navman 520/530 vs Mio C510

Varkons · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 21, 2006 Posts: 7

Hello folks,
I was gearing myself up to buy a Navman 520 or 530, but I've since been interested in the Mio C510. Does anybody who has used both have any comments to make that would help me make my choice?

I like the bluetooth integration of the Mio, but I've not been able to find any reviews of it online (except for one in Dutch). How does it compare to the Navman 5xx series?

Thanks,

Tim

mcewena · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:15 pm Post subject:

Don't know about that unit but one thing to consider is that (to my knowledge) Mio has never sold updated maps for their products, Navman does...

Something to concider 2-3 years down the road..

Varkons · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 21, 2006 Posts: 7

I was talking to a fellow in one of the electronics stores on Tottenham Court Road today, and he was saying that they stopped stocking Mios because they had quite a few returns. I wonder if he was unlucky or whether they do have reliability problems?

DeeJay01 · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 12:45 pm Post subject: Re: navman 520/530 vs Mio C510

evian02 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 12, 2006 Posts: 24

Before I went for ICN 530, I've researched all similar GPS units. From my point of view, I think ICN 530 has the edge by small margin over all others. But then again everybody's preferences are different.
Here's a summary of what ICN 530 is capable of:

Very sensitive GPS receiver and response (it can even pick up signals inside the house!).
Very quick re-routing (Back-on-track feature).
Clear, bright, high resolution screen.
Routing can be configured very precisely with many alternative routes. i.e. you can set to:
Quickest - - - - Shortest.
Motorways more often - - - - less often.
Urban road more often - - - - less often.
Also, the routing can be fine tuned even further with 'Avoid area' and 'Multi-stop trip' features.
There is also a 'Route Simulation' feature so that you can see how long and how far, you paricular journey is going to take even before you start your journey.
Full European maps are included on CDs(don't need to purchase seperate maps!) with UK and Ireland already loaded.
Full 7 digit postcode entry.

I have been using it for about a month now, and I've found the routing itself and voice instructions very precise and clear. Screen is bright and colourfull, even in bright sunlight, as you can adjust the intensity of the brightness.
Voice intructions are loud and clear. I've used it in a Vauxhall Astra travelling fast on a motorway, and I could still hear the voice even when not set at the loudest.
To load up all the European Maps, I had to purchase a 1GB SANDISK SD card. It loaded without problems and I was able to run various route simulations across Europe to how long certain trips would take. It's slim and compact, so you can take it with you when you are out of the car.
You can install you own POIs like Speed camera POIs.

The choice is yours.

ravi · Regular Visitor Joined: Aug 24, 2004 Posts: 119

Having owned a TT5 device, Navman 530 & a Nuvi310, I can say that the my Mio 510 trounces all of them in pretty much every respect. It simply does far more for your money than any other All in One on the market. Just order one and try it for yourself and see. If you order one by mail order, you have 7 working days to evaluate the product under consumer law in the UK so if you dont like it, you can just return it for a refund.

The ONLY problem is Mitac/Mio. As I said elsewhere, this is a classic case of a third rate company stumbling onto a first rate product. It's every consumer's worst dilemma. BUT, the product is so good and reliable that it may not bother you. Either way, before you decide, you must try to look at a Mio510/710.

Ravi

evian02 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 12, 2006 Posts: 24

I'll almost agree, until when it comes to more precise and accurate routing...

I have both Navman ICN530 and Mio C510E. Due to it's more routing options (urbans roads and main roads preferences), ICN530 has more precise and accurate routing algorithm than C510E. You can't seem to tell C510E when you don't want to use urban roads (specially when travelling thro London). For example, to get from SE London to N London, Mio will take you thro blackwall tunnel and them thro Hackney, Tottenham and Wood Green (at 'fastest' preference)... which is a nighmare!

ICN530 will avoid this route and will take you via blackwall tunnel, A12, then A406, if urban road avoidance is selected, which is approx 20min faster.

I think if C510E had more routing options like ICN 530, it would have clearly been the best among other Sat Nav products on the market today.

I bought these two units with the intention of trying out both and them and sending back the other. However, after several weeks I still have both of them!.
I like Mio's user friendly and beautiful interface, graphics and featues, so smooth and quick mapping, but I also like Navman's routing preferences and accuracy.
I'll have to give up one of them however... Tought decision... Take care.

ravi · Regular Visitor Joined: Aug 24, 2004 Posts: 119

Don't forget, the Mio 510 now can have the 'Easy' route option enabled! This makes a BIG difference as it can now take the easiest route - the route with the most main roads and least number of road changes etc!
_________________
---------------------------
Ravi
..
WooHooo..
---------------------------

evian02 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 12, 2006 Posts: 24

Hi ravi,

Thanks for that... If that works, then I'll be looking to send back my Navman! How does this 'Easy Route' work then?

Cheers,

Oz

ravi · Regular Visitor Joined: Aug 24, 2004 Posts: 119

Oz
You get the 'Easy' mode by editing one of the files in the Mio. Here's my original thread:

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=44155

It seems to only work if you have a 510, although some people have said that it works on a 710 too.

If you have a 510 give it a go but make sure that you save all your data first. (do a backup to your PC. If you're nervous about it, I can send you a doctored Data file. JUst delete your old one on your Mio and drop this one in and restart. That will do it.

PM me with your email address if you want the file but read the above thread first!

Ravi
_________________
---------------------------
Ravi
..
WooHooo..
---------------------------

evian02 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 12, 2006 Posts: 24

Thanks ravi,

I've managed find your thread yesterday, and gave it a go... I've got the new 'Easy' option in the routing preferences now, but doesn't seem to make much difference to the 'Fastest' routing.

I've only made changes to the menus_320_240.ui file in the DATA.ZIP... Is that the only file that needs to be edited, or are there others?

Cheers.

evian02 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 12, 2006 Posts: 24

Ohh yes... I can see the difference now!
I guess it depends on the routes available between points A and B.

I've been using the two units side by side for the last past week, and, OK... I'm converted... Mio 510E is better than NAVMAN ICN530 in many respects.

Cheers.

	PocketGPS
	Web