Which is the best Mio 168 based GPS bundle ?

migs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 09, 2004 Posts: 5

Hi -

I am due to purchase a Mio 168 based GPS for our new car. I have managed to narrow down my choices to the following three bundles:

1) Mio 168 + TomTom Navigator 3 GB + 128MB SD Card = £374.95 incl. VAT
http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/viewprod.php?product_id=761

2) Navman PiN Pocket PC + GPS = £384.95 incl. VAT
[Note: comes with 128MB SD card with applications only preinstalled, so only need to download relevant maps.]
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=113072

3) Mitac Mio DigiWalker 168 with integrated GPS = £449.99 incl. VAT
[Note: Includes 128MB module while Stocks last.]
http://www.lowestonweb.com/products/displayInfoMain.asp?e=A689B78A-BE83-45BD-9ACA-F562423B6912

Question: Which is the best option?

I am tempted to go with option no. 2 as the maps offer European coverage, not that I intend to use it in the near future. My only worry is:
Is the Navman SmartST™ V2 software better than TomTom for UK, as we'll be using GPS on day-to-day basis to commute to work.

Option 3 is slightly expensive for me. However, if Co-pilot offers superior navigation, I will consider investing.

Finally, I also wish to install the GPS speed camera warning system from http://www.trafcam.com/. Will the option 2) work effectively with this ? There seems to be an integrated offering for TomTom, which makes me begin to lean towards option 1).

Would be grateful if you could advise and recommend the best system to go for.

Thanks and regards
migs

Tim Buxton · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:10 pm Post subject:

Currently, SmartST doesn't work with any third party add-ons.
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Tim

Darren · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:34 pm Post subject:

Personally of the three I prefer TomTom, it offers full support for custom POI's inclusing www.digitools.co.uk fantastic UKPostCode plug-in and you can use our safety camera database (why use Trafcam?).

Navman has no support for custom POI's which includes our camera database. CoPilot does have a facility and we have worked with them to incorporate our database although it's not as straightforward and there is no support for other custom POIs.

Although I see no need to use Trafcam, again it will only work with TomTom who are currently the only manufacturer who has the foresight to offer an SDK for developers to write these plug-ins.

So in order of my personal preference it would be:

TomTom
CoPilot
Navman

Incidentally I have just finished the Mio168/CoPilot review which will be available in a day or so.
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Darren Griffin

icsys · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:40 pm Post subject:

I always believed these forums were TomTom biased... Sad

But in fairness TomTom software has the edge. Smile

_________________
Ian.
iPAQ 2210 | Navman 4100 BT Receiver
Navman iCN 635
TomTom GO
Anquet OS mapping

Darren · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 8:55 pm Post subject:

I know, everytime I'm asked I think the same thing. But the truth is I've had long term use of every current app and I still come back to TomTom.

It has it's problems but on balance it's the best and the user base backs that up. I'll be the first to suport a competitor that can hold it's own, It's in all our interests that TomTom don't dominate for too long as it can only stifle innovation but for now it's TomTom maybe until CoPilot v5 at least Wink

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Darren Griffin

icsys · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 9:09 pm Post subject:

To be fair, I nearly bougth TomTom. I only bought Navman because at the time I was looking to buy, STv2 had just been released so when I saw 3D mapping, full euro maps and thinking they were still Navteq, I chose Navman.

I only found out afterwards that TomTom had the add-ons and Navman had switched to TeleAtlas.

Still, it works well considering, and I'm sure things will improve with future releases. 8)
_________________
Ian.
iPAQ 2210 | Navman 4100 BT Receiver
Navman iCN 635
TomTom GO
Anquet OS mapping

migs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 09, 2004 Posts: 5

Thanks for your helpful advise guys.

I am going to go for Mio 168 + TomTom Navigator 3 GB + 128MB SD Card :-)

regards
migs

DavidW · Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 8:10 pm Post subject:

I'd go for a bigger SD card - I don't think you can get the full Great_Britain Navigator 3 map and UK Postcode on a 128MB SD card. If you can, there's no room for anything else.

256MB SD cards of a decent manufacturer are not that expensive now.

David

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