Panasonic Strada CN-NVD905U
Manufacturer: Panasonic Part number: CN-NVD905U
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Panasonic Strada CN-NVD905U is a stylish, user-friendly entrant to the in-dash navigation market. It delivers decent GPS navigation and media playback, but doesn't raise the bar in either department.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/02/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Panasonic Strada CN-NVD905U price range: $1,369.00
- Reviewed by: Kevin Massy
- Reviewed on: 05/21/2007
- Released on: 05/08/2007
The good: The Panasonic Strada CN-NVD905U combines fast navigation with a user-friendly touch screen interface and high-quality video playback.
The bad: Despite its built-in hard drive, the Strada CN-NVD905U has no ability to rip music files into its memory. Lack of text-to-voice technology for the navigation system is also disappointing.
The bottom line: The Panasonic Strada CN-NVD905U is a stylish, user-friendly entrant to the in-dash navigation market. It delivers decent GPS navigation and media playback, but doesn't raise the bar in either department.
The Strada CN-NVD905U is Panasonic's first foray into the U.S. market for in-dash navigation systems, and it's not a bad start. The CN-NVD905U falls into the category of a small but growing number of all-in-one, hard drive-based navigation/multimedia systems. The double-DIN-size system features a bright 7-inch display, which shows maps and movies in crisp detail, and which doubles as a very useful touch screen interface.
With a 30GB hard drive, the system has many similarities with Pioneer's AVIC-Z1 (with which it now competes on price) and forthcoming Z2, although the Panasonic system lacks the media storage capabilities of the AVIC devices. The Strada CN-NVD905U's hard drive does give it lightning-fast navigation programmability and route-calculation times, and we like the clean, intuitive layout of the destination-entry menus. Digital audio playback is also straightforward, although navigating homemade disc libraries is not as straightforward as with the Eclipse AVN5510 that we reviewed recently.
Design
The faceplate of the Panasonic Strada CN-NVD905U features a simple, stylish design. Three control buttons for Map, Source, and Menu provide the gateway to the Strada CN-NVD905U's wide range of features, most of which are controlled using touch screen menus. We like the layout of the top-level virtual menus, which are well-rendered, clearly labeled, and large enough to select while on the road. The customizable Destination button on the main menu screen is particularly conspicuous, and has to be one of the largest touch screen buttons we've ever seen.
On the road
Having hooked up the Strada CN-NVD905U to our 2007 Mazda CX-9 test vehicle, we took it out on the road to see how it fared in real-life navigation situations. Like most GPS systems, the Strada CN-NVD905U took about 15 minutes to get a fix on the minimum number of satellites needed to get its bearings. With our location data secured, we set about programming a destination. The Destination soft button on the Strada CN-NVD905U is enormous--a nice touch for programming on the fly. It also changes color depending on the time of day, and comes with a choice of three scenery photos to match your mood while driving.
But enough of the gimmickry, how does it work? Plugging in destinations by name is very straightforward via the system's onscreen A-Z keypad. Alternative means of entering destinations include: via the Strada CN-NVD905U's 12 million-entry points of interest (POI) database--either by spelling the name of the POI, or calling it up from a categories menu; by phone number; by picking a spot from the map; by selecting a prestored location from the address book; or by GPS coordinates. In a very user-friendly design feature, the Strada CN-NVD905U lets users select their three favorite destination-entry methods, which then appear as the default when the Destination button is pressed.
With each method of destination entry, the Strada CN-NVD905U's hard drive calculates a route with impressive speed. With a destination secured, the system gives the driver three route options: two options for the quickest route; and one for the shortest.
Other plus points for the Strada CN-NVD905U's navigation system include a one-touch scrolling and zooming function; 3D icons for individual landmarks in metropolitan areas; and user-friendly color-coding of streets. The Strada CN-NVD905U's Navteq-based maps are bright and well rendered, and the system features extra detail for 86 metropolitan areas across the United States, for which it shows individual building outlines and landmark icons.
Audio-video
In addition to being an AM/FM tuner, the Panasonic Strada CN-NVD90U can handle MP3 and WMA discs as well as regular CDDA discs. Surprisingly, the system will also play DVD-Audio discs--even displaying their browsable still picture (BSP) artwork--despite there being no indication of this capability in the instruction manual or in any of Panasonic's marketing materials. Conversely, users looking to make use of the Strada CN-NVD905U's SD-card slot to play music files will be disappointed, as the system uses SD cards only for map updates.
During playback of compressed digital audio format discs, the Strada CN-NVD905U can be configured to show full ID3-tag information for individual tracks (default screen), or to show a list of six tracks at a time. We would prefer it if the latter view were the default view (as with the Eclipse AVN5510), as it is a cumbersome process to navigate to the track list screen each time you want to navigate the disc library. In the default screen mode, the only way to search through the tracks or folders on a disc is with the Up and Down soft buttons (for folders) or the hard buttons on the faceplate bezel (for tracks).
For video playback, the Strada CN-NVD905U plays DVD videos, which play only when the car's parking brake is activated. The 7-inch display delivers crisp video reproduction, and we like the full Direct Touch functionality that the system offers, enabling users to navigate DVD menus by making selections onscreen rather than via a remote interface.
The Strada CN-NVD905U features a number of impressive audio-tweaking features to optimize output for individual car cabins. Its SRS Circle Sound decoder is a catchall for these, and its settings include: Focus, for adjusting the vertical "sweet spot" of the audio; TruBass, for setting the bass levels for front and rear speakers as well as for a separate subwoofer where applicable; and RearMix, for optimizing the mix of sound between the front and rear speakers. Additionally, the audio system features settings for Speaker Delay and Speaker Level can be used to adjust the output to the car's specific dimensions and to listeners' individual acoustic requirements respectively.
The Panasonic Strada CN-NVD905U does many things right for an in-car navigation/multimedia system. Its bright display, intuitive menus, and useful touch screen functionality recommend it to those looking for an easy-to-use and visually appealing system. While it differs from its competitors in style, however, it doesn't bring any novel features to the table, and in some respects is less equipped than comparably priced systems that have been on the market for a while.
User reviews
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Poor Eclipse Immitation
by DaveWVU86 on September 6, 2007
Pros: Cost, HDD, Number of POI
Cons: No remote available, No Sirius Traffic tuner available, poor Bluetooth functionality
Summary: If you look at this unit, both the case and screenshots, it's very apparent that it's a copy of the Eclipse 5510 and 6610. However, it's a ...
Summary: If you look at this unit, both the case and screenshots, it's very apparent that it's a copy of the Eclipse 5510 and 6610. However, it's a poor copy.
1. There is no remote control available. Yes, there is an IR port on the front of the unit but it's only function is as a pass through to the optional TV tuner. You cannot control the unit with a remote. This means you cannot reuse the steering wheel controls on your car. Something every other in dash nav unit on the market can do. Seriously, a unit with a MSRP of $1,799 should have a remote.
2. Panasonic advertises that the unit has Sirius Traffic. Well, the only tuner available right now is the Sir-Pan1. That tuner does not have traffic. When I asked, Panasonic didn't even know the estimated time to market or the cost of a traffic enabled Sirius Tuner. They're advertising something that doesn't exist.
3. The Bluetooth has very limited functionality. It can only be used to answer incomming calls. The phone rings, you push a button to answer it. No, this isn't a button on the screen but rather another button that you have to cut a hole for and mount. You CANNOT dial out. Other units allow you to access your phone book on screen and to dial out. You cannot do any of that with this unit, just push a button to talk when someone else calls you.
Bottom line, this unit misses all of the seemingly standard features that competitors offer at this price point. You should pass up on this model and go for either Eclipse, Kenwood, Alpine, or Pioneer.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best all around in dash nav system I've seen.
by kevintm1984 on June 21, 2007
Pros: Map coverage, Speed of searching for address, great equalizer.
Cons: Didn't come with ipod cable. No Divx support (that I see)
Summary: I was debating between the avic-d3, the avic-z2, and this strada. The strada was the only one I was not able to find in stores therefore I had to order ...
Summary: I was debating between the avic-d3, the avic-z2, and this strada. The strada was the only one I was not able to find in stores therefore I had to order it online. The main reason why I didn't go with the avic-d3 or avic-z2 was because they did not have my street address in their database. But when I would go over to one the of the $300 garmins or even the TomTom. They would find my address with no problems. The street didn't even show that it exsisted on the z2. I've lived at my address for over 3 years so I found that very dissapointing. When I ordered my strada I didn't know if it was going to have my address or not so I was kinda worried. After I hooked everything up and it grabbed its gps signal (took about 1 min) It not only found my address and was right on, but the controls and functions are so intuative that I was able to make it my home very quickly. I haven't used the ipod feature yet but I did order the cable online today for around $40. You can not only control the ipod directly from the head unit, but also watch your podcasts and movies. The z2 has a feature where you can copy cds directly to the head unit. Honestly all my music is on the ipod. Why can't I just copy the cd at the computer and move it to the ipod. I didn't feel that I would use that "missing" feature that the strada does not have.
Oh this was very easy to install on my 2002 Subaru WRX. The wire adapter was $20 at my local bestbuy. It was not on the floor. I had to ask one of the car audio guys to get one for me. And the wire ends were $3 for 10 male and female ends at my local radio shack.2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Was outdated when installed in an RV
by pablol59 on October 29, 2009
Pros: Touch Screen. Did like the voice commands and turn information
Cons: May be ok in an automobile but in a large vehicle, no way. Can not tell it NO unimproved roads, county roads, etc. NO updates.
Summary: It has tried to route us down dirt roads and roads that have been closed for years.. Has taken us down side streets to an address when the address was ...
Summary: It has tried to route us down dirt roads and roads that have been closed for years.. Has taken us down side streets to an address when the address was just off the interstate. No way to insert vias, etc. Works fairly well city to city but to find an address can really get you into trouble with a big rig, have had to unhook toad several times when unit routed us down narrow roads, low overpasses, etc.
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I like it!
by Kendalyn on December 10, 2008
Pros: The GPS is easy to use and controls are pretty intuitive. I love that it has an ipod hook up and can play movies. It's also very sleek looking. I love how the screen folds down to accept CDs or DVDs. POI info is very cool too.
Cons: The maps are hard to update and it took several phone calls to figure out how to do it. At first they told me it cost $300 to update maps.
Summary: I really like having this in my car. The safety feature requiring the parking brake to be engaged for playing movies is stupid but you can bypass that pretty easily ...
Summary: I really like having this in my car. The safety feature requiring the parking brake to be engaged for playing movies is stupid but you can bypass that pretty easily so you can watch movies while the car is moving. Sometimes while using the navigation around town just for fun, I disagree with the way it takes me but I suppose it's possible that I'm wrong about the fastest way.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Panasonic
- Part number: CN-NVD905U
- Description: Until now, the problem with many in-car GPS navigation systems has been confusing user interfaces, poor display screens, restricted map coverage, and slow performance. To address the growing need of drivers to have a strong and reliable navigation tool, Panasonic developed the Strada, HDD mobile navigation system, a user-friendly, high-capacity car navigation system which can easily instruct average, non-technical drivers where they are, where they've been, and how to get to their next destination. While serving as a driver's electronic navigator between points A, B and C, or any other combination, the Strada CN-NVD905U system can deliver radio broadcasts, real-time traffic information, and CD audio and DVD movie and can even play music and videos from an iPod allowing your car to be another source for on demand entertainment. Moving beyond navigation and entertainment, Panasonic's new navigation system also boasts several safety and convenience features, such as hands-free Bluetooth connectivity, an optional back-up camera to help avoid fender benders and the ability to program specific geographic areas that the driver wants to avoid. Complete with high-speed data to provide the driver with possible restaurant choices, gas stations and hotel accommodations along their trip, the Strada system, named after the Italian word for street, is truly the perfect driving companion.
GPS System
- Recommended Use Automotive
- Voice Navigation instructions
Miscellaneous
- GPS design features DVD receiver
Manufacturer info
- Panasonic
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Panasonic products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.panasonic.com/
- Address:
One Panasonic Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094 - Phone: 800/662-3537
