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Sony NVU94T 4.8-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic and Text-to-Speech Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm a relative newcomer to GPS, but I'm learning quickly. I've tried out several, compared notes with friends and read dozens of reviews. The NV-U94T received uneven reviews - some liked it, and some (like CNET) were luke warm. My first reaction, however, when seeing it on display at Radio Shack was very positive, so I took a closer look.
Sony doesn't have the same reputation for GPS that companies like Garmin and TomTom have. I believe that this factor, combined with the initially high price for this device ($399 list until recently), and slightly flakey routing with the first firmware release, all led to this being a somewhat ignored model this fall.
Although the NV-U94T was just released this fall (August 2008?) as the top of the line for Sony's fall lineup, Sony decided to drop the list price from $399 to $199 just last week. While I was admiring the device when it was selling for $299 at Radio Shack before Christmas, when I went back there a few days ago and saw it at $199 (with a 30 day return option, and 90 day exchange option), I felt that I had to take a chance.
In short - it's been great so far.
The display is spectacular. At 4.8", this is the biggest, brightest, clearest display I've seen for anywhere near this price. The processor seems to be very fast: the user interface is crisp and responsive, route calculation is very fast, as is re-calculation when I drive off the recommended route. The unit boots up and acquires satellite signals in seconds.
The user interface is quite good, easy to navigate, and generally requires very few taps to get me to the desired function. Having dedicated menu buttons on the left of the screen, regardless of the display, means that I can always get to a top level menu with a single tap. The 94T supports a number of finger gestures (that got a laugh out of my teenage son!), such as swiping a large roof shape on screen with a finger to indicate that you want the device to navigate home, drawing a clockwise circle to zoom in or counter-clockwise to zoom out (both to presets that you select and set).
The feature set is pretty huge. Bluetooth can be used several ways: the device has a built in media player that can stream through your bluetooth equipped car audio system, and it can also act as a handsfree bluetooth speakerphone for your cell phone (works great). Text to speech is excellent, and you have a choice of voices and languages. There's a built in 6-way accelerometer and some kind of pressure sensor that help to keep track of your position if you briefly lose contact with the GPS satellites. They call this "position plus".
Sony's "super suction cup" mount works incredibly well. It's a fairly typical suction cup, but with some kind of gel disk on the bottom that's a bit tacky to the touch. It's not a true adhesive, so it leaves no residue. But it allows the mount to faster to a textured dashboard securely in seconds -- and can be removed just as quickly without leaving a trace. I like the ability to quickly mount it on my dash and remove it as well: my current car is leased and I'll be returning it in less than a year -- no way I'd put a permanent mount on the car. Also, being able to mount it on my dash is excellent: it's truly NOT obstructing my view out the windshield, and I've heard stories about the police in NJ ticketing people lately for having a GPS on the windshield blocking the view.
Not sure if this next point is common to all wide-screen GPS's, but the 94T goes into a split-screen mode as you approach intersections, showing you a detailed close up of the intersection on the left side of the screen, and the normal map on the right. The close up shows you all the lanes that are available to you, and which ones to use or avoid. Works quite well so far.
The device doesn't always pick the same route I would, but I imagine that no GPS will read your mind and always choose a route using the same logic that you would. However the routes it picks always seem to be within a mile of the same total trip length that I choose, with total trip time within about a minute or two of the routes I might choose in favor of the ones recommended by the GPS. It's actually got me reevaluating the routes I've used for years -- and it seems to be choosing well so far. Additionally, if you keep ignoring a recommended route in favor of your own, I read that it will start to apply a greater weight in its routing algorithm to your preferred routes, and eventually start using your preferred roads.
The unit I picked up this past week as recent 2008 NAVTEQ maps of the US, Canada and Puerto Rico installed with something over 5 million points of interest included. I've read that recent Garmin's have something like 6 million POI's -- not sure what I'm missing, and so far, it's found all my local restaurants, gas stations, etc.
The 94T also has a traffic receiver built in and a separate antenna you can string along the edge of your windshield. The 94T comes with a prepaid 3 month trial for the traffic service -- I haven't tried this yet, and don't plan to subscribe anyway. Hopefully my only future expense with this will be a map update sometime in the next year or two.
I picked up a nice aftermarket case for the 94T at Radio Shack for $20 -- it's designed for GPS's in the 4.5" to 5" range, and fits this one like a glove. The case looks and feels like a large generic horizontal cell phone case with a magnetic flap closure. I feel much safer carrying the 94T in this than having it bare.
Two things about this that I find a bit annoying:
1) I wish Sony didn't force you to use their "memory stick" media for expanded storage. I'd prefer more industry standard mini- or micro-SD, as they can be found cheaper than Sony's proprietary format. Not a big deal, but I prefer standards.
2) I've read that battery life on this device is only about 2.5 hours, while it appears that high end TomTom and Garmin units have double the battery life. I don't know when I'd use this without having it plugged into the car power cable. But I imagine that if I ever needed it on battery, I'd prefer to have better battery life.
Although the built in lithion-ion battery is not supposed to be user serviceable, Sony provides directions for removing it for recycling in the event that you're trashing the device. It looks exceedingly easy to open the device, and if the battery can be found for purchase (online somewhere I'd guess), it looks like it would be very easy to replace it if needed.
Anyway -- aside from the two minor gripes above, I'm loving the NV-U94T. I'll be trying it out on a few trips this weekend (a few hundred miles), and hope to give it a good workout. So far, I'm very happy with this, and at the new price of $199, I think it's a steal. (I'm inserting a link below, and you can pick it up at Radio Shack for $199, or order it directly from SonyStyle for the same price)
- Jon
Sony NVU94T 4.8-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic and Text-to-Speech
UPDATE 1/19/09: I've lived with this, using it every day (although I generally don't need it) to observe how it works, quirks, etc. As some others have posted, it occasionally comes up with a somewhat bizarre route -- but most of the time, the recommended routes are perfectly valid, and sometimes faster than the "obvious" routes that I normally choose.
I've been using this long enough now to finally experience the "learning" feature that I read about. Every day after work I drive south on the NJ Turnpike from Exit 11 to Exit 8A, and then take various preferred routes over to Princeton Junction. The NV-U94T attempted to steer me OFF the NJ Turnpike at Exit 9 every day, taking me on Route 1 south instead. The route is "valid", but doesn't take into account the fact that Route 1 tends to be a parking lot in rush hour. Knowing how bad Route 1 is, I ignore the NV-U94T's directions and continue south past Exit 9, at which point I hear, "Updating route!" and it figures out the new route from there.
Last week, the GPS stopped insisting on Exit 9, and actually guided me down my preferred route -- and did so consistently for the last several days of the week. As I note at the top of this write-up, I had read that the device actually tracks the times you ignore recommended routes in favor of other roads (I believe it was a Sony engineer saying this -- I'll continue to look for the link and will post it back when I find it) and updates the relative "weight" of your preferred road so that their algorithm will eventually recommend roads increasingly in line with your preferences. I was skeptical at first, but the new behavior seems consistent, and is in line with the item I read about the system re-weighting the route.
Last night I friend stopped by with his family, and happened to bring along *his* latest gadget acquisition -- a shiny new Garmin 4.3" GPS (not sure which model -- I think its a 760). We were taking both families out to dinner, and decided to try both GPS's side-by-side to see how they compared.
They both booted up about as quickly. The Garmin acquired satellites almost immediately, and the Sony took about 10 seconds more -- but then both held the signals for the rest of the night. Although the Sony calculates a new route quickly, the Garmin definitely seems to do this faster: about 3 or 4 seconds on the Sony, and almost instant on the Garmin. I'm guessing the Garmin has a faster processor. Note though: even though the Sony takes a few seconds to update a route, it's still fast enough to do this before I get to the next intersection after missing a recommended turn...Read more›

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The Sony nav-u portable satellite navigation system is more than basic digital maps; it is the system that gets you where you need to go quickly and efficiently with intuitive features that help you along your journey. The latest Sony navigation system brings Photo Viewerand multi-media playback capability to an already packed and helpful unit.

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nüvi 765T 4.3" GPS Navigator - North America Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This GPS has been around the block for a little while. What hasn't been around the block for a while is the 4.0 software update for this GPS which came out spring 2010. This major software update resolves tons of bugs and issues i was originally having with my 765T. The inaccurate touch screen and near impossibility to type accurately on the keyboard has been resolved with the 4.0 update. The 4.0 update has also resolved an issue where searching for POI's takes MUCH longer than should be expected. Overall, the 4.0 update makes this GPS a SOLID and WELL ROUNDED device. In my opinion, this GPS is fantastic! It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the latest and greatest models but for me it does one thing, which is what i bought it for, and it does it very well and that's navigation and re-routing. If i wanted a computer on my dashboard i would use my iPhone, but i don't. I just wanted a simple, easy to use, and reliable GPS device that would get me from point a-b or from point a to b to c without a hassle and do so with the smartest routes available, which the 765T has been doing. THe traffic feature has worked flawlessly for me after the 4.0 update as well as the update to the 2011 maps. I never question the GPS and always get to the destination within 5 minutes of the arrival time. THe bluetooth and FM transmitter are worthless features to me since the underpowered FM transmitter is basically useless and i don't need bluetooth on my GPS to talk hands free because i use a bluetooth headset with my mobile phone. I did pair my iPhone with the 765T and it worked flawlessly. The 765T automatically imported my phones contacts and gave them to me in a nice touch screen accessible list so that i could just touch to dial a number. It definately works, and works well but it's a feature i will rarely, if ever use. Overall, i have almost no complaints with this GPS. I had a couple of gripes before the 4.0 update but the 4.0 update and the latest version of the maps,2011, have given me a rock solid, bullet proof GPS that i have no worries about relying on when i'm on the road. I would highly recommend this GPS, especially with the free traffic, to anyone looking for a BASIC GPS, with excellent satellite acquisition, fast re-routing, ad-supported yet not intrusive traffic updates, and an easy to use non complicated interface. Just make sure to UPDATE TO THE LATEST 4.0 SOFTWARE FOR THE MOST RELIABLE AND ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE WITH THIS GPS and if you can also update the maps to 2011 and this thing will be rock solid for you like it is for me for years to come.

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Take the right way on the highway with nüvi 765T, featuring lane assist. This feature guides you to the proper lane for navigation. The 765T adds hands-free calling to the nüvi 755T.

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Oregon Scientific IB368 iBall Wireless iPod Speaker with Transmitter Dock Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I would like to give this item 5 stars because the packaging was exquisite and carefully thought out, the item is well designed and very nice to look at, BUT, nowhere in the description that I can find does it say if you want to use this with an iPod Nano that you have to contact the manufacturer for the proper docking adaptor. And that it takes two to three weeks to receive it! This is a fifty cent piece of plastic folks. Oregon Scientific should supply their distributors with the piece and let them add it to the order instead of suprising the consumer like this. Come on! This was a gift and the excitement my daughter felt at receiving it was dampened considerably by her inability to use the thing.I give it four stars because the speaker seems to be well made and the instructions are thorough even though there is only a small tag discretely placed on the outside of the box that says you have to ask for the adaptor to make it work with the Nano. If that had been in the item description I could have requested it when I bought it and saved a week or so of waiting. As it is we have a rather expensive clock that we can't use as a speaker until Oregon Scientific fufills the adaptor request.
1/12/06. I would like to report that Oregon Scientific contacted me and we resolved all issues with this order. They were extremely helpful , gave a clear and concise explanation of the issue with the Nano adaptor and satisfied me completely. It is a pleasure to deal with a company that is so concerned with their customers. My complements to them and their customer service crew.
Now to the product. The system works flawlessly, there were no glitches or difficulty in setting it up and the sound is fabulous.It is the equal of my Bose Wave radio in my opinion. The smile on my daughter's face as she carried the ball around listening to her stored music was worth the wait. I can recommend this product with no reservations. I am upgrading my rating to 5 stars and ordering a catalog from Oregon Scientific today.

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Unleash the full potential of your iPod with the iBall wireless speaker system. Consisting of a portable wireless speaker and transmitter dock combo, the iBall plays your favorite iPod tracks from a distance of up to 100 feet without losing a hint of fidelity. Simply plug the iPod into the transmitter dock, which employs advanced 2.4 GHz frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology to wirelessly send crystal-clear digital audio to the speaker. The audio is smooth and powerful thanks to the high-quality electronics and the system's three-speaker array and ported bass cavity. Plus, the iBall's built-in remote control lets you control the iPod's basic playback functions directly from the speaker, so you don't need to trudge across the house to increase the volume or skip tracks.
The multifunctional transmitter dock also acts as a docking, charging, and synchronization station. In other words, you don't need to disconnect the iPod from the iBall transmitter to recharge the batteries or transfer music from your iTunes-equipped Mac or PC, as the dock takes care of both functions. Just connect the dock to your computer's USB or FireWire ports and you're set. On the other end, the iBall speaker is completely cable-free, so you can locate it almost anywhere in the home--even on the back patio or in the garage--without worrying about a messy, cumbersome setup.
Listeners will also appreciate the iBall's adjustable bass and treble controls, along with the easy-to-read LCD display that illuminates the time, volume, bass and treble levels, wireless signal strength, input selection, battery power, and play/pause status. Finally, the iBall includes both an auxiliary line-in mini-plug for connecting an additional audio source, such as a portable CD or MP3 player, and S-video and A/V stereo line-out mini-plugs. The latter jacks let you listen to or view iPod files through other A/V components, such as a home stereo system or TV, without buying an adapter. Additional features include a real-time clock and a wall bracket for the speaker.
The iBall speaker, which measures 8 by 7.4 by 7.7 inches (W x H x D), runs for six to eight hours on the included rechargeable batteries, which can be recharged while still in the speaker. The transmitter dock, meanwhile, checks in at 4.3 by 4.2 by 2.3 inches. The iBall's seven docking tray adapters are compatible with the iPod shuffle (512 MB and 1 GB models), iPod mini (4 GB and 6 GB models), iPod with click wheel (20 GB and 40 GB models), iPod with dock connector (10 GB, 15 GB, 20 GB, 30 GB, and 40 GB models), iPod with color display (20 GB, 30 GB, 40 GB, and 60 GB models), and iPod nano. The entire system is also backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box Wireless speaker, transmitter dock, seven docking tray adapters, two AC adapters (one for speaker, one for dock), six rechargeable batteries, battery cap, wall-mount bracket, four screws, allen key, lint-free cloth, quick-start guide, user's manual.

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TomTom GO 920T Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator with Traffic Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this over two weeks ago at Best Buy, here in Los Angeles for $599.99! Yes folks, thanks to Best Buy's notorious price difference on the web and in their infamous intranet, I made them honor what I saw at home on my computer! And yes, this was for the TomTom 920T!
It is slimmer, lighter, nicer and loaded with more features than any other portable GPS device in the market! Functions within the TomTom 920T are very similar to other models. I upgraded from the 910 and did notice some very good changes in its software, and in its ability to do a bit more configuration than on the TomTom 910.
One of the things that I like the most, aside from its new redesigned shape was its ability to search for different POI's (Points Of Interest) with better matching results while at the same time providing you a lot of additional information, such as distance, physical address, map overview, phone number (if available) and yes, the ability to dial it directly.
By the way, this is something that Garmin GPS devices have always been able to do, including searching restaurants by food type, e.g. Italian, Mexican, Chinese, etc. With the exception of this last search feature, I do believe that the new TomTom takes it one step further, which is good.
This upgraded feature is very important, because as most TomTom users know, previous versions of TomTom POI search, would just result in a long list of POI's matching what ever you input and nothing more. For example, if you typed Best Buy, you would get a list of all Best Buy stores in the county, but without any distance information, map preview, address or phone number!
This would obviously force you to route each resulting POI one by one, until you finally obtained the one that you really wanted, which was a waste of time! Well, not any more and I am very glad that TomTom made this very necessary upgrade!
Here is a list of things that I noticed:
The light sensor gone from the top and now sitting very discreetly in the front.
The remote control has been improved and is now Bluetooth.
It seems to me that it is somewhat faster in performing any commands faster than its predecessor.
Accepting spoken directions is a plus and has worked well for me so far, no complaints.
The screen is huge and seems to have been improved, because I now can see everything much better than on the previous model in bright sunny days.
The speaker sounds fragile with the default voice, compared to the 910, but sounds much better with a human voice and the music sounds great!
You can now hear all instructions through your car speakers by tuning it to an empty radio station. I tried it, but did not like it at all, too much static and sound is extremely low, could be because I live in downtown Los Angeles.
The included RF transmitter is a winner, it is very accurate in obtaining traffic data and I notice that it does so upon turning it on and it updates itself periodically as I am driving. However, it would have been better if they would have built it into the unit in order to avoid another wire from hanging from the unit.
Phone integration is great and fast, the sound quality is very good and I have been told by people who I call that it sounds very good. I make and receive between 200 to 300 calls a day, so this is a plus! Unfortunately, it does not sync well with my Palm Treo 750, so I miss out on many other TomTom extra features that requre my cell phone in order to be able to obtain data, such as weather information, map downloads, gas prices, etc.
I also do notice that its ability not to lose signal is improved, which is good, since as I have already mentioned, I live in downtown LA.
The included software is also great and much better than previous versions of TomTom Home.
What's in the box? The TomTom 910, the RF transmitter, car charger, windshield cradle, desktop cradle, remote control, software and manuals.
All in all it is a great GPS unit, very nicely and intelligently designed and the only reason I do not give it a 5 is because of the use of an external RF transmitter, instead of a built in one and lack of important travelling tools, such as those found in several of the Garmin units.
I feel that TomTom, given their current market share and being so strong in Europe should include different measurement and currency conversion tools, as well as a different language translator and a virtual tour guide program similar to those found in several of the Garmin units.
This thing fits in the pocket of your shirt! If I were sightseeing in France, I would want to have access to these types of tools!
However, to be fair, the new TomTom 920T does include a several great features not found in other units, specifically the Help Me feature which, will assist you in many emergencies such as in letting you know where you are, instruct you where to walk to your closest emergency assistance point or even guide you in applying first aid!
I highly recommended to anyone and I do hope that TomTom will improve their already magnificent product with the suggestions that I have made, maybe one day TomTom will team up with Google and provide similar information as MSN does for the Garmin NUVI.

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Gps, tomtom go 920t, box packaging

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JVC KD-AVX44 El Kameleon Vehicle Multimedia Receiver w/ 3.5" Monitor Review

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(More customer reviews)I was searching around trying to find something that I could use as my central "media" center without having to install a mac mini in my Pt Cruiser.
My needs were/are: Ipod integration (including video playback), Dvd Playback, CDs, Bluetooth and of course am/fm. After a long hard search of single-din units I choose this model.
[...]
What I liked about this unit is you have a video out. You can hook up your headrest monitors and if you have a game system (Xbox, PS, Wii...what have you) you can hook it up to the video in that it has to offer as well (with full playback to your headrests). This just allows you to have direct connection to your cars speakers.
Dvd Playback. It is very good. Turn the car off, it'll start right back up where it left off.
Bluetooth. My boyfriend has a Pioneer DEH-P9800BT which I installed as well (A great unit if you don't require Dvd play back). Unlike the pioneer unit there is no mic to install anywhere and the quality still sounds pretty good on both ends. Doesn't matter what source you are using Bluetooth will alert you when someone is calling by pausing your music/video and showing the caller Id. You can accept or decline.
AM/FM. I was a bit disappointed that the unit didn't have RDS. I have been using a factory unit that had it and kind of miss that feature. Seemed like a feature they could have added.
Ipod. Heres where I am on the fence. I had been using a fm transmitter for my ipod and finally wanted direct connect because I could not take the quality anymore. I purchased an Apple Composite AV Cable (THIS WORKS JUST AS GOOD AS A JVC KSU20 CABLE) Of course, The quality was 300% better than before. However, The Interface is a bit slow. I really hope that JVC comes out with a firmware upgrade that speeds it up a bit. When I go to play "The Killers" it takes me approx. 1 minute to get to the letter "K". But for the most part I keep it on shuffle. The unit charges the Ipod as well.
Ipod Video. This is a cool feature. With either the JVC KSU20 or the Ipod Composite AV cable. You can watch any video off your ipod and direct the signal to the headrest monitors as well.
Pros: Great Bluetooth, DVD, Ipod Video integration with a sleek (no button look). Love the 4 setting tilt screen (great for stereo units closer to the ground)And Love the Proximity motion light as well.
Cons: For a single din unit JVC did a decent job, Ipod interface is really my only complaint. I had looked at the JVC KD NX5000. But didn't like the look of the unit or felt the need for crappy navagation. The menu interface feels like it should be more user friendly (getting to the ipod artists list has to be done by hitting about 5 buttons)
I have not used satellite or the back-up camera (which I plan to install soon).
[...]
Good luck and have fun with this great little unit.*UPDATE*
A few new things.
Satellite Radio - Bought the Sirius Adapter through ebay. Though it's not as fast as a stand-alone unit, It sounds great and it's nice to have it integrated into the radio.
Iphone Compatibility - I was a little disappointed to see that, unfortunately, the Iphone does not seem to be compatible with the unit. Maybe with either an update from Apple or JVC this will change in the future. For now, I use my usable Ipod touch just as a music jukebox in the car and Iphone for everything else (gym, work, etc...). It's actually not a bad setup.
HD Radio - Buying the HD Adapter fixed my RDS problem. Any stations that send out artist info is now displayed. Without excellent reception, those extra HD stations are hit or miss. It's a nice feature to have. Quality can be exceptional at times.
I will keep those interested up-to-date if I come across any new info on the unit.
Have Fun,
Mary

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CES INNOVATIONS 2008 AWARD WINNER
Both innovative and stylish, exclusive El Kameleon technology provides the ultimate antitheft security advantage. The KD-AVX44s faceplate converts to a stealthy black appearance when the power is turned off appearing unnoticeable to potential car stereo thieves. Once powered on, El Kameleon comes to life as a full function Multimedia player complete with a unique electro-static touch panel operation interface and 3-D graphical menu system.The powerful built-in amplifier and high-quality digital-to-analog converter make the most of your music, and the 7-band equalizer lets you adjust a range of selectable frequencies to create the perfect sound for your car's interior. If you're building a complete system, use the three sets of preamp outputs to add amplifiers and subwoofers. Built-in iPod controls keep your favorite playlists on tap, and you can even stream your iPod videos by adding an adapter. If you have a Bluetooth enabled phone, the receiver's built-in Bluetooth capabilities let you take your phone calls through the receiver while you keep both hands on the wheel.

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Garmin nüvi 680 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)The latest Garmin is very impressive. However, I don't like the fact that finding some of the accessories is so challenging. For example, I purchased this GPS because I was taking a trip to California. Unfortunately, the laws in California prevent you from attaching the Nuvi directly to the windshild, so you've got to purchase a separate accessory, which I did, the Garmin Portable Friction Mount. It works great in terms of not sliding around the dash. I was on San Francisco streets and if it was going to fly off - it would have, but it was rock steady. The problem is that I didn't know that you need more than just the friction mount. There is another accessory that goes between the Nuvi and the friction mount. Because I found out about the California law just before I left, I had no time to figure out what that extra part is - so I just used a series of rubber bands to affix it to the Friction Mount base.
It would have been easy for Garmin to spell this out, but I could find no information to let me know which part to purchase to go with the "Universal" Friction Mount or even that you needed an extra part. I still don't know what that part is. The rubber bands worked OK, but it's lame.
As far as the MSN Direct, it works pretty well for the Weather & Traffic, and it does let you know about some movie theaters - not even close to a complete list - at least not in the NYC area, and then the gas prices.... At one point, when my rental car gas indicator was on E, I thought No problem - I've got the Nuvi. Well, it took me to a non-existant gas station, which was harrowing considering I was about to run out of gas and didn't know the area. It gave me a ghost gas station two different times and locations. So I'm on the fence about renewing. Also, I know of some local stations that have better gas prices that don't even show up on MSN, so it hasn't got a complete list of stations/prices.
Even though, I purchased this right after it came out - it has come down in price over $160 since I purchased it less than a month ago - I am happy that I bought it. It was invaluable in getting me around S.F. and the Wine country. But, I could have been just as happy with the 660 had I known about the hiccups with MSN Direct. So, I learned that I can't totally trust the MSN, but it does still give some information. It also would have been better if you could download the MSN info without having to plug it into the car cigarette lighter.
A big plus is the Bluetooth. It's invaluable - the only way to make phone calls in the car - it couldn't be easier, and a great connection. Of course, you get that with some of the previous versions of the Nuvi.
All told, the 660 would have been the better purchase for me. You could take a chance that the MSN will get better in accuracy on the 680, now that the price has come down so much from when I purchased it - it might be worth the extra $.
UPDATE:
Since I first posted this review in May, Garmin wised up. The only Garmin Portable Friction Mount I could find when I purchased mine, does not go with the 680. At least not without 2 parts. From what I can glean from other reviewers, I could purchase another item to go with what I already have, but my total cost for both would be over $50.
Garmin now has the correct Friction Mount in the accessories section for the 680 on their website. List price: $40.00 (#010-10908)- Amazon price: $28 (at this point).
Don't be fooled by the CUSTOMERS WHO BOUGHT THIS ITEM ALSO BOUGHT section on Amazon.
Check the Garmin website to be sure.

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Travel throughout North America without loading any more maps with the Garmin nuvi 680 Personal Travel Assistant with MSN Direct. Plus, you can receive door-to-door directions while staying on top of local weather, traffic, and more with nuvi 680. The device features a colorful widescreen, hands-free calling, and an FM transmitter, then takes it up a notch by adding dynamic content from MSN Direct, as well as a convenient digital travel kit that includes an MP3 player with sample MP3s, audio books, a picture viewer, a world clock, currency and measurement converters, a calculator, and more.
Despite being loaded with features, the nuvi 680 still allows you to navigate with ease. This unit comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded NavTeq City Navigator NT street maps for North America, and includes a hefty points of interest (POIs) database with hotels, restaurants, fuel stops, ATMs and more. Simply touch the super-bright, sunlight-readable color screen to enter a destination, and the 680 takes you there with either 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. This navigator voice even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road, and can concentrate on your driving to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. In addition, the 680 accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and safety cameras, and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs that require your special consideration such as speed zones and safety cameras.

Speaking of keeping you safe, the nuvi 680 lets you make hands-free calls so you can talk freely during your worry-free driving. By integrating Bluetooth wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker, you can pair your nuvi with any compatible Bluetooth phone and talk hands-free while staying focused on the road. You no longer have to fumble with your phone's handset to answer a call or dial a number, just tap the 680's screen and you're instantly connected. And with 1-touch dialing for your POIs, you can quickly and conveniently call ahead to make reservations or get needed information.

The new nuvi 680 lets you get localized information with dynamic content from MSN Direct, making it one of the most resourceful navigators available. Using the included receiver and free trial service to MSN Direct, you can check your local weather, avoid traffic backups, compare local gas prices, and even check movie times and locations, all while you travel. Easy and virtually fool-proof to use, the MSN Direct receiver is plug-and-play portable so you can quickly connect to your navigator unit when you are out and about. All of which can be customized with configurable vehicle icons that let you choose individual car-shaped icons in a variety of colors that show your position on the map.

In additional to all this functionality, the nuvi 680 includes many must-have entertainment and travel tools such as an MP3 player, an audio book player (subscription to Audible.com required), and a JPEG picture viewer so you can take your favorite music and pictures with you wherever you go. This unit also features a world travel clock with time zones, a currency converter, a measurement converter, and a calculator so that wherever you travel it will be easy to know what you are getting and keep track of your costs. The MP3 player lets you browse music by artist, album, and/or song, while the optional audio books may be purchased from Audible.com which features over 70,000 hours of audio programs. What's more, the nuvi 680 allows further customization via optional software such as a travel guide, savings programs and language translation on plug-and-play SD cards for all your travel needs.

The Garmin nuvi 680 comes with a built-in, high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, and lets you view and operate it via its bright, LCD TFT touch-screen, wide-screen display that measures 4.3 inches (diagonal) and has a resolution of 480 x 272 pixels with 64,000 colors and a white backlight. As a whole, the nuvi 680 measures 4.9 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches (W x H x D), and weighs only 6.2 ounces for easy portability. This unit provides you with from three to seven hours of battery life (depending on use) via its rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and comes with Garmin Lock, which is an anti-theft feature to protect your investment. While you can add software via the SD card slot, the Garmin nuvi 680 also lets you interface via high-speed USB for loading data, though users should note that, like most USB mass storage devices, this unit is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.

What's in the Box Garmin nuvi 680 with MSN Direct, City Navigator NT maps for North America (preloaded, full coverage), MSN Direct receiver with integrated vehicle power cable, vehicle suction cup mount, an AC charger, vehicle power cable, dashboard disk, a USB cable, leather carrying case, quick reference guide, and owner's manual.

Notice: MSN Direct service will be available only until January 1, 2012.



Which nuvi is Best for You? Note: All nuvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.
Device

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Magellan Maestro 4370 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have had so many portable GPS units, it's not funny. I've had one of the first Tom Tom and about eight or nine others including Pharos, Garmin, Nokia, and several lesser brands.
These boasted of being accurate, having media players, blue-tooth, fm transmitters, etc.
My recent gps was a Nokia. Who knew they made one. Big mistake buying it. The blue-tooth was terrible at best. Part of this being the speaker. The fm transmitter was absolute garbage. It did a terrible job putting it on any channel. The media player was a joke. The USB connector for the power had five metal prongs, bare prongs. Everyone else has them mounted on something so that one of the prongs won't get bent like mine did. Not worth fixing since it wasn't considered a defect.
Some of the other units I've had had had poor mounting systems that allowed the unit to bounce or was a pain to have to re-mount if I moved it from one vehicle to another. Most have stupid gooseneck mounts, which you can never seem to position correctly and which bounce slightly when you drive. Some used a proprietary charger. Most came with just one charger and no case.
Some of the units had poor graphics or too much on the screen. Most you have to manually turn on and off in the car. Some had the software on a SD card. If you wanted to put music on it, you needed a new and bigger SD card and you had to move the software over to the new card.
Anyway, the best piece of advice I can give anyone is to buy a GPS at a store where you can return it, even if you have to pay a 15% restocking fee. The Nokia I bought recently was a POS but because I bought it online, I could not return it. If I had bought it at, say Best Buy, I could have returned it, even if it meant paying $20 - $25. I wouldn't have been stuck with it.
Now on to this Magellan, the 4370, which is a newer model of the 4350. First of all, Best Buy had it on sale for $149, which was a great price. I bought it knowing that I would have no issues paying 15% of the price for re-stocking if I didn't like it.
The bad (cons) first:
1. Doesn't show your speed.
2. Weird location for the plugs; there are two. One for the headset which doubles as the antenna port and the USB port for charging/power. They are on the right side of the unit with the headset port above the USB port. The USB cable is angled to the bottom so it points to the front windshield.
3. Included case is a POS. It's not an enclosed case for one thing.
Now all the good stuff (pros). Pay attention because this is important stuff most of you have no idea of.
1. Great graphics or at least very clear because of the higher resolution screen.
2. Easy mount to use since it's basic. The suction cup is small but holds this thing really well on the dash. By the way, for you folks in California, the law is that you have to mount this puppy on the lower left area of the front windshield. Don't mount it in the middle of the front windshield or anywhere where it can interfere with the driver's view to the front. The mount is firm but again, can be positioned easily. Plus the pivot points have teeth so once you tighten the mount, it will not move at all.
3. Great price at Best Buy. (That was important to me, although even at full price it was nice.)
4. Comes with home and car chargers.
5. The software is stored internally so the SD slot is available for all the pics and music you can store on an SD card. I have an 8GB card with lots of music and lots of pictures.
6. You can play music and still navigate or play pics and listen to the turn-by-turn directions or turn the music off.
7. The FM transmitter works well, even on strong signal stations.
8. Blue-tooth is good and even does texting on the GPS screen. I have never heard of that.
9. Volume is loud and you can change the voices (different races and gender).
10. This is a big one for me. TURNS ON AND OFF by itself in the car if you use the cigarette/car adapter. No more having to turn it on or off manually.
11. The satellites are picked up very fast.
12. The names of the streets are pronounced.
13. Comes with a case. It's not very good but good enough to put in your glove compartment.
14. Easy menu to use.
15. Tells you what path to take when the road forks before you get there.
16. Bright screen during the day and changes to a screen that is easy to see at night.
17. Lots of options for use, including the ability to immediately see where you are using GPS coordinates.
18. AAA Roadside and other AAA information readily available.
19. Once you get to your destination, it tells you that you are there and it's done. Some GPS units start telling you to turn around right away.
So far, I think this is the best GPS that I've had, especially the graphics. Hope this helps.

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Effortless navigation! The new OneTouch menu, featured on the Magellan Maestro 4370, gives you instant access to your favorite places and searches. Simply customize the OneTouch icons to display the points of interest you want easy access to--restaurants, banks, businesses, and so many more. OneTouch also saves searches. Program your favorite coffee shop to a OneTouch icon and you can easily search for that shop anywhere you are at the moment.

The Magellan 4370 also makes the perfect travelling companion with maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Getting to your destination is made easier with announced street names and directions, voice guidance, lane guidance, and 3D buildings to easily spot landmarks. Live traffic reports allow you to navigate around heavy or stationary traffic, while Pedestrian mode makes it easy to continue your route once you've parked the car.

With 6 million points of interest, the question isn't "how do I get there" but "where do I go next".

OneTouch MenuEasily bookmark favorite destinations and searches with personalized bookmarks so you can find them anywhere you travel. Find your favorite caf� or restaurant in any city with a single touch.

4.3-Inch, WVGA Color TouchscreenProvides clear, crisp on-screen graphics and seamless touch panel control.

3D LandmarksNavigation gets easier with easy-to-spot visual cues--in color.

Spoken Street Names Announces street names and directions at each turn, so you get a clear understanding of when to make the next turn while you keep your eyes on the road.

Bluetooth CompatibilityConnect your compatible cell phone via Bluetooth and use your Magellan Maestro as a hands-free device: initiate and receive calls, send and receive SMS messages.

Lane Guidance Get a clear image showing you exactly which lane you should be in--ideal for complicated highway exits or intersections.

Live Traffic Capability Provides you with real-time incident reports to the screen with alerts for slow downs, accidents, road closures, severe weather, and more. Should you come up on an incident, the Maestro 4370 will automatically prompt you to reroute when a quicker way is available.

FM Transmitter Hear voice guidance through your car's FM stereo with the built-in FM transmitter function. Allows you to connect without the nuisance of an auxiliary cable.

Built-in AAA TourBook No membership required� The Magellan-exclusive built-in AAA TourBook guide provides ratings and descriptions on AAA approved places to stay, play, dine, and save.

AAA Roadside Assistance Screens gives your location details and the AAA phone number. In case of a flat tire you know who to call and what to tell them.

6 Million Points of Interest (POIs) Gas stations, restaurants, hotels, ATMs, and millions of other destinations are searchable from the huge POI database.

QuickSpell Auto-Complete feature makes it easy to enter destinations with just a few touches of the screen and even corrects spelling.

Pedestrian Mode Allows you to continue on your route once you've parked your car.

SmartDetour Automatically prompts you to route around sudden slow freeway traffic. Different detours are calculated using the same routing method that was used to create the route, and a list of alternate routes is displayed.

Rechargeable Battery Lets you navigate for up to 4 hours when power is unavailable.

Automatic Re-Route Missed a turn? Forced to detour? Automatic re-route quickly gets you back on track.

Customizable Route This method lets you select your preferred route from options displayed with driving time.

Integrated Media Center Insert an SD card into your Magellan Maestro with audio, video and picture files. Listen to your favorite music during navigation, and view pictures or watch video files while not driving.

Watch Your Speed Drive safe with the optional speed limit warning. A voice and icon will let you know when you are exceeding the speed limit.

What's in the Box
Magellan 4370, USB Cable, AC Adapter, FM Traffic Antenna, Windshield Mount, Cradle, Protective Pouch, Quick Start Guide, User's Manual

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Sony ICF-M88B S2 Sports Bicycle Radio with Cycle Computer and Digital AM/FM Tuning Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This radio is almost exactly what I was looking for. Its water resistant design is sleek and reassuring. The speaker is loud enough for normal riding conditions. The backlit LCD and digital tuning are very nice. The bike mount is well designed - it is very simple to quickly detach the radio to take it with you. The FM antenna forms a hard rigid handle on the bottom (not shown in picture) which is nice for carrying.
That said, I have a few complaints. First, the FM reception is pretty poor compared to my car radio (in the same locations). I haven't tried working with the AM band much, so I can't say if it is any better. I would be willing to endure a larger model or more batteries to get better reception.
Second, there's no line-in jack for attaching an mp3 player. This might have been a conscious decision to preserve the water resistant design, but I would have liked to see it just the same. Of course, if you get a radio transmitter for your mp3 player, then you're golden.
Third, $50 is expensive for a portable radio. I would have been willing to forgo the bike computer functions for a less expensive bike mount radio.
Fourth, the wire going to the wheel sensor is kind of short and there's no way to extend it short of splicing the wire.

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Includes: handle bar mount & speed sensor. Sony ICF-M88B S2 Sports FM/AM Bicycle Radio Walkman(R) - Make your bike riding more enjoyable with this AM/FM radio that is specifically designed for bicycles! In addition to the radio, it has a built-in bicycle computer. It keeps track of your current speed in MPH or KPH, total distance ridden, average speed, maximum speed, & more!Powered by 2 AA batteries (not included) Unit Weight -10.1 oz. (including battery) Cycle Computer Functions Clock Display - shows a 12 hour setting Speed Meter - measures your current speed in either MPH or KPH. Odometer - measures total distance ridden since installation of computer. Trip Distance Meter - measures total distance ridden since last computer reset. Great for measuring miles per ride, week, etc. Ride Time - measures total time ridden since last computer reset. Great for measuring time ridden for day, week, etc. Average Speed - calculates average speed ridden since last computer reset. Great for fitness training applications. Maximum Speed - measures the maximum speed reached since last computer reset. Sleep Mode - automatically powers down the unit to conserve battery life. Freeze Mode Wheel Size Setting - adjusts for accuracy based on your bicycles specific wheel size.

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Alpine KCE-300BT - Car audio Bluetooth adapter Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I would like to reinforce the others comments as well as put in a few of my own. Unit is completely unreliable. Interface with the head unit is awkward and does not give you caller id when someone calls. Cant tell you how many times I answered the phone and didnt want to talk to that person. Music does stream through the unit but sounds HORRIBLE. Worse than a tape player. Simple, until they get it right STAY AWAY and dont waste your money. Come on Alpine, this one is really hurting your rep.

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Drive safe - talk on the phone hands-free with your compatible Alpine stereo. The KCE-300BT Bluetooth adapter plugs into your 2007-up Bluetooth ready Alpine stereo, using the Full Speed iPod® connection. A handy pass-through connection lets you plug in your iPod, too. You get on-screen displays of most cell phone information, including Caller ID, missed calls, dialed calls, and received calls. You can also access any music stored in your phone, stream it through your Alpine stereo, and check out song info on the display. A one-time process prepares your phone for use with the KCE-300BT. Once the system has been set up, the Bluetooth connection initializes automatically when you get in the car. From there, you get the safety and convenience of a mobile speakerphone. Includes an echo-cancelling microphone. Warranty: 1 year. Note: If you have an older Alpine Ai-Net stereo, you'll need the Alpine KCA-100BT Bluetooth adapterIn the boxBluetooth module with attached Velcro pad8" Power harness (4-pin molex plug on one end and bullet connectors on the other)6.5' Constant power wire extension (bullet connector on one end and bare wire on the other)6.5' Switched power wire extension (bullet connector on one end and bare wire on the other)6.5' Ground wire extension (bullet connector on one end and bare wire on the other)6.5' Mute wire extension (bullet connectors on both ends)6.5' iPod Full Speed cable (has 10-pin Molex connector on both ends)Microphone with attached 10' cable (2-pin Molex terminal)Visor clipMicrophone clipVelcro pad for microphoneSelf-tapping screw (3/8" length)Owner's manual (English/ German/French/Spanish/ Italian/Swedish/Chinese)Customer care registration card

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Magellan Maestro 4350 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth & Integrated Traffic Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As this is a lengthy review, those not wanting to wade through the entire text can find a summary under the 'Conclusions' heading.
Test Conditions:
All tests were conducted in the Northeast U.S. Although I don't own another portable GPS, I do have a factory installed navigation unit in my 2006 Audi which I've utilized for several side-by-side comparisons (the Magellan is actually for my wife's car).
Updates to the 4350's operating system and navigational firmware are available at no-cost from Magellan's website. These significantly improve the functionality and stability of the unit and if you own one you'd be making a mistake not to install them. The procedure is made relativity easy by the CD based instruction manual that comes with the unit. It took me about fifteen minutes to bring my unit up to date and in a month of testing since, it has never crashed, frozen, or seriously misbehaved. All findings posted here are based on a unit updated to the following: OS Version 00.42.01.0919 and Navigation Version 8.3.2.64084. As the 4350's were just released in September 2008 there are no map updates available or required. Startup:
If powered by an ignition controlled power source the 4350 turns on/off with the car. Otherwise pressing the power button for about two seconds turns it on.
Acquiring satellites happens very quickly - we're talking seconds, not minutes. Only once, inside my house during a very heavy snowstorm, did it take longer (about two minutes) to lock. Display Screen:
The display is plenty bright and the touch screen feature is very sensitive (sometimes too much so). An optional power-saver feature dims the screen somewhat between turns when using the built-in battery. I found this very useful as besides saving the battery it tends to catch your eye when it 'wakes up' to normal brightness. Since that happens about five seconds before the first spoken notification regarding the next turn it gives you a visual heads-up that a verbal instruction is imminent (so if you happen to be blaring Hendrix on the car stereo you have time to lower the volume a bit). Touching any part of the screen will also restore it to full brightness.
The menu system is well organized and intuitive. There are a few things I'd change but overall it's very good.Audio Quality and the MP3/Photo/Video Player:
The audio is loud and clear even with the volume all the way up, which was never necessary for me. There's a male or female voice option for each available language (English, Spanish, and French).
Like most units in this price range the 4350 announces the actual street names along with the turning instructions. The pronunciations are occasionally off but they get the point across. One odd thing was although the male voice pronounced 'county' properly the female would say 'count'. I.E... "In one quarter mile turn right onto count route 513".
The built-in MP3 player and the photo viewer are nice enough and get the job done. The video player only handles Xvid .avi files, which limits its usefulness, but I believe this is the only GPS to have a video player so you probably can't do better elsewhere.
Now to one of the two big gripes I have with this unit...
There's no headphone/line-out jack! What good is an MP3 player without one??? This restricts you to listening through the single (mono) speaker or using the FM transmitter to send the signal to your car stereo (more on that later). POI's (Points of Interest) and AAA:
Magellan claims 6 million POI's reside in the 4350's database (my Audi only has about 1.7 million). Locating one couldn't be easier. You can search by name, category, and/or area. In addition to this is a listing of all facilities reviewed by the AAA, complete with descriptions, ratings and member discounts. AAA members also get an additional year of warranty coverage and one-button access to local certified garages. Although it's not mentioned in the rather sparse instruction manual, you can import your own POI's as Google .kml or .kmz files. To do this you'll need Magellan's 'Content Manager', a free download, which if you updated your firmware you'll already have. Route Selection:
Planning a route is extremely easy, as is adding interim stops (something you still can't do with many GPS models). The keyboard can be configured as QWERTY or ABC and it gray's out irrelevant letters as you type - a nice feature.
Once you've selected your destination the 4350 calculates four possible routes: Fastest, Shortest, Most Economical, and Simplest. The fastest route is chosen by default but you can examine the relative times and distances or see the routes compared visually on the map before selecting the best one for you. Some or all of these routes may be the same as multiple criteria are often met by the same route. I found the [post-upgrade] route selections to be very good, certainly on a par with my Audi's unit.
A 'One-Touch' menu allows you to store your favorite destinations as icons on a single menu. 'Home', 'Previous', 'SOS' (emergency), and AAA 'Service' icons are there by default. You can add five of your own which can point to specific addresses or POI lists. I.E... A list of all Starbucks in the current area.
Finally, being a portable device you can select your type of 'vehicle' from: Car, Bus, Emergency, Bicycle, or Pedestrian. In another undocumented feature, when switching to pedestrian mode you'll be asked if you'd like the unit to remember your car's location. Garmin makes a big deal of this feature; you'd think Magellan would at least mention they have it too. Go figure...Guidance - On the Road:
On the road is where this unit really shines. The 4.3" screen packs in a surprising amount of map detail without looking cluttered. Maps can be displayed in 2D or 3D (I prefer the 3D view which my Audi doesn't have). Landmark buildings can also rise from the map in three dimensions but in my rural area I've yet to see this in action. Information regarding the next turn is displayed across the top of the screen and I especially like how the names of cross streets appear as I approach them, then disappear. You can select which POI categories appear on the map - I chose restaurants and gas stations. Unlike some other units this feature works in 2D or 3D mode. For major chains (BP, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, etc) the generic symbols are replaced by the company logos, allowing you to see at a glance what type of establishment is coming up.
An optional warning displays the speed limit on the left side of the map when you approach or exceed it by a percentage you preset from 70 to 130%. You can also set an audible alert for this if you wish (I have a wife who performs that function). Although I don't consider this an important feature, those who do should know that in my area it only worked on the interstates.
A new feature called 'Lane Guidance' is one of the primary reasons I choose this unit over the Garmin 760. At complicated interstate exits it displays a visual representation of the overhead highway signs to show you which lane you need to be in for an upcoming maneuver. The Garmin models with a similar feature called 'Lane Assist' are far more expensive. The only other GPS to offer lane guidance near this price range is Navigon's 7200T but its POI database is small and its search features are reportedly poor.
The verbal directions are extremely clear and precise. It always beat my Audi in giving me a heads-up regarding the next turn and was usually more specific as to what I needed to do.
Besides the detailed spoken instructions the 4350 also produces a 'doorbell like' chime at the point you should be turning. It even chimes differently for left, right, and U turns. This is a feature that several prior Magellan owners have mentioned missing after switching to another brand. For some reason Magellan initially omitted it from this model but the firmware update restores it along with another enhancement that tells you which side of the street your destination is on.
Lastly, recalculations (required if you go off the designated route) were very fast, taking about the same amount of time as my Audi's unit and often producing a better result. Bluetooth, FM Transmitter, and Traffic Info:
At first the 4350 refused to find my Blackberry Curve but after doing a hard reset (as suggested by Magellan's website) the units paired right up. Bluetooth connectivity has been fine since then but all is not well... When making/receiving a hands-free call I found the audio on my end to be satisfactory but I had to shout at a distance of two feet from the unit in order to be heard faintly at the other end. In actuality I had to speak 1 to 3 inches from the built-in microphone in order to be heard properly. Compounding this issue is the fact that there's no external microphone jack like on some other brands. This was the most disappointing aspect of this test. Even though I don't use this feature, some of the people I gave these to might want to. Therefore if you need Bluetooth capability I must recommend you look elsewhere.
In my initial review I stated that the FM transmitter (which sends all sound from the 4350 to the car's audio system) worked like a charm in my Audi but didn't perform so well in my wife's Sable Wagon. I attributed this to the Sable's rear mounted antenna and the fact that the U.S. severely limits the transmitter strength of these units. However, further tests have resulted in excellent results with both cars. One thing I did notice is that the DC power cord seems to act like an antenna so if you're having reception problems plug the power cord into the 4350 (this seems to work even if you...Read more›

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iHome App-Enhanced Alarm Clock with Bluetooth and FM Radio for iPad, iPhone and iPod Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Warning: Most of the truly worthwhile features for this alarm clock are only functional through the iPhone / iPad App ("iHome+Sleep" App on iTunes store). Without the app, it's merely an expensive speaker system with a clock (and not a very accurate one, either). I have had the iA100 for over two months now and unfortunately, the app is extremely buggy and erratic and the direct support from iHome has been completely useless and unresponsive. This makes the iA100 less useful and less worthy of its $[...] price tag.
I recommend you refer to the following support threads on iHome's own support forums before considering this item:
[..]
Do a search for more on the iA100 topic and you'll find similar issues with similar concerns. You'll notice that these and other postings have almost zero responses from iHome support except for one (which was not specific or helpful in any way). Direct emails to their tech support (I've sent three over the past two months over the same issues posted) go ignored. I intend to call directly, however I read a customer's posting that the phone support lacks adequate knowledge about the product, software app or remedies, and were advised to post their question on the iHome support forums for better response. This tells me that they have a limited staff and relies solely on their support forums for communicating with customers.
Needless to say, I'm very disappointed with this purchase considering it's a pretty expensive, high-end alarm clock that is customized to work with your iPad / iPhone. People on the forums have complained that their iA100s are unreliable for daily use. I simply can't rely on mine either due to the problems noted in the forum postings. I'm assuming people are merely using the iA100 as a $[...] speaker system for now. I personally wouldn't mind the time needed to gradually improve their iHome App, but it would be appropriate (and for $200, they should be obligated) to respond to customers with some kind of confirmation, remedy, workaround, or timeline to the fixes posted on the iHome support forum.
I'll be happy to update this post when iHome promptly responds to these and other support postings regarding similar issues regarding the app.
In the meantime, purchase this at your own risk!

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iPad/iPhone/iPod App-Enhanced Alarm Clock with Bluetooth & FM Radio

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Kenwood KCA-BT100 - Car audio Bluetooth adapter Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Reasonably priced and fantastic sound. I love the way it connects automatically when I start the truck. When I get an incoming call, it answers automatically and mutes the stereo - perfect! Dialing out is awkward (they really want you to stop the truck before dialing). I also have to use my cell phone keypad to "enter 1 for english". The biggest issue is the interface for the cell phone directory. I wish it would just read it dynamically like my Garmin Nuvi 660 does. The KCA-BT100 requires you to "send a business card" for each entry. A lot of key strokes for 90 entries. Other cell phones reportedly can upload the entire directory - but my cell phone provider does not have them. I definitely would buy it again.

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Bluetooth adapter. Connect Kenwood stereo & Bluetooth compatible cell phone wirelessly. Send and receive calls with the stereo's controls. Handles up to five different phones

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Trekstor MovieStation Maxi t.u (88570) 1TB Multi-Media SATA Hard Drive Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)**EDITOR'S NOTE: 6 months into use, and the drive went senile. It failed to stay mounted long enough to consistently transfer files, had difficult turning on/off, likewise could not sync up with a superior media player in the Western Digital WD TV Live Network-ready HD Media Player WDBAAN0000NBK-NESN. Trekstor's Customer Service remained consistently absence and/or abhorrent despite several pleas to salvage this device's functionality. I recently abandoned its use in favor of the WD + External Drive alternative.**
Akin to the quest for the Holy Grail, I've spent months researching an ideal media player solution capable of transitioning over 100+ DVD movies to a more accessible and space efficient home.
Simply put, I grew tired of staring at rows of DVD movie boxes likely never to be re-opened, likewise the clutter they took up in the process. These problems were further exacerbated by being a Mac household; nothing out there media player-wise seemed willing to play nice with our two Macbooks and Mac network. (A shame, since the WD and iomega products appeared feasible at first glance.)
Thus, the semi-obvious solution appeared to be a PC desktop solely dedicated to the above purpose. Pricing out this system (1TB storage, appropriate hardware + video/audio outs) ended up near the $700 mark. Far too expensive plus not what I wanted (hardware-wise) in my living room.
While seemingly devoid of any product review and/or MAC compatibility, the unknown Trekstor MovieStation Maxi t.u fit the bill on all accounts. Robust storage eliminated the need for an additional piggyback drive. Being UNIX- based meant a clean file exchange from MAC OS 10.5. The cable system was both simple and fit my non-HDMI needs (for standard DVD's) nicely. Last, it was affordable enough to give it a whirl sans guilt.
Unfortunately, however, the MovieStation Maxi t.u proved itself a bit troublesome in actual execution. Playback software is VERY finicky in what it will allow - and successfully handle - format wise. For Mac users wanting to save hours of frustration, 1) Burn DVD's via MactheRipper (a robust, free software package with a semi-steep learning curve) in 'Main Feature Only' mode, followed by and 2) Via Handbrake (another free piece of software waiting to confuse the heck out of you), convert said DVD to -- THIS IS IMPORTANT! -- an .AVI file with an XVID/DivX (if you want fast forward) codec, 2-pass conversion. (Average final file size is ~1.6-1.7GB.) Any other format will - based on trial and error - simply not work. Ditto other conversion programs limited to specific codec and/or output formats.
TECH NOTE: .AVI files CANNOT be segmented into chapters. While you can manually fast forward within a DivX file, that's about it. A burn in Handbrake, followed by ffmpegx conversion to DivX totals about 1.5 hours per movie.
Similar challenges belie configuring the MovieStation Maxi t.u with an HD TV. Trial and error will yield appropriate settings, with the most notable confound in disparate settings for TV/OUT and file playback format. IMPORTANT: Saving settings requires reloading the settings function. (It took me a dozen attempts to realize this.)
Finally, a recent Mac system software update greatly inhibits the functionality of USB 2.0 devices, forcing them to unmount after short, timed intervals. This annoying snafu required an additional step of moving files to a firewire drive...then slowly and gradually (in increments) to the USB one.
All is not doom and gloom. For instance, I dig the no-frills interface (updating firmware is a breeze, ditto navigating its Hard Disk contents) supported by intelligent recognition of input shifts between TV and computer. Meaning, the Trekstor MovieStation Maxi t.u will power off visual outputs when connected to a computer, automatically restore them once the device is appropriately removed from this same device. Also - and while a tad blurry even on correct settings - the main menu is clean and makes sense. Last - and most important - the thing DOES work once you've conquered its moronic restrictions and frustrating quirks.
In sum, I would recommend the Trekstor MovieStation Maxi t.u - albeit with reservations - to Mac users looking for a cheap way of playing movies (and/or photos) on a TV. Still, keep in mind output is not in HD, and play close attention to ports (component or standard video for visuals; optical or analog for audio) to avoid purchase mistake. PC users might be better served by more popular alternatives (ie the WD mentioned above + a 1TB external drive).

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TrekStor MovieStation maxi t.u 1TB is an external 3.5” SATA Hard Drive that can connect directly to a TV or Stereo system to play stored movies, music, and photos without use of a computer. The MovieStation works with Windows, Mac & Linux and uses a High-Speed USB 2.0 connection. It can be used to play HDTV and multi-channel Audio as well as content from movie and music download services. In addition, MovieStation will play files created with digital cameras and camcorders. When connected to a TV, MovieStation offers an onscreen menu for playing all content located on the drive. MovieStation's built-in Zoom function allows users to eliminate black bars that appear above and below on some movies. The MovieStation plays HD(720p/1080i) Formatted videos to be watched on a suitable TV. Stored music can be replayed from playlists. Housed in a stylish, black anodized aluminum case, the MovieStation’s design allows for optimum cooling, without the need for a fan and offers whisper quiet operation. The MovieStation supports MPEG-1 (VCD), MPEG-2 (SVCD, KVCD, DVD), IFO, VOB, DivX3, DivX5, XviD) video formats. Music and audio books in MP3, WMA, WAV and OGG format and images in JPEG format are also supported. Data and multimedia content can be transmitted to the device via a High Speed USB 2.0 Interface from any popular computer operating system. Video pass through is accomplished via high-quality Component video connection (YUV/Y/Pb/Pr), or using the composite video connection. Audio signals make their way to the TV set or home stereo system via an Optical digital (Toslink) or Analog stereo (cinch) connector. The MovieStation incorporates the Nero BackItUp 2 Software for simple, and hassle free backup. Included: Infrared Remote-Control, Power Supply, AV & YUV Adapter Cables, USB 2.0 Cable, 2 Foot Stands, (2) AAA Batteries, Nero BackItUp 2 Essentials, Software/Driver CD. For customer support please call 1888-8-TrekStor or TrekStor@datastation.us

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JVC KS-BTA200 Bluetooth Adapter with Microphone Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)UPDATE 9/9/09> I just upgraded my Verizon cell phone and it is NOT compatable with my KSBTA200. My new Samsung Alias flip phone (top rated phone on CR) DOES NOT PAIR yet my son's new LG Intrege and my daughters LG Dare both do Pair. I called JVC and they told me of a list of agreeable phones on their web site. Funny thing is all three phones are not on the list. I have decided to return my Alias and go back to using my old phone (LG)
I installed the KSBTA200 for two reasons. One was because I upgraded my car stereo to a JVC system with a CD player. Second because New Jersey has hands free laws. I was thinking of just getting a bluetooth for my ear but after thinking about it, the only place I would use it would be in the car anyway. I'm really glad I chose the KSBT200. Installation was a snap. It matched up with my JVC stereo. Ease of use is better than I thought. If I am driving, listining to music and a phone call comes in on my cell, it turns down the music and with a simple touch of a button answers the call. The volume of the caller comes through the car stereo and I can even turn up the volume if the caller is a low talker. The microphone picks up my voice with out shouting. The peole that I have talked to through the system tell me the conversation is clear. I am very happy with the KSBTA200.

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With KS-BTA200 optional adapter (Microphone included), Bluetooth Wireless Technology can be used with compatible devices. Use KS-BTA200 with Bluetooth Ready models KD-NX5000, KW-AVX800, KD-AVX11 and KW-XG700. KD-G830, KD-AR880, KD-G730 and KD-AR780 and get the same great features as the built-in units, such as hands-free calls, audio streaming and control and phone book transfer. With the Pass-through feature on the KS-BTA200, you can also add your iPod adapter, satellite radio adapter and/or CD Changer to your radio.

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AR ARIR200 Tabletop Wi-Fi Internet Radio with Alarm (Black) Review

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Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This radio is the same as the RCA Infinite Radio RIR200 which Amazon stopped carrying in favor of this Acoustic Research ARIR200, so I encourage anyone who is thinking about buying this products to ALSO read the reviews at the following link:
RCA Infinite Radio RIR200 Internet Radio with Wifi Connectivity and Slacker Personal Radio
In case the link does not work, put this number (a product number) into the search box: B0016OK5O0 (cut and paste because those are both O's and zeros). You can also look at the reviews for the RIR205 which is the same unit but it also includes a basic router for those who want a simple way to hook up their unit to the internet. Search for B0016OI1BY to get info on the RIR205
Some of the issues brought up in those reviews are still valid (e.g. the odd ergonomics of the controls, too bright illumination, etc.) and some issues have been fixed by firmware updates. Unfortunately, sometimes when they fix one issue in the firmware they seem to also "break" another.
I give AR/RCA credit that they are at least supporting the product with firmware updates (as of 3/2009 they have released a version during 12/2008 and 3/2009). Right now, in my experience the product is a bit buggy with the current version of the firmware and I have been experiencing some random crashes where it either locks up or reboots itself. This is a real pain because it loses the security key for the WiFi when this happens and thus it has to be reentered. There is also a base level of white noise through the speakers, even after turning the radio off, that I find annoying (hint: after going standby, turn the volume dial all the way down and it will disappear with a pffft - then spin the volume back up to the normal position so that you have volume the next time you turn the radio portion on). This unit is better than the iLuv unit I reviewed elsewhere and could be quite good if they ever get a good version of the firmware going.
One of the best resources for information on these radios is the message archives at the following group at Google groups: Acoustic Research ARIRC200 Internet Radio . Just do a search at Google Groups and you should find the group (I don't think Amazon will let me include the link, but here goes: http://groups.google.com/group/acoustic-research-arirc200-internet-radio?hl=en )

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Acoustic Research introduces the next generation of audio entertainment with the ARIR200 Wi-Fi internet and AM/FM radio. The ARIR200 gives you access to thousands of global music and talk stations with its built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity. It features a clock radio with alarm functions that allow you to wake to your favorite music or radio stations. Activate your free account with Slacker Personal Radio to access millions of tracks, hundreds of genre stations and over 10,000 artist stations. Slacker displays the next upcoming artist and provides the ability to pause or skip at any time. Other free accounts include Personal Portal and WeatherBug to receive local weather forecasts and emergency alerts. Preset six of your favorite stations per source into the radio so that you can save and retrieve your favorite stations with the push of a button. You can connect your mp3 player or flash drive into the USB connection to listen to your personal music files or save up to 10-hours of music onto the 512MB internal memory.

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