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Firstly, to the real stuff….
MobilForum are Saab dealers in Lower Saxony, in Germany. They market the other GM Premium brands as well, but are most experienced with Saabs.
They do some aftermarket stuff as well, and they’ve just released an all-in-one communication, media and navigation solution that fits in the double-DIN slot in the dashboard of the 2007-onwards Saab 9-3 or Saab 9-5.
All in one, you say?
How about the following for decent list?
- Navigation (via Garmin maps)
- USB input
- Tuner
- DVD player
- Video input
- iPod interface
- Bluetooth
- Compatibility with DVB tuner (digital TV)
If my translation is correct then you can hook it up to a reversing camera to assist when you’re going backwards, too, though that might be rendered slightly moot by the unreal gadget, below.
If you want to check out the all-in-one nav system, the Mobilforum Dresden page on the item is here.
Thanks Tobais!
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Now, for the unreal gadgetry…..
Some university students have put together a new system to make parallel parking easier.
I’m not sure about the reliability of the device, or if it’s worthwhile to dumb people down just a little more, but it makes for some interesting viewing. Congratulations to all those involved.
I think they deliberately slowed down the first park to accentuate the device, but it’s good work all the same.
Thanks Magnus!
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9 responses so far ↓
1 Jan
// Jan 6, 2009 at 9:14 pm
really cool feature, like it!
2 Vaidas
// Jan 6, 2009 at 10:23 pm
The parallel parking mod is not a new idea – in fact, it’s been around for quite a while – I remember seeing photos of some old American cars (~1950s I think), possibly just prototypes, which had an extra wheel operating in exactly the same way
3 Shyang
// Jan 7, 2009 at 12:10 am
If you look at the picture of the All in One Navigation System, it is a Kenwood head unit. Is it the same one as the Kenwood Saab Navigation System?
So what is the difference since the Kenwood headunit offers all the features out of the box.
4 joemama
// Jan 7, 2009 at 1:55 am
There is none. I’ve been looking at one of these units for a while. This Kenwood is like the Pioneer Avic head unit.
People have been installing these for a while now, but I don’t think you can get the steering wheel controls to work.
5 Charles
// Jan 7, 2009 at 3:41 am
Ooo I want that headunit, but I bet costs a pretty penny.
6 Jeff
// Jan 7, 2009 at 5:30 am
+1 Vaidas – most where prototypes although one company does have a forklift that can do that by turning the wheels in opposite directions (ie. the front ones will reverse while the rear ones will go forward).
7 Jan
// Jan 7, 2009 at 7:55 am
again…I really like the aftermarkt stuff because it’s available for the 9-3 and 9-5. I was wondering if the “Nightpanel” also works with the different system?
8 Shyang
// Jan 7, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Saab has a Kenwood Navigational System available that retains the use of the steering wheel control. It is considered an original Saab part. The only problem is that not all dealers can get their hands on it because it costs an arm and a leg and Kenwood has a very high minimum order quantity.
I have emailed MobilForum and they have replied that their solution retains the use of the steering wheel controls. This looks like a good alternative to the Kenwood Navigational System offered by Saab.
9 excitermp
// Jan 8, 2009 at 2:13 am
This aftermarket stuff is an all-in-one communication, media and navigation solution that includes the Kenwood system, the Radioscreen and all cables to connect the system with the Saab.
The Kenwood headunit includes several different features:
- Tuner
- CD-/MP3-/WMA-/DVD-Player
- USB-Input
- Ipod-Interface
- Video input
- navigation system
- Bluetooth hands-free kit
- steering wheel control keys can be used
- a rear-view backup camera can be installed optionally
This solution costs 1799,-€ and it is compatible with a DVB-T tuner which can be connected optionally. But be careful: the manual Start and Timer are not available for the Block Heater or Park Heater for diesel engines.
P.S.: The “Nightpanel” does not work with this system.