After JBL revealed its first CarPlay-capable aftermarket head unit in January this year, the company now reveals that the Legend CP100 will hit the shelves on Feb. 14.
At the CES 2016 in Las Vegas, JBL teased the audience by saying that the Legend CP100 was almost ready for launch. Now we know the precise date when the device will roll out for $399.
The CP100 is the first in-car device manufactured by Harman's that packs CarPlay and Android Auto support. The gadget received a CES Innovation Award prize, as it offers a solid set of features for a moderately low price point. The accomplishment is notable, as only a few audio manufacturers manage to offer the bang for the buck in the same way that CP100 does.
The CP100 is crafted so that it easily replaces the existing 2-DIN infotainment systems that most cars today come equipped with.
The JBL Legend CP100 sports a consistent 6.75-inch touchscreen, which is quite a lot of display size for the cost. One plus of the device is that its touchscreen is capacitive, meaning that it is easier to use. This is because capacitive screens react to lighter taps when compared to the resistive touchscreens that are the norm for in-car units.
Looking at the Legend CP100's list of features, we found an AM/FC tuner, back USB input, rear camera input - should your car be ready for one - as well as steering wheel controls support. The JBL Legend CP100 works by routing data from a host handset to a car's existing entertainment system. This means that you can hands-freely make and take phone calls, dictate messages, use navigation functions - which include turn-by-turn directions playback music from your smartphone - and more.
What JBL CP100 lacks is the wireless CarPlay support, but makes up for it via Bluetooth capabilities.
The design of CP100 is nothing out of the ordinary, sporting a black frame with white illuminated buttons. And you also get the standard power and volume buttons, and an additional "push to talk" button, which the company advertises as being an instant access to Siri.
The JBL Legend CP100 is compatible with both Android Wear and Apple CarPlay, which makes it even more attractive considering its price point.
According to some studies, using in-car systems can be more distracting to the driver than standard smartphone use. Therefore, this should be taken into consideration when choosing such a system.
Should you want to upgrade your in-car device with the JBL Legend CP100, you may preorder it now on the official website.
