Mio DigiWalker C230 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

I just got this GPS a few days ago and I am learning how to use it. I like the idea of turn by turn directions with actual street names. There is also a foot or yard measurement that is spoken to you when you get close to that next turn. The display is very good. The audio is very clear. You will have to open a couple of "windows" to adjust the audio if you do not like the default setting. The POI's are adequate. Adding "Home" and "Work" is very easy to do. Pressing the "satelite dish" icon on your map opens up a new window that displays a satellite strength meter for each received satellite and a globe showing where each received satellite is located. There are also other important "boxes" of information that can be found on this page. I have only touched on a very few things about this GPS because I am learning as I go. In my opinion, the MIO Digiwalker C230 is a very good choice for first time users like myself.

1. Very poor battery performance. 2. Very high current drain. 3. Small and nice 4. Good GPS performance, time to 1st fix is short.

Getting a good vehicle GPS for under $200 can be tough, but after shopping around online and reading several reviews, Mio appears to stand out. My own experience with the C230 is that it's extremely easy to use and serves it's purpose quite well. I'm not sure how the C230 compares to the previous model, but it has several nice features. The fact that the computer voice actually speaks the street names is a nice touch, and can be hard to find unless you buy the more expensive models with other bells and whistles. The navigation is very accurate and I haven't really had any problems. So far, it didn't recognize only a couple of side streets that lead into stores, but it has all the important streets. It will get you to your destination. The display is very clear and easy to follow. The voice is very clear, and gives you plenty of heads up when a turn or exit is coming. You would basically have to ignore the system altogether to miss your destination. To me it was not important to have MP3 capability or Bluetooth, so this unit is more than adequate.

Someone in my office bought the C230. We used it on a business trip from Harrisburg PA to Mahwah NJ. It was very accurate on roads and at finding very difficult routs. You need to READ the instructions! Download better instructions from the web site. Once it clicks in your head how it works it can't be touched for the price. I immediately logged on to Amazon and purchased one for myself. The cost makes it a no-brainer. My one daughter used it to find a high school to take her SAT's. My other daughter used it to go to a concert in Baltimore. This will cause all other makers to rethink there marketing strategy. It has no phone, blue tooth, mp3 or any other ridiculous component to justify raising the price. I never felt so relaxed while driving in areas I did not know. Not only did it tell me when to turn, it told me the street! And if your brain cramps and you miss the turn it quickly recalculates the rout to get you back on track. (doesn't even call you an idiot!) When on a highway for 50 miles, it will remind you as you get closer to the exit that the turn is coming up. Just a flat out great little GPS! Don, Harrisburg PA

It takes 2-3 min for the equipment to get updated coordinates upon start. The built-in POI database is very unpopulated, making it useless. I have tried a Garmin GPS (nüvi 200). It update coordinates quickly (as long as there is signal of course) and the POI database is amazing. Botton line is that it is preferable to expend a couple of dollars more in a Garmin GPS to have a much more useful product.

The seller was very professional and efficient. The product has arrived on time. I am also using the GPS Mio c230 in Brazil and it is being a good experience. You can buy a specific program in Brazil easily install and every thing will work as expected. In details, the sound and also the video quality is very clear. The program is easy to use and navigate. I guess it is a good deal if you do not want to expend money in an expensive one or if you do not require it that much.

Reasonable value for the price, but it does have its shortcomings. Example:Rather than stay on a particular street, directs me to take 2 turns, which puts me right back on the street. No obvious reason for this! Biggest complaint is the POOR QUALITY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. Repeated requests for a printed manual (for which I indicated I was willing to pay for!)resulted in grudging assurances BUT NO MANUAL.

I know that by current standards this GPS is ancient, but it is reliable and easy to use. Cons: no map upgrades, short battery life (must be plugged into outlet or 12v connector), sometimes creates a too-circuitous route). Pros: Gets me where I'm going. As in all GPS units, you can preview the route it creates and then edit it. I prefer this type of dedicated GPS as opposed to using a GPS-type app on my phone. USA and Canada only.