Would you believe as early as 2001, Clarion already launched a car PC? Back then, what people would eventually call “carputer,” was labeled by Clarion as an Auto PC. It had a whopping $2,300.00 SRP price tag and was powered by an Intel Pentium (with MMX) processor. It could play “MP3s” back then and other digital media formats, as well as all the DVD and CD types.

We now find out that the Clarion Joyride was offered with three different package options—Level One, Two & Three. Level One had a 6.4″ monitor and a wireless remote control; it was sold for $2,999.00. Level Two included a GPS system and a 6-disc changer for an additional $1,099.99. Level Three replaced Level One’s standard LCD monitor with an RGB LCD, again for an additional $1,899.00.

When it came out, it nearly played almost every available format except for the then newly developed SACD. It used Microsoft Windows CE for its operating system, and could also decode 5.1 Dolby Digital formats. It had a voice activated control, 6-channel RCA outputs, a compact flash card slot and a rating of 45 watts x 4.

Today, you could buy a used unit for around $400. So back then, how did the Joyride fair with car audio critics? Well, the normal consensus would be, to sum it up, insanely priced just because it was first to attempt such a thing. But anyway, in a future post, we’ll try to summarize some reviews of the Joyride, so watch out for that.

Clarion Joyride

Related posts:

1. Clarion DRZ9255
2. Clarion SRV303
3. Clarion DB345MP

• Dual 24-bit / 96 kHz Sampling Digital-to-Analog Burr-Brown Converters and DSP
• Built-In 4-Way Crossovers
• 5-Band Parametric Equalizer
• Digital Time Alignment for Each Line Level Output
• 8-Channel/4-Volt Gold Plated Oxygen-Free Copper RCA Outputs
• 0.5dB-Step Electronic Volume Adjustment Circuit
• Copper Plated Chassis
• External DC/DC Converter
• CeNET Control of Optional CD Changer, TV Tuner and iPod Interface
• Two 2-Channel AUX Inputs
• Zinc Die-Cast Faceplate
• Fiber Optic Input/Output
• Vacuum Florescent Display
• 18FM/6AM Presets

High-resolution photos

Clarion DRZ9255 1

Clarion DRZ9255 2

Review coming soon.

Related posts:

1. Clarion Joyride
2. Clarion DB345MP
3. Clarion SRV303

Review

I installed this in my car 4 years ago and it is still going strong. This thing is wonderful—it plays all my mp3 cds and never once has it given me a problem with any of the many brands of cds I have burned over the years. It was always very easy to program the time and change the equalizer settings. The detachable face plate also came in handy many times when leaving my car unattended either at the shop or in a shady neighborhood.

Manual

Download the DB345MP’s user’s manual (PDF).

Clarion DB345MP

Related posts:

1. Clarion DRZ9255
2. Clarion Joyride
3. Clarion SRV303

Clarion SRV303

Yes, that is a subwoofer. The SRV303 is a powered subwoofer that combines a 3″ speaker with a built-in 65-watt amplifier. All is a super-compact ported enclosure. You can place it under the seat of your small car, in the glove compartment for up-front bass, or any place that can fit a 330mm by 230mm and 72.5 mm thick box. Heck, that’s smaller than most car amplifiers.

But…

For something as fresh a concept as it is, you either make it and set a trend or forget about it. Most review of the SRV303 have been less than stellar to say the least. In other words, it does what it is supposed to do, but unless really do not have the room fit a real subwoofer and amplifier in your system, the SRV303 is a good option to consider.

Clarion’s description of “Just want to add a little punch to your bass without a lot of booming and shaking?” tells the whole story. Try it in your wife’s car or your “unofficial” second system. Try it for the heck of it.

Update

The SRV303 has since been replaced by the SRV314, which is a smaller 6.6″ version of the SRV303.

Related posts:

1. Clarion DB345MP
2. Clarion Joyride
3. Clarion DRZ9255