Ok, so I've been interesting in purchasing the Traffic Pro since reading Ron's thread below. I emailed the HK guys on Saturday and have had three or four conversations since then via email. I have some good and bad news to report for those who are interested. First, let's start with his contact information.
The contact at HK is:
Christopher M. Dragon
[email protected]
Director of Brand Marketing
Harman Consumer Group
Mobile Audio Division
JBL
Infinity
Harman Kardon
Here are the questions I asked.
-----------------------------
(Q) Do you know what the approximately price for the BMW version (Z3 or M Coupe)?
(A) The price is going to be $1499.00 including discs and installation
-----------------------------
(Q) Can it control the BMW 6-disc CD Changer?
(A) I do not believe the unit we will be selling has the BMW protocol in it. However, we will have a changer
-----------------------------
(Q) Will it contain CDs for the entire US and/or Canada,
or only for select portions of the US and/or Canada?
(A) The unit will come with the most current Navtech CD's that cover the US. I do not believe Canada is part of this bundle for anyone.
-----------------------------
(Q) If the product will be re-branded as a BMW
accessory, will the dealerships be willing to do the
install, or do I have to find someone to install it?
(A) The product we will be selling will be branded HK. We will have 600 install centers for this product.
-----------------------------
(Q) Do you know approximately when we can start to place
the order? I was hoping to place my order this week,
but sounds like I have to wait a few more weeks.
(A) Yes, you will have to wait a few more weeks. I am going to respond with my real e-mail address so we can stay in touch.
-----------------------------
I sent him another message and here are those questions and answers:
-----------------------------
(Q) Will the Traffic Pro to be sold for BMW vehicles, will be re-branded as a "BMW Traffic Pro" and will show upon power up the BMW logo. (I sent him a link to Ron's pictures from his 01 M Coupe from the original NAV It post!)
(A) I am aware of the BMW specific unit that is sold in Europe. A few did make it state side as well. However, we are going to be selling a unit that is going to address the aftermarket category as a whole. To this end the unit will power up saying "Traffic Pro" .
-----------------------------
(Q) The same above pictures show the LED colors of the Traffic Pro match the amber light that is normally found on the BMW Z3/M Coupes. Will that be the case with the HK Traffic Pro?
(A) It will be available with four different illuminations, one being the amber that matches BMW.
-----------------------------
(Q) Will we receive a special harness that allows us to connect the Traffic Pro to the BMW CD Changer.
(A) We will not directly offer a harness for the unit to interface with BMW. However, we will have a tech support line that will be able to provide the vehicle wiring codes including speed pulse and reverse. The unit will come with a standard harness that is colored in the US standard wiring codes. The aux harness will be available as an option. The unit will also have a 5 RCA jack instead of the bare wire currently on the unit for use as a sub or center channel output. The price I stated with installation will include a basic install. If dash kits or special harnesses are needed these will be extra. This is a great price for an exceptional product.
-----------------------------
(Q) There are many others who are interested in knowing more information about the Traffic Pro. May I pass on the information you have given me, or is this confidential until product has been released to the general public?
(A) Certainly pass the word. Also, mention the URL http://www.hktrafficpro.com. I have provided a place for people to send me an e-mail. We will be sending a blast when the unit is shipping.
So in the end, it appears to be a great product, but it won't be branded BMW, it won't control our CD Changers out of the box, and $1500 could be a bit much for some.
Opportunities :
(1) Can we get a hold of the Euro version that he refers to that made it to the US?
(2) Can we get a hold of the harness that allows us to control our CD Changers?
(3) Would the price be cheaper if we can find the Euro version?
Any thoughts?
The contact at HK is:
Christopher M. Dragon
[email protected]
Director of Brand Marketing
Harman Consumer Group
Mobile Audio Division
JBL
Infinity
Harman Kardon
Here are the questions I asked.
-----------------------------
(Q) Do you know what the approximately price for the BMW version (Z3 or M Coupe)?
(A) The price is going to be $1499.00 including discs and installation
-----------------------------
(Q) Can it control the BMW 6-disc CD Changer?
(A) I do not believe the unit we will be selling has the BMW protocol in it. However, we will have a changer
-----------------------------
(Q) Will it contain CDs for the entire US and/or Canada,
or only for select portions of the US and/or Canada?
(A) The unit will come with the most current Navtech CD's that cover the US. I do not believe Canada is part of this bundle for anyone.
-----------------------------
(Q) If the product will be re-branded as a BMW
accessory, will the dealerships be willing to do the
install, or do I have to find someone to install it?
(A) The product we will be selling will be branded HK. We will have 600 install centers for this product.
-----------------------------
(Q) Do you know approximately when we can start to place
the order? I was hoping to place my order this week,
but sounds like I have to wait a few more weeks.
(A) Yes, you will have to wait a few more weeks. I am going to respond with my real e-mail address so we can stay in touch.
-----------------------------
I sent him another message and here are those questions and answers:
-----------------------------
(Q) Will the Traffic Pro to be sold for BMW vehicles, will be re-branded as a "BMW Traffic Pro" and will show upon power up the BMW logo. (I sent him a link to Ron's pictures from his 01 M Coupe from the original NAV It post!)
(A) I am aware of the BMW specific unit that is sold in Europe. A few did make it state side as well. However, we are going to be selling a unit that is going to address the aftermarket category as a whole. To this end the unit will power up saying "Traffic Pro" .
-----------------------------
(Q) The same above pictures show the LED colors of the Traffic Pro match the amber light that is normally found on the BMW Z3/M Coupes. Will that be the case with the HK Traffic Pro?
(A) It will be available with four different illuminations, one being the amber that matches BMW.
-----------------------------
(Q) Will we receive a special harness that allows us to connect the Traffic Pro to the BMW CD Changer.
(A) We will not directly offer a harness for the unit to interface with BMW. However, we will have a tech support line that will be able to provide the vehicle wiring codes including speed pulse and reverse. The unit will come with a standard harness that is colored in the US standard wiring codes. The aux harness will be available as an option. The unit will also have a 5 RCA jack instead of the bare wire currently on the unit for use as a sub or center channel output. The price I stated with installation will include a basic install. If dash kits or special harnesses are needed these will be extra. This is a great price for an exceptional product.
-----------------------------
(Q) There are many others who are interested in knowing more information about the Traffic Pro. May I pass on the information you have given me, or is this confidential until product has been released to the general public?
(A) Certainly pass the word. Also, mention the URL http://www.hktrafficpro.com. I have provided a place for people to send me an e-mail. We will be sending a blast when the unit is shipping.
So in the end, it appears to be a great product, but it won't be branded BMW, it won't control our CD Changers out of the box, and $1500 could be a bit much for some.
Opportunities :
(1) Can we get a hold of the Euro version that he refers to that made it to the US?
(2) Can we get a hold of the harness that allows us to control our CD Changers?
(3) Would the price be cheaper if we can find the Euro version?
Any thoughts?