Mio C320 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this for $150 on black friday. while it does have a few minor faults, for the money it is probably the best GPS out there. the main thing this unit has going for it is how customaziable it is. in the past month, i have changed the following on my unit:
- added text to speech ( a feature normally found on the more expensive 520 version)
- added newer maps with 6 million POI (again, found on the more expensive unit vs. the 1.5 million found out of the box)
- edited the skin of the navigations screen and changed/removed buttons for ease of use
these and other features, such as an optional video player, and many other custom features, can easily be found on google and several gps forums.
obviously, customzing the unit to this extent is not for everyone, and if you are not technically inclined, you might not get the full value out of your c320. however, if you have a decent grasp of computers and software in general , you should take advantage of this great gps - great out of the box, EVEN better once you get to work with it for a few weeks.
--
Update: 5/29
Ok so it's been about 6 months since I got this GPS. In that time, I've downloaded newer maps (now have 12 million POI's), downloaded a custom skin that adds a ton of usability features (easy access to applications like word doc, video player, etc) as well as improving the overall looks, and done some fine tweaking on the settings to improve the TTS. (The applications can only be accessed through a hack, by the way).
However, in adding all these features (most of these were intended for the more expensive C520), my GPS unit started to operate alot more sluggishly. The map would take a few seconds to update after turns, which was unacceptable. There was a noticeable lag between button presses and responses. Like I said, this was probably because all these added features were never meant to be run on the processor of the C320.
I wound up removing all the extra features I added, but I still have text to speech and the newer maps. I also defragged the drive , which helped alot. The lag is very minor but still noticeable. I'd still recommend this unit if you can get it for cheap, as it's better than almost any other sub $150 unit out there.

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Travel in style with the Mio DigiWalker™ C320. Great for business travel or your next family vacation, the Mio DigiWalker™ C320 is the perfect travel companion. A stylish, portable device combining GPS based personal navigation with a full featured MP3 audio player, the C320 makes it easy to get where you’re going and makes sure you’re looking good along the way. The most striking feature of the C320 is the widescreen display with its unique splitscreen interface. Designed to deliver every bit of information you need as you travel, you can easily keep an eye on upcoming turns, selected Point of Interest categories, or detailed trip information as you travel. Navigation has never looked this good.To make sure that you’re up and running right away, the C320 comes preloaded with maps of the entire U.S. as well as over 1.7 million Point of Interest locations. This robust map data will make it easy to navigate to virtually any restaurant, gas station, hotel or nightspot you may be looking for. Family vacations, business travel or simple day trips are more enjoyable than ever with the C320.Every adventure needs a soundtrack and the C320 includes a full featured MP3 player to make sure that you’re in tune while you’re in motion. For the ultimate audio experience, the C320’s MP3 player boasts a number of custom EQ settings, a built in speaker and a 2.5mm headphone jack. And finally, the Mio DigiWalker™ C320 also features an integrated SD memory card slot so it’s easy to carry your entire music collection with you.

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TomTom ONE Carry Case and Strap Review

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(More customer reviews)This case is minimalistic -- yes, size is a nice fit, but it's a lot softer case than you'd expect -- and bullet-proof nylon is better protection given the sensitive touch screen. This also gets weaker over time -- and gets more and more flimsy -- there's just not much to it, other than size. I recommend "The Sherpa" Swissgear, Medium Camera Case by WENGER -- didn't see it on Amazon's site (and they carry a bunch of WENGER products), but they should get it -- it's great for cameras as well, but is perfect for my Tom Tom ONE 3rd Gen -- and isn't flush against the inside edges on the sides, like most -- and doesn't shift at all. I paid $13.99 locally for it and tested about 20 bags/cases in the store until settling on that one. The best case for these is one with hard case and soft, cushion for face -- even one where the face never touched a surface would be perfect -- and for $25 (list price for this unit), you'd think TomTom would do it right. If they put time and effort into this design, I'd spend $30 or more. Also, the Sherpa has a nice belt strap that some people mentioned was a plus.
Hope that's helpful. I think I've spent about 10 hours or more testing Garmin, TomTom's, etc. -- and definitely don't want to risk damage to your unit.
Please note that my goal for the case is to take it with me on trips -- not carry it day to day, from car to car, so that may influence your decision.

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The TomTom ONE Portable GPS Vehicle Navigation System is nothing if not versatile, and because it's designed for you to use while you're on the go, the TomTom ONE Carry Case and Strap is probably the most important accessory you can have. Made of strong, durable material, the case takes your mind off your ONE Navigational System when you are not using it so that you can focus on other important matters. It also helps keep your system close at hand; the case makes your system accessible so that you can easily plan a route while you're outside your vehicle.

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Garmin StreetPilot i5 1.7-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)November 2005: I already own several GPS units.
After getting into an argument with a novice who bought a Garmin "i3" and loves it, I bought a Garmin "i5" so that I could prove him wrong. A GPS unit this inexpensive just can't be that good. Boy was I wrong.
I picked the Garmin "i5" instead of the "i3" because my computer doesn't have a DVD drive for downloading maps.
The first area I was critical about was the thumbwheel with the two button (enter and back) solution. After a few hours I found I could enter data faster using the thumbwheel than using a touch screen.
The "i5" is small enough to hold in the palm of my hand, eliminating vehicle bounce, scroll the thumbwheel, and then press the thumbwheel to enter the desired letter or number.
Entering an address often requires only a few thumbwheel presses. First the state/province is entered, eliminating 98% of all the addresses in North America.
Garmin then guides you through a list of city and street names. Often the number of thumbwheel presses is shortened by selecting from a list of possible matches using the back button. Garmin did a great job in this area.
Next is the screen size. The advertising on Garmin's website shows screens with jagged lines. But the actual screen, although smaller is also clearer than most PNDs (personal navigation devices). I suppose this is because the pixels are closer together.
Next is signal strength. I put the "i5" inside my dashboard near the speedometer so that thieves wouldn't easily see it. It still worked great. It occasionally lost the signal but so did my more expensive PND which was windshield mounted.
Next is the instruction manual. You don't need it. Unlike the Magellan RoadMates, where the large buttons do nothing half the time and I don't know which to push the other half, the back button and the thumbwheel always do something and the screen always prompts you.
Next is routing. Don't expect the "i5" to find the best route to get from point A to point B. None of the PNDs do that and the less expensive ones usually chose the first successful route. But it will get you to point B and quickly recalculate a new route if you drive off route. Often the routes it chose were identical to my more expensive PND.
POIs (points of interest). Where POIs are useful is when you know there's a store nearby but you don't know the adddress. The "i5" will show you a list of stores and route you to one if desired. Once I drove around for 30 minutes looking for a small store without the use of the "i5". Finally out of frustration I used the "i5" to route me straight to the location and still couldn't see the store. After walking around for about a minute I found that the store was hidden behind a larger store.
My only suggestion is that I wish the "i5" had talking street names.
I bought this unit to see how well it worked and planned to return it. But I think I'll give it to my wife instead. She's always getting lost on long trips and the "i5" makes a nice low cost second PND.
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January 2006: I gave the "i5" to my wife and at first she was not impressed. I think she'd rather have jewelry.
But she liked the thumbwheel because it didn't interfer with her finger nails.
This morning she took a long trip and as usual called me. But instead of saying that she was lost, she said she got to her destination without any problems and stress free. Usually she's yapping away with her mother and misses a critical turn.
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December 2006: The original review claimed the "i5" used the SiRF receiver, but I cannot verify this. My apologies.
I continue to be amazed by the simplicity of the two button solution and the bright screen. In my opinion you won't find a better new PND for less money.
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May 2007: The "i5" has been discontinued. It is being replaced by the Nuvi 200, which has a bright touch screen and rechargeable battery.
Thanks everyone for reading this review and clicking on whether it was helpful, whether Yes or No.

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The Garmin StreetPilot i5 Automotive GPS Navigator is preloaded with detailed maps of North America and is ready to use right out-of-the-box. Another great addition to the StreetPilot i-series, the StreetPilot i5 is a compact, inexpensive automotive GPS navigator that helps you get where you want to go while making driving fun.
About the size of a baseball and priced to keep your pocketbook happy, the StreetPilot i5 is perfect for commuters, college students, and corporate travelers who are looking to experience the ease and enjoyment of GPS satellite navigation. Don't let its small stature fool you, though. Although it only weighs in at 5.3 ounces, the i5 has many of the same powerful capabilities as other premium Garmin automotive GPS navigators.
The i5 features a unique and convenient click-to-enter scroll wheel and a Back button, which makes it easy to select a destination from the unit's menu-driven interface. This unit includes three-dimensional map graphics and provides voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions through a built-in speaker. Toss your navigation worries out the window, because the i5 will automatically put you back on course if you miss a turn, and a detour function enables routing around traffic problems or road construction. Plus, if want to stay off the highways and blaze a scenic trail, the i5 lets you prioritize your choice of back roads or major highways. It is handy in any situation. and you can easily move the unit from vehicle to vehicle with the integrated suction-cup mount.
The i5 comes preloaded with detailed maps of City Navigator North America NT. These maps feature full coverage of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico--including nearly six million points of interest (POIs) such as gas stations, ATMs, hotels, restaurants, and other attractions. You can plot up to 500 waypoints with names and an array of graphic symbols for customized, detailed navigation. This unit also comes with removable TransFlash data storage capability and is easy to connect to your PC through the USB interface.As an added benefit, you can even import customized points of interest with the help of Garmin's free POI Loader software. The sky's the limit with this software--you can even upload safety cameras or school zones to receive warnings if you are traveling too fast in these high-risk areas. In addition, an optional proximity-alert feature notifies you of your upcoming custom POIs.
With a 32k-color, sunlight-readable TFT display with backlight, the i5 is easy to read in almost any light conditions. Motorists can choose from either a three-dimensional mapping perspective or the standard overhead bird's-eye view. For added convenience, drivers can power the unit with either two AA batteries (up to six hours of typical use) or the included 12-volt adapter cable.
What's in the Box StreetPilot i5, Americas Lite Routable basemap, City Navigator North America NT (preprogrammed), PC/USB cable, 12-volt adapter cable, vehicle suction-cup mount, dashboard adhesive disk, USB drivers CD, and quick reference guide.

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Gilsson 110V-240V AC Charger Adapter Garmin Nuvi 650 660 750 755 760 765 775 780 885 855 850 Zumo StreetPilot C550 C580 Review

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(More customer reviews)It is not clear, either from the Amazon listing, or from the non-existent instructions included with this item, that the Garmin has to be connected to the CRADLE in order to charge. When I saw that the connections were incompatible I got angry and arranged to return this charger to Amazon. But, when I calmed down, I went to my car and removed the cradle and the charger works perfectly. This whole episode could have been avoided with proper WRITTEN instructions (which did not come with the charger, and/or a specific statement in the product listing). Anyway you look at it, this is just poor communication.

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Garmin Nuvi 600 610 650 660 670 680 710 750 760 770 850 880 5000, SP C510 C530 C550 C580 Zumo 450 550 18-pin 110-240V AC Wall Charger Adapter Cable - Comparable to Garmin 010-10723-00

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Lowepro 4.3-Inch Navi Sleeve GPS Carrying Case (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Like Sara Hackett (please see her review below), I have an InCase Slider protecting my iPhone 3Gs, and I often carry my iPhone in a bag which has a lot of stuff jumbled together which could conceivably damage the iPhone's screen (like pens). I also tend to be rough on things. So, after I bought my iPhone, I was in the market for a pouch or sleeve which would provide additional protection to my iPhone when I wasn't using it, above and beyond the protection offered by the Slider case (which I always keep on my iPhone).
I soon found that it wasn't easy to find a carrying case which comfortably fits an iPhone when it is encased in an InCase Slider. For whatever reason, most iPhone pouches, sleeves, and carrying cases are designed to be just big enough to only accommodate a naked iPhone, but not roomy enough to fit an iPhone with a Slider on. So, after much searching, I was very happy to come across the Lowepro 4.3 inch Navi sleeve GPS carrying case, and to discover that it is perfect for this purpose! I bought one yesterday and am happy with it so far.

My iPhone fits perfectly in the Lowepro 4.3 inch Navi sleeve GPS carrying case when I have the InCase Slider on. The carrying case feels pretty durable and protective. I recommend it for this purpose.

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The 4.3 Navi Sleeve from Lowepro offers a minimal, yet highly protective approach to protecting a GPS device. It\'s made of stretchy neoprene and reinforced inside both panels to provide extra protection from impact. Lowepro added a built-in microfiber cloth to protect and polish the delicate touchscreen, as well as soft, brushed tricot lining to safeguard the device from dust, scratches and abrasion. Dual, wrap-around zippers allow access to a GPS device from the top or bottom, plus make it easy to re-charge while it\'s in the sleeve. Designed with an ultra-compact profile, the 4.3 Navi Sleeve neatly fits inside a glove compartment or center console of a vehicle.

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Garmin External Microphone (010-10804-00) Review

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(More customer reviews)Works as it should. No noise cancellation means it can get a little noisy but it's better than my phone's speakerphone option. Personally I find the nuvi's built-in mic too lousy to use, as all my callers will complain that they can't hear me. I also left myself messages in my voicemail to test the quality and my conclusion is that the External Microphone offers the best quality vs using my phone's or the Nuvi's built-in mic.
Also comes with two mounting options - a non-adhesive one that will clip to your visor, and another with an adhesive mounting strip which you can stick to the side pillar or somewhere close to your mouth. :)
Hope this helps!

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The Garmin 010-10804-00 External Microphone for the StreetPilot C550 is for use with your StreetPilot C550.

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Garmin Handlebar mount Review

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(More customer reviews)We had it on my husbands dirt bike a little over a day, when he somehow bumped it with his leg and it cracked in half. (I seem to recall something about "I was falling and I went to save myself .... LOL) I've got it on my quad and it's great!!!! Holds tight and I've not had any problems. I just ordered another one for his bike ... I have faith it was just a fluke (Of course ... since he never rides extreem rides and he never falls LOL) and hope his next one holds up better (thinking I should have ordered a case?!?!?) :)

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Garmin Handlebar Mount Bracket 010-10351-00 696

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Magellan RoadMate 1220 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Competition is good and I am happy to see another respectful contender in the GPS navigation arena. But competition is competition, so for the purpose of this review I have borrowed my wife's Garmin Nuvi and ignoring other drivers raced eyebrows, drove around for several weeks with two GPS navigators.
First, what I really like about RoadMate:
- it is small and slick and fits into my shirt pocket
- it has three hours of battery life
- it has fast and very well organized user interface
- its address input feature is just great; in general I am able to enter a destination address in RoadMate two times faster than in Garmin.
- RoadMate shows exit services and has lot of useful location-sensitive information only a touch away
- it has a pretty loud speaker
- it finds satellites faster than Garmin and loses them less frequently
- when building the route, it allows you to select several travel options for that route (fastest, shortest, most highways)
- it understand multiple intermediate points and optimize the route among them
Now, things I am not particularly fond of:
- the screen is two times dimmer than Garmin's screen, but still perfectly usable
- it takes RoadMate 35 seconds to start up (Garmin's startup time is 20 secs)
- it never bother informing the driver when it lost satellite reception, conveniently freezing the display with no further directions
- it never informs the driver about missing a turn, recalculating the route in silence (now I appreciate Garmin's "recalculating" message)
- the map has bugs and is not yet upgradeable (I hope this is temporary)
- no maps for countries other than USA and Mexico are available (I hope this is temporary too)
- the so called 3D map is hardly 3D and has limited zoom capabilities
- the text to speech system suffers from chronic tonsillitis and is sometimes difficult to understand
Now for real problems:
It is sad when an almost perfect design is nearly destroyed by two drawbacks. Each problem may be relatively minor, but their combined effect is disastrous.
The first small, annoying bug: when the unit zooms into the map at an intersection, it never returns back to the original zoom. This means that after the first turn you get maximum zoom and unless you adjust it manually while driving, you have no clue as to what lies ahead.
This problem alone could be OK if not for numerous bugs in voice prompts. This is the part where improvements are overdue.
RoadMate voice guidelines software is way behind the competition. It may tell you to "stay on the current road" several times and then suddenly tell you to take exit. It may bother you with multiple advices to "stay on the current road" without any visible reason. At the fork it may or may not tell you whether to keep left or right. It may prompt you to take a "slight turn" just because road bends but sometimes it really means a turn. Even worse - if right exit happens to bend to the left, the unit sometimes tells you to take a "slight left turn".
To be frank, voice prompts are usually correct, but bugs mentioned above are too often. In the end I just want to see the next turn at the unit's screen.
It all boils down to the simple question - would you turn your attention to the road and rely on buggy instructions or start adjusting zoom level at 3.5 inch GPS screen?
In comparison, Garmin unfailingly starts prompting you for any turn enough in advance to let you make any necessary changes, and keeps reminding you of the turn. It almost never makes mistakes in voice instructions. It always tells you whether to keep left or right. Also, Garmin always zooms out to show the next turn (unless the next turn is a few hundred miles away).
Well, RoadMate is not a terrible GPS system, but in light of other choices, I would not necessarily recommend this one.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magellan RoadMate 1220 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

The Magellan RoadMate 1220 device boasts the acclaimed OneTouch menu, a 3.5-inch color touch screen, and a pocket-size design. Preloaded maps and points of interest for the contiguous 48 United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico make the RoadMate 1220 ideal for around town and vacations. Easy-to-use features give you confidence on the road and deliver a rewarding navigation experience. Turn it on and go!

The Magellan RoadMate 1220 includes many premier features, starting with Magellan's exclusive OneTouch favorites menu, QuickSpell with SmartCity search, and highway exit point of interest (POI) search, to name a few. Magellan's attention to detail delivers a superior user experience.
Intuitive and robust navigation The RoadMate 1220 lets you bookmark your favorite destinations and searches with the OneTouch favorites menu so you can access them anywhere you travel. With a single touch, find your favorite cafe or restaurant when you're traveling within any city.
QuickSpell with Smart City search help you quickly enter addresses and narrow your address and city searches, making destination entry easy.
Multi-destination routing with route optimization lets you plan your trip with multiple stops in the order you want or optimize a trip for the most efficient route, helping you save time and money.
Safety first on the road You can keep your eyes on the road as you drive because spoken street name guidance announces the street name along with audible turning cues.
Ready to roll You're ready to travel with preloaded maps and points of interest for the United States and Puerto Rico that make the Magellan RoadMate 1220 ideal for both business trips and vacations.
With millions of points of interest at your command you can easily locate gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, coffee shops, and much more.
When you're traveling down the Interstate and need to find gas, food, or lodging in a hurry, touch the highway exit POI icon to see which upcoming highway exits have the services you need.
Do you often find yourself tied up in traffic? The RoadMate 1220 is Traffic Link compatible, offering live onscreen traffic-incident reports. (The Traffic Link accessory is sold separately).
Turn it on and go! The Magellan RoadMate 1220 is loaded with premier features you'll need to get you where you want to go.

Magellan RoadMate 1220 Features
OneTouch favorites menu affords instant access to your personalized bookmarks of favorite places and searches anywhere you travel. With a single touch, find your favorite cafe or restaurant when you're traveling within any city.
3.5-inch color touch screen provides powerful navigation that's easy to view and use.
Spoken street names and directions so you can hear and see where you need to turn next.
QuickSpell with SmartCity search narrows your address and city searches, making destination entry easy.
Multi-destination routing with route optimization lets you plan your trip with multiple stops in the order you want or optimize a trip for the most efficient route, saving you time and money.
Preloaded maps give you information and directions as you travel the United States and Puerto Rico.
Millions of points of interest (POIs) help you easily find gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, coffee shops, and much more.
Highway exit POIs search shows you gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and more near upcoming highway exits.
Branded POIs display your favorite coffee shops, restaurants, and more by their respective logos.
Traffic Link provides live, onscreen traffic notification updates. (This accessory is sold separately).
Customizable route method lets you select the shortest distance, fastest time, most use of freeways, or least use of freeways to customize your route.
Address book enables you to create and store contact information.
Auto night view adjusts your screen's color and contrast for easy night viewing.
Automatic re-route lets you quickly get back on track in case you missed a turn.
Plan route on map by simply touching a destination on the map screen and then directly routing to it.
Rechargeable battery gives you the freedom to drive wireless or plan your trip when your vehicle's engine is turned off.

What's in the Box RoadMate 1220 GPS receiver, Pre-loaded maps of the contiguous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, Windshield mount, Adhesive disc for dash mounting, Vehicle power adapter, User handbook

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