In-carGps
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Sanyo trots out a few new Gorilla navigators
Sanyo's gone a few months now without popping out a new Gorilla navigator, but as of this week, you'll be forced to live with slightly antiquated jungle-themed GPS units no more. For starters, the outfit introduced a pair of SSD-based in-car units, the NVA-GS1580FT and NVA-GS1480DT; both of these feature a 400MHz CPU, while the former adds a 1seg TV tuner. Moving on, we've got the NV-SD750FT and NV-SB510DT, both of which are meant for aftermarket installation on your dash / windshield. The former includes a spacious 7-inch LCD, while the latter touts a still-respectable 5.2-inch panel. 'Course, we don't expect any of the new beasts to gallop, swim or fly over to US soil anytime soon, but those in Japan can sink their teeth in next month for between ¥75,000 ($759) and ¥155,000 ($1,569).%Gallery-36151%[Via Navigadget]Read - Sanyo NVA-GS1580FT and NVA-GS1480DTRead - Sanyo NV-SD750FT and NV-SB510DT
Garmin nuvi 760 reviewed
The nuvi line has proven to be a big seller for Garmin -- we know half a dozen people who own a 300-series alone -- so expectations are obviously pretty high for the newest flagship device in the family, the 760. Luckily for nuvi diehards, the company has done just about everything right here, according to GPS Review, packing the 4.3-inch widescreen unit with nearly every bell and whistle you could possibly want in a PND while still maintaining the ease-of-use Garmins are known for. Specifically, you're getting pre-installed maps of North America, cellphone integration via Bluetooth, FM transmitter, text-to-speech, MP3 playback, and a cleverly designed traffic antenna built into the power cord that's capable of connecting to Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network. Apparently the biggest improvements over the 600-series are screen brightness, a "last position" feature to figure out where you parked, and a new routing function that lets you plot out a multi-stop trip or determine the best order in which to hit multiple destinations. Quibbles here are relatively minor -- wonky re-routing, too-late voice prompts -- and it seems the biggest barrier to purchase with the 760 is its price: at between $700 and $800, it costs quite a bit more than other models with nearly the same feature set.
Pioneer's 3.5-inch AVIC-S2 GPS gets official
We knew it couldn't remain in hiding for too awfully long, as Pioneer's ho hum successor to the AVIC-S1 has stopped snooping around and gone official. The easy-to-remember (and easier to forget) AVIC-S2 touts a sexy black frame, blue backlit accents, and just about every other expected feature on a 3.5-inch handheld GPS. Running about par for the course, this rendition touts a touchscreen display, TeleAtlas maps, 1.7 million POIs on a 1GB SD card, integrated Bluetooth / handsfree calling, and the obligatory MP3 player to boot. Apparently, Pioneer isn't trying to win the hearts of onlookers with an attractive price, as this perfectly average navigation device will reportedly run you a stiff $399 when it lands later this month.[Via CNET]
Kia Kue abandons airbag, swaps in GPS navigation
We know it's possible to strap a PSP to your steering wheel, but seriously, it's not like we'd recommend taking such a setup onto the open road. Apparently, designers at Kia are throwing caution to the wind and cramming convenience in your face with its Kue concept vehicle, which neatly sports a full-fledged GPS navigation system in place of an airbag. Yeah, you've got Honda trying to stuff such protective devices into frickin' motorcycles, but who needs driver's side safety when you've got a 100,000-mile warranty? Nevertheless, the whip also manages to sport Lambo-doors, swivel seats, a widescreen in-dash display, and what appears to be flush-mounted pillar controls. Of course, the Kue could end up rocking a half dozen airbags in a variety of other locations, but if you're interested in a few more pics of the quasi-street-legal ride, be sure to click on through.
