2007 SEMA - Mio DigiWalker C720T Portable GPS

Walking the long corridors and event halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center, trying to find specific booths to learn about the GPS products, it's hard to escape the irony that I'm navigating with crumpled paper maps. Among the products that have stood out to me is the new Mio DigiWalker C720t ($599). Introduced in September, after our last group portable GPS navigation test, this Mio device includes real-time traffic updates; text-to-speech driving instructions; enhanced Bluetooth capabilities that allow hands-free calling with a variety of Bluetooth-equipped cell phones; and an "industry-leading" 12 million points of interest (POIs) in its memory. (I've not had a chance to count them to verify this claim.)

The really interesting feature, though, is an integrated two-megapixel camera that can be used to chronicle your travels. The GPS-enabled camera can "geotag" photographs by including location coordinates, allowing you to later navigate back to these "PhotoPOIs." (We have tested unit that also had this feature, the Navman iCN 700.) They can also be e-mailed to friends and family members who can use the coordinates to find  other GPS devices. This opens up intriguing possibilities for recording a vacation, trip planning, and even scavenger hunts akin to geocaching. Even without shooting photos, images from Flickr and Google Earth can be used to customize the POI database. In total this phenomenon of connecting images to locations is huge, with more than 2 million photos geotagged this month at Flickr.

On a more practical note, business card recognition software allows you to automatically input data into your contacts list by simply taking a photo of a card. This is a feature I could get a lot of use out of this week in Vegas.

--Bob Huerster

Discuss portable GPS navigation systems in the Cars forums.

Comments

[Alan Merklein]

Which GPS is the best one?

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

That is a moving target! Right now, Garmin and TomTom generally score well, though there are new companies and models being introduced each month. See our full GPS portable navigation section for ratings and first looks on the latest units. From the ratings pages (available to online subscribers), there are complete product pages for each tested model, with further test insights and user reviews.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/portable-gps-navigation-systems/gps-sub/gps.htm

[Phil Weeks]

I have a mio Digiwalker C310X, it does everything it is supposed to, navigate, POI's, speed cameras, home and work button, etc. The thing that really sold me on it is that it is based on the Windows platform. Meaning it is hackable and I added a video player (great picture) to it, so when I'm not using it for directions, It can entertain me or the grandkids with a movie!

[Carol Griffin]

does the gio work conveniently in an automobile?

[David Kunkel]

I bought a Mio Digiwalker 520 and although it's a beautiful unit it has some flaws. The biggest flaw was with the map data. When I looked for a Hyatt hotel in Buffalo, the POI data was correct, pointing to 2 Fountain Plaza in downtown. But when I used that to get driving directions, I found it was sending me to 2 Fountain Court in the Town of Tonawanda, six miles away. I tried two other GPS units from different makers; one offered the same innacurate directions, the other had correct data. I recommend that people check out some points of interest around their town for accuracy or look for a live update feature.

[Donald Whitman]

I have a MioDigiWalker C220. the map is accurate, but am getting inaccurate voice instructions. With a right turn pending the voice will say prepare to turn left in 1/2 mile, then take next right when you arrive at the intersection. I ignore the voice and rely on the map.

[Andrew]

I have a c320 and I love it. No tts on this cheaper model, but the unit is solid. I suggest going with the mio 520 with TTS, lots of poi.

[Jerry Steinfeld]

I recently purchased a a Mio 520 and have already returned it. It was pathetic. I has many features but the main one routing is so poor, you can get lost using it. Routes take you way out of the way. The recalculating is gross. When passing a point it tells you constantly to turn back to where the original was suggested. I am glad to get rid of it. Save your money and by all means test out the unit before you buy it. I wasn't that smart. I bought it because of various reviews.

[tony torres]

I agree with the other comments about the MIO Digi Walk C220. Mine shut down in the middle of a prompt and I have not beenable to gt it to come on since. I was tring to delete one route on the history and to my suprise it delets all. You cant name each of the routes individually. Mio c220 has trouble with reroughting to the next freeways.

[Rick Lapointe]

I have a MIOC720 and am very impressed with this technology. It automatically corrected itself when I purposely took the wrong turns. It has the proper POI's for the remote area I come from. Central Alberta, Canada, and 100 miles from the nearest city! The only place I can fasten it is the front windshield below my mirror though.

[Tony Harris]

I have the mio c520 and i have only had it for a few weeks. I have not had any problems with it yet and hope not to. I love the extras on my mio. The extras are not on my friends gps' either (could be because they just got cheap ones). I can put video, music, pictures, i can use bluetooth from my phone and talk and hear out of the mio. I also like that i can make my own poi's which is very nice. I don't know if other gps' tell you the poi's telephone number but my mio does. If i am on my way to Mexican grille i can call via bluetooth and set up dinner reservation with the grille then contact my girlfriend and let her know what time. I have noticed that a few times mio has told me to take a longer route. After trying the longer route it did turn out to be faster (dont know why haha). Overall i am very happy with my mio and have suggested it to many friends and family.

[Janet Hong]

We just purchased a mio C220. For those of us who are technically challenged, this unit is a nightmare. The instructions that came with the unit are absolutely terrible. We have been playing with this thing for a week now and cannot get it funcional to our satisfaction. Believe me, what we have figured out was certainly not by the instructions that came with the unit. Unfortunatly, we have misplaced the receipt or it would be going back TODAY!! It may be a good unit but without proper instructions, it's worthless.!!

[Doris Fodge]

TO: Consumer Reports Staff

Geocaching is becoming a very popular pasttime for individuals and families. Please investigate and report on the small handheld GSPs becoming available. I understand they can cost as little as $50 on sale. Thanks.