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Sony NVU83T 4 8 Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

Getting where you need to go has never been easier than with the Sony nav-u portable satellite navigation system. Sleek and compact, the nav-u system easily mounts within an arm’s reach in virtually any vehicle. Featuring a brilliant display with intuitive touch screen, graphic interface, and a wide range of additional features, a navigation system is the perfect companion for either a long trip or short ride across town. High contrast touch-screen display and easy installation let you clearly see your position and route. Measuring less than 1″ thick, the nav-u portable satellite navigation system is an elegant, slim device that matches style with ease-of-use so you can find what you need and get there efficiently. The nav-u portable satellite navigation system’s wide-screen display features an anti-flare and anti-fingerprint coating. The display has an 80-degree viewing angle, so you can clearly see the information you need from virtually any driving position. Meanwhile, an intelligent brightness control system even senses the amount of light around the unit and automatically adjusts both the brightness level and map color scheme for daytime or nighttime driving. An intuitive interface provides clear visual and spoken directions. Whether typing in your destination using the on-screen keyboard or searching by name or category, the nav-u portable satellite navigation system’s graphic interface uses simple icons and touch-screen buttons that make navigation incredibly easy. If you miss an exit or take a wrong turn, intelligent rerouting instantly recalculates your route. The NV-U83T includes text-to-speech capability for spoken commands that are always in sync with your location. The nav-u portable satellite navigation system contains a state-of-the-art GPS receiver for superb satellite reception. Step away from standard GPS mapping and towards a more complete navigation solution. Real-time traffic information radio r

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars NVU-83T even better with NVD-U21N 2009 map and firmware update
I ordered this GPS for an upcoming set of trips I have to take this year. After purchasing it in early March, I updated the firmware which improved the functionality substantially from its original state. Then, I used it on one trip and thought it was a decent GPS for what I paid for it (149.99). It wasn’t perfect in the city, but it was more accurate on some levels than the Garmin my buddy was also using.

In April, Sony released a 2009 map update and firmware update (3.2-5.0) for ($99) that significantly improved the functionality of the unit. The firmware update improved the user interface, added more options for users, and increased the speed by which the GPS fetched search results. Before the firmware update, I would give it a 3.5/5 stars, whereas now I would give it a 4.5/5. For the price range of 149.99-199.99 it is a great unit with advanced features, so consider it as a possible alternative in your next GPS purchase.

4 Stars Sony NVU83T
Product works as advertised with reasonably fast signal pickup. Speakers are adequate and the unit is easy to read. Battery life could be better and a map update would be helpful. Being able to get software updates is a real plus and customer support from Sony is good. I would recommend this unit.

3 Stars Maps Outdated
I just bought this product. It doesn’t even compare to a Garmin. The map data base is from 2007. I typed in my house and it can’t even locate it and I live in a metro area. I typed in my parents house and It was off by a half a block away. Unless they update the maps for this, it really stinks.

4 Stars SONY NV-U83T
I got this SONY NV-U83T 2 weeks ago. Work fine

Except it’s did not find the best route all the time. On the trip to SnowShoe WVA, it could not

locate the location on the top of the mountain.It told me to make a U-Turn in the middle of nowhere. Routing is not the shortest locally. I suggest check your Map and use the GPS as a guidance. Do not solely trust GPS to do everything for you. I believe, your photogenic memory and the Map are the Best Choice,not any GPS brands out there. I will learn more about it. But I wish somehow it remember exactly the same way to go out and back

Anyone knows how to make the Sony GPS remember the exact same way to come back home on the return trip. I gave it 4 / 5 rating. If the map update and more friendly navigation.It will be a 5 rating. Now I will wait and see how long is the life of this Sony NY-U83T.

2 Stars VERY POOR ROUTING ALGORITHM
I’m very disappointed with Sony’s VERY POOR routing software. I’ve used both TomTom and Garmin which are both way better. Even after upgrading the firmware to Version 5.0 with the 2009 maps this thing will still send you miles out of your way no matter how the Calculation Conditions are set. Too bad Sony just can’t seem to fix the routing software which is the most important reason you buy a GPS in the first place. The Jr. Software Engineer that programmed the routing algorithm needs to go back to school. Shame on you SONY… this could have been a really great product.

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Magellan Maestro 4040 4 3 Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth and Text to Speech Refurbished

MAGELLAN MAESTRO 4040 WITH TEXT-TO-SPEECH & BLUETOOTH

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Maestro 4040
I will never take a trip without this again. It is the most valuable tool you can have in an area you are unfamilar with.

I bought the refurbished unit because it was very inexpensive. It came with every attachment I need, the mounts, plus wall and car chargers.

As it was a refurbished unit the maps were 2006 versions. I ordered the 2007/2008 map upgrade. It was difficult to install the maps, but now the unit is up to date and still was a bargin.

1 Star Poor Customer Service and Out of Date MAP… dont buy it
I purchased this unit FACTORY REFERB. After testing it out, I realiezed the MAP on the GPS is out of date 5+ years old. I called the Magellan Customer support and recevied the following e-mail.

******

We do regret to inform you, but we will not be able to provide the 2008/2009 free of charge as the unit is refurbished. Refurbished units are sold as is. Per our policy, we can only provide the map update free of charge (customer would be responsible for the $10.00 shipping charge for orders shipped with in the US or $26.00 for an international order) for new units purchased within the last 30 days. We do apologize for any inconvenience.

***

The GPS is bascially worthless without the updated MAP. I returned the unit immediately. DO NOT BUY IT!!!!!

4 Stars Great deal at the price
This GPS navigator proved easy to use quick to lock onto the satellites, quick to recalculate (often finished before we reached the end of the block after making a wrong turn!).

The voice instructions were very helpful, but the bell when the turn is reached could have come a bit sooner.

The maps are a little out of date, lacking some very recent changes, but this wasn’t a big deal for me.

For under $150, this is a completely satisfactory gadget!

4 Stars Purchased 2 of them
I purchased 2 of these, 1 of which I had to send back because it would not lock on the satellites, and the color was a bit off. The other one works perfectly. I downloaded the firmware update, and the AAA update from AAA and it works great. It is my first GPS, bluetooth works, but will not keep the connect information in the unit for some reason, but well worth the $100 I paid for it. Not sure if I will update the maps, it comes with 2006 maps, but have not run into many errors yet, we will have to see.

5 Stars The best feature loaded GPS for $100 (refurbished)
I bought this refurbished for just $99 bucks as my first ever GPS. I had tried my friends Garmin c330 for a trip and decided to buy my own. The Garmins were too expensive for the features I wanted (4.3″ screen, text to speech, and large POI database). Well this unit has all those features and adds bluetooth, AAA service, trip planner, and exit POIs to the list. It even has a voice recognition add-on option in case I want to upgrade in the future. So many features for a $99 unit is absolutely incredible. The routing calculation and re-routing calculation, if you miss a turn, takes slightly longer (by a few seconds) than the Garmin c330 but it is perfectly acceptable for my needs. I do prefer Garmin’s menu system as I feel it is a little bit more intuitive but the Magellan 4040 does the same thing and after a small learning curve I am quite happy with this unit. I’ll take all the extra features in exchange for the slightly easier to use Garmin. The Magellan Maestro 4040 is a great buy.

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Garmin n vi 260 3 5 Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Bring the ultra-cool N?vi 260 along for the ride, and arrive on time and in style. Similar to N?vi 250, N?vi 260 is attractively priced and simple to use. Plus, this sleek, slim navigator comes with turn-by-turn voice directions that announce the name of streets as you navigate, so you can keep your eyes on the road. With N?vi 260 you’re just a few screen taps away from anywhere.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars great so far
My Garmin is what I thought it would be – great, so far at least..

4 Stars Great Entry-Level GPS Unit
The Garmin nuvi 260 is a great entry-level GPS unit for those, like me, who never owned a GPS before and didn’t want to break the bank on their first one. It’s incredibly easy to use, the screen is well-lit, and everything is easily visible. A no-frills GPS that will get you there in one piece.

I haven’t had any problems with the unit getting me lost, and it’s pretty responsive when I make a wrong turn or decide to take an alternate route. The marker on the screen that displays your current position is not exactly on time, and you will notice it is a few seconds off when you approach a turn. It doesn’t impede my driving at all, but it is a noticeable delay.

The spoken directions are a great feature — it tells you the distance and direction of your next turn, and the street name, so you don’t have to look at the screen.

There are an impressive amounts of POIs (Points of Interest) that come built-in with the unit, which is the feature I find the handiest. You can program the GPS to take a detour to find a gas station, restaurant, or whatever you want, and then get right back on with your original destination.

All-in-all, this is a solid entry-level unit for those who don’t want a complicated GPS system. A very reasonable price, clear screen, spoken street names… This unit is a great deal.

4 Stars Should have gotten one a long time ago!!!!
This item is great!!! I should have gotten one a long time ago, it would have saved hours of agrivation and frustration. It does everything it claims to do and more. I have loaned it to my son and used it on long and short trips. A great product!!!

5 Stars Love it!
It’s big enough and very easy to use. It has really taken the stress out of our travels. All the features you need are there.

5 Stars Fine product – A piece of cake to operate
Love my Nuvi! After doing extensive research, I ended up purchasing this GPS. And I’m glad I did. I would definately recommend getting a GPS with Text-to-Speech feature like this one. Having the streets and highways spoken in addition to seeing it on screen gives you piece of mind when making the instructed turns, and allows you to keep your sight on the road where it belongs.

The only other decision I had to make was whether or not to get the wider screen. I opted not to, and I don’t regret it – I don’t see where having a little wider screen for the map is an advantage at all.

Garmin has the best reputation for their products. I’m here to agree with the concensus of consumers. VERY easy to use. Once set up (which takes reading a couple of instructions to do) it’s a breeze to operate. Buy this product and you’ll be very satisfied.

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