Getting dirty with Mio's Knight Rider GPS
By Joshua Fruhlinger 
posted Jun 26th 2008 9:48AM
posted Jun 26th 2008 9:48AM
We may be a little overexcited about Mio's Knight Rider GPS unit, but we're not about to apologize for that. This is one beautiful union of KITT and navigation that was meant to happen since the day LCDs and GPS chips first hung out. With that out of the way, we have some hands-on impressions.
The unit feels solid and small enough to be portable while the screen remains just big enough to be of use. A nice anti-glare coating looks to keep things visible during daylight hours. Yes, standard fare.
Peep the gallery below and don't miss the video after the break.
But wait! Startup. Oh, startup. Complete with KITT's scanner and flashing red lights, the Mio's bootup is almost worth the $269 price alone. As for interface, you're looking at standard Mio fare here, which means it's nothing amazing nor is it a disaster. Truth be told, it could be a bit faster, but this was a test unit we were looking at, so we'll give that a pass for now.
Mio has loaded the unit with over 300 names, and we were able to find one of ours in the long list -- hearing William Daniels say our name fulfilled at least half of hour childhood dreams.
In short, the Mio Knight Rider GPS won't change the world of navigation, but it will certainly make some wannabe Michael Knights wish they were driving a Trans Am.
I think I must of missed out on Knight Rider, but the lights are pretty cool.
i wonder if best buy will carry this?
Well it looks nice but Bonnie Cha was greatly dissatisfied by the gps software in this device, and in the end that is what matters most in a GPS navigation device.
Awesome concept though...
I couldn't hear Mr. Feeney talking :(
Oh Michael.....
That was the worst review by Bonnie Cha... CNET is really phoning it in now...
im sure The Hoff is gonna be looking for his cut.
A computer is a serious tool Michael.
Now where is the Mr.T GPS?
ey fool turn left
I saw the video of this last week and I have to say I was very disappointed. It sounded like William Daniels was just there for the pay check. It didn't have the KITT feel to it. Very disappointing.
So the only thing people want to know are:
1. What it sounds like when it talks to you
2. If it's any good as a GPS
And we learned neither. Bonnie's at least plays the voice some and it doesn't sound great.
Dave T, to be fair, this isn't a review, just a quick hands-on at a show. Plus, we were inside, and satellites weren't being picked up. To add to all that, this was a test unit that didn't have all the software on it. Hopefully we'll get our hands on one where it belongs - in a car, hopefully a Trans Am.
Not all the announcements are William Daniels.. some sound artificial.. like K.A.R.R.
WTF?
Picture 4 in the gallery shows my old apartments where I lived last year and my current ones. Used to live in Santa Ana off the 5 no the lower left behind that circle road, old office was on that corner too, creepy!
It is a sign.
take the 5 to the Iraq!
Where can we see a list of the names it can speak? Given what it does, that seems to be pretty important. I doubt I'd consider buying one if I have to keep hearing it call me Michael all the time. Kinda would make me feel like I'm living some other guy's fantasy.
It's like when your girlfriend calls you "Brad". Just roll with it.
Man, this is one of those times when I actually wish I had a more common name. Most of the time I don't care since it's nice not having to figure out whether someone was talking to you or the other 3 Mikes in the room, but it'd be nice to be able to enjoy the full Knight Riderdom of it all.
That's it, I gotta go call Mr Feeney's agent, lol.