Automobile News

The Japanese firm Sony has just taken a step to make their presence felt in the Satellite Navigation market. Sony has a reputation of coming out with products that look attractive and are packed with excellent features. The NVU51G satellite navigator is one such feature packed piece of equipment Sony has introduced in the market. This GPS unit comes with attractive looks and good features but what it lacks is the capacity to update the maps and traffic software on a regular basis on the internet. If this small flaw is taken care of, then surely the Sony NVU51G satellite navigator is one of the best GPS devices which offer great advantages to drivers.

The Sony NVU51G satellite navigator comes with a 3.5 inch touch screen with a colour display resolution of 320 x 240 mega pixels. This screen can be operated both day and at night. The unit weighs around 280 g and its dimensions are 10.4 x 8.8 x 3.9 cm. The Sony NV-U51 GPS works on an Intel PXA255 processor that clock at 300MHz. The device has an internal antenna that is integrated with a SirfStar III GPS receiver. It provides accurate GPS Positions. An internal flash memory of 512MB is inbuilt and the system is compatible with external memory cards.

The Sony NVU51G satellite navigator is powered by a rechargeable Lithium ion battery that allows the GPS to run for six hours. This Sony GPS device provides an option of an external antenna and comes with a USB interface slot. Sony provides maps of the UK, France and Ireland which are preloaded on the system. Voice instruction is available in 17 European languages.

Tags for this article: gps, review, satellite, satellite navigation, sony

This car stereo is impressive with an excellent user interface. Users can enjoy the unit’s hands free calling Bluetooth feature as well. The car stereo also allows for high quality phone calls with its built-in microphone.

A range of audio formats including WMA, MP3 and Bluetooth Audio are all supported by this device. The Sony MEX-BT2600 also supports HD radio and satellite. While there is no phone book transfer facility, calling interface is enhanced with usage of voice-dial by the drivers.

This entry level car entertainment and communication system is very impressive and comes with a host of features. Songs can be streamed through the Bluetooth profile A2DP. Audio formats are supported in a digital form. Options for expandability, mic-level controls and improved labeling of buttons are features that are added on to Sony’s previous MEX-BT2500 model.

This car entertainment device comes in an attractive price range as well. Mobile phones can be paired to the device by holding down the BT key for a few seconds. After locating the stereo option, the driver has to enter a pass key thereby completing the process.

This connection effectively routes the mobile phone calls to the speakers of the car with the microphone that is built in. It is now easy for the drivers to speak, listen and be heard clearly from the other end.

Playing music with the help of the A2DP Bluetooth is also easy. Playlists and tracks have to be selected from the handset. However, moving forward and backwards between songs can be controlled on the stereo.

The Sony MEX-BT2600 is therefore an interesting car entertainment system providing attractive features for a competitive price.

One of the basic yet good satellite navigators is the Acer V200. Although leading computer manufacturer Acer is not known for its GPS systems, this budget priced navigator manages to do well in fulfilling its main purpose. Of course, the sat nav does lack some rather common features we have come to expect, such as the MP3 playback or Bluetooth. That is one of the reasons for the sat nav’s quick loading time which is in fact less than a minute.

There is a display option of text or map mode. This can be customised with a few simple steps. Key operation is kept to the minimum. With just a few operations you can reach the function you want to operate, which means when you want to alternate between navigation and map, it can be done effortlessly.

Information such as road traveled, remaining time and distance to the destination, speed in which vehicle is travelling, etc is offered by the Acer V200 in two as well as three dimensional modes. With the help of the map, users can plan their preferred route including were they want to stop. It is possible to re-plan in case of any problem with a particular route.

Soft power switch and the volume control which are frequently used are placed on the device exterior and therefore easy to operate. Time taken to change if the route taken is wrong is very fast. This is called the fixing time.

An attractive feature of the Acer V200 includes the functionality that helps avoid certain routes, routing with multiple stops, routing and re-routing at quick speed, address search, maximizer technology for viewing maps, 24 hour map viewing in two and three dimension, easy to operate buttons and on-screen tutorial.

Today it is possible to plan your route and choose the fastest, shortest and the most economical one to reach the destination. You can even avoid places where there is heavy traffic. Listen to music all the way and enjoy your drive thoroughly with the help of the Satellite Navigation system, VDO Dayton PN4000 Portable GPS System.

This interesting device provides guidance with the help of voice signals and pictures. It tells you about any kind of an obstruction on the route and even suggests alternate routes to the destination. All this is possible with the help of the integrated Traffic Message Channel receiver. You can now avoid tollgates and ferries or even highways and go through various alternate routes to reach the destination quickly.

You are guided perfectly around lanes as the device even guides you with signals that say “turn now”. 2D and 3D format pictures can be viewed on the screen with the help of the zoom option which can be either manual or automatic. The VDO Dayton PN 4000 supports a menu in many languages. You can use this device both while driving and otherwise as it comes with an RC 5100 compatibility, which is actually a remote control for the steering wheel.

The VDO Dayton PN4000 GPS System is portable and comes in dimensions of 15mm x 83mm x 24mm and a weight of 260g. Data can be exchanged with the help of the blue tooth feature. Batteries used are the Lithium rechargeable. You can increase storage capacity upto 2GB as it supports SD Card. Other features include the LCD touch screen which is anti glare. This color screen measures 4.3” and also has a bar which provides information on status of battery, speed limit, time, date and TMC status.

With the facility to listen to MP3 music, you can now use this device for obtaining maximum driving pleasure.

Snooper has come up with a genuine innovation in the form of the S600 Syrius Plus, which is not just a satellite navigation system, but instilled with street camera warning systems to help you tone down your speed levels before falling at the hands of the traffic police. The device provides you street-level mapping of the UK and Ireland via an anti-reflection 4.3-inch wide screen, which is easy to follow. Then, you can also benefit from the 2D and 3D directional prompt features for a more realistic feel.

Drivers should take delight by the fact device has been incorporated with the award winning Enigma speed camera database technology that includes specifications like Gatso, Truvelo, SPECS cameras and mobile laser sites which keeps with updated on a daily basis like no other satellite navigation system. Moreover, the features, such as a full 8-digit UK postcode search, and multi-route planner, provide you with a great deal of ability to easily manipulate the route of your destination. Your safety issues in the meantime, are assisted by the much improved Bluetooth technology which ensures that you can attend to your phone calls hands free.

The onboard in-demand multi-route technology can be used to calculate a single route through up to 10 different destinations just by adding the postcodes. The feature is also a real treat to work on as it allows you to calculate the route on the Snooper Syrius S600 Plus sat nav and save it in a matter of seconds. Further, the device which gives you turn by turn voice instructions comes stuffed with an extensive range of points of interests.

Garmin Nuvi has recently come up its latest stand alone Satellite navigation System, the Garmin Nuvi 600 which is replete with a number of performance enhancing features. The selling point of the device also hinges on its dependability and accurate travel information. Convenience and flexibility is another important aspect that is carefully handled, with the compact specification combined with its lightweight nature driving home the point.

The device is equipped with nothing less than with a 4.3″ WQVGA colour TFT widescreen, which makes for a more interactive interface. Meanwhile, the screen resolution of 480 x 272 pixels well supplements its screen size, and there is also the provision to of a white backlight that improves image clarity. Touch screen is another contemporary feature adorning the Garmin nuevi 600 and makes for a convenient way to collect information and instructions. The later feature is further refined by the inclusion of the anti-glaring coat which protects your eyes from light reflections.

Coming to one of its core functions, the device consists of maps of Ireland and UK, and is aided by a highly sensitive GPS receiver which makes for a more accurate and authentic information display. You can get instructions to the desired location by just typing the address or the point of interest. The maps can be viewed in both 2D and 3D formats. There is also the provision to upload customized POIs, alerts for speed zones and safety cameras via the device.

Navigation functionality apart, the device also ensures a healthy dose of entertainment for you so that the journey becomes a memorable one. You can enjoy a whole range of MP3s, audio books and pictures as well. That’s not all as you can indulge in world clock, currency and measurement converters and calculator.

Tags for this article: gps, navigation, nuvi, satellite

The Gizmondo GZRT200007 is one of those devices that are specially designed to suit a niche section of the customers, here the discerning traveler who only believes in the finest in a multi-functional gadget. The device is an unconventional combination of a gaming console and a satellite navigation system making it an ideal prospect to provide you flawless functionality and spirited entertainment.

Reliability is a term that is synonym with the device, and you can also take advantage of the unit’s voice-guided capability to reach your desired destination. You can get the necessary information and instructions by browsing through the brightly displayed two dimensional or three dimensional route displays and get a first had view of the destination.

The device is a high performing beast and the functions almost flawlessly supported by the 400 MHz processor. The sophistication and intuitiveness of the device is facilitated by a number of modern features like an internal digital camera, MP3 player, card reader for data and music files storing, and an SMS and MMS capability; just like with the Gizmondo Smart Adds Handheld set. A Bluetooth feature is there as well that ensures that you will have minimum connectivity issues to deal with, and also makes for excellent communication.

The display of the deck is no less impressive and has a resolution of Bluetooth, which aids in clear and easy viewing of details displayed on the LCD screen. The display is made even more interactive and convenient by the adoption of high-quality 2D or 3D maps, and elevates the convenience factor.