Hitachi Navi GPS HiSaturn Review [Archive]

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08-29-2006, 03:52 AM

Review time! And this time, its gonna be good! For I am reviewing the Hitachi Navi GPS HiSaturn! :D

I know I know, I was supposed to do this a long time ago. But I only got around to taking pics tonight.

The Navi (as I will refer to it from here on out) was released back in '98. I have HEARD that it was released in both the US and in Japan, but I cannot confirm this. I can confirm that the console itself cost a whopping $1000 and the TFT backlit-matrix screen (which was sold seperately) was sold for $500.

Looks: 10/10
Aesthetically, the Navi is by far the sexiest Saturn out there. I mean, LOOK AT IT!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0320.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0322.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0642.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0636.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0627.jpg

Its so flat. And it has so many fun buttons on it. And the LEDs are VERY bright! But wait, what about with the screen attached? Well...

The screen itself is much larger than I originally thought it would be (a bit bigger than the DS' top screen, as you can see here:)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0637.jpg

The screen is a TFT backlit matrix screen (the highest quality type of screen there is today, its the screen Sony uses for the PSP). The image is superb.

Functionality: 10/10
Well, it works perfectly as a Saturn. Plays the games, plays your CDs, etc. Also built into it is a karaoke machine. The machine has two mic inputs and volume knobs for each mic. It also has various sound options for the karaoke, as well as pitch/tone controls. Very cool.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0644.jpg

The screen itself has tint/brightness knobs as well as volume control. It also has a switch for "Front/Rear", but I'm not sure what this does.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0638.jpg

The screen has a speaker built into it, and I must say, the sound quality is SUPERB! My roomate had to turn it down while he was taking pics of PDIIZwei because it was too loud for him. Heh.

The screen connects into the back of the Navi here:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0325.jpg

Also pictured are the power inputs.

Another point of interest is that the Navi has A/V INS! Meaning, you could run something INTO the Navi Saturn for it to be displayed on the screen.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0324.jpg

The Navi also comes with a car power cable for the car-cigarette-lighter-thingy. I haven't had the chance to test this out yet, but the concept alone is amazing.

As for the GPS, the Navi uses the Naviken CDs, which I assume are in Japan only and would only work in Japan. Granted, leaving a $1500 in my car would be retarded, so we'll just assume it works well and give the system the nod for it.

Amazingly enough, the Action Replay (or whatever you use to play imports) doesn't get in the way at all with the Navi's screen! (as you can see here:)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0634.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0633.jpg

So fear not, from Radiant Silvergun to Taromaru, it can be played on the Navi's screen without anything obstructing the view!!!

All in all, the Hitachi Navi GPS HiSaturn is an amazing piece of hardware. Everything on it oozes quality. My only complaint is that the disc drive is a bit too loud. But other than that, it is definitely one pimp ass Sega Saturn.

More pics of the screen in action:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0632.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0631.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0630.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0629.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0628.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/pzykotikjp/DSCF0626.jpg

So there you go guys. Probably the best look at the Navi HiSaturn on the net. :)

Luminous

08-29-2006, 11:09 AM

You are truly a Saturn superfan. Very nice....and I thought paying like $300+ for the blue Halo 2 Xbox from Canada was a little overboard.

No wonder you can't buy a wireless router for $50....

:]

If I could afford it, I would probably do my best to get the Japanese Xboxes that I don't own...Panzer Dragoon white and the smoke grey one.

YankeeH8er

08-29-2006, 12:10 PM

What the fuck is up with the super blurry pics? Also the white Japanese Saturn looks way better then that one. It is way to cluttered looking looking.

08-29-2006, 12:39 PM

Conjoshus

08-29-2006, 12:45 PM

YankeeH8er

08-29-2006, 01:21 PM

The best looking Saturn of all time is the white Sonic one, damn that is a fine looking machine.

08-29-2006, 03:08 PM

What the fuck is up with the super blurry pics? Also the white Japanese Saturn looks way better then that one. It is way to cluttered looking looking.

My roomate took the pics... so I dunno.

As for the white JP Saturn looking better... you sir... are a moron. :D

I think the white JP Saturn looks better... hmmm...

LIES! :D

The best looking Saturn of all time is the white Sonic one, damn that is a fine looking machine.

Hmm... I still disagree. Though I don't really think the Navi is the best looking Saturn (all the Sonic one is is a white one with the Sonic Team symbol on it anyways). The best looking Saturn ever?

Well... I can't find a picture of it right now, and mine is at my 'rents' house. So... IMO the true coolest looking Saturn ever is the "This is Cool" LE skeleton Saturn. It just looks so nice!

I'd rate the gray one under that, the Navi under that... and... then it gets difficult between the V-Saturn, HiSaturn, and then the other skeleton Saturns (Tec Toy, Derby).

Hunter

12-11-2006, 04:39 PM

Wow, I never saw this thread, awesome.

01-17-2007, 06:33 PM

Bumpers... since I changed the title. Also edited out the references to our previous home. No more negativity round 'cha.

HawkClay

01-17-2007, 06:45 PM

Well, I for one think that is a drop dead gorgeous system! :56.9hart43: Quick question, does the screen detatch itself or does it fold over on top? It kind of reminds me of my Treamcast (but MUCH cooler), and I'm willing to bet it feels a lot sturdier than the Treamcast too!

Speaking of, in case you missed the wedding thread over on IGN, here's a pic of me and my guys playing some Mortal Kombat Gold before the wedding on my Treamcast! :hbang:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/HawkClay/Wedding/0192.jpg

01-17-2007, 06:46 PM

The screen detaches. The screen was actually sold seperately (and I really need to find a boxed one... hmm...).

TREAMCAST!!!! Awesome bro. I'm still yet to get one of those. What kind of screen did they use? LCD? I bet its pretty pimp. I'd probably walk around with it and randomly challenge people to Twinkle Star Sprites. :SM14

Hunter

01-17-2007, 06:51 PM

Someone needs to make a fully portable dreamcast. That would be SO awesome.

HawkClay

01-17-2007, 07:50 PM

Yeah, the Treamcast uses an LCD screen, and it's super sweet... but it feels REALLY cheap and frail... and yet it plays beautifully from what I've tested! Really, I the only complaint I have about the system is it just feels like a cheap knock-off... but having a portable Dreamcast is like one of the most awesome things ever, and it plays great, so I'm definitely happy!

And if they made an actual handheld Dreamcast, then I'd be all over that in a second! :56.9hart43:

Da_Shocker

01-17-2007, 08:26 PM

Well I think that the prerelease silver Saturn looks better but since it was never released then this unit gets it. I wish I could get one but I just don't ghave the money.

NFG

08-27-2007, 12:14 AM

Hi! Sorry for dragging up an old topic... There are a few things wrong with the OP, I thought I'd take this time to correct them.

The system was never released in the US, it was a Japan-only system. If your system plays US games then someone has modified it to do so.

The Front/Rear switch affects how the system functions in a GPS context. It refers to its position in the car, and changes how it can be used. This is related to the power adaptor, which has a sensor wire attached which allows the system to determine if the handbrake is applied or not, and it will disallow some uses if the handbrake is not on. If memory serves (it's been a while since I took the navi on a car trip) it would not play games without the handbrake being on.

In addition to the AV inputs it has a TV-tuner input. A tuner was released allowing the display of Japanese channels (it won't work outside Japan, different frequencies).

NaviKen CDs are only available in Japan, and are not available later than about 1999 when NaviKen DVDs replaced CDs.

A lot more info is available on my site:

http://nfggames.com/games/hisaturn/

08-27-2007, 12:31 AM

Hmmm... thats rather odd, as both of mine play US titles only.

But, nice to know the other stuff. Fo' sho. :)

captain_ahar

03-30-2008, 01:48 PM

heya jp. did you ever publicly disclose your level of investment in the Navi (i.e. price)?

don't want to be nosy, just curious given the price-point upon original release.

03-30-2008, 02:44 PM

$1600 for the first one, $800 for the second one (since it didn't have the screen).