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| 29 Nov 2007 - MIO DIGI WALKER - IN CAR NAVIGATION | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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I've talked before about In-Car Navigation, being a user of the NAVMAN brand's most simple model, I find them to be a very handy device. For the last week, I've been testing the MIO "Digi Walker" series. To be launched in the next week or so, these Unit's offer one key difference - TRAFFIC UPDATES. Now unfortunately I am Sydney based, and the Traffic system is not yet linked here yet, however it is operational in Melbourne. Keeping that in mind, I wanted to see how good these were as a basic Navigation unit before considering this as a potential Christmas Gift idea. The C720t model is the full featured unit, with a 2 Megapixel Camera, Bluetooth Hands Free, Fantastic Points of Interest information (from Sensis), Text to speech conversion and split screen (info and map) capabilities. The C320 has all that except the Bluetooth and Camera. Mapping on the MIO is clear, easy to read and easy to Follow. One thing I did love was the 'speedo' and mapping that was available even without a Route in place. This speedo showed your speed as you would expect on your dashboard, very handy stuff. Plus on all the maps where available the SPEED LIMIT is shown in the bottom corner. Speed Cameras and Red Light Cameras are all shown with cartoon like icons, plus you can ADD new cameras if you know of them. Initially I found it a little hard to use, but I think I was complicating the whole thing. I am used to a street then suburb search, while this goes Suburb then Street. Once you get used to the basic methods, I think this is one of the best I have used so far. The Bluetooth on the C720t is a wonderful feature - seemed like the calls were connecting before I heard the people talking but in the integration of the Navigator with your Bluetooth is a great way to save clutter. Common to all in car navigations is the problem of plugging it in and security. I wonder when someone will come up with a better way to plug these things in without having to have the cable run from the ash-tray (which on some cars is NON EXISTENT, and in others is far back in the centre console between the seats) all the way up the dash to the navigator. Plus, you can't leave them plugged in when you pop into the shops or house - it could get stolen! All that aside the battery life on these units seemed great, and as I say, I found it quite easy to use. A couple of photos and a short video below. Mio DigiWalkerTM C220 (RRP $399) - for the GPS beginner The Mio DigiWalkerTM is ideal for people who want to try a well priced, quality, entry-level unit GPS unit. The C220 is ready to be used straight from the box after charging. When in the car, drivers receive a turn-by-turn voice and text navigation instruction. Mio DigiWalkerTM C320 (RRP $449) - for the style-savvy beginner Forget paper-based maps, you will never look back after taking this first step into a widescreen personal navigation system. The C320 features a large 4.3" widescreen display making navigation clear and simple. Mio DigiWalkerTM C520 (RRP $499) - for the intermediate user The C520 offers first-class navigational GPS as well as hands-free calling capabilities synchronised through your Bluetooth® enabled mobile phone. Rich in features and available at a low price has made the C520 the highest selling Mio DigiWalkerTM device in Australia this year. Mio DigiWalkerTM C720t (RRP $649) - for the advanced user The Mio DigiWalkerTM C720t is the ultimate GPS unit with all the bells-and-whistles including a two mega pixel camera and video camera. The C720t allows for navigation via photos or makes organising your contacts easy through an intuitive business card scanner; simply take a photo and the C720t reads and stores the information directly into your Mio GPS unit. Live traffic updates To activate the TMC feature on the Mio DigiWalkerTM C320 and C520, a TMC cradle kit (including hardware, software and lifetime subscription service) is required (RRP $149). Available at Harvey Norman or JB Hi Fi. The Mio DigiWalkerTM C720t includes the TMC hardware and software and only requires subscription for lifetime activation - RRP $129. This can only be purchased online at www.mio-tech.com.au from December. NOTE - TMC service will be only available in Melbourne metro from December. Sydney and Brisbane services are due for launch early-mid 2008. Perth and Adelaide will launch late 2008, early 2009. TMC service is provided by SUNA Traffic Channel. Mio DigiWalkerTM C220 Product Specifications Operating System Microsoft Windows CE .Net 5.0 GPS Receiver 20-channel SiRFstarIII Display 3.5" TFT with Touchscreen Memory 256 MB Flash + 32 MB SDRAM Battery 1200 mAh Li-Ion Dimensions 107 mm ( W ) x 80mm ( H ) x 23 mm ( D) Weight 110 g Mio DigiWalkerTM C320 Product Specifications GPS Receiver 20-channel SiRFstarIII Display 4.3" TFT touch screen LCD Battery 1300 mAh Li-Ion Weight 190g Dimensions 126mm x 81mm x 14.5mm~19.9mm Mio DigiWalkerTM C520 Product Specifications GPS Receiver 20-channel SiRFstarIII Display 4.3" TFT touch screen LCD Battery 1300 mAh Li-Ion Weight 190g Dimensions 126mm x 81mm x 14.5mm~19.9mm Connectivity Bluetooth® Mio DigiWalkerTM C720 Product Specifications GPS Receiver 20-channel SiRFstarIII Display 4.3" TFT touch screen LCD Camera Built-in 2.0 megapixel camera Battery 1300 mAh Li-Ion Weight 190g Dimensions 126mm x 81mm x 14.5mm~19.9mm Connectivity Bluetooth® Availability Harvey Norman, JB HiFi and other national consumer electronics retailers. Stockist information Website: www.mio-tech.com.au. T: 1300 MIO GPS (1300 646 477) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Share your thoughts: Added: Friday , 18 Jan 2008 07:35 am
Hi Senaka You need to go into the Traffic Preferences and choose 101.1 FM as your preferred station. Hope that helps. Trevor Trevor Long, Pyrmont Added: Wednesday, 16 Jan 2008 05:00 pm Anybody know how to activate SUNA traffic channel on NAVMAN S90i model? Senaka, Melbourne Added: Saturday , 08 Dec 2007 09:55 am Hi Trev. I bough a Naveman in 2005 i chris smit, Cromer 2099 add your comment: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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