NV-U83TManufacturer's Description (June 6, 2008) Introducing Nav-U GPS from Sony. Similar to its NV-U73T sibling, the NV-U83T has a brilliant display, intuitive touch screen and easy to understand menus. The model is thinner than a nickel is wide at 4.8-inches, weighs less than a half-pound and can be easily mounted in almost any vehicle. However, NV-U83T has additional features such as Bluetooth hands-free communication and Position Plus tracking system. Whether it's a trip across town or cross-country road trip, the features on the NV-U83T make it the perfect travel companion, ready right out of the box.
Pre-Installed Maps and Content The NV-U83T comes pre-loaded with map content covering the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico with full street level detail. The NV-U83T contains 4 million points of interest and a brand icon function, providing recognizable waypoints along your route. The navigator also has a Memory Stick PRO Duo Slot to support the transfer of particular guidebook information.
Dual-View-3D Junction Guide The NV-U83T features Dual View capability. As you approach your particular turn, Dual View 3-D will split the screen into two, highlighting useful information for the guidance on the left. The right windows keeps the normal map information, providing a clear view of whats around the bend or in a highway merge scenario, or which junction to take.
Ease of Use The Nav-U's Gesture Command eliminates the need for menu interaction when entering the most common destinations. Use your fingertip to draw a pre-determined shape on the screen and Gesture Command will calculate the way home, to the nearest gas station or an ATM. NV-U83T also has Bluetooth hands-free communication .
Keep On Track Even if GPS signals are temporarily interrupted, such as when driving downtown, through a forest, in a tunnel or under a bridge, the NV-U83T will keep you on track. Position Plus uses multiple sensors to monitor your position relative to the map, so you can continue without worry of losing your way.
Real Traffic Updates Real-time traffic information radio reception allows the NV-U83T to constantly monitor relevant traffic conditions and automatically re-route you around trouble spots. Adjustable user settings also allow you to select the type of information you wish to display. The Nav-U comes with a 3-month traffic subscription.
Text To Speech Capability TTS (Text to Speech) also eliminates second-guessing when making a turn. The device utilizes spoken commands ensuring you are able to follow the directions by street names.
Super Suction Cup Mount A Nav-U easily mounts within arms reach in virtually any vehicle. The Super Suction Cup makes mounting options endless. Once mounted, snapping a Nav-U onto or off of the cradle is easy with the intuitive locking design. The unit simply slides into position , locking when fully engaged. Removal is just as easy using the release button and reversing the process. Stable and secure while driving, the NV-U83T is easily adjusted when in use - no more finicky adjustment dials.
What's in the Box? The Sony NV-U83T comes with a car cradle, antenna, XA-DC3 car battery adaptor, USB cable and an application disc.
Product Description
The Sony Nav-U portable satellite navigation system is more than basic navigation Behind it’s elegant design you’ll find, intuitive and easy to use functionality along with pre-loaded map content covering the continental US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. While the Super Suction Cup affords installation flexibility in an endless variety of situations, easy to read 4.3” and 4.8” Touch Screen displays will allow you to keep your eyes on the road and not the screen. TTS (Text to Speech) also eliminates second-guessing when making a turn; the device utilizes spoken commands ensuring you are able to follow the directions by street names. The Sony Nav-U portable satellite navigation system, is the perfect companion for that cross-country trip or short ride across town.
One of the big concerns with this product was the fact that most users had mentioned that the routing and the software was buggy. I decided to purchase the NV-U83t anyways expecting a firmware upgrade. Prior to the upgrade (version 1.0) I ran into several issues where the routing was quite terrible, and I found that when searching for GPS signal the unit would not inform you that it was "searching". On April 7, Sony came out with a firmware update version 2.0. I tried this out and it really fixed several issues especially the routing issue and GUI(graphical user interface) slowness. I initially had this rated as a 2/5, but now rate it as a 5/5. I couldn't be happier with the GPS product from Sony. I'd like to express that I have experience with other GPS products such as the Garmin Nuvi 260, Magellan Roadmate 1200, the Sony NV-U83t is the best featured GPS unit. In my opinion, I would definitely recommend this GPS unit.
Users, if you have Version 1.0. UPGRADE to 2.0!!!
Update 7/14/2008:
I updated to Version 3.0, I do agree that the POI was slow, I took a long trip with V2.0 and finding POI was really really bad where it would take minutes to find a location. with Version 3.0, it's a difference between NIGHT and DAY. Upgrade to Version 3.0, not only is the poi searching better, the overall user experience is BETTER. I'm happy Sony is providing firmware updates, this is important since the product itself was released too early. I do believe there will be a few more software revisions, but using the update tool is VERY VERY easy. Good luck with those that do decide to purchase the NV-u83t, it's an awesome unit and I am definitely happy with it.
Bought this unit last week and found it to be great. Read a couple of reviews that rated it 'poor' but they appeared to be written by Garmin employees. All the 'complaints' listed have not proven to be true. The touch screen is very sensitive, mapping seems to be about the same as the last 5 gps' that I have purchased (including 3 Garmins) with the addition of text to verbal which is way better on the Sony. Will continue to test out this unit over the next several weeks on travel but so far, I'd rate it at least a 4 out of 5 stars.
This unit went from average to great with the latest update from Sony...notice how the later 5 star reviews are all with the updated firmware...this is not the same unit performance wise as earlier "non updated" versions...I believe this unit is best of the pack now...
(I had a Garmin 760...hard to see and bad routing...terrible blutooth)