as well as a very pleasing idle.

You also get an advanced braking system that prevents the wheels from locking in the event of a sudden stop.

And it handles well too. The sure-footedness is the result of Dynamic Stability Control and the Traction Control System so you can drive with confidence on all sort of road conditions.

We drove the car on highways, country roads and along dirt tracks and the Mustang handled all with ease.

The suspension system, which incorporates a double-ball-joint configuration up front, literally does most of the heavy lifting here.

Inside, the car is nicely finished with more of a masculine finish and with larger switches and buttons

The SelectShift gearstick gives the car the feel of driving a manual and, if you want to change gears on your own, you can do that with the race-car style paddles on the back of the steering wheel.

The technology starts with the selectable Drive modes – Normal, Sport+, Track and Snow/Wet and you can even select the type of power steering you want – standard, sport and comfort.

The Sync 3 system looks after your audio, navigation, climate control and the connection to your smartphone.

It’s a touchscreen system that’s easy to navigate but on some screens the buttons were a little small which meant we didn’t get it right with the first press especially while we were driving.

Another downside was the fingerprints on the screen that, when you’re in convertible mode and with sunlight streaming in, makes the screen unreadable by the driver.

There are short cuts on the steering wheel to control your volume and to answer your phone.

We connected two smartphones to the car – one via Bluetooth and another with a USB cable so we could stream content or listen directly through the cable.

But we did have issues. On two occasions our review vehicle’s speakers wouldn’t work after we started the car.

We tried resetting the system and checking the mute button wasn’t on. Nothing.
We were told to try and disconnecting the battery for minute and technically rebooting the Mustang. This solved the issue.

The second time it happened – at least we knew what we had to do. And that meant opening the bonnet, unclipping the plastic cover over the battery and loosening the battery contacts with a spanner.

When the speakers were working, the quality was also impressive with a high level of clarity even when we driving with the top down.

Speaking of convertible driving, we spend most of the time with the roof down despite being the middle of winter.

You can’t retract the roof up or down unless you’ve come to a complete stop – it takes about 10 seconds from the time the roof is manually unlocked and you hold down the button.

It folds back into a small section behind the rear seats but you then have to clip the plastic inserts on either side to give the car a smoother finish.

Most of the time we didn’t bother with these covers (which have to be stored in the boot) but the car still looked great and it also meant we didn’t have to get out of the car to add or remove the inserts if we wanted to put the roof up for down.

While driving wind swept over the windscreen and left the driver and front seat passengers almost untouched.

The rear passengers, if they can fit into the really tight back seats, will cop the brunt of the wind.

It’s also pretty noisy as well driving with the top down and that was reduced when the electric windows were up.

But we could still clearly hear our music and all of our phone calls.
There are also some other nice features that will surprise and delight owners.

One is the projection of a mustang on the ground on each side of the car when you unlock it.

The Mustang 2.3L EcoBoost convertible starts at $54,990 plus additional features and like prestige paint and on-road costs.

VERDICT

The Ford Mustang is a fun car to drive and it will certainly attract plenty of looks if you enjoy that kind of attention.

But the vehicle is not for everyone, there is pretty limited space in the back seat and would obviously not suit a driver looking for their next family car.

If you’re after a car that looks great and is a thrill every time you drive it, the Ford Mustang could be just for you.

The post Behind the wheel of the Ford Mustang – more than just a one-trick pony appeared first on Tech Guide.

Since it was formed in 1927, Volvo has always been a car company that was known for its leadership in safety, design and innovation and that legacy has continued with the XC90 luxury SUV (sports utility vehicle).

The seven seat vehicle has a head-turning look with a premium interior finish and a new range of technologies and leading safety features.

Volvo is calling the XC90 the world’s safest SUV with two world-first safety features – the run-off road protection and the auto brake at intersection capability.

The Swedish car maker has gone as far to say that by 2020 no one will be killed or seriously injured inside a Volvo vehicle.

The vehicle offers up to 300kW of power and it will be available in two-cylinder and four-cylinder models with turbocharged and supercharged engines and a petrol engine with an electric motor.

https://youtu.be/DNgM5qlyTFg

The interior of the vehicle is one of the most luxurious Volvo has ever created with soft leather and handcrafted wood finishes.

THE NEW VOLVO

For Volvo, the XC90 represents not only the introduction of a new model, but also a new beginning for the brand with the goal of introducing a portfolio of exciting new models in the next three years.

The company took a very human-centric approach to the design and development of the XC90 with the goal to create a calm and relaxing environment.

The car has tiered seating so the seats flow down to the front to allow everyone in the car a clear view through the large windows which let in lots of light.

CONTROL SYSTEM

Another aim for Volvo was to create a new approach to interaction that would be both useful yet not distracting.

Ironically it has achieved this not with less technology – but actually with more of it.

It all starts with the iPad-size screen that dominates the centre console.

In fact, there are hardly any buttons or knobs so it looks modern and uncluttered.

The 9-inch screen has a black background so it blends into the surrounding panel and adjacent air-vents.

There are three main pages in the car’s system that can be accessed with an easy swipe and include essentials like navigation, audio, communications, climate controls and settings.

Users can also position the screen’s controls how they like with a long press of the icons in the same way you can move apps on a smartphone’s screen.

The screen has multi-touch so the driver or passenger can zoom in and out on maps with a pinch.

And the display even has a special infra-red layer so it can be operated while you’re wearing gloves or if you have longer nails.

ON-ROAD TECHNOLOGY

Volvo has take a huge leap forward with technology brings the car a step closer to autonomous.

QUEUE ASSIST

Distraction and inattentiveness are the two biggest causes of accidents but new features in the new XC90 helps avoid both.

Queue assist, designed for city driving in monotonous stop-go traffic, enables the car to speed up and slow down and safe distance in front of it as long as driver has one hand on the wheel.

It combines with active control cruise control so the acceleration and braking are controlled automatically

LANE KEEPING AID

Lane Keeping Aid is another feature that helps keep drivers where they are supposed to be – in their lanes.

It applies added torque to the steering control when it senses the driver drifting out of the lane so it feels like the car is keeping bringing you back in the lane again.

Driver alert control can also detect inattentive drivers and offers an audio alert and directs the driver to the nearest rest area.

EXTENDED ROAD SIGN INFORMATION

The Volvo XC90 is the first car that has road sign information technology.

There is actually a camera in the lower half of the Volvo badge of front grille that recognises speed signs and display then on the all-digital dashboard.

RUN OFF ROAD PROTECTION

This world first feature protects the driver and passengers if the XC90 runs off the road – a common accident caused by fatigue and poor weather conditions.

A high number of road fatalities in Australia were caused by road departure accidents.

The XC90 can detect when the car has left the road and instantly sets in motion a number of protective measures.

Firstly, it tightens the seatbelts to keep the passengers firmly in place and, to help reduce the chance of a spinal injury, it reduces the vertical occupant forces by up to a third.

AUTOBRAKE AT INTERSECTIONS

This is another world first for Volvo where the car automatically brakes if it turns in front of an oncoming car.

The vehicle can detect a potential crash and brake automatically to avoid a collision or reduce the impact of the crash.

AUDIO SYSTEM

Also on board the Volvo XC90 is a top shelf audio system with 19 speakers scattered throughout the car.

Volvo has partnered with prestigious audio brand Bowers & Wilkins to deliver a system that has been acoustically tuned to the vehicle.

Drivers can even select the sound mode whether it’s a concert hall, studio or individual stage.

It’s also possible to optimise the sound for the number of occupants in the car whether it’s just the driver or a whole car full of people.

And the inside of the car acts as the subwoofer chamber.

The subwoofer is integrated into the body of the car and uses the space inside the cabin to drive more air and create amazing bass.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The Volvo XC90 comes in three models.

* D5 Diesel
T6 Petrol
T8 Twin Engine

* Drive–E Technology, 8-Speed Automatic, AWD
Drive-E Technology, 8-Speed Automatic

* AWD
Petrol / Electric Drive-E Technology, 8-Speed Automatic, AWD

The XC90 starts at $89.950 and goes all the way up to $122,950.

The post The all-new Volvo XC90 – a combination of luxury, safety and technology appeared first on Tech Guide.

If you have a car accident it’s just your word against the other driver in determining who’s at fault. But using a dash cam like the Swann DriveEye Ultra Portable HD Video Recorder can change all of that.

Recording from dash cams are admissible in court and are also accepted by police for use in accident investigations.

The Swann device attaches to your windscreen like a portable GPS device. But unlike a GPS, it’s quite small – 6.3cm wide, 5cm long and 1.9cm thick – and won’t block your view of the road.

It can be positioned just below your rear-view mirror with the included suction mount.

Swann’s DriveEye Ultra records 3-megaxpixel video – which is actually higher resolution than full high definition video – at 2304 x 1296.

This higher resolution makes it easier to make out detail in your videos like number plates and street signs.

On the back is a 2-inch LCD screen so you can playback your recording or view still images. This screen can be turned off while you’re driving to avoid distraction but it can still be capturing what’s happening on the road ahead of you.

Footage is recorded to a microSD card at up to 64GB in capacity. Unfortunately, the card is not included despite the $229.95 price tag.

While you’re driving, the Swann DriveEye Ultra continuously records in three minute clips and saves these on the memory card.

It turns on automatically and starts recording video and audio when you start your car’s engine.

And if you run out of room on the card, it will record over the oldest files.

But also onboard is a gyro sensor that can detect the impact of an accident and activate an emergency event recording.

The device will then store the 30 seconds of video captured before the impact and record for another 30 seconds after.

Emergency recordings can also be activated manually with the record button on the top right side button on the LCD screen side of the device.

And emergency recordings are locked and cannot be overwritten by other videos. They actually have to be deleted manually.

Outside the car the Swann dash cam can also be used an as action cam with a special mode to record high resolution videos of any length.

It comes with a wrist strap and mount so it’s handy for recording whatever you’re doing.

But it’s not waterproof so you’ll have to stick to land-based activities.

Users can also link to the Swann device using the free DriveEye Ultra app on their iPhone or Android smartphone.

The DriveEye Ultra can create its own wi-fi connection to allow users to link their smartphone and see what the camera sees on their device.

The app also makes it possible to view your recordings and access the DriveEye Ultra’s settings.

Swann’s DriveEye Ultra has a built-in rechargeable battery which means you don’t need to have it connected to a power source in your car constantly like some other models.

One thing we would have changed is the positioning of the microUSB port. When you need to charge it in the car the cable protrudes out of the side and looks messy.

Having it on the bottom or even as part of the mount would have been much neater.

A touchscreen would also have been useful even on the 2-inch display but that would have added to the price, which we think is a bit high to begin with.

VERDICT

The Swann DriveEye Ultra is a handy way to protect yourself on the road from any fraudulent claims and also an easy way to capture whatever you’re doing in action cam mode.

It is a little pricey but it does deliver excellent video quality from a tiny unit.

Swann DriveEye Ultra

Price: $229.95

The post Swann DriveEye Ultra dash cam review – protect yourself on the road appeared first on Tech Guide.

When it comes to choosing your next car, the amount of technology literally under the bonnet is going to play a big part in that decision. This is something Ford is well aware of and the reason why the company has invested so much time and research into the technology of its vehicles.

The new Ford Everest SUV (sports utility vehicle), which was completely designed and developed in Australia, is a good example of how the latest technology can be integrated into the 21^st century car.

And it’s not just about being able to pair your smartphone and your entertainment options.

Ford’s technology advances are also playing a major role in keeping the driver and their passengers safe as well.

The Everest has a body-on-frame construction with intelligent four-wheel drive and coil spring suspension for a smooth handling on and off the road.

It can seat seven in comfort and yet can fold the second and third row of seats at the press of a button to offer an impressive 2010 litres of cargo space.

The Ford Everest is powered by a 3.2-litre six-speed Duretorq five-cylinder TDCi diesel engine with 143 kW of power and 470Nm of torque.

Also onboard is a first in class Terrain Management System which offers drivers four preset modes – normal, snow/mud/grass, sand and rock.

This alters the car’s throttle response, transmission, intelligent four-wheel drive and traction control to handle any driving conditions.

Ford estimates that by 2020, 29 per cent of the world’s vehicles will be SUV models – up from today’s figure of 23 per cent.

This is a space Ford pioneered with the introduction of the Bronco 50 years ago.

Today Ford’s goal with the Everest is to create an SUV that’s fun to drive with a premium level of comfort and convenience along with a wide range of off-road capabilities.

Ford has achieved this advanced connectivity and driver assist technologies.

Tech Guide was fortunate enough to be invited by Ford to see the Everest’s capabilities in normal driving conditions and off-road through a variety of terrains in Chiang Rai in northern Thailand.

We were given the opportunity to experience the vehicle’s capabilities and see first hand the role technology plays in achieving the desired outcome for the driver.

NOISE CANCELLATION

In the same way your noise cancelling speakers can reduce ambient noise so all you hear is the music, Ford had taken that same active noise cancellation technology to reduce the impact of low frequency engine noise being heard in the cabin.

There are number of microphones scattered around the interior headliner of the Ford Everest to detect and measure noise and then generate opposing soundwaves through the car’s audio system to cancel out the unwanted noises.

The result was a whisper quiet ride.

Once when we got into the car we didn’t realise the engine was running and mistakenly tried to start it again.

Even when driving over gravel and other surfaces, the usually noticeable sound was barely heard in the Ford Everest.

LANE KEEPING AID

There are two discreet front facing cameras that are trained on the road’s lane markings that can detect when the Ford Everest is drifting out of the lane.

At first the car offers a visual alert followed by an audio alert to warn the driver.

If the car continues to travel further outside the lane, there will be haptic feedback to strongly vibrate the steering wheel in the driver’s hands.

BLIS – BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM

There are two radar sensors positioned to monitor if another vehicle enters the car’s blind spot while you’re driving.

This activates an LED indicator in the corresponding left or right wing mirror to let the driver know it is not safe to change lanes or overtake.

CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT

When reversing out of a parking space it is often difficult to see if there are any cars passing behind you.

The Ford Everest makes use of the radar sensors for a cross traffic alert to ensure the driver doesn’t back out into the path of the car.

It can detect vehicles travelling at up to 60km/h.

FORWARD ALERT WITH COLLISION MITIGATION

The reflexes of the Ford Everest are always going to be better than even the best driver so when the sensors detect a possible collision the driver is given a visual and audio alert.

But on top of that the vehicle’s brakes are automatically charged so that by the time the driver lifts their foot off the accelerator to the brake it has helped make the car stop faster.

ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

It’s one thing to have cruise control – nearly all modern vehicles have it onboard.

But in the case of the Ford Everest, the adaptive cruise control can not only keep you at the pre-determined speed but it can also maintain a safe distance from the car ahead of you.

And if the gap between you and the vehicle ahead changes, the Everest’s system can react and then return to the chosen speed and distance.

GYROSCOPIC SENSORS

There are a number of gyroscopic sensors aboard the Ford Everest that can detect the cars level and angle and then apply the brakes to specific wheels to avoid a rollover.

The same sensors also come into play if a driver misjudges a curve and applies the brakes to ensure the car stays level.

ACTIVE PARK ASSIST

Also included with the Ford Everest is Active Park Assist which, as its name suggests, can scan for parallel parking spaces and steer your car into the spot.

All the driver has to do is apply the accelerator and brakes as instructed by the vehicle to ensure a perfect park that’s the right distance from the gutter and cars in front and behind you.

FORD SYNC 2

Ford was released its second generation of Sync – the system designed to connect to mobile technologies to keep the driver informed, in touch and, most importantly, in control.

It also features advanced voice control that can recognise more than 10,000 commands.

For example, you could say “I’m hungry” and Ford Sync 2 will not only understand you buy also give you directions to the nearest restaurants and cafes.

Tell the Ford Everest “find a car park” and it will do just that without taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel.

You can also say things like “Play The Beatles” or call people from your contact list.

8-INCH HIGH RESOLUTION TOUCHSCREEN

The Ford Sync 2 system is accessible through the sharp touchscreen that is divided into four quadrants – Phone connectivity, navigation, climate control and entertainment.

Pairing a smartphone is a simple two-step process and drivers can not only make and answer their calls through the Sync 2 but also stream music from the device via Bluetooth to the car’s excellent audio system.

CONNECTIVITY AND CHARGING

Ford paid special attention to the connectivity and power needs of the modern driver.

There are two USB ports within easy reach of the driver under the central console to easily connect a smartphone for charging.

The USB port can also be used to play music from a USB flash drive.

For the rear passengers there are surprisingly no USB ports but a proper 230V connection so you can plug in a laptop in the backseat along with 12-volt charger that can also be utilised (with an adaptor) to charge devices like smartphones, tablets, e-readers and other USB-powered devices on your journey.

The Ford Everest will be manufactured at AutoAlliance in Rayong, Thailand. It will be available across the Asia Pacific region in the coming months.

The base model will start at $54,990 with the top of the line Titanium model setting you back $76,990.

* Stephen Fenech travelled to Chiang Rai, Thailand as a guest of Ford

The post The technology under the hood of the new Ford Everest SUV appeared first on Tech Guide.

Tech Guide has taken a first look at the next evolution of Google’s Android operating system – Android Auto – which allows users to take advantage of the powerful platform’s features safely behind the wheel.

Our hands-on look at Android Auto was on a Pioneer AVH-X8750BT system (priced at $1,149) which hooks up to an Android smartphone running the latest Lollipop operating system.

There’s also the top-end system – the Pioneer AVIC-F70DAB ($1,999) – which can also connect and Android smartphone or iPhone and provide all of these capabilities.

Once the phone is connected, drivers can put the device away and out of sight.

This Pioneer system can also run Apple’s CarPlay in-car interface for iPhone users as well.

Android Auto has a simple interface that can be controlled entirely with your voice – ideal when it comes to keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

With navigation, the bane of other systems is the painfully slow address entry by town, street and number.

With Android Auto simply say the address or “Take me to the Opera House” or “Take me to a petrol station” or “Find a Commonwealth Bank”.

And being underpinned by the hyper accurate Google Maps, the system worked flawlessly.

For the impatient drivers you can even ask “are we there yet?” and the system will politely respond with your ETA (estimated time of arrival) even though that information is clearly visible on the screen.

One thing that’s not only dangerous and also illegal is texting in the car. This highly distracting practice is sadly all too common on our roads and sometimes with fatal consequences.

But with Android Auto you can still send and receive your text messages without taking your eyes off the road.

When a message is received, there is nothing to look at on the screen but just a voice notification before the message is read out.

And the same thing goes when you reply – you speak as you normally would to compose the reply. It is even read back to you for approval before being sent.

Our test of this system worked remarkably well even in noisy conditions.

When making calls, again Android Auto worked seamlessly. Just say “call” and the name of the person you want to reach and, before you know it, the call is being made.

Even the luxury cars with this voice recognition feature and voice commands doesn’t work as easily as this.

Accessing your music is just as easy with voice commands. Users are given access to the Google Play Music but there are also other options presented including Spotify, TuneIn Radio and iHeartRadio.

And because you’ve got access to Google with your voice you can even make searches while you’re driving and receive the result as an audio response.

For example you can ask “who was Harold Holt?” and after receiving the answer then follow up with “how did he die?” without having to even mention his name again because it’s like your having a conversation with a person.

Android Auto can also access your calendar and navigate to the address you noted on the original entry – another feature that save you time and energy.

The Pioneer AVIC-F70DAB has a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and CarPlay compatibility along with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and DAB digital radio onboard as well.

It also has dual camera input to easily connect two reversing cameras.

The entry level AVH-X8750BT, affordably priced at $1,149, also has a 7-inch touchscreen with a row of physical buttons along the bottom edge of the display as well as onboard Bluetooth.

Both of these Pioneer systems are now available.

The post Our first look at the Android Auto in-car system in action appeared first on Tech Guide.

Navman’s new MiVue Drive combines two popular devices into one – an in-car GPS for navigation and a camera to record any on-road incidents.

Before now these were separate but still popular products.

But Navman has cleverly merged the two into single product and killed two birds with one stone.

The MiVue Drive has got your all of your needs covered behind the wheel – it can give you turn-by-turn navigation and also record whatever happens while you’re driving.

The camera on the rear of the device continually records high definition footage while the 5-inch screen displays the navigation information.

MiVue Drive will only retain the footage if it detects an incident and save it to a protected file.

Built into the device is a three-axis G-Shock sensor to sense the force and direction of impact.

The camera also has a 120-degree lens that works even in low light situations and at night so it captures a wide-angle view of what’s ahead of you.

The video will also be stamped with the time, date and the exact location.

Footage can be used by drivers as evidence for the police and insurance companies.

These videos have the potential to protect driver’s from fraudulent or disputed claims so it offers peace of mind.

The product comes with an 8GB memory card so you’re ready to use it right out of the box.

There’s even a video-in port so drivers can connect a reversing camera which can also be viewed on the 5-inch display.

On the GPS side, the device has all the features Navman is known for including lifetime map updates, safety alerts approaching red light and speed cameras, drivers alerts ahead of black spots and traffic updates.

Also on board is landmark guidance which offers directions based on what you can see through your windscreen like building names, colours and building types.

For example, the device might say to turn left at the petrol station.

There’s also advanced lane guidance and 3D junctions so drivers know exactly which lane they need to choose in complicated intersections and exits as well as speed limit alerts to let you know if you’re exceeding the local limit.

The MiVue Drive can also help you find popular places of interest as well as guide you to the nearest parking or fuel station.

For road warriors who need to keep track of their travels there’s also an onboard digital logbook to record the kilometres you’ve travelled.

One thing to note – the battery can only run for about an hour at a time on its own so you’ll need to have the power cable connected to keep it charged on longer trips.

You are, after all, powering the screen and the camera at the same time.

The Navman MiVue Drive comes with a two-year warranty and is available now and is priced at $299.

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The “that’s not a knife” scene in Crocodile Dundee kept playing in our head when we attached the huge 7-inch Navman EZY270LMT GPS device to our windscreen.

If I was to see any other regular GPS device I’d be able to use that same line – “that’s not a GPS – THIS is a GPS”.

The Navman EZY270LMT is closer to tablet size than smartphone size and literally provides a bigger navigation picture.

It’s the biggest device Navman has produced – but it’s not for everyone.

Under the hood are all of Navman’s usual features including an easy-to-read and easy-to-navigate interface and all of the GPS mod cons – live traffic updates, landmark guidance, 3D junction views, land guidance, points of interest and shortcuts for petrol and parking.

Customers will also have lifetime free updates as well so they will always have the latest map on board as well.

But that’s what we expect from the Navman. The thing that needs to be considered is if the size of the device suits your car and you as a driver.

It’s quite large next to a regular sized GPS device.

The Navman as a GPS product is an excellent investment but if you’re thinking about the 7-inch EZY270LMT you need to carefully weigh it up.

If you drive a small car, this is going to be too big for you.

We reviewed the 7-inch Navman in a medium sized car and it bordered on being too big. What saved it was the fact the windscreen on the car was quite steep and therefore the base of the glass was a far enough away from the driver’s seat.

For us it was close enough for us to easily reach the touchscreen but far enough away so as not to actually block our view of the road.

We had it as low as we could – it still need to be a little higher off the bottom just to be able to give the device enough space to sit upright. Luckily the mount is big enough to easily give it that space.

If you have a larger car or a truck then it’s an easy decision.

Similarly if you’re eyesight isn’t what it used to be.

But the other side of that is ensuring the Navman EZY270LMT doesn’t obscure your view of the road.

The large 7-inch screen is sharp and clear. Having a larger display means the on-screen buttons are easier to find while you’re driving. Likewise the keyboard for easier typing.

And the good news is the 7-inch display is quite responsive.

Other onboard features include Bluetooth handsfree to pair your phone to use safely while you’re driving, speed limit alerts, digital logbook and more than one million POI (points of interest).

The 7-inch Navman EZY270LMT is available now and priced at $279.

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The post Navman’s 7-inch EZY270LMT GPS device – is it too big for your car appeared first on Tech Guide.

Drive Talk is a new solar-powered Bluetooth in-car speakerphone that allows users to safely make and receive calls while they’re driving.

The device from Australian company Sili can be positioned on your dashboard and held in place with a silicon anti-slip base.

It is a fairly compact device – 9.7cm long, 8cm wide and 3.6cm at its highest point.

Drivers can easily pair their smartphones to Drive Talk via Bluetooth and keep their hands on the wheel instead of on their phone.

Drive Talk has a solar panel on the back to put it in direct view of sunlight while resting on your car’s dashboard to top up the battery charge.

The product is made from ABS materials that can handle temperatures up to 80 degrees.

Through the high-efficiency solar panel, Drive Talk can be full charged in 12 hours.

There is also a USB port to allow express charging with a cable and have it fully powered in two hours.

On the front are the speaker and a microphone with ambient noise reduction that faces the driver so you’ll have no problem hearing your calls loud and clear.

The volume of the calls can be easily adjusted from the keys on the left side of the product.

Along the top above the speaker is the control button that can be used to answer, reject and redial calls.

The onboard rechargeable battery can handle about four hours of talk time and 55 hours of standby time.

The Drive Talk solar-powered Bluetooth speakerphone is priced at $49.95 – down from $69.95 – from www.sili.com.au.

It is also coming soon to retail outlets around Australia.

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Navman has adopted a “go big or go home” attitude to boost its dedicated GPS range with the release of the EZY270LMT which has a 7-inch screen.

The Navman EZY270LMT’s 7-inch display is ideal for users who have trouble viewing GPS navigation details on smaller screens like seniors.

It is also a good for larger vehicles like trucks, 4WDs and SUVs.

Also released with the 7-inch model is Navman’s 5-inch EZY255LMT and both devices have the same simple design and user interface that’s easy to use.

The first product in the EZY range released in 2010 – the EZY30 – had a 3.5-inch screen which is half the size of the latest 7-inch EZY270LMT.

The Navman devices comes with free lifetime map updates so information including safety alerts is always up-to-date at no extra cost.

Other features of the new Navman EZY range includes Bluetooth handsfree connectivity for your smartphone, fuel search to find a station that has the type of fuel you need and Smart Route which uses SUNA traffic data to find the best route for the time of day you’re driving.

Also onboard is Smart Find Keyword to make inputting addresses even easier. For example, you can type in Westfield Bondi Junction instead of the exact address.

The device can also give driver fatigue warnings every two hours so you can stay alert behind the wheel.

It also has a Logbook to keep track of all the kilometres you drive which is handy for learners racking up driving hours and for anyone claiming use of a vehicle for tax purposes.

The EZY255LMT 3.5-inch and EZY270LMY are available now and are priced at $169 and $279 respectively.

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