Sony's first entry into GPS navigation is the NV-U70, an attractive and portable system that offers voice guidance and easy-to-use controls. This compact navigation unit has a bright screen and Sony's customary sleek look, but it can be slow to calculate routes and lacks some features found on competing models.

With 1GB of Flash memory preloaded with detailed street maps and 1.6 million points of interest in the continental United States, the NV-U70 is ready to go right out of the box. The included DVD-ROM provides coverage of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada, and that and other data can be transferred from your PC to the NV-U70 via USB 2.0.

The NV-U70 has a very accurate 12-channel GPS receiver that quickly locks onto your location. It includes a built-in antenna, so placement within your car should be considered. It must be positioned where the antenna can see the sky, such as high on your dashboard or even mounted to the windshield.

The NV-U70 has a clear 3-1/2-inch LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 320X240, and maps can be viewed in 2-D or 3-D. A three-stage light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness based on ambient light. Guidance commands are easy to hear via the two-way speakers, which is a good thing considering the NV-U70's lack of audio outputs.

You can create a route based on a point of interest, street address or by simply entering an intersection. However, the NV-U70 can take a frustratingly long time to calculate a course from point A to point B, and it will sometimes include nonsensical directions that take you well away from what you would consider a direct route. Thankfully, the controls are simple to use, and the system will intuitively recalculate your route if you miss a turn or take a detour. A handy Home button will guide you to a predetermined home address from wherever you are.

While a useful, user-engaged "Block Road" function can direct you around traffic tie-ups you see ahead, the NV-U70 is not compatible with traffic services that alert you in advance and reroute you around to jams or other obstacles farther along your calculated path. The voice guidance is obviously helpful, but the NV-U70 lacks the text-to-speech functionality of other navigation systems that speak the actual street names.

The NV-U70's internal rechargeable battery is rated for 4 hours of wireless use, and the package includes a car power adapter. The system also comes with a USB cable, carrying pouch and mounting plate and pad, and additional mounts are available so you can move the NV-U70 navigation system from car to car.

Sony's first foray into portable navigation looks great and is simple to use, but the long route calculation times and missing features make the NV-U70 an only average GPS system.


Pros:  Built-in battery for out-of-car exploring, easy-to-use controls, attractive and compact
Cons:  Slow to calculate routes, not compatible with traffic services, no text-to-speech functionality, no audio output

Warranty
1 year parts and labor