Sony NAV-U NV-U50, NV-U70
Sony is still trying to push into the GPS market with a new line of GPS receivers called Sony Nav-U. The Previous GPS system by Sony produced poor results. The new GPS receiver comes with a 3.5 inch touch screen display and a wide (80°) viewing angle.
The NV-U50 will feature maps of the UK, Ireland, and Farnce down to Paris. The NV-U50T also features traffic updates integrated into the GPS receiver.
The NV-U70 comes with traffic support as a standard option and includes a 1GB flash drive to store most of the Europe mapping data on the device. Both new GPS navigation devices use NAVTEQ data and should be available just after the new year.
Pros: Great display. Displayed speed verses car speedometer accurate. Re-calculates routes fast. Easy interface to learn.
Cons: No map updates from Sony and according to the Customer Service Reps I’ve spoken with Sony does not intent to update the road maps. Even worst, on the website Sony has a link that misleads you into believing there are updates and there are none. My town had road construction that was completed about 2 years ago. I brought my NV-U70 about 3 months ago. A freind of mine brought an IWay 350c a month after I purchased my GPS unit. His have the updated roads.
Recommendation: Make sure the manufacturer has or intend to offer map updates for the unit that you buy. Sony has a potentially great GPS in the NV-U70, but if they will not offer an update for roads, it is hard to recommend their GPS units to anyone. I mean, if the road you are traveling does not exist on the unit you’re depending on to give you directions, that makes it a waste of $400 - $500.
I fully agree the Sony NV-U70, could be a really good GPS, but without updates it is kinda useless. I have had mine for 6 month’s and found it problematic especially when it get’s warm it may send you in circles. If I try to save a waypoint on the fly and attemtp to go back to that spot at a later date, it has twice been off by miles.
In my opinion the Garmin cannot be beat! Can you say EBAY??
I bought the Sony NV-U70, and spent $480.00.The
price was not an issue because I felt I was getting a great GPS.But as I start using it I found out the roads that have being built are added and the last 2yrs are not able to be found. And being and Realastate this makes my $480.00 GPS useless.I spoke with the taech at Sony and yes they do have a misleading web site that make buyers think Sony has the plans of adding updates. They even send a USB port cable with the package to upload updates that they have no plans to add.So my advice is stay away from the Sony GPS until Sony respect it’s consumers and provide a much better product.If I could return my GPS I really would.I hope someone from Sony read this and maybe relize that consumers feel ripped off on there product.
I am trying to update the maps in my Sony NV-U70
Can you tell me where and how!
I am compltely lost.
JP Mura
Mura, I don’t believe Sony has released any map updates for the NV-U70.
JP, Tim is right. In fact when I spoke with the tech rep at Sony, it seems that Sony has no plans on doing any updates on this product. I hope more people see this tread and avoid this unit or any of Sony’s GPS units.
When I bought my GPS Unit, I too, was under the impression that updates would be available. Being a limo driver on the weekends, I depend on accurate road directions. For the most part the NV-U70 is a fairly reliable unit but I recently saw a message that came up after I hit the “agree” button at start up. It said that my maps are at least 12 months old and that I should “purchase” an update? First of all, Trying to find an update is apparently a futile attempt and second, why would this be a “puchase”? I know that some of you talked to a “Sony tech” but was this actually at Sony or was this a tech at a local store? Is it possible to get ahold of someone at a higher level in Sony to get updates initiated. Spending $400-$500 on a GPS device would certainly warrant the need for an update at the very least an annual occurance.
Regarding the need to “purchase” map updates, I think it is acceptable for companies to charge for map updates. A mapping company’s purpose is to constantly update their data. This comes at a huge cost in labor. As a result they charge GPS manufacturers for data updates. This is reasonable. The GPS manufacturer can’t really eat that charge, so they pass it on to the consumer if they want to upgrade their product. I think this is acceptable.
As to at least offering the update, I agree, Sony should at least make map updates available. This is why I often try to steer people away from companies that are new at producing GPS devices. If the company decides the market isn’t profitable they will stop making devices and stop (or never start) providing updates. Sony has given indications they might pull out of the GPS market in the USA which, unfortunately is not a good sign for people who have purchased their GPS devices. Hopefully Sony will turn things around with their GPS devices, but right now the signs are not pointing that way.
I wasn’t aware of the process companies use to update thier maps. Curious though, by your explanation, this is a third party vendor and not actually the supplier (of the device). So, wouldn’t it make sence to have Sony at least offer a website (or something)to let users update their maps. I mean, if Sony wants out, why couldn’t we still do updates if this is a third party? I do realize that Sony would like to make money too by offering ud’s but if all sign are pointing south, why not?
Hi Justin. That would work with one exception. The mapping companies supply GPS companies with the raw data. The GPS companies then take that raw data and convert it into their own proprietary formats. Therefore in order to make the data work with Sony devices, it would need to be converted into Sony’s proprietary format. So the bottom line is that Sony would need to purchase the data, convert it into a format their devices can understand, and offer it for distribution.
Really really disappointed with the fact your cant update the mapping system. Even know a guy on the inside of Sony and theres a no-go the the updates. Already persuaded a potential buyer of the NAV-U50 in a Sony Store not to purchase it as a result of the mapping updates. …and will continue to do so. Simply a waste of money.
Update: In Nov 2006 the unit I purchased had a problem with the memory. I had to send it to the Sony repair center that handles this. A month or so later I received the unit back as “FIXED”. It did not work as well as it did prior to the memory problem. System bootup was much slower and the unit had trouble holding the time after being “FIXED”.
NOW!, today (21 March 07). The same problem that was “FIXED”(”unable to start nav-u.exe” and the “exception error” with memory address location) is “BACK”. I called tech support, and 1. They told me that the warranty for the repair and the unit has expired so I will have to PAY “whatever” the repair will cost once the repair shop figures out what they didn’t “FIX” when it was under warranty, and 2. They will immediately send me and email with my job order numbers so I can send the unit back for repair. That was about 7 hours ago and they haven’t as of yet. Imagine that!!!
Summation: DO NOT BUY THIS UNIT OR ANY SONY GPS AND THINK TWICE ABOUT SONY ELECTRONICS IN GENERAL DUE TO THEIR WARRANTY POLICY!!!
Why? 1. NO MAP UPDATES OR PLANS TO DO SO. This makes the unit PURELY USELESS in the first place. That speaks for itself.
2. REPAIR TECHS APPEARENTLY ARE NOT COMPETENT ENOUGH TO PROPERLY FIX THE UNIT. If it was a different error I would understand. A $450.00 GPS purchase should not have this problem which results in the customer having to pay for the repair shops technical incompetence.
I am going to junk this thing and purchase a real GPS unit from of course any vender but Sony (after more research).
DO NOT BUY THIS UNIT, READ THE FULL THREAD.
“fore warned in fore armed!!!”.
Well, there is some good news for Sony GPS owners. I’ve just received the following information from Sony regarding map updates. For those of you receiving this message:
Sony now says that there will be map upgrades available for purchase in June:
Well how about that, it seems that they have come to their senses. Lets just hope that this is an ongoing venture rather than just a one time pacifier. Lets also hope that a “Sony” update won’t cost as much as the device itself. I know it probably won’t but Sony does have a way of charging a little more than the other vendors.
Hey, Milt B. I think I got the same problem with my nav-u70. When I start the device I get an error message saying that the nav-u.exe has encounter un error. It looks like a memory address problem. Have you found a way to resolve this issue?
Hello Marvin V,
Unfortunately, the only thing to do is to send it back to Sony. You may take note, they received it about 5 days after I sent it to them for repair. It actually took a bit more than 6 weeks for Sony to ship the unit to me after I prompted them by inquiring about the status of repair. It seems as if they fixed the unit but wasn’t concerned about shipping it back to me until I asked for it.
With that said, I didn’t want to go through that again when the SAME error resurfaced and the Customer Service Rep told me that I have to PAY to get it fixed this time. So, Tuesday 02 April
I opened the Nav-U70 up, tore it apart out of curiosity and threw it in the trash.
I’ve ordered a new unit (different manufacturer of course!!!) and should receive it tomorrow.
Sorry I can’t be of more help. I will NEVER buy another GPS unit from Sony or recommend it to anyone. I hope more people read this before they waste $375 - $475 on this poorly manufactured and horrifically supported unit. I think Sony know they built an UNSAT product and they are working on getting it out of their inventory by selling it to unsuspecting consumers. I understand from Tim’s 03 April post, Sony plans to offer map updates in June. I bet it ain’t gonna be CHEAP!!!.
Recommendation: If your unit is still under warrenty, have Sony’s repair shop fix it as they should. Check the status of your repair because they don’t seem to want to give this unit and the customer the “proper concern”.
Next when you get it back, give it as a gift to someone you told to “Get Lost!”, then buy a new one from another manufacturer! (hahaha).
Sorry, but that’s all I got. good luck.
Milt B.
Map updates will be available for the European market within the nearby feature. More info see http://www.navu.sony-europe.com
dont buy the sony nav u 50 t.the good news about the maps is incorrect i downloaded the new maps for 42 pounds and they corruped my device.now sony wants me to pay 180 pounds to fix my system.i have also lost the 42 pounds by buying the map.the service team were no help at all just kept talking about legalities,they said because my system was over a year old they could do nothing.but its ok to them that my device has broken due to their maps.the web site you would reieve a vertification key,im still waiting on it ,but its too late now 2 days later as my device is corrupted.please if there is someone there who could help me to get justice from sony,please let me know how to do it.at s.enigma@ntlworld.com
Interesting reading these posts.
Halfords Dublin have the U50 on sale at 150 euros which is cheap, I think I now know why.
I will have a word with them in the morning and see what their input is. Given these posts I would wonder why they are selling them unless the UK/Ireland maps are recent. But £42 = Euro 63 seems a lot just to update if the updates ever come out.
I am really starting to hate sony!! They are so full of @#$% that it’s not funny. The nav u 70 is a joke!! They should be sued for false advertising. Don’t buy this GPS it’s pure junk!!
Well, forget it! Its the middle of July 2007 and still no road updates as promised by Sony (June 2007). The “promise” is even gone in their website!
just bought the u50.but my father in law was able to get updates from a company called navteq or navtec to update his and its worked out fine i belive.
Hey guys,
Sony has the map updates on their website now, I found it on the Canadian site, http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=1004232 . This does North America, but due to how “detailed” they made it, USA won’t fit entirely on to the unit, you have to do it in segments. Canada fits fine though. For those guessing the price, it is expensive for an update, they want $120 CAD for it.
Oh well, never buying another Sony GPS.
Regards,
aaron k, could you give more details on how your dad obtained the update from navteq?
Well, I have just noticed that they have an update of the maps. http://www.navu.sony-europe.com
Select your country and click on maps. That leads you to an online store, where you see that they ask you 119 Euros for the update! That’s clearly too expensive.
I completely agree with everyones frustration. Yeah, Sony did drop the ball there. But I cannot really be frustrated seems I only paid $126 (off eBay) for mine.
I found the updates for you on the US store if you folks are interested. It is only $100.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665185951
Good luck to you all.
Friends
It is true the commercial politics of sony concerning the gps it was filthy
In Portugal they announced the first update free and they only made it for the 50 for the model 70 as mine only past one and a half year is that was available and they had the courage of asking 100 Euros for the update…… LIARS….. from sony never again I buy anything
hi ive gotten a map package nvd-du3 from sony can any one tell me how old are the maps on this package
cheers
oh just to let you know ive already contacted the nice people at sony and I know more about their products than the people working for the company.they didnt have a clue what i was talking about.very helpful NOT
All I have to say is the the sony nv-u70 is a P.O.S. if you know what I mean . if you have bought one take it back and get a garmin. I did.
I bought the Sony Nav-u about two years ago. It’s bad enough the updates are being sold for $100 but to make things worse, some of the map info is wrong-in one case, disasterously so. I live in a rural area of Canada and the road my house is on ends at an intersection. The end is necessitated by the fact that the road could not continue as a large ravine and steep valley prevented the road builders from continuing-about 150 years ago, I might add. The Sony unit is not aware of the fact the road ends and any time I use it the unit "wonders" why I’m deviating from the travel plan. I figure it’s emblematic of the unit itself: Almost every day it recommends I drive my car off a 20 m. cliff. I think one day I’ll simply allow it to continue over the cliff while I’m turning my car and throwing the unit into the ravine.
I’m so disappointed. Sony usually has a great product. This is a huge, expensive exception that is testing my consumer preference for Sony products.
I upgraded the maping on my NVU70 GPS from Sony for $129.00 Canadian only to find that the unit has slowed to the point of crawling. It took a full 25mins recently to calculate my return from Florida while I sat in the hotel parking lot. Is this unique to my unit? The unit also does not maintain the correct time.
Donald,
Same thing happened to me. I am sorry to hear you have had the same problem. I recently parted with mine and decided to give sony one more chance. Their brand new one isn’t so bad. Actually I really enjoy it. It is the U73T if you are interested.
Tim
Hi Tim,
Can you give a quick review on the U73T? I can’t find any detailed reviews/comments on this model. Thanks in advance.
Does anyone have any real-world experience trying out the nv-u83
I have tried every unit out there, and NONE of them can find my address.
My area of my condo complex was built I was told in 2005/2006
None of the maps on any of the units I tested recognize the street address etc. I put in
Oh.. for the map update from Sony.. I just checked their website.. the cost is $49.99 now
dear eddie even the best maps dont have every street.all i can suggest is to search again using the zip/post code,failing that i would just add your home as a fav.or add your current postion as your home,if u have current position available on that unit.if nothing works i would try not to worry about it,as it although understandably frustrating it may not be that important
take care
NV-U50, the worst gps in the world, no update, no support… nothing. My parents has only trow away their money buying this gps.
Here we are June 2008. I have a NAV U-70T and have decided Sony has the worst after sales technical service on earth. In the old days the Japanese had an honor code and would commit Bushido before showing such a lack of interest in their customers. If anyone can tell me WHY the computerS (2 Dells on XP and an HP on Vista) will NOT DETECT THE DEVICE (yes it is on mains power) please let me know. Thanks
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&productId=8198552921665185951&langId=-1
map update for U70 @ $49
By MS Active sync from computer delete file Mounted Volume/my flash/sony/nav-u.exe (the folder SONY is hidden, you must set show hidden files in your comuter first). And then replace old navi file by exe file of total commander CE version ( download is free on site of developer) .You must rename the totalcmd.exe to nav-u.exe. Now after reboot is allowed everything, including executing any other navi software like tomtom, igo, navigon and many other (multimedia players). The oficial navi (old navigon) by sony is not so good in compare with new navi soft. .. enjoy.
OMG! Has anyone tried this (above comment) yet ? If this works i’ll be in heaven. Rorr, you may yet be a living genius!
Rorr,
where is the developer website where I can find totalcmd.exe?
Does it works also with Nav U50? Even if it has no memory card?
After going on a holiday with a friends Garman.. I am ready to toss my Nav-u 70 in the garbage..Sony should be posting a free software upgrade to make up for the crappie system they are putting out.. I can buy a Garman for not much more than the map upgrade…
HI BOUGHT SONY NV-U70 WITH US MAPS TO USE ON HOLIDAY TRIED TO LOAD SONY UK MAP ITEM SHUT ITSELF DOWN NOT IMPRESSED!
NOW HAVE A UNUSEABLE PRODUCT. I LIKE SONY ITEMS BUT WOULD NOT RECOMEND THIS ONE BUY A GARMIN!
I was just looking at some literature for the NV-U83T, and the feature list is pretty impressive, as is the price point. Of course, the key is, how is their execution? Does anyone have experience with this unit yet?
Having bought a Sony NAV U 70 I suggest you buy ANYTHING other than a Sony. Their provision for maps is appalling and they do not have a coordinated customer service department, ie the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. If it is Sony DON’T BUY IT. I cannot upload the maps any way at all.
Well I have just loaded TC on my v-70 and IT WORKS (Post #40) So if I can load another GPS prog onto this device (with its limited 1gb of mem) it could make this device a winner in my book. Good Work rorr!!
especially to ian cook.
when i tried to download new map from the sony website,it corrupted my system navu 50 t.
sony said they would charge the price of the navigator to fix the problem,luckily im smarter than the sony tech services.
if your system is corrupt firstly connect it to your computer and install the new software update only,and forget the new map at this stage,this will fix your navigator,but there will be no map on it.disconnect your navigator, now if you have bought the map online save it to anywhere ie my documents.you will need your original installation cd here,place it in and go to back up cd,find the new map and this should copy back into your navigator.make sure the navigator is recognised by active sync,i used the old active sync from the original installation cd and not the one downloaded with the new map.
it may also help to use another computer as active sync didnt work properly on my computer,this can happen if you have various spyware programs running like windows free version?? i forget its name giving you an error message.
So I guess that means that no one has any hands on experience with the NV-U83T? I had wondered if maybe they’d fixed the issues with the 70, but I’m not sure I want to be the guinea pig to find out…
I purchased the U83T two days ago and have been exploring its capabilities. First impressions are pretty good. It acquires quickly and the display is large, which I like. The address setup is a litle odd. It’s actually easier to find the address in the unit and then connect it to the PC to edit it. I hooked it into the mobile phone via bluetooth and it took a little work to get it right (getting the U83T and the motorola to pair) but it did finally sync up. I tried to get the phone address book and the U83T to sync up but that didn’t work. I haven’t tried the Traffic alert yet. Route planning works pretty well. The “real” manual is on the included CD. The nav-u tool (included), which is the software to talk with the U83T works but could use a little work. It’s definitely bare bones.
I really wanted the NUVI 660 but they don’t offer that any longer. I considered the NUVI 260W but that unit did not have the traffic alert capability. Since I’ve never had Traffic Alert, I thought this would be a less expensive way to try it out. The U83T includes a 3 month free subscription. Traffic Alert antenna also included with the unit, as was a DC power cord, USB 2.0 cable and a nice slip case. So far, so good.
We bought a Sony NV-U73T about 10 days ago and are about to return it because it is too confusing to follow the voice directions (American Engish trying to pronouce French names) for one of a few problems. Thus if a person is driving alone the voice is completly useless for our needs and dangerous to be reading what is on the screen.
We just came back from a 3 day trip that was very confusing and thank goodness we had maps for where we wanted to go and a co-pilot to help the driver, because the unit dumped more than once far from our final desination…We can laugh about it now but in the heat of the moment not so…
We need something that is user friendly to operate or rather idiot proof ;o))) and this unit certainly is not that.