Pontus, a division of Hyundai Autonet and a new contender in the consumer electronics arena, offers a variety of products ranging from DVD players and monitors, to navigation systems and source units. Its innovative PAC-7002(B) in-dash CD player/receiver features a built-in portable MP3 player. Essentially this source unit is two separate units in one: a full-featured AM/FM tuner and CD player coupled with an integrated MP3 player that can either be used as an audio source for the head unit or removed and used as a personal media player.
Included with the source unit are all accessories required for both the installation of the unit in a vehicle and the operation of the MP3 player. The DIN-sized unit can be installed using either the supplied mounting sleeve and trim ring, or isomounted to factory brackets using the threaded holes in the radio chassis. Pontus supplies a CD-ROM and USB cable for transferring media files between the MP3 player and your PC, and even a set of headphones for use with the player when detached from the head unit.Installation of the unit in my test vehicle was straightforward, with no surprises except that the PAC-7002(B) does have an optional phone mute which can be connected to your hands-free kit. This feature proves most useful if you tend to miss calls because you enjoy your tunes at what some would consider "elevated" levels. The face of the unit folds down for CD loading but is not detachable. The unit does not operate without the MP3 player; therefore, that could be viewed as a theft deterrent. The operation of the built-in CD player was smooth and sound quality was excellent. While I didn't go off-roading to test the unit's skip resistance, I did make a few passes through some pretty nasty construction zones without missing a single beat. My experience with the tuner was brief, yet sufficient to confirm that, like the CD player, its operation was excellent as well.
Fortunately I had read the owner's manual prior to installing the unit, so I had already charged and loaded up a handful of media files onto the MP3 player. I actually tried out the media player before I installed the source unit. The included software is rather simple to use, as is the media player once you get the hang of it. Both in and out of the car, the media player is an excellent audio source with very little noticeable deviation in sound quality from the CD source. While I did not test the storage capacity, I was able to load up a week's worth of media files for my somewhat lengthy trips to work and back.Cosmetically speaking, the PAC-7002(B) is rather simple in design. The layout of the controls is nearly symmetrical with chrome buttons flanking either side of the LCD centered in the flat black face of the radio. The blue backlit display features high-quality graphics that are attractive but not over the top. For CD and tuner operation, the buttons are clearly marked with their function, which makes learning to operate the unit a snap. I did, however, have some difficulty operating the MP3 Player when docked on the source unit, but this is largely because of the number of features controlled by a relatively small number of buttons. Fortunately, the owner's manual was able to shed some light on any operation question I had.
From a features standpoint, the PAC-7002(B) has more than enough bells and whistles for the average consumer. In addition to the standard audio adjustments such as bass, treble, balance and fader, the not-so-standard Random, Repeat, and Mute functions are also included. The MP3 player even features a 5-band EQ with five preset sound field settings and a sixth user-defined setting. Strangely, the user-defined setting can only be adjusted with the unit removed from the source unit. The built-in 45-watt x 4 amplifier is not the most powerful on the market, but it is certainly enough to liven up any set of stock or aftermarket speakers. Dual RCA outputs are included for those who wish to add an amplifier, but a separate subwoofer output is not offered. While by no means a necessity, a wireless remote is not included, nor is it offered as an option, which may turn away some potential buyers.
All things considered, the PAC-7002(B) is a very cool product that will appeal to many consumers purely because it is one of the first of its kind. While it may not offer every feature for every consumer, it will certainly catch the fancy of those into digital media. I applaud Pontus for developing such an innovative product that is sure to create a buzz in the consumer electronic industry.