C510/C710 discontinued?

Retty · Frequent Visitor Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 336

I see from the usual suspect websites that the C710 is no longer available for purchase - apparently it's been discontinued. A short life.

The successor seems to be the C520t - a nice looking unit with Miomap version 3.3 and TMC for only a little more than the C710. It's going to be available from May.

What is Mitac's record for supporting legacy devices with software updates?

GPS_fan · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:49 am Post subject:

It would be interesting to see if v3.3 becomes available as an update.

As far as I recall, Mio discontinued the C210 almost as soon as the C250 was launched and, by all accounts, the C210 is still supported for updates.

It therefore appears to be a large number of GPS user who'll be affected if they stop supporting these models, because there will be users of:

C210, C250, C510, C710

and not only in the UK but right across Europe - a LOT of otherwise mainly satisfied customers to make unhappy.

Also, previous point step upgrades (ie 3.1 to 3.2) have been supported on these models.

Sallyann · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 23, 2006 Posts: 768

It's just the normal progress of technology. If your GPS does what you want now, it will continue to do so.

Sal

Retty · Frequent Visitor Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 336

Sallyann · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 23, 2006 Posts: 768

Retty · Frequent Visitor Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 336

Sallyann · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 23, 2006 Posts: 768

But you are making the mistake of assuming that what you want (updating your unit for new "fashions" and "expectations") is also in the manufacturer's best interest, which is certainly is not. The reverse applies - if they keep providing existing users with free updates, they will not sell any new units. They have a imperative to constantly produce new models that will tempt customers to dispose of the old unit and "upgrade" to a new one, otherwise they will go out of business.
Mitac, TomTom, and all the others will continue to replace models with new ones in a cycle measured in months not years.

Sal

GPS_fan · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:21 am Post subject:

Word from Mio regarding support for discontinued modes is as follows:

"We'll have new versions of the maps (2007.1) available online shortly,
in two weeks or so. That's why the others are no longer available.

MioMap v3.3 is developed especially for the new widescreen devices. For
now, there are no plans to update any of the other devices to this
version.

Full support always remains available for at least another two years
after devices are discontinued. Even after those two years, you'll find
plenty of information online and repairs are still possible."

Sallyann · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 23, 2006 Posts: 768

I think that's fair, particularly regarding the maps. Some of the other forums have comments about devices bought with out-of-date maps and no upgrades available. The new maps mentioned by Mitac will be the second set of updates that we have had.

Sal

DeeJay01 · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:43 am Post subject:

I tend to agree with Retty on this topic. Mio should have a workable device for at least 3 - 6 months after an upgrade before discontinuing a product which has not been out for a year yet.
There newest update is 01/03/07 but as I know it was only useable 2 - 3 weeks ago by the mass majority. There are also still issues with Mio's support centre (although it has got better its still poor in comparision to their rivals (Dont like to say there nameTomTom).
As I mentioned in a previous topic Mio have released 3 new models which are glorified C510 & C710 but with widescreen. If a new customer was to ask me what I think about my device I would say the following;

Pros
Nice sleek device
One of the first to have directional cams
Smallest all-in-one with built in TMC
Fast turn-by-turn
Desent connectivity to bluetooth (handsfree calling)
Auto Day/Night colours

Cons
Poor Customer support (but getting better)
TMC not working correctly (not sure if thats MIO specific or ITIS)
Cannot import POIs without a hack
Cannot import camera databases without a hack
_________________
Regards
Dave J

GPS_fan · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:17 am Post subject:

At the end of the day, is there such a thing as a perfect GPS Question

Everybody is looking for something different because peoples' personal preferences differ, so the manufacturers can't please everybody all of the time.

Compared with other manufacturers, the Mio packs a hell of a punch for the money Exclamation

As I've said before, there used to be a time when we were happy just to be guided to our destination but now we expect more and more from our GPS and we appear to be less and less satisfied Confused

DeeJay01 · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 1:00 pm Post subject:

GPS_fan · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 4:13 pm Post subject:

....and if you think TomTom et al are any better then you'll be bitterly disappointed

DeeJay01 · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 4:42 pm Post subject:

GPS_fan · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 6:43 pm Post subject:

I agree totally...but the days of "the customer rules" seem to have gone I'm afraid to say and in some places finding somebody to help you is like waiting for hell to freeze over.

I understand what you've said about the speedcam database - but the PGPSW database is also flawed, with live cameras having been deleted.

...but let's not forget that GPS is only a tool

...whilst in the meantime we can dream of the day when we can sit back and put our feet up with the GPS doing all the work flawlessly and even driving the car or whatever we're travelling in when the time comes Laughing

	PocketGPS
	Web