Clarion MAP670 Review

The MAP670 is another offering from the manufacturer that gave Japan its first car stereo system over sixty years ago. The lower-priced model MAP370 had many drawbacks which the addition of a MP3 player and photo viewer did little to compensate for. This unit, however, has much to commend it, not least of which is its software which is similar in nature to the Mio C220 making it one of the best navigation systems around.

With Bluetooth connectivity, the system is hands free in the car and therefore aids safe driving and of course if you have that same feature on your mobile phone you can be calling all and sundry as you travel. Telephone numbers are displayed directly on the screen.

Like the MAP370 model, this unit includes a MP3 player and picture viewer via a SD/MMC card. The card slot is capable of fitting a 2GB card and is battery powered of course so there are no cables to use.

The device also includes Smart Zoom technology. This was originally developed with computer games in mind but is highly appropriate for the GPS display. The technology makes intuitive changes in the display by zooming in to an object or destination, such as a junction or roundabout, as you approach so that you have clearer directions. The viewing angle is raised to let you easily recognize the junction as you approach. At high speed the view is zoomed out and as you slow down so Smart Zoom will focus in.

The 4.3 inch wide colour LCD screen is fairly standard in comparative systems. The manufacturers boast of over 65,000 colours, excellent contrast and anti-reflection screen features, but some users who have tested this in daylight feel that the screen is too dark in bright sunlight.

The device is sold complete with a USB1.1 cable connection for updating and charging the unit, and the batteries will operate for 4.5 hours on a full charge.

This is not as lightweight as some units, but still very portable at only 200 grams. It is easily used both inside the car and out - whether that be cycling or walking. Fast calculations for destination planning may not be top of the list of requirements for the pedestrian, but for motorway driving it's a must and this model gives as good a performance as others of higher price.

The unit comes with a built in TMC (Traffic Message Channel) tuner as standard, together with a speed trap warning system and is safety camera compatible. As with other models of its ilk, notice must be made that use of the 'ready to use' speed trap warning system could be construed as illegal in some countries so beware.

Within its selling price range this really is the device of choice with great technology, software and features. A little more work could have gone into the display and if you are traveling through Europe you will need to download more maps, but it is still excellent value for money.