Panasonic launches its first US in-car navigation unit
Looking to establish itself as a "leader in the U.S. mobile navigation market," Panasonic has finally launched its Strada CN-NVD905U, the company's first in-car GPS receiver for American consumers. Besides getting you from here to there using NAVTEQ maps on a 7-inch touchscreen, the 905U -- first introduced almost six months ago -- also offers an impressive suite of entertainment options, including DVD and MP3 CD playback, a 30GB hard drive, iPod video compatibility, and either Sirius or XM satellite stations through the use of optional tuners and antennas. Other nice features include Sirius Traffic capability, Bluetooth support, and inputs for a rear-mounted camera, but since this $1,800 package requires a double DIN slot, Panasonic's gonna have to work a little harder if it really wants to replace our TomToms, Garmins, and Pioneers.
Filed under: GPS, Transportation
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim Fischer @ May 9th 2007 10:53AM
Only if TomTom or Garmin would license their interfaces. I personally don't like the video interfaces on these Nav systems.
NHAnimator @ May 9th 2007 11:05AM
Looking to establish itself as a "leader in the U.S. mobile navigation market,"???
Maybe they should have started years ago. You don't lead by following everyone else.
Tim @ May 9th 2007 11:55AM
Doesn't look like it works with steering wheel controls....lame. Other than that, looks like a pretty cool product.
Darnell @ May 9th 2007 12:04PM
It does have a lot of features and a 7'' screen that's pretty nice. I hope that $1800 includes installation. Other than that--it seems a bit steep.
Adam @ May 9th 2007 12:19PM
This was a great product.... when it came out by Pioneer over a year ago. Check out the Avic-Z1 (or Z2). They copied it right down to the button placements. Way to be the "leaders".
Mike @ May 9th 2007 12:46PM
I really don't like the idea of having a navigation screen set that low in the dash. As far as I'm concerned I'd want it up as high as possible. Some car manufacturers don't seem to understand that that is the safer option.
Michael @ May 9th 2007 1:02PM
The new Alpine IVA-W205 + dockable Blackbird totals out to $1400 which is a much better deal, not to mention you can take the navigation with you.
anonymous @ May 9th 2007 4:36PM
none of the articles or links I went to showed an actual product, only graphical representations.
anonymous @ May 9th 2007 4:41PM
Whatever happened to the HUD displays that were found in the Taurus' several years back? I thought it was great to see your speed and other information on the windshield without having to take your eyes off the road. All the great ideas or technologies get squashed... Look at the guy who just a few years ago had an idea for a gas alternative and got funded by the government to do the research and just about the time he had begun preliminary tests that were very promising, the government pulled his funding.
Dave @ Sep 10th 2007 7:50PM
You cannot use steering wheel controls. It has an IR port but it's only used for pass through control to the TV tuner.
Panasonic advertises that it's Sirius Traffic capable but they don't make a Sirius Traffic tuner for it!!! False advertising....
It's a pathetic rip off of the Eclipse AVN series.