The first thing I noticed about this new Nav-U GPS unit from Sony is that it has a huge touchscreen. At almost 5 inches it is so easy to read and find what you’re looking for.

But even so, it is small enough so that you can throw it in your briefcase for your next business trip. Help the taxi driver find your conference location after he gets lost — don’t laugh, this has happened to me! Take a walking tour of a neighborhood you’re visiting without worrying about how to get back to your hotel.

You can also mount it on the dashboard of your car, or your rental car, and get real-time traffic updates. And possibly my favorite part is that it says the names of the streets instead of just saying “turn right ahead” — I love not having to look down to double-check the street name.

Here are some other great features of the Nav-U NVU83T:

Pre-Installed Maps and Content
The NV-U83T comes pre-loaded with map content covering the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico with full street level detail. The NV-U83T contains 4 million points of interest and a brand icon function, providing recognizable waypoints along your route. The navigator also has a Memory Stick PRO Duo Slot to support the transfer of particular guidebook information.

Dual-View-3D Junction Guide
The NV-U83T features Dual View capability. As you approach your particular turn, Dual View 3-D will split the screen into two, highlighting useful information for the guidance on the left. The right windows keeps the normal map information, providing a clear view of what’s around the bend or in a highway merge scenario, or which junction to take.

Ease of Use
The Nav-U’s Gesture Command eliminates the need for menu interaction when entering the most common destinations. Use your fingertip to draw a pre-determined shape on the screen and Gesture Command will calculate the way home, to the nearest gas station or an ATM. NV-U83T also has Bluetooth hands-free communication .

Keep On Track
Even if GPS signals are temporarily interrupted, such as when driving downtown, through a forest, in a tunnel or under a bridge, the NV-U83T will keep you on track. Position Plus uses multiple sensors to monitor your position relative to the map, so you can continue without worry of losing your way.

Real Traffic Updates
Real-time traffic information radio reception allows the NV-U83T to constantly monitor relevant traffic conditions and automatically re-route you around trouble spots. Adjustable user settings also allow you to select the type of information you wish to display. The Nav-U comes with a 3-month traffic subscription.

Text To Speech Capability
TTS (Text to Speech) also eliminates second-guessing when making a turn. The device utilizes spoken commands ensuring you are able to follow the directions by street names. Via Amazon

You can also use it to make hands-free calls on your cellphone via bluetooth, and this is great news for those of us in California where it is now illegal to drive and make a call without a handsfree adapter.

This is a great, easy to use, full-featured GPS unit. I love that I never have to worry about getting lost. If you’re in the market for a GPS, give the Sony Nav-U NVU83T a try!