JVC KD-NX5000 Review (KDNX5000)

In-dash GPS navigation is now possible for single DIN receiver locations. All it takes is a quick and simple installation of a standard size stereo and you may have your in dash navigation. There are many advantages to having a navigation system in your vehicle. You could probably think about most of the implications yourself, things such as arriving on time, the inconvenience of getting lost, and getting in trouble by loved ones. There is one more advantage that most people hadn't thought of until now: it could save you gas money! Getting lost costs you fuel. With gasoline averaging near $5.00/gallon, the KD-NX5000 could be an "excessive-gasoline-consumption" preventive measure.Single DIN Navigation?
This single DIN navigation receiver features a 3.5" LCD monitor that will display map and navigation information, as well as your DVDs, DivX, and other popular media formats. Though most people would complain that the screen is too small, we were actually quite content with its size. Remember that most portable GPS units feature a 3.5" screen as well. It was only in recent times that companies began releasing larger screen GPS units.

Unlike other in-dash GPS navigation units, this one is single DIN, capable of being installed in a wider array of vehicles. Users won't have to worry much about incompatible dashboard configuration, obstructions, or other installation worries that generally come with double DIN or flip-out retractable single DIN receivers.Navigation Features
The JVC KD-NX5000 features a high sensitivity WAAS capable GPS receiver. WAAS is a similar technology that is implemented in aeronautics and marine GPS navigation systems. It ensures maximum coverage with incredible accuracy regardless of elevation, terrain, or angle. In addition, the GPS system is built-in to the hard drive of the receiver, ensuring quick-access navigation that is lacking in many of the other DVD-based GPS navigation devices. There are over 13 million points of interest (POI) stored in the KD-NX5000, featuring a NAVTEQ based map database that covers all of the United States, Canada, and the US Virgin Islands. There is also a radio-based traffic receiver that is capable of displaying upcoming traffic alerts in most major metropolitan areas.

Audio, Video, and more
The unit features a capability to playback many of today's popular media formats such as DivX/DivX Ultra, MPEG1 or MPEG2, MP3, and WMA. It also has some room in the hard drive for users to store media files in the hard drive. The JVC KD-NX5000 even showcases gold plated RCA outputs, which could be used to expand your existing audio system into a high-fidelity listening experience. There are also inputs for Satellite Radio (both SIRIUS and XM) as well as expandability for most dockable iPods and Bluetooth capable devices (additional accessories required).

Overall
The JVC KD-NX5000 is a great single DIN GPS navigation unit to have, especially for those lacking double DIN in-dash slots. It comes with a hefty price, but some could appreciate many of its unique features such as its internal hard drive for media storage. The KD-NX5000 has excellent navigation features, but its small screen size may be cumbersome to many people.

Pioneer AVIC-F500BT Review (AVICF500BT)

Note: Information reviewed only available from Pioneer's 2008 press release

TO BE RELEASED JUNE 2008

The highly anticipated summer release of Pioneer's AVIC-F series includes the uniquely designed AVIC-F500BT.
Unlike the rest of the AVIC-F units, the AVIC-F500BT is not an in-dash navigation device, but a portable GPS navigation unit that mounts easily on the dash or the windshield. It's beautifully crafted and designed like the AVIC-90BT. In fact, the AVIC-F500BT is like having the faceplate of an AVIC-90BT. It's the exact front-panel design and panel.

The Pioneer AVIC-F500BT features a nice large 5.8" LCD touchscreen display that is beautifully clear and crisp. The Pioneer AVIC-F500BT virtually features all navigation and media functions except for some minor details. Since it is only about an inch thick, the unit could not read CDs or DVDs-- relying primarily on its SD Card and USB port inputs for audio and video playback such as AAC, MP3, WMA, and DivX files. The AVIC-F500BT could also directly interface with the latest iPod products, allowing users to control the iPod from the on-screen display.

Pioneer has made it clear that integration is a priority in any new generation designs. With this in mind, all Pioneer AVIC-F navigation products are capable of 32,768 user selectable colors. This will allow it to install nicely on any dash to match any color scheme possible. Another great integration feature is the AVIC-F500BT's additional but optional add-on amplifier that amplifies media sound output from the unit. You could wire up sound output from your existing radio simultaneously as your sound output from the Pioneer AVIC-F500BT. The result is the ability for the unit to interrupt audio from your radio for clear and crisp navigation directions.

The AVIC-F500BT showcases one of the nicest GPS map display we've ever seen. The pre-installed GPS database even features contoured map display with over 12 million points of interest. It even has text-to-speech technology and the innovative MSN Direct capability that will enable the unit to display gas prices, local weather information, and other information you need for your travels.

That's not all of course, as the AVIC-F500BT also features its built in Bluetooth wireless technology that will allow drivers to safely make hands-free calling while displaying call status and caller ID on the 5.8" LCD display. Even without Bluetooth wireless technology, users could operate the AVIC-F500BT through voice commands that is both intelligent and conversational-- eliminating annoying mis-understandings of spoken words and names. The voice commands gives a user the ability to playback media files without the push of a button. With all the features, and nice looks, the cost to own one of these incredibly high-tech AVIC-F500BT units is relatively high at over $600

Magellan Maestro 4250 (Maestro4250) Review

Winner of the CES Innovations Award of 2008 Design and Engineering Award in In-Vehicle Navigation, the Magellan Maestro 4250 is an extremely impressive portable GPS navigation unit.
The Maestro 4250 features a standard 4.3" LCD touchscreen display. The colors are vividly rich and the contrast is impressive, making it visible in direct sunlight or bright viewing environment. The entire unit is quite possibly the thinnest available on the market, measuring at a little under 3/4" thick.

But Magellan did not sacrifice functionality and features for its compact design. In fact, if anything, Magellan packed more features than anyone thought possible in such a thin product. For starters, its fast internal SiRFstarIII™ internal processor will give users a fast-response navigation, eliminating any worries of laggy or stuttering navigation. The Maestro 4250 also features 6 million points of interest, which is an average number of POI for GPS systems today. However, it makes up for in its integration of AAA's Tourbook database, which allow AAA members a guide for nearest AAA-discounted attractions, restaurants, and hotels. In addition, the AAA feature in the Maestro 4250 has a Roadside Assistance ability in the case of an emergency for members.

The Magellan Maestro 4250 has built-in Bluetooth technology, allowing drivers to communicate with hands-free calling with call status and caller ID displayed on the Maestro 4250 LCD screen and you could even import your phonebook and dial from the unit.

This compact GPS navigation unit also features an intelligent Voice Command feature that allows a driver to tell the unit where to go without reaching over and stretching to command the GPS unit via its touchscreen. The voice command is most certainly a unique and innovative feature for any GPS navigation units, a huge plus that sets the Maestro 4250 above many of its competitors. Of course, the Maestro 4250 could speak back to the user... not literally of course; but it does feature text-to-speech technology that enables the device to actually say street names like "Turn left on Smith Street" instead of just the vague "Turn left in 500 yards."

Another great feature of the Maestro 4250 is its ability to coordinate its re-routing calculation with the built-in traffic information receiver; which gives the unit the unique ability to re-route drivers around heavy or slow traffic. It also has an easy-access SD Card reader, day/night lighting modes, multi-perspective navigation, and maps of the US (all 50 states), Canada, and Puerto Rico.
The Magellan Maestro 4250 is indeed an excellent ingenuity that comes at an above average price. With all the features and unique functions, this easy-to-use GPS navigation device will surely impress consumers for many years.

Kenwood eXcelon DNX-8120 Review

When we first reviewed the Kenwood DNX7120and the Kenwood DNX5120, we didn’t think we would like it as much as we did. When we checked out the DNX-8120, we loved it. For the most part, the units are identical. But we’ll review some of the common features as well as the unique features of the DNX-8120.

Display
The Kenwood eXcelon DNX-8120 features a large 7” LCD touchscreen monitor that is both bright and attractively stylish. It integrates well into the double DIN space of any vehicle and the unit does feature the ability for users to change the color scheme of the graphics user interface. In contrast to the DNX-5120, the DNX-8120 has one more diagonal inch of advantage. This gives users, and more importantly, drivers the ability to see the navigation map much more clearly as well as allowing movies to be viewed at its full enjoyment with a bigger screen.

Compatibility
This double DIN in-dash receiver is capable of playing a lot of the popular media file formats available today. It plays standard DVDs as well as DVD±R/RW, DivX, VCD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, AAC, MP3, and WMA file formats. This allows for the widest array of compatibility and suitability for any user wanting to use various file formats.

Audio Features
The DNX-8120, just like the 5120 and the 7120 is capable of putting out home theater-like audio. This means that you can fully enjoy true surround sound experience if your speakers are wired correctly. Imagine parking your car next to a beautiful beach watching your favorite movie with your favorite someone! This is exactly what its designed to do, home entertainment on wheels.

Expandability Options
The DNX-8120 has built-in Bluetooth connectivity and is capable of handling hands-free calling while displaying call status as well as caller ID. In addition, the double DIN navigation could receive Satellite Radio (either XM or Sirius), HD Radio, and even NavTraffic! Its built-in USB port could be connected to an iPod and allows for full audio output and control from the in-dash receiver. If you have an iPod video, the unit could use an optional KCA-iP300V adapter for audio and video connectivity into the receiver. The USB port could be used as a source input for all kinds of flash drives and MP3 players. To top it all off, this head unit could receive rear view cameras or any other secondary audio/video source units such as video game consoles or TV tuners.

Navigation Features
The unit’s built-in Garmin GPS navigation holds a 6 million points of interest database. It provides users with turn-by-turn navigation with text to speech technology which allows the DNX-8120 to say actual street names. It also gives drivers the estimated time of arrival, current speed, and distance to next action (turn, merge, etc.)

It has quick-response street names and the display is nice and bright with great contrast and clarity. Thanks to its SiRF STAR III processor, the unit has one of the most accurate GPS technology available on the market. With it, the DNX-8120 is capable of 2 dimensional or 3 dimensional perspective navigation, fast recalculation, and extremely fast navigation refresh rate.

2008 Advances
Kenwood no longer uses 5-line external input systems on their 2008 release products which include the DNX-5120, DNX-7120, and the DNX-8120. Instead, Kenwood has integrated the “Kenwood Advanced Bus” systems, or KAB, which is much like a USB port for an in-dash receiver. The result is faster response from external optional accessory sources and enhanced audio/video quality from those sources.

VS the Pioneer AVIC-D3
The DNX-8120 is truly a magnificent product. With such a wide array of compatibility and audio features, it truly dwarfs the AVIC-D3. The AVIC-D3 does not receive HD Radio nor NavTraffic, which are two key features to have today. Additionally, the DNX-8120 features a built-in navigation instead of AVIC-D3’s DVD-driven navigation system. This means no shuffling for DVD and you could keep your discs playing while you travel. In addition, the AVIC-D3 does not feature built-in Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, which are some features that would win DNX-8120 over the AVIC-D3.

Even the navigation processor is a much better processor and Kenwood DNX-8120 users will experience much less lag and virtually eliminated sluggish performance. However, the AVIC-D3 did not lose the entire battle. Many users have reported that the AVIC-D3 is probably one of the best head units to have for the integrated look consumers have always wanted. The AVIC-D3 blends well with its user-defined color palette and preferences. The AVIC-D3 is also much $300 more affordable than the AVIC-D3, but it does lack HD Radio capabilities (both built-in or externally), built-in Bluetooth technology, NavTraffic, SiRF STAR III navigation processor, 7” LCD touchscreen, and built-in Navigation database (instead of DVD-based).

For roughly around $1300, the Kenwood eXcelon DNX-8120 is a sure winner of in-dash navigation systems of 2008.