Review: Mio Digiwalker C710 GPS device

The most obvious thing to say about Mio’s slimline Digiwalker C710 is that it is extremely portable.

Unlike many rival satellite navigation devices, the Mio Digiwalker C710 is thin, flat and not much bigger than an iPod, though it still manages to find space for a colourful 3.5in screen.

Portability might not be the biggest concern for those just using it as an in-car GPS system. But those who plan to take advantage of the Digiwalker’s extended functions or its pedestrian and bicycle modes will undoubtedly appreciate the device’s lightweight feel.

In the case of many GPS devices, extra multimedia features can feel gimmicky. Here, however, the MP3 player, photo viewer, contacts, calendar and unit converter applications all seem to make more sense – partly thanks to the unit’s eminently pocket-friendly proportions and party due to the clever way in which the extras have been integrated.

Synch your contacts with Outlook, for example, and you can plot a route directly to a friend or colleague’s address. The device’s built-in Bluetooth compatibility, meanwhile, can connect to your mobile phone so that you can use the C710 as a hands-free set once it’s mounted on your dashboard.

And with 2Gb of built-in memory and a slot for SD memory cards, the Digiwalker has plenty of room for tunes and snaps, making the multimedia aspect feel less like an afterthought.

In terms of its main function, the C710 is definitely one of the best GPS devices we’ve tested. Start up is fast and it also seems to be able to pick up satellite signals and plot routes much quicker than many of its rivals.

The Mio Map V3 software runs well, while the touch-screen operation is straightforw ard. Included in the box are European maps, along with built-in speed camera alerts, an FM radio-based traffic update system and all the cables, software, charging and mounting apparatus you’ll need.

Our only qualm is that, at £360, the C710 is quite expensive. As such, the Digiwalker is not exactly an impulse buy, but those who do a large amount of travelling will get a lot out of it.

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