Filed under: GPS

As with Jeep’s lackluster RT-300, Panasonic’s portable Strada CN-GP50U GPS is probably better left on the shelf. We know, it’ll be awfully tough to resist that magnificent 5-inch panel and the sleek black frame, but according to PC Mag, this thing is just so-so on its best day. For starters, the price premium over rivaling 4.3-inch units was tough for critics to justify, and coupled with a small POI database, sluggish performance and awkward destination / POI input, hope for success was pretty much extinguished. As if that weren’t enough to frighten you off, reviewers also noted that data fields in the map view were “small and difficult to read,” which probably should not ever be the case on — you know — a navigation system. We appreciate the effort, Panny, but we’d suggest nailing the basics next time before turning to pizazz.

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Filed under: GPS

Just two days shy of their one-year birthday, Panasonic is introducing a couple of successors in the Strada F-Class line. Announced in Japan, the June-bound CN-HX1000D and CN-HW1000D are both destined for gaping holes in dashes and possess a 7-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, built-in Bluetooth, iPod compatibility, AM / FM tuners, digital terrestrial TV tuner, DVD / CD player and an internal hard drive for storing map data and Sade jams. The only noticeable difference is the physical size; the former is a single-DIN unit while the latter touts a double-DIN frame. These two also allow for home control, so you can lock your doors, turn the heat down and flip off the porch light from the driver’s seat. Sure sounds pleasant, if only they weren’t ¥354,900 ($3,388) apiece.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

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Filed under: GPS

Just when you thought that no company in its right mind would bother entering the (way) over-saturated portable navigation market in the US now, along comes Panasonic to prove you wrong. The Strada CN-GP50U has already completed a European tour of duty, and now it’s officially heading stateside and bringing along a five-inch touchscreen, 1.8 million POIs, NAVTEQ maps of the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico, USB connectivity, an SD expansion slot and an integrated photo viewer. Furthermore, the device will support handsfree calling via Bluetooth, and the Voice Command / speed limit warning functions should thoroughly please, too. We sincerely hope you weren’t banking on Panny just giving these away, though, as folks opting to snap one up this December will be laying down a hefty $499.95 for the privilege.

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: GPS

We’ve spent some quality time with Panasonic’s previously-Europe only Strada CN-GP50N GPS unit at IFA, but a quick peek in the FCC’s secret-ruining database shows that Panny’s about to bring the 5-inch QVGA unit Stateside as the CN-GP50U, with all the same features and “kinda fugly” interface we talked ourselves into getting with in Berlin: text-to-speech, voice commands, speed camera information, and Bluetooth handsfree calling. No big reveals in the FCC docs, but we’re certain those of you who get hot for RF interference specs are already well past the read link by now.

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!