UPSAT’s CNX80, bottom, is designed to be interoperable with the large-screen MX20, top. They share similar operating logic.

by Paul Bertorelli

By now, we have become so accustomed to looking at color navigation displays that we can barely recall when they weren’t the gold-plate standard. Lost in that assumption, however, is the fact that UPSAT has had a terrific color display in the MX20 multi-function device, but no color navigator to match and nothing to compete head-to-head with Garmin in this market niche.

As we reported in the May 2003 issue, that changed with UPSAT’s surprise announcement of the CNX80, a combined color map/navcomm/LOC/GS navigator that’s also the first certified WAAS-capable box to hit the streets. At first glance, the CNX80 looks like a me-too box coming a little late…