|
I understand that for all GPS units, the map updates are usually 1 year behind. Mio Digiwalker C520 Portable - Good on features, Poor SupportI purchased this exact model from ShopNBC a few years ago because of the advertised advanced navigation features, a large screen features and the ability to synchronize my Microsoft Outlook contacts with the unit.The synchronization created multiple contacts (2x, 3x, 4x, etc). I have multiple other products that synchronizing perfectly with my outlook and this is the only unit that has this issue. I have been using my SmartPhone to synchronize with Microsoft Outlook contacts.The map directions were very outdated and the unit often gave incorrect directions that sent you out of your way.even down a one-way street. Currently looking at the Garmin nuvi 265WT 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Integrated Traffic Receiver. Called support and they gave me the run around from incorrect software version to bad cable.
Please Google Mio 520 and read all of the issues (inclusive of customer support) before purchasing this model or from this company. on each synch despite the settings. However, MIO wants you to purchase an outdated update that is about 3 years behind because this updates are no longer being produced for this model. They even wanted to remove my Microsoft Office 2007 and install Office 2000, which is the unit's supported version. Declined that I rather live with the prospect of not doing any future Microsoft Outlook synchronization with this unit. Also, if you are purchasing one of the newer models from this company, please check ensure that they have updates available before purchasing.I have gotten so frustrated with my Mio 520 that I am shipping this piece of junk back to Mio.
The reviews have been excellent.PROS: FeaturesCONSReliabilityMap updates lackingExtremely poor Support
If I were you I would stay away from MIO until they can get better customer service. The last two calls I made I was told they are forwarding my request to management.
First of all I was very surprised to find the 'Update' on the disk has 2007 maps on it even thought we are in 2009. Not 1 road changed in this software that I have seen yet.
This was an OK unit until I updated the map and firmware from a disk I purchased from MIO. So I am supposed to pay for their bad programming.I don't think so.
The other major problem that started happening is the unit now reboots whenever it feels like it. I have spoken 3 times with customer service and all I get is "Send it in for $80 to have it fixed".
Well they told me that 3 weeks ago, and I never got a returned call. I know my next GPS will probably be a Garmin, I hear there Customer Service is good.
They replaced System Board and sent it back to me. The produce was received as defect, but passed the return period as they only give 7 days, and I didn't get to use it about 1 week later. Also, I tried to call and e-mail the seller, but the office was closed for about one week, by the time I contacted them, it's already pass the return period, so I had to send back to Mio for repair. Don't feel conformable about this seller nor the produce. Don't recommended.
In addition to being able to see where the car is heading, you can choose as an option to have the next 5 turns show up on the right side of the screen. I can go through my gps and get a history of my phone calls and call from the gps too. What I really really love about this gps is that it gets a gps signal almost instantly. I just bought the 2 gb sd card, and have put some pics, and some music on it as it is also an mp3 player with a file organizer function, and it also has a currency, metric calculator and converter also. I still have my Spint gps on my dinky little Samsung M500, but my eyesight was seriously challenged at trying to read all the streets in that tiny phone gps (although I still think the Sprint telenav gps is fabulous in many ways), so I bought this MIO C520 portable gps and I love it. I have been using gps for the past 2 years and I can say it has transformed my life.
Being new in this city is tough, but when a gps will help you get to all sorts of places, hey, it is great. I use the gps every day - sometimes just to see if there is a shorter way, or a more scenic route to something. I just bought this about 2 weeks ago and I am absolutely pleased by its split screen view and its almost instantaneous gps positional locater. Anyway, I love this gps because it locates the gps signal so quickly, has the 5 next turns on a split screen, and even comes with a lot of extra freebies such as the blue tooth, mp3 player, picture viewer, calculator and currency/metric converter. Then it has this bluetooth so my phone and gps are one. Then it has it so that you can sync Microsoft outlook contacts so you can add all your contacts. I highly recommend this to someone willing to sit down and read the manual because there so many gps options you can do.
I bought it for the next 5 turns listed, and it is fabulous just for that, because if you are a timid sort of driver like me that takes almost a mile to switch lanes, then knowing which way to turn (5 turns ahead of time) is awesome. This was the main reason I bought this delightful gps. Just turn it on and within seconds, the gps signal is located. There are so many options that you can choose on this machine that it may take almost 2 pages just to go over all the options, but the main reason is for the gps split screen with its choice of Points of interest, full info, or THE NEXT 5 TURNS listed. I have also set the voice volume to very loud so you can hear it through anything - even my very loud Bose speakers playing cds in the car. I can just touch the satellite function, and see how many satellites are being used to get an idea how accurate the position is.Then it has this tracking function so that after you have done a trip, you can go over it and check out your route. This is a wonderful advanced gps for the person who has used gps a lot and wants a lot more of the advanced features in addition to its lightning quick reception and split screen 5 turn by turns.
All I get is "GPS signal lost" and/or "Route recalculation". For example it has a audio out jack which is one of the main reasons I bought it, however the audio out jack is 2.5mm and you will need an adapter to hook it up to your car's stereo or your headphone. I've used this device 3 times in different parts if downtown Los Angeles and it's basically useless there. I've owned this unit for over 6 months and here's my 2 cents.The routing of this unit is terrible. There are also a few good skins available with games and other software. It calls all the freeways by their names whereas all the freeways here are identified by numbers not names on their signs.The text to speech is ok but at times it's not pronounced clearly or doesn't make sense, for example instead of "La Puente" it says " Louisiana Point" This device has a lot of features but not much thought has gone into making them useful.
There has been many times when it says to turn right in 50 yards when doing 65mph in highway or or on a street where there's no street to turn to.The prompts it gives are too long and very irritating specially on on/off ramps.
I have also gotten lost a few times so far with this unit.
Another good feature this device has is an MP3 player but its player has no playlist ability.
It gives weird and longer routs most of the times no matter what you select in the settings.
So far I've bought 2 adapters for this and can't get stereo sound.
One time it took me to a cement factory and was saying to go through it.
Another time it was giving instructions to go through a residential house.
The bluetooth works fine except the volume is so low while driving it's basically useless (I drive a fairly quiet car).One good feature this has is good POI database and ability to search by name.
Overall though I regret buying this device.
|
