April 2008
Sony Nav-U NV-U83T GPS: First Look
Innovative features don’t make up for shortcomings
An early pioneer in personal navigation devices, Sony has returned to the white-hot market with two new units, the Nav-U NV-U73T
and Nav-U NV-U83T. Both PNDs have pre-loaded maps for United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico; spoken street names (text to
speech); RDS-TMC traffic ability with subscription; three-dimensional display for major roadway junctions; and an innovative
"gesture command" touch-screen function. The key distinguishing element between the systems is the screen size: the NV-U73T's
is 4.3-inches and the NV-U83T's is 4.8-inches.
For this report, we are taking a close look at the top model, the NV-U83T. We paid $400 for our test unit, about $100 more than the NV-U73T. The price difference also brings Bluetooth connectivity and "position plus"-a feature that claims to continue route guidance when the GPS signal is lost.
Key features include:
For this report, we are taking a close look at the top model, the NV-U83T. We paid $400 for our test unit, about $100 more than the NV-U73T. The price difference also brings Bluetooth connectivity and "position plus"-a feature that claims to continue route guidance when the GPS signal is lost.
Key features include:
- 4.8-inch screen
- Traffic capable
- Touch-screen controls
- Spoken street names
- Bluetooth hands-free calling
- Preloaded maps for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Initial impressions. The Sony Nav-U NV-U83T design looks like a smaller version of the company's flat-screen televisions, with a large, wide display;
simple, minimalist shape, and modern appearance. Bigger than most portable GPS displays, the U83T has a crisp, bright 4.8-inch
screen. To the left are two fixed soft-touch buttons providing direct access to frequently used controls, such as volume.
The large, 16:9 aspect ratio screen allows for a large keypad that aids in entering addresses, and displayed information is
easy to read.
The display presents a nicely detailed map, which also includes branded icons for major fast food chains, gas stations, and other common destinations. When complicated intersections are approached on major roadways, the Nav-U NV-U83T splits the screen to provide a detailed view of the intersection with an instructional arrow. On highways, the system can present a "3D Junction Guide" akin to the "reality view" on the Navigon units. That screen gives a close-up perspective of the junction, with a large, clear arrow guiding the driver through lane changes and route selection. The background is rendered with photo-realistic sky and grass. When in this mode, the right-side of the navigation display presents the more-traditional view.
For basic navigation, the Nav-U NV-U83T works well, though it does have some quirks. Notably, the spoken street names are not announced with each direction. That can be confusing in busy urban driving, where knowing the difference between "Turn right" and "Turn right on 75th Street" can be quite important. We have found that dead-reckoning can be a helpful aid, enabling the system to guide through tunnels and bridges, although we have not yet fully explored the capability of that feature.
Our chief complaints about the Sony focus on its processing speed and software. The most noticeable annoyance is that the unit is slow to respond to a user's input. Navigating through menus is delayed, and searching for POIs is very slow and at times nonintuitive. Also route calculation is slower than it is on most devices.
Exacerbating the ease-of-use issues, this unit lacks some common features found in most PNDs. For example, the NV-U83T must be forced to "dynamically" search the database when the user is entering streets and cities in an address. Have the device predict what the name is likely to be would be easier. Also the unit does not allow the exclusion of a specific road from a plotted route, and there is no avoidance option for highways. The Sony menu navigation is intuitive and good, though not as refined as top-rated units. The gesture-based commands are also a plus. One motion on the touch screen can generate a route to a stored location, such as Home, avoiding a search through menus for common tasks.
The supplied mount has a sticky, circular base to enable it to adhere to dashboards and windshields. This tacky suction cup needs to be protected with the included cover to prevent detritus from accumulating on it. We had mixed results with this nonconventional system, with the mount not adhering well to the dash of some test cars. But the ability to mount the unit on the dash provides a nice alternative, bringing the unit closer to the user. And it is a welcome convenience for use in states where windshield mounting is prohibited.
CR's take. The Sony Nav-U NV-83T comes to the market with innovative features but requires some polish and software refinement to improve the basic user interface and general navigation performance to compete with top-rated units.
For more information on portable GPS navigation systems see our Ratings. Discuss GPS with other shoppers and owners in the forums.
The display presents a nicely detailed map, which also includes branded icons for major fast food chains, gas stations, and other common destinations. When complicated intersections are approached on major roadways, the Nav-U NV-U83T splits the screen to provide a detailed view of the intersection with an instructional arrow. On highways, the system can present a "3D Junction Guide" akin to the "reality view" on the Navigon units. That screen gives a close-up perspective of the junction, with a large, clear arrow guiding the driver through lane changes and route selection. The background is rendered with photo-realistic sky and grass. When in this mode, the right-side of the navigation display presents the more-traditional view.
For basic navigation, the Nav-U NV-U83T works well, though it does have some quirks. Notably, the spoken street names are not announced with each direction. That can be confusing in busy urban driving, where knowing the difference between "Turn right" and "Turn right on 75th Street" can be quite important. We have found that dead-reckoning can be a helpful aid, enabling the system to guide through tunnels and bridges, although we have not yet fully explored the capability of that feature.
Our chief complaints about the Sony focus on its processing speed and software. The most noticeable annoyance is that the unit is slow to respond to a user's input. Navigating through menus is delayed, and searching for POIs is very slow and at times nonintuitive. Also route calculation is slower than it is on most devices.
Exacerbating the ease-of-use issues, this unit lacks some common features found in most PNDs. For example, the NV-U83T must be forced to "dynamically" search the database when the user is entering streets and cities in an address. Have the device predict what the name is likely to be would be easier. Also the unit does not allow the exclusion of a specific road from a plotted route, and there is no avoidance option for highways. The Sony menu navigation is intuitive and good, though not as refined as top-rated units. The gesture-based commands are also a plus. One motion on the touch screen can generate a route to a stored location, such as Home, avoiding a search through menus for common tasks.
The supplied mount has a sticky, circular base to enable it to adhere to dashboards and windshields. This tacky suction cup needs to be protected with the included cover to prevent detritus from accumulating on it. We had mixed results with this nonconventional system, with the mount not adhering well to the dash of some test cars. But the ability to mount the unit on the dash provides a nice alternative, bringing the unit closer to the user. And it is a welcome convenience for use in states where windshield mounting is prohibited.
CR's take. The Sony Nav-U NV-83T comes to the market with innovative features but requires some polish and software refinement to improve the basic user interface and general navigation performance to compete with top-rated units.
For more information on portable GPS navigation systems see our Ratings. Discuss GPS with other shoppers and owners in the forums.
