Sony NV-U73T and NV-U83T Widescreen Portable GPS Navigators Review

Sony’s NV-U73T and NV-U83T portable automotive GPS navigators come in two widescreen sizes large (4.3 inches) and larger (4.8 inches) respectively. An anti-glare coating makes the screen easier to see in difficult lighting conditions. Both come with a unique Gesture Command capability which provides quick shortcuts by tracing shapes on the touchscreen display. Another higher end feature in common is text-to-speech for announcing street names as part of vocal navigation instructions.

Sony NV-U73T and NV-U83T

The NV-U73T model comes with a 4.3-inch, (diagonal) 16 x 9 aspect ratio touch screen display. Its features include gesture command, text-to-speech and dual view.

The Sony NV-U83T model has all the features of the NV-U73T plus Bluetooth hands-free calling capability, the larger 4.8 inch display and POSITION Plus for maintaining an estimate of position even when a GPS satellite lock is lost.

Gesture Command

Commonly GPS navigators are able to interpret some finger gestures on the screen. Commonly, dragging a finger across the touch screen will move a map in that direction. Sony have taken it further with Gesture Command making a number functionalities for navigation and photo viewing available through the tracing some simple shapes on the touchscreen with your finger. As an example, tracing an inverted “V” on the screen commands the GPS to take you home. Map scale can be changed with a clockwise or anti-clockwise finger motion.

Sony’s Position Plus NV-U83T

The SiRF Star III GPS receiver in both models has an excellent reputation for gaining a GPS satellite lock even in weak reception areas such as under heavy foliage or between tall buildings. However, in some conditions such as in a tunnel, a GPS signal can be lost. For such situations, Sony’s Position Plus technology can maintain an estimate of current position using the combination of an acceleration sensor, a pressure sensor and a gyro sensor.

Position Plus can provide uninterrupted guidance when devices not so equipped might drop in and out with the satellite acquisition time delaying the restart of navigation directions. While you will know its working if you still have a GPS position in a tunnel at other times you will only know from an orange upward pointing arrow GPS signal status which indicates the current position is calculated.

Dual View – 3D Junction Guide

Both the NV-U73T and NV-U83T will operate in what Sony term a Dual View mode which is a vertically split display. On one side is a 3-D map view while on the other side is either dynamic route information (distance to next destination, distance to final destination, next turn instruction etc.) or a 2-D magnification of an upcoming intersection or junction. The 2-D intersection magnification has a simple bar next to it indicating the distance to the next turn.

Text-to-Speech

Text-to-speech capability announces street names as part of vocal navigation instructions providing extra safety by allowing the driver to confirm they are on track without taking their eyes off the road.

TMC (Traffic Message Channel)

Both models have a TMC receiver built-in allowing traffic information to be received. NV-U83T the receiver is located in the cradle while for the NV-U73T the receiver is built into the unit. Traffic messages for your current route bring up an icon to press and display them. You can select between displaying traffic messages on the current route and messages not on the current route.

Navigating with the Sony NV-U73T and NV-U83T GPS Navigators

Through using route profile settings it is possible to set both Sony GPS models to avoid the use of ferries, toll roads, and other such conveyances when calculating your route.
There are three overriding guidelines which can be set for route calculations;

Standard: sets a recommended route
Avoid Toll Roads: Avoids the use of toll roads
Avoid Toll Roads (Shortest) sets a distance-optimized route without toll roads.

Up to ten waypoints (or interim destinations) can be set with the best route being calculated. It’s a useful feature for plotting a delivery run or touring a number of tourist sites. During a multi-destination route it’s possible to skip the current destination and re-route.

After confirming satisfaction with the plotted route it’s is possible to view the entire route via a map or turn-by-turn list. The route can then be recalculated or selected. It’s also possible to take a closer look at your destination by bringing up a map of its vicinity.

Both models provide a wide range of possibilities for entering your desired destination including:

Home Search: press the home icon or gesture with and inverted “V” to get a route back to your home address.
Address Search: search by entering house number, street name or other address information. There is a built-in automatic auto complete function to speed up the entry process.
POI Search: search the 5 million Points-Of-Interests (POI) database for restaurants, hotels, ATMs etc. The search can be by name or category and can be restricted to the local area.
Intersection Search: search for an intersection as a destination
Recent Destinations Search: Quickly select your destination from a list of your recent destinations
Address Book Search: Search for only destinations stored in your personal address book.
Favorites Search: enables you to select one of your 4 favourite destinations.

Nav-u Software

Sony’s Nav-u software is a free download from the Sony e-support website. It allows users to perform a number of data management tasks such as:

Transferring and replacing map data
Address Book management
Downloading and transferring firmware upgrades
Downloading and transferring and guidance voice data

NV-U73T and NV-U83T GPS Maps

Both Sony models come pre-loaded with maps covering the entire United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

To avoid your GPS providing your home address and/or other personal data if stolen or lost Sony have built in a Password Lock comprising of a custom-user 4-digit numerical password to prevent unauthorized access.