Entered CNET Catalog: 03/18/2006
SKU: C310
Manufacturer: MiTAC Industrial Corp.
Manufacturer description
MiTAC designs, builds and markets a diverse range of products like high-performance workstations, servers and motherboards, commercial and industrial notebook PCs, LCD PCs and LCD monitors. Starting out as an exclusive manufacturer of PCs, MiTAC now has grown to become a world-class global computer manufacturer and major OEM supplier. PRODUCT FEATURES: High sensitivity GPS receiverEditors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 08/02/2006
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 User Rating:
1.0 stars
out of 10 user reviews
Mio has no plan to update Canadian Maps
Pros: Price point and ease of use
Cons: Maps and POIs are years out of date
Review: This is my first GPS purchase and I'm pleased with the ease of use and display.
This will be my last MIO purchase. My major beef is that a GPS handheld provider should be able to leverage current maps and provide a mechanism for downloads. For in town directions i most often look for directions to recent sub-divisions (e.g., 1-2 years old) and/or POIs that I may not be aware of. Upon submitting a customer inquiry to Mio, they had no plan for updates to the Canadian maps. Without current maps this unit is useless.
This will be my last MIO purchase. My major beef is that a GPS handheld provider should be able to leverage current maps and provide a mechanism for downloads. For in town directions i most often look for directions to recent sub-divisions (e.g., 1-2 years old) and/or POIs that I may not be aware of. Upon submitting a customer inquiry to Mio, they had no plan for updates to the Canadian maps. Without current maps this unit is useless.
Updated
Although you'll read good reviews about the user interface, i would agree. It is sufficient and works well. Easy to use, etc.
However, I've spent 30 min trying to load new maps from my CD. Terribly difficult as apparantly the unit can only hold 2 main locations in North America. I have absolutely no idea how to clear the map memory (e.g., Southern US) so I can load NorthEast US. I'm very computer savvy and am extremely frustrated! Low scores on this one!
Although you'll read good reviews about the user interface, i would agree. It is sufficient and works well. Easy to use, etc.
However, I've spent 30 min trying to load new maps from my CD. Terribly difficult as apparantly the unit can only hold 2 main locations in North America. I have absolutely no idea how to clear the map memory (e.g., Southern US) so I can load NorthEast US. I'm very computer savvy and am extremely frustrated! Low scores on this one!
User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 10 user reviews
Excellent Product Even for Canadians!
Pros: Awesome functions for price (MP3 PLAYER!!!)
Cons: No AC adaptor and web page sucks
Review: I think this product is fantastic. I received it as a christmas gift and have had 2 weeks to enjoy it and i love it! I think it beats out all it's competitors within it's price range and i'm including Garmin v3 and their c330 too! The 3.5 touchscreen is an excellent size. (I don't know how people can purchase the ones without touch screen, that would be so annoying to navigate) Not to mention it can function as an mp3 player which for an under $300 unit is superb. As for the issue of use in canada, i'm located in toronto and i think that the route calculations are more often than not quite accurate. There have been some instances where i know of quicker routes but hey "nobody's perfect" This is my first GPS system but i have been looking for a while and was set on the garmin v3 because it was within my price range but i'm sooooooo glad that i received this unit instead. I think it's a fantastic unit for the average driver!
User Rating:
0.5 stars
out of 10 user reviews
Canadians Do Not Buy
Pros: Turns on and Mp3s sound good
Cons: Has trouble using the Transcanada Highway
Review: When I fist bought this I thought it was the coolest thing however, once the novelty of a new gadget wore off I realized how poorly it calculated Canadian routs. For example a rout from Nova Scotia to New Brunswick can only be calculated if the ferry option in turned on. In fact according to this device the only way off of Nova Scotia is by ferry (even though it shows the Transcanada highway it will not calculate a rout using it). As far is getting to PEI it is not possible according to this device. It shows the bridge and the ferry, however will not use either. Also the mio map program ads an hour to the gps time zone that I set for some reason. Tech supports resolution to this issue was to choose a different time zone that is one hour less then mine. When I called about the inaccurate map calculations he explained to me that new maps will be coming out in April and they should be less the $100 USD and that this may fix the issue of inaccuracy. He then said "you must be in Western Canada, I've had allot of issues from there". I explained that Nova Scotia was in the East and that's were I am. This leads me to believe that this device is not accurate anywhere in Canada. I took it back and maybe I’ll buy one in April if it has the new maps but I have my doubts.
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 10 user reviews
Works fine but it's a stripped down version in Canada.
Pros: Stylish and easy to carry around.
Cons: Cannot delete individual history and city and kind of slow in getting signal
Review: I brought it for C$230 at Staples in Canada during Xmas. It has 512M memory only (not 2G) and you need to buy a 2G SD card to load the US maps. AC adaptor NOT provided and it's annoying. Battery not replacable and has 90 days warranty only. The MIO web site is extremly slow and it took a long time to download the 5M user manual.
The product is good but support and marketing are poor.
The product is good but support and marketing are poor.
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 10 user reviews
So far great!
Pros: Satellite lock-on, great maps, prompt voice commands
Cons: So far so good
Review: I purchased this unit from Staples two days ago and so far I love it. It locks onto satellites very quickly. The most time I have had to wait is about 15 seconds. I have found the maps to be extremely accurate and up-to-date so far. So far I am very happy I purchased this unit.
I haven't driven into dense downtown areas yet to see if there is a problem with satellite signal in that environment. I would definitely recommend this unit based on my expreience thus far.
I haven't driven into dense downtown areas yet to see if there is a problem with satellite signal in that environment. I would definitely recommend this unit based on my expreience thus far.
User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 10 user reviews
Much better than I expected
Pros: 3 recharger options included, car, USB and AC.
Cons: None so far.
Review: Got it for $200 at Staples (12/11/2006. At the usual price of $400 it's good, at this proice it's great. I can't say how it compares to similar devices such as Magellan, Tom Tom, etc. but I can't see how they could be any better for the price.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 10 user reviews
This is it
Pros: Fast lock, easy to read, simple to use
Cons: Paper documentation is weak
Review: If you're newish to GPS, this is the device for you. You can use it in your car, or stick it in a backpack and use it on the trail. It comes with everything needed to mount in the car, charge from AC or car lighter outlets, and computer hookup. The MP3 ability is a nice add on, can reduce the clutter if you use such devices.
It gets a very fast GPS lock (this is a big deal, some units take a minute or so to lock). The menus are super easy to read and understand, and it has one of the best displays around.
I cant find much wrong with it. It just works, and it works without a lot of fuss.
It gets a very fast GPS lock (this is a big deal, some units take a minute or so to lock). The menus are super easy to read and understand, and it has one of the best displays around.
I cant find much wrong with it. It just works, and it works without a lot of fuss.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 10 user reviews
Great little device
Pros: Extremely fast calculations; clear and loud audio; good battery life; very compact; and portable;
Cons: Brisbane maps 2 years out of date; Would not navigate to phonebook address as per instruction booklet;
Review: This little fantastic gadget is a world beater so far of its kind. The function speed for calculations and recalculation is at least 4 times faster than the TomTom I tried. The built-in battery life lets me walk for quite a long way navigating through the city or suburbs. It even has a tracking facility to record where I have been. e.g. Great for proof to the wife. (sometimes). These types of device are not a necessity but since I have planted this thing in my car and fired it up each day I have noticed I can listen to the talkback radio now and not suddenly realise I am on my way to work when its really Saturday and I was really off to the beach. I still find it hard to believe that every street in Australia is sitting inside this little box and can be found in a microparsec (that's faster than a flash). Having a street directory for each and every town is just awesome!
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 10 user reviews
I recommed it.
Pros: works straight out of box, portable, good map and direction, voice prompts
Cons: does not have updated POI.
Review: i purchased it a month ago.
Best unit for the price, never lost when travelling in toronto and GTA.
Have powerful GPS receiver works in cloudy days and even in home.
Comes with Canadian map in device and US map on DVD( Destinator V 5.7). Uses Win CE as OS.
Have 512 MB memory built in. Total space required for US and Canadian maps is about 1.3 GB.
Does not come with SD card.
Playes my MP3's.
Best unit for the price, never lost when travelling in toronto and GTA.
Have powerful GPS receiver works in cloudy days and even in home.
Comes with Canadian map in device and US map on DVD( Destinator V 5.7). Uses Win CE as OS.
Have 512 MB memory built in. Total space required for US and Canadian maps is about 1.3 GB.
Does not come with SD card.
Playes my MP3's.
User Rating:
0.5 stars
out of 10 user reviews
can't even find my own home
Pros: doesn't wash out
Cons: everything about it
Review: i thought the price, special features,and the sirf III so called strong antenna were the selling points. well they are! but the problem is that it doesn't have an updated map. so it really sucks, i can't even find my own address and it's been there forever.
so all i can say is that it really sucks.
so all i can say is that it really sucks.
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