The JVC KD-NXD505 is another JVC 2008 release that features plenty of multimedia playback functions and compatibility while not forgetting to include an excellent built-in in-dash navigation.

Pros
The built-in navigation unit features a 15-channel GPS receiver with nearly 13 million points of interests. This shows us that the JVC KD-NXD505 is a great improvement from JVC's previous stand-alone navigation that only featured 1-5 million points of interest with 6-10 channel GPS receiver. The combination of the two will provide users a good navigating experience, being able to lock on to 15 individual orbital GPS satellites. This will allow the unit to stay within the coverage of satellites. In addition, the GPS receiver is WAAS-capable, which is the same technology that most modern aviation uses to increase accuracy of location indicated by the GPS, integrity of providing early warning in the case of misleading data, and availability of GPS coverage. Along with 13 million points of interest, the JVC KD-NXD505 is likely to have your favorite places to eat, hang out, go shopping, and even fill up gas.

The navigation unit could also receive radio-based traffic messaging system that will alert users of slow traffic, accidents, and other obstructions that may cause traffic jams or detours, giving drivers plenty of early-warning to reroute their path.

The media playback of this already impressive in-dash receiver is capable of DVD and DivX video playback with MP3, WAV, and WMA audio playback support. It has a nice range of adjustments in its EQ options, offering 7 parametric bands you could twiddle around with and even supports 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS output from movies. What's even better is its built in 40GB hard disk that has 20GB reserved for the built-in navigation but could hold up to 20GB of audio or video files that you can access anytime after storage.

It also features gold-plated preamp outputs for all of you audiophiles out there, providing minimal signal-loss when connecting to an aftermarket audio system. The unit is ready for expansion, capable (with additional accessories) of receiving Sirius or XM Satellite radio, Bluetooth hands-free technology, and even the control and access of an iPod.

The front panel looks impressive and very clean, with a much more modern up-to-date look than JVC's predecessors. It even includes a remote and a GPS antenna extension that will assist in receiving better signal.

Cons
What we didn't like was the incredibly high price for this unit. It looks attractive and could do a lot, but it didn't strike us as a unit that is above and beyond the rest of the competition. Everything seems standard and even the screen seems smaller than most of today's in-dash navigation units, measuring only 3.5" diagonal.

The integration of the unit looks nice, but we just can't get over the price, that is set at around $1000. Maybe it's the built-in hard drive that costs the most?