Car And GPS (1858)

Alpine debuts Blackbird portable navigation device in Europe

New GPS wants to play nice with your Alpine ICE

25 September 2007 14:04 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Alpine has introduced the Blackbird, or, if you want to be formal, the PMD-B100P, a new portable navigation device with a "unique system docking capability" and built-in traffic receiver, to the European market.

The Blackbird is Alpine's first PND and can be used either in-car (and will integrate with an existing Alpine system) or on foot with the integrated battery.

The Blackbird boasts a built-in RDS-TMC tuner that offers subscription free traffic info, a 4GB HDD containing preloaded maps of western European countries and over one million Points Of Interest.

Running on the Microsoft Windows CE platform, the Blackbird has NAVTEQ map coverage with full turn-by-turn voice instructions to virtually any address.

The 3.6-inch digital LCD touchscreen delivers 16.7 million possible colours and anti-glare technology as well as an Ambient Light Sensor that automatically controls the display brightness.

The device can function as a navigation system and music player simultaneously, using the built-in SD/MMC card slot.

User can find songs on the card through the QuickSearch interface while the NaviMix function automatically lowers the volume of the music playback as and when driving instructions are being played.

Especially ideal for anyone who already has an Alpine set up - the wired docking station available means the device can be controlled and viewed on one of Alpine's touchscreen based AV head units.

The Blackbird comes complete with a cigarette lighter power adapter, carry case, wiping cloth, a PC mini-USB cable, a replaceable 1200 mAh lithium polymer battery, owner’s manual and quick reference guide. An optional second car kit is available.