Sony introduces nav-u line of portable GPS devices

Electronics giant Sony is reaching to grab a bigger slice of the GPS pie with the introduction of two new portable units unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Emphasizing ease of use rather than features like MP3 players and photo storage, both nav-u models feature text-to-speech capability. Real-time traffic reporting is available. A suction-cup mount coated with a non-adhesive gel will enable it to stick to the textured surfaces of dashboards, according to Sony. The idea is to put the devices closer to the driver, thereby making them easier to see and reach. Plus, such a system avoids a windshield mount, which is illegal in California and Minnesota.

Another unique feature is "gesture command." So long as the address has been pre-programmed, a driver can get directions home with just a finger swipe of the screen drawing an inverted "V," representing the shape of a house roof. Other gesture commands perform common functions like "call home" and zoom.

The nav-u systems include maps of all 50 states, Canada, Puerto Rico, and 5 million points of interest.

The NV-U73T is the base model with a 4.3-inch screen, and it is priced at approximately $350. The NV-U83T adds Bluetooth hands-free calling ability, a larger 4.8-inch wide-aspect screen, and a split-screen feature that gives drivers a more detailed, three-dimensional view of approaching intersections. It also continues to provide directions for brief periods when the GPS signal is lost, such as going through a tunnel. It is priced at $500. Both are expected in stores in February.

We will introduce the nav-u into our ongoing portable GPS navigation device test program as soon as it is available.

—Jim Travers

For more information on portable GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

Comments

[Rob]

Jim,
Your some electronic maven now! How come Al Roker gets a ride in the "Driverless Car" and you gotta walk the halls with your borrowed Pedometer? Sony navigation !!!! Does it have a 52in HD-1080REZ LCD Blue-Spec capabability with Hydration System, Bag of "Gorp" & Flares Screen so that you can save your butt while your watching re-runs of "Sex in the City" all at the same time ? Heck I always know where I am, as long as I have feet anyway...I look down at them and gee there I am ! I hope your shoes are doing their job !
Rob

[brian]

Does anyone know if you will be able to use this GPS device anywere besides the U.S. Do they have downloadable maps for European Countries.

[Ellen Simer]

Maps are available for European countries (and elsewhere) and can be downloaded at the manufacturers' sites (normally). Garmin makes it easy. You need a USB cable to do this.

[Rob Green]

Does anyone know if the Sony nav-u (NV-U73T) talks?

[Josh]

The Sony NV-U73T does talk.

[Dwight]

Does the sony say street names or does it say turn right in 500 ft.for example.

[giorgio]

I am very disappointed!
I am looking for a GPS system but nowhere to find an honest guide for the people whom I need information.
It was necessary to look over 2 months to find a small expert article.
It says: a GPS without adequate map it’s good for nothing.
All over the place on GPS is better than other.
In conclusion: all of the devices on the market are good for nothing, because the maps already obsolete when we are purchasing the GPS.
Maybe, the maps are already 2 years old.
When we purchase an update map, for 100$, the map, again, is already too old, maybe 2 years old.
Then the buyers became victims of manufacturer’s conspiracy to sell obsolete maps just to make money but nothing to give in return.
I know the problems of routes, changing continuously, every day, I know collecting the information requires investment, but at least maybe manufacturers will find solution to extend the warranty to download the maps more updated.

[Stevie]

I had this and sent it back. Not good at all. Bad directions, did not stay on dash or window. Was allways falling off in traffic and was very much a hazard. Still looking for that right one. Would take you miles out of your way to get to to someplaces.

[Andy]

I have this unit and think it is the best out there for the money. It has never taken me miles out of the way to get me to my destination. Take it for what it is. It is an aid for driving. It will get you where you want to go. If you want to find the shortest route everytime....get a map....

[Andy]

Awesome unit. Best one out there for the money. Gets me where I need to go. It has never taken me miles out of the way. You wont be disappointed.

[Jack Buel]

Unit has some quirky flaws the engineers are still trying to work out of the latest software. Try this test before you buy...enter an address with the word route or any of it's variations(rt.or rte.) You will find it can't be done! Beware if you need to imput a lot of this kind of info.

[Dr. Hans-G. Berg]

I am looking for navigation maps of US & Canada for the portable navigation system: Sony NAV-U93TC; up to now only maps of Europe are installed at NAV-U93TC.
Question: who provides these additional maps of US & Canada to be loaded into the NAV-U93TC ??

[Josh]

This gps is very good I think. I bought it when it first came out. Since then they have had two updates for it. One to make the routing better and faster. The second to update POIs and to make searching for them faster. The only problem I have with this is that the map is already out of date. But after talking to some friends who have other brands, the problem is across the board.

[Liloa]

just returned my garmin street pilot 7200. way too big and the directions weren't always accurate. always seemed to be "recalculating". the dash mount was horrible. you had to stick it, as in "glue" to your dash. bought the nav-u and notice such a huge difference. much cleaner, precise and easier to use. a great buy.

[Vinicius]

i recently purchased Sony's latest "NAV-U". So far its been great, and much better then my old tomtom. This is a very complex gps and carries all the needed features for a driver in serious need of directions. IF YOUR BORED TYPE IN (SOUTH RIVER ROAD) in BEDFORD NH. This is a very popular road thats been there for years and the NAV-U did not find it :(

[Jonathan]

I bought the NV-U73T about a week ago and have used it every day since just to see how it would work out. I have noticed that this unit does not show frontage roads, (roads that run along side another main road), no big deal because you can usually figure out how to get to the main road, or the frontage road for that matter. Another problem I have noticed is that the software does not accurately pinpoint addresses. It will get you to the correct street with no problems at all, but once on that street the actual address location will be different than where the GPS says it is. A few nice features this unit does have is the split screen directions and it also has a countdow bar that pops up when you are getting close to your next turn so that you know you are getting very close to having to turn. I have not had any problem with the GPS taking me mile out of the way, however I will say that it will route you on interstates whenever possible. Overall I would say that this is a very good GPS for the money.

[Joyce Crouch]

Hi
I wonder if you can help me please.
I bought a Sony Nav-u 52G in the U.K.
I have since returned home to South Africa. I would like to download a South African road map onto my device....is this possible?
I have been searching hi and lo and would appreciate any help!
Thank you.