I ordered this thing on a whim from Frys for $200 shipped and am very impressed. It was a BF deal for $150 but its still a great deal at $200. I used to use a PocketPC/Garmin device a couple years ago and this thing blows it away. Its touchscreen, intuitive, locks on quickly, seems pretty accurate, has great battery life and has a huge POI database built-in.
http://tinyurl.com/y8rwq6



Its hackable for all the techies out there (Full access to Windows CE, MP4 use, winamp etc)
http://johntam.com/tiki-index.php?page=Mio+c310x+GPS#Hack_the_Mio_c310x
Lemme know if anyone tries this

It also has a basic MP3 player which works well considering what it is...plays from a SD/MMC card.


Anyone else have one of these? Any tips or tricks?

12/28/2006 4:13:08 PM

I bought 3 of these for christmas presents and convinced gephelps to buy another 2. Staples had them on sale last week for $199 and there was a 12% off coupon on their website.

I'm really impressed with the featureset of this device. I've only played with $600+ units before and I can honestly say the Mio stands up nicely to them.

12/28/2006 4:16:35 PM

we've found 'em pretty okay - escp. w/ the price drop, I couldn't say no

http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/16/mio-c310-gps-receiver-mp3-player-reviewed/

12/28/2006 4:18:05 PM

FWIW, if anyone is interested in buying one, the older c310 is a better deal than then c310x. The only difference between the two (besides newer software and maps on the 310x) is that the 310 came with 2GB of internal memory instead of just 1 with the 310x. It's not a big deal, but if you have the option, I'd go with the older 310 and upgrade the software by hand.

12/28/2006 4:23:26 PM

I have it, also purchased from Frys, and love it.

Disappointed that it didn't come with a stylus -- even though there's a slot for one on the back of the car mount -- and an AC charger. I'm using an old Palm stylus instead. Bought some screen protectors from Wolf camera. Very happy with the car mount, has a very strong suction cup that has stayed on my windshield since I bought it.

I've tried some of the hacks, using the information here: http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=37
Once you "unlock" it, Win CE is running and it interferes with hitting the buttons at the bottom of the touchscreen because of the pop-up Windows toolbar (probably some way around it, but I haven't tried yet).

I haven't tried playing video yet.

12/28/2006 4:24:54 PM

yeah, supposedly you can hide the taskbar and set it not to autohide or whatever. I've read there are ways around it.

Fun fact: if you have a SLVR or a RAZR phone you can use the charger for that to charge your Mio. My dad's RAZR charger worked great on his Mio.

12/28/2006 4:28:00 PM

^ You may want to read: http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=75187

Some warnings about using AC chargers

12/28/2006 4:31:47 PM

Yeah, we checked the voltage on the charger first. Looks like there might be some difference between the different RAZR chargers. So mine and my dad's are compatible. But I guess you should check before using it.

12/28/2006 4:34:01 PM

I was going to get one of these, but got a USB GPS reciever for my laptop from the parents for christmas, and dear god is it awesome

12/28/2006 4:51:53 PM

There are some downsides to this thing. Without going into all of that it is well worth $200 in my opinion.

It isn't quite as small as a muvi, but for the price the muvi isn't 2 or 3 times this machine.

I'm sure a laptop and all kinds of other things may be more feature packed, but the reality is *I* won't use them.

12/28/2006 6:24:14 PM

if you try the hack and dont like it, is it easy to revert back to factory?

12/28/2006 10:00:05 PM

Everything I've read says so.

12/28/2006 10:04:36 PM

I'm a complete dumbass on this but is there a monthly charge for the "connection" Or do you just buy this and that's it for $$?

12/28/2006 10:12:34 PM

^ number two, your taxes have already paid for the service

12/28/2006 10:14:45 PM

i'm VERY interested in a reasonable GPS device since my job requires a ton of travel in the car

can anyone speak to some Garmin products? my cousin works for them and i think i can swing a discount

but this little $200 seems cool too...

hmm

12/28/2006 10:28:50 PM

does this one from frys come with the mount for the car & charger? how do you download additional maps?

12/28/2006 11:10:56 PM

comes with dashboard mount

check the links/site above for map info. i know you can get canada easily...i'm not sure what else.

12/28/2006 11:18:45 PM

what ab charger?

car charger, wall charger, any charger at all?? i looked at the info on the website & it didnt really say

does it run on batteries?

how do you store it when its not in use?

is a stylus needed to get full use out of it or can you get by without one?

[Edited on December 28, 2006 at 11:25 PM. Reason : kdjf]

12/28/2006 11:23:12 PM

comes with usb cable (sync/charger) and a car charger

Quote :

"has great battery life"

dont need a stylus, most buttons etc are pretty large.

12/28/2006 11:34:10 PM

hm, if i have a mac am i sol?

12/28/2006 11:48:09 PM

it comes preloaded with ALL of the US. Unless you want Canada or to update the maps next year there is no reason to plug it into your computer. Its ready to roll out of the box.

Circuit city has them on display if you want to eyeball one.

12/29/2006 12:52:49 AM

wow i guess ignorance is bliss. play around with a street pilot then give an opinion. the interface on it it's not that great, you can only do gps or mp3 , the maps aren't up to date at all ... for $199 it's awesome though. but i wouln'dt go far as to say it's a great overall gps.

12/29/2006 3:17:47 AM

^ Have you actually played around with the Mio c310x (and the available hacks), or are you going on what you've read?

Quote :

"the interface on it it's not that great"

I haven't found any real problems with it, once you've used it for a week or so. The location of some of the configuration screens are not as intuitive as one would like, but it just takes some getting used to.

Quote :

"you can only do gps or mp3"

Not completely true, you just cannot change tracks easily:
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=75139

Quote :

"the maps aren't up to date at all"

I haven't found a problem with the maps where I've needed them -- Raleigh, Wake Forest, Lenoir, Asheville. The only missing road I've found is the latest section of 98 bypass, which open summer '06. They will have updates:
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=71071

Quote :

"... for $199 it's awesome though. but i wouln'dt go far as to say it's a great overall gps."

Admittedly, I haven't used other units, but can't imagine other features I'd need/want (maybe bluetooth, but that's about it)

[Edited on December 29, 2006 at 10:40 AM. Reason : more]

12/29/2006 10:34:12 AM

only thing that bothers me so far is after setting a route, it takes like 3 extra taps to get it into cockpit mode where it gives you directions. youd think it would do that automatic.

12/29/2006 11:33:27 AM

? When I am in cockpit mode I just hit menu. Search for an address and then it goes back to the cockpit with the new location. I then tap near the bottom to bring up the hiding menu and then hit the route to button.

12/29/2006 11:56:28 AM

nuvi 660 is worth every penny

12/29/2006 12:13:12 PM

if you're in map mode, and you want to switch to cockpit...it takes me 3 taps to do so. is there a quicker way?

12/29/2006 1:53:46 PM

oh, I think you can hit the settings button on the side and choose cockpit, less 'clicks' I guess. Thats how I do it.

12/29/2006 2:49:02 PM

i actually play around with it on a daily basis. i work at the cary, circuit city. we've had quite a few returned. it doesn't get any better for the 149 fbf deal we had or even the 199 at staples, but as far as ease of use and everything it's definatly a step behind the garmins.

^^agreed the nuvi660 is king

12/29/2006 8:03:19 PM

hows this stack up against a tomtom one. My dad got one and i really like it, and want to buy one, but wondering the difference between them is worth the $$$

12/29/2006 8:25:46 PM

Quote :

"the nuvi660 is king"

AHAHAHA! for four times the price it god damned well better be. I fully expect it to suck me off too for that kind of cash.

I don't think anyone's trying to claim the Mio is the best unit out there. Just the best one in it's price range. (I'd even be so bold as to say it's better than most units in the next price range too). I've read many reviews that said that there are people that have returned their garmons after trying out the mio. Obviously people have their own opinions about what they like but to even compare a unit that is $800 for one that is >$200 is quite silly. I'm extremely happy with my Mio (especially when considering what I use it for and what I paid for it). Of course,

Quote :

"ignorance is bliss"

12/29/2006 9:15:25 PM

Quote :

"it comes preloaded with ALL of the US"

holler

do updates only come out on an annual basis? i'm guessing you go to the website and download when they come out?

and what is this $150 business at circuit city??

12/29/2006 10:32:31 PM

It was on special the day after Thanksgiving for $150. The week before Christmas it was on sale at Staples for $199 - 12% off and you could get CC to pricematch where they take off an additional 10% of the difference so it worked out to around $175. Still, at $200 you'd be hard pressed to find anything this feature packed. With the hacks available you can actually put TomTom software on it, but I've read that many people don't like it as much as the included software. As far as updates go, Mio is a relatively new company and hasn't released too much info as to how often or for what price new maps will be available, only that they will release updates, and they will not be free (although with the hacks, there will almost certainly be free, albeit not-so-legal, ways to get the updated maps)

12/30/2006 12:38:31 AM

awesome, great info

i'm seriously considering this purchase (and thanks for the link at the top to fry's too)

12/30/2006 1:34:19 AM

Quote :

"I was going to get one of these, but got a USB GPS reciever for my laptop from the parents for christmas, and dear god is it awesome"

that's funny i've had a USB GPS receiver for my carpc for 2+ years and I'm actually thinking of getting rid of it and using this instead, 1) the price has come down for these portable units and 2) i can take it with me when i travel (in my pocket) without having to lug around laptop and without having it fixed in my car.

[Edited on December 31, 2006 at 3:41 PM. Reason : .]

12/31/2006 3:38:17 PM

I'm pretty sure the map updates (~spring 2007) will not be free...they'll probably be around $50 (though easily obtained through other channels). I've read that they're pretty accurate as-is tho.

And I love how this thing is pocket sized with a decent battery life. Should be great for travelling and walking around. I also find I'm using the MP3 player functionality (with built in speaker) more than i thought i would.

12/31/2006 5:45:02 PM

bushnell has a device out and is offering free map upgrades as they become available

my friend has one and i checked it out this weekend, pretty nice

comes with charger for the car, mount for the windshield, all maps loaded and a carrying case

with his discount i can get it for $300.... i;m thinking that might be a better deal just because of the free map upgrades

1/1/2007 5:29:42 PM

is it this one?
http://www.gpslodge.com/archives/008812.php

its very similar to the mio. think it uses the same maps. i wonder if it does a 3D view?

1/1/2007 8:36:58 PM

no it doesnt do a 3d view (to my knowledge)

but you can change the settings to let it know if you're driving, walking or biking so if you're walking it can send you down one way streets you wouldn't be able to drive down

it also comes with a stylus

the free map thing & the discount my friend can get me makes the bushnell make the most sense

1/1/2007 9:56:46 PM

does it work off shore?

1/1/2007 10:07:19 PM

in the note of this thread
is anyone interested in buying a garmin c330
it IS capable of the 3d view
and has a sweet trip statistics screen

1/1/2007 10:08:49 PM

Quote :

"but you can change the settings to let it know if you're driving, walking or biking so if you're walking it can send you down one way streets you wouldn't be able to drive down"

you can change that on the mio too...though I don't know if there is a bike mode. there is a walking mode and a few others.

1/1/2007 10:09:26 PM

oh ok i didn't know that about the mio

1/1/2007 10:23:16 PM

Yeah, on the Mio, there's walking, biking, offroad, track mode, taxi mode (I don't see how that's different from regular car mode, but whatever) and bus mode. You can also tell it to avoid major highways (my mom liked that) and u-turns. It also does 3D mode. It doesn't come with a stylus or free map upgrades though. I don't know how many years you would have to pay for the upgrades before it became worth the extra $100, but that's your call.

1/2/2007 9:31:08 AM

does it cover off shore?


not 100 miles or anything

but can I plot and save points up to about 30 miles off shore?

1/2/2007 10:18:33 AM

I know you could get coordinates of anywhere on the planet. I don't know how the software would handle giving directions on how to get there though. There's an offroad mode for trails and whatnot, I'd imagine it would work the same way out in the ocean. Also it gets the signal from satellites and not cell towers, so it should work the same 1000 miles off shore or 10 miles.

1/2/2007 10:57:40 AM

^6

I was looking at the Garmin and it's only a few dollars more than the Mio at Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Mio-c310x-Portable-Navigation-System/dp/B000HHYEKI $294.99
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-StreetPilot-c330-Vehicle-Navigator/dp/B0007LJHVA/ $318.69
I might buy a Mio for $150, but looking at $295 vs $320 I'm thinking the Garmin is a better buy.

1/2/2007 12:16:29 PM

Yes, but if you look at the title of the thread or click on the first link, you will see that the price is not $295, but actually $198.

1/2/2007 12:20:46 PM

I don't need it to give me directions while on the water


I just need to see where I am and be able to plot points offshore

1/2/2007 1:51:07 PM

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1/2/2007 2:08:24 PM