Mio gets official with Knight Rider GPS unit

Mio has understandably not been very shy about showing off its new Knight Rider-themed GPS unit, but the company has now finally gotten its official business out of the way and provided all the details on the device's US launch. In case you somehow managed to miss it, the device itself is basically a mid-range Moov in disguise, with some red LEDs and, most importantly, William Daniels' instantly recognizable voice helping to make you feel just a little bit more like Michael Knight as you traverse the U.S. and Canada with the aid of the pre-loaded maps. As we had heard, however, you'll still have to wait until a bit later in this quarter to get your hands on one, when it'll set you back a reasonable $270.

[Lowest Ranked @ Jul 8th 2008 1:36PM]

Damn subliminal advertising.

For some reason I'm contemplating a Big Mac for lunch.

[phanbouy @ Jul 8th 2008 3:07PM]

i don't have the stomach for the 880

[AJ in the East Bay @ Jul 8th 2008 5:47PM]

The 880 is a freakin' toilet.

[phanbouy @ Jul 8th 2008 1:36PM]

ha! you expect us to trot out all the Hasselhoff jokes for a third time just cuz the price was announced? feh!!!

[eatmoreramen @ Jul 8th 2008 1:38PM]

I want it just because it says Michael (which is my name, but I know you can change the settings on the GPS) and because I want Mr. Feeny telling me where to turn

[Alareth @ Jul 8th 2008 3:40PM]

Well, based on some info I've stumbled across here at work, the unit includes a database of other names you can configure it to say on startup other than Michael.

"Voice greeting:
Ability for user to change name in greeting (KITT recorded voice files with 150+ male & 150+ female user-selectable names)"

http://dostuff.radioshack.com/2008/06/knight-rider-gp.html

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Jul 8th 2008 5:22PM]

Anyone seen a list of the names it can use? If my name isn't on there, that's a deal-breaker.

Also, I thought the original post about this said 200+ names, not 150. Which is it?

[Roger @ Jul 8th 2008 1:38PM]

I bet this will sell well!

[Pengadget @ Jul 8th 2008 1:42PM]

This is a good way to get sales up!

[phanbouy @ Jul 8th 2008 1:45PM]

are you the love child of engadget and sean penn?

[Lowest Ranked @ Jul 8th 2008 2:51PM]

Maybe he's just a fan of writing utensils.

[Reid Sorenson @ Jul 8th 2008 2:02PM]

Is there a list of names anywhere that KITT will speak?

[phanbouy @ Jul 8th 2008 2:07PM]

i doubt that Reid Sorenson is one of them if so

[decypher44 @ Jul 8th 2008 2:23PM]

I have somewhat of a common name. Have they released a list of names it will speak?

[decypher44 @ Jul 8th 2008 2:24PM]

Somehow, Reid's comment didn't show up when I posted.

[Dan @ Jul 8th 2008 2:29PM]

Can I use it to activate the Turbo-booster as well??

[Chris @ Jul 8th 2008 2:53PM]

just here to represent FREMONT, CALIFORNIA...which is displayed on the GPS. carry on.

[phanbouy @ Jul 8th 2008 2:56PM]

yeah... you go girl representin that cultureless san jose suburb sprawltown!

[Lowest Ranked @ Jul 8th 2008 2:58PM]

Thanks Chris. I've just notified my entire contact list that you stopped by.

They said stay in Fremont.

[Anthony @ Jul 8th 2008 5:37PM]

Now, now. There's a great vegetarian Indian place in Fremont. & the Hilton's always super cheap.

[SubGenius @ Jul 8th 2008 3:28PM]

I've been waiting in line for the iPhone 3G since Friday but now I'm having second thoughts. Where can I wait in line for Knight Rider GPS?

[Andy Anonymous @ Jul 8th 2008 3:38PM]

I'm definitely getting one, and I'm definitely placing a strip of electrical tape over the "Knight Rider" logo.

[iamsoinsane @ Jul 8th 2008 4:39PM]

why place electrical tape I'm sure it would rub off with the right chemicals ;)

[rob @ Jul 8th 2008 4:36PM]

Why put Knight Rider on it? Why not something like Knight Industries Two Thousand Global Positioning System. Would have made it much cooler.

[DarkRail @ Jul 8th 2008 5:55PM]

Good idea. Me and Photoshop will find some way to make this a half-assed reality.

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Jul 8th 2008 5:22PM]

Anyone seen a list of the names it can use? If my name isn't on there, that's a deal-breaker.

Also, I thought the original post about this said 200+ names, not 150. Which is it?

[Which GPS Systems? @ Jul 8th 2008 8:57PM]

This is a great review! Mio makes some great products, including this new Knight Rider. After extensive product testing of all of the leading GPS System brands and products, Which GPS System? has named Garmin the best brand overall for GPS systems and units with respect to quality, ease-of-use and features.

However, Which GPS System? has named the top 5 GPS units, both from Garmin and other leading brands, to consider when purchasing your new GPS system:

1) Garmin nüvi 660
2) HP iPAQ RX5915
3) Magellan Maestro 4250
4) Mio C520
5) TomTom GO 930

Please visit http://www.whichgpssystem.com for more reviews and information on GPS systems.

[ugg.tryptophan @ Jul 8th 2008 9:01PM]

i can see this getting annoying after a while

[Jose Luis Pinto @ Jul 9th 2008 6:44AM]

Can this be used in Europe??