Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31530 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Sony
• Model: NVU93TW.EUR
• Released on: 2007-10-10

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

Good - but not perfect
I must do things a little differently to most people! Already owning the Garmin Nuvi 670, I was given a little Sony NVU50 last year that I used for a day or two and then sold. But as I have continued to own the Garmin, I have got increaingly dissatisfied (TMC on the Garmin is now very inaccurate and the routing is, to say the least, eccentric) and remembered the little Sony fondly - so I bought its big brother, the NVU93TW.

The Sony NVU93TW has all the features I need, and is generally pretty good:

1. There is Bluetooth hands free dialling, and the unit pairs well with my Samsung D600 (not listed as compatible but works fine. It doesn't transfer your phone book, though. You can do that, however, by going to 'phone settings' in the Sony menu and sending the phonebook from your mobile to the Sony by Bluetooth. It's just that you need to do it manually, whereas my Garmin did it automatically.
2. The unit works well with Windows Vista BUT you need to go to Microsoft first and download Windows Mobile Device Centre 6.1. This isn't really mentioned in the instructions, but the sync won't work without it. The download link is http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devicecenter.mspx
3. You get a year's free speed camera updates with the unit, but you need to register with Sony first (and to transfer the files and updates to your Sony you need the link above if you use Vista.
4. The TMC that comes with the unit is the free one that my Garmin used to have. On the Sony website, you can upgrade to the 'paid-for' version (Twenty UK-pounds for a lifetime sub) which is MUCH better - updated almost instantly and exceptionally good.

In use:
The Sony's navigation is better than the Garmin. The screen information is much more detailed and, for me at least, the directions are clearer. Some points:
1/ The screen is not a bright as Garmin but is still fine to use
2/ Your speed is not displayed when following a route. This is a pain, because your speed IS displayed when not folloing a route.
3/ The speed camera database doesn't include the speed limit at which the camera is set. That means you need to be extra-aware of signs (kinda misses the point, I think)
4/ When you make/receive a call using bluetooth, you miss all the navigation aids while the call is in progress.
5/ Maps seem well-up to date and POI info is fine.
6/ There's no case supplied, so the unit feels quite 'scratchable'
7/ The mount works very well, but has a semi-sticky suction cup at the bottom (rather than one that sticks from pressure alone). i wonder how many 'stick and remove' sequences it will last for?
8/ My unit has crashed once already in the first 5 days...
9/ Software updates come via the website, but aren't very slick - Garmin's are much better integrated. They do work, though, provided you load the link above.

Overall I AM pleased, and can recommend one to you. The images are much more detailed than Garmin, the navigation better and the TMC much, much better. I'm glad I bought it, and I now use it rather than my Garmin.

It still feels like a half-finished product though...

go for tom- tom
after using tom tom for last two years ,my company have just issued all us drivers[lgv]with the sony nv-u93tw.the sony is a great piece of kit,easy to use ,easy to follow map instructions,the only thing that lets it down is the lack of extras not available[unlike tom tom]through sony website[voices,screen savers,all the fun things etc etc.]in my opinion the company should have gone for the tom tom 720t.sorry sony.

Sony SatNav
Overall, this is a good bit of kit.

The navigation is very good, It has taken me a couple of times all the way from Germany to UK with the only a couple of problems.

1. The mounting system works on 90% sticky, 10% suction. which means that if you remove it from the dash board a few times it completly loses its ability to stay in the same place while driving! ... bit of a hazard there!

2. Loading. when you first turn it on it takes a few minutes to warm up, find the GPS signal, and then start working at where you wanna go... then you program in your destination, and wait a further few minutes for it to figure out where that is in relation to where you are at the time.

With that said, overall it is a good satnav in that it will always get you where you wanna go, and will automatically update itself to traffic reports for you to get there as fast as poss.

So my recommendation is that you do get one, but once you've attached the mounting device to the dash... LEAVE IT! you can disconnect and remove the satnav easily, with the very cool flick up mounting port.

Hope this helps.