Panasonic CN-HW830D

Panasonic CN-HW830D

Panasonic and Kenwood seem to be in an arms race when it comes to 2DIN car entertainment navigation systems. Just the other day we heard of Kenwood DNX 8220BT and today we have Panasonic CN-HW830D which combines various useful features right to your dash.

It has an optical drive to support CD, MP3, and DVD playback. You can watch digital TV on the 7″ touchscreen with 800x480 resolution, or transfer files via high capacity SD cards or access your files on the hard disk drive. Speaking of HDD, that’s where navigation maps are stored so you’ll have your optical drive free for other stuff. You can also control your iPod with Panasonic CN-HW830D.

It looks like this device will stay in Japan (do let us know if you see it elsewhere) and will be available on September 12th for about $2500…

(Via NaviGadget.)

Navigon's 7200, 2200 and 2150 Max in the flesh

Navigon's 7200, 2200 and 2150 Max in the flesh

We just went on a whirlwind tour of Navigon's booth here at IFA 2008, and while a sea of barely distinguishable GPS devices has a tendency to send us into sudden and violent fits of napping, we thought we'd give you a look-see just in case you feel otherwise. The only real standout was the new 7200 (pictured), which has a flat, glossy front, and is a joy to touch -- we're not positive it's capacitive, but it feels a ton better than the regular dull resistive touch of most GPS units out on the market. We also took a look at the 2200 and 2150 Max, as you can see in the gallery below. Knock yourself out.

Gallery: Navigon's 7200, 2200 and 2150 Max in the flesh

(Via Engadget.)

Blaupunkt TravelPilot 700 and 500 overlay nav info on realtime video

Blaupunkt TravelPilot 700 and 500 overlay nav info on realtime video

Blaupunkt's TravelPilot nav units have never really stood out from the pack, but it looks like that's about to change -- the new TravelPilot 700 and 500 feature an integrated camera that displays realtime video with nav overlays on their 16:9 screens. That's definitely a novel and intriguing feature, but there's not a lot of information on how it works or what kind of hardware is under the hood to keep it running smoothly -- with the 700's estimated list price of $740, we're guessing it's pretty beefy. Both units also feature voice control, DVB-T traffic, live traffic, Bluetooth, and the usual PMP features, and the 700 also has a browser, email app, and VoIP client that work over Bluetooth tethering with your phone. Yeah, definitely intriguing -- hopefully we'll see this thing make it Stateside soon. Video after the break.

[Via Navigadget; thanks, Khattab]

Continue reading Blaupunkt TravelPilot 700 and 500 overlay nav info on realtime video

(Via Engadget.)

Garmin 785T GPS and Friends: Free Lifetime Traffic, Lane Assist, 3D Transparent View and Bluetooth

Garmin 785T GPS and Friends: Free Lifetime Traffic, Lane Assist, 3D Transparent View and Bluetooth

Garmin'sdropping four new models to the higher-end 7x5 lineup with the nüvi 755T, 765T, 775T and the 785T. All models will include lifetime traffic alerts via NAVTEQ Traffic and Bluetooth connectivity, but the updated 7x5 series will include the most exciting new features: a 4.3' touchscreen, a 3-D transparent view of buildings, and lane assist. Garmin is also dropping their budget friendly 2x5 series with three new models: the nüvi 265T, 265WT and 275T. I'd probably opt for the high end line with lane suggestions, but take the 765T with Bluetooth and skip the fancier models. Parsing Garmin's huge lineup is always challenging, but the differences are detailed here:

The nuvi 765T adds Bluetooth(R) wireless technology for hands-free calling and supports a powerful advanced audio amplifier for a stereo Bluetooth connection. For transatlantic travel, nuvi 775T adds mapping of North America and Europe. The nuvi 785T features an MSN Direct receiver with trial subscription that includes updated information about traffic conditions, fuel prices, weather reports, movie listings, headline news, stock quotes and local events.

The nuvi 265T and 265WT will be available with preloaded comprehensive coverage of North America. For transatlantic travel, the nuvi 275T comes standard with mapping for North America and Europe. These nuvis are available in vibrant 4.3' or 3.5' screens that display shaded digital elevation mapping. All models will announce street names in their voice prompts, advising drivers to 'Turn right on Elm Street,' rather than 'Turn right in 500 feet.'

All seven units are expected to be released in October at prices ranging between $300 and $700 for specific models.

Aug 27, 2008 07:00

Garmin(R) Expands Affordable nuvi(R) 2x5 Series, Offering Hands-Free Calling and Lifetime Traffic Alerts

(Via Gizmodo: GPS.)

Sony NV-U94T

Sony NV-U94T

Sony NV-U94T is the latest top of the line GPS navigation system from Sony. Priced at $400 NV-U94T has some high end features such as A2DP Bluetooth technology, a large 4.8″ touch screen with 16:9 aspect ratio, acceleration sensor, a pressure sensor and a gyro sensor that together can calculate the vehicle’s current position based on the last known GPS location, and of course - unique to Sony - gesture commands.

Other features include RDS-TMC traffic receiver, multimedia features and the slimmer form factor. Sony NV-U94T will be available as early as September.

(Via NaviGadget.)

Sony NV-U84

Sony NV-U84

Also just released like NV-U94T, the new NV-U84 model offers the best value in the large-screen segment. Priced at $350, drivers get a large 4.8 inch 16:9 aspect ratio display plus, dual view, text to speech, photo viewer and gesture command. Different from 94T, NV-U84 lacks RDS-TMC traffic receiver and bluetooth features.

Other features and specs include:

• text-to-speech


• SiRF Star III receiver


• position plus


• 2GB internal memory


• memory stick pro duo slot


• USB 2.0

(Via NaviGadget.)

TomTom GO 630

TomTom GO 630

TomTom GO 630 is the new entry level GPS navigation introduced today at IFA. According to our source, the new GO 630 will be similar to the TomTom GO 730 but will come with maps of the 22 Western European countries.

Other versions of TomTom GO 630 will be available too. GO 630T will include RDS-TMC traffic receiver and GO 630HDT will come with an HD Traffic receiver.

TomTom GO 630 will hit the store some time this fall and will cost £ 300. GO 630HDT should go far about £ 300…

(Via NaviGadget.)