GPS, New European Mio Navman line uses Tom Tom maps, fails to mention Wordy Rappinghood
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted April 20th 2010 4:31PM
posted April 20th 2010 4:31PM
If you're in Europe, and you like getting from one place to the next as much as we do, you'll undoubtedly be delighted to know that Mio is unveiling three new Navman GPS systems, all of which feature Tom Tom's IQ Routes technology as well as Mio's LearnMe feature. Navman 575 (£149.99, or around $230) offers a 4.7-inch display, while users of the 470 and 475 models ($150) will have to make do with a 4.3-inch screen. Also included in this bonanza of navigation are a free year of real time traffic and safety camera info, Google Send-To-GPS (for sending Maps locations to the unit via USB), SiRFStar InstantFix, and more. Look for these to launch in May.
So these Nav units will cost the same as a Nokia C6, that will give you free lifetime navigation and a decent smart phone. How do these companies intend to keep selling these to consumers when phones can do the same thing these days?
@JFH because your Nokia actually costs $1000 before it is heavily subsidized by your monthly fee. a standalone PND does not require a monthly contract to a telco and therefor can properly function almost anywhere on the globe, with or without cell reception.
@onemadrssn
No, onemadrssn. You talked before thinking. The C6 can do all of that for a price of $ 220 dollar, unlocked, no subsidies, no plan. And you do not need a plan to get the navigation to work.
At least over here in Europe, where calling costs are much less if you do not require a subsidized phone, this is going to be a tough sell for Mio. You would get a smartphone, free excellent worldwide navigation, and significantly lower calling costs and data costs then with a traditional plan, for 220. Why on earth would I want a standalone GPS unit?
@JFH
Not everyone you said is true. I cannot find a reliable to source to say one way or the other, but I am pretty sure Ovi maps does not hold all the map data locally. I am pretty sure it has to download it on-the-fly similar to Google Maps on Android. The fact that "Ovi maps can be downloaded in seconds" from the Nokia website supports my claim.
This also implies that you would require a data connection for it to properly function, as well as data coverage where you are. Neither of these come cheap. Most data connections cost upwards of $10/month (more in most European countries actually).
Either way, when you sum all associated costs, a PND is pennies on the dollar compared to this. Not just this Mio, all PNDs.
@onemadrssn
Wrong again. I know what I am writing about. No need for a data connection, and even if you would have one, it would use practically no data, since the maps ARE local. The only data you would consume is 30 or so Kb for the assisted gps lock. If you do not use AGPS, it will take a few seconds longer to get a fix. That's it. So, not real additional costs. You can download the maps to your pc, which allows you to store only the relevant maps on your phone (instead of the entire world) so you save gb's for music. So no over the air downloading of maps necessary and so nothing has supported your claim.
Also the Nokia C6, for instance, is a phone as well. Which means people who buy a phone like this get the whole navigation thing for free. Conversely, as a navigation device, it is equally expensive and you would get a free smartphone with decent specs.
There is no justification for standalone PND's anymore, especially not at this price point.
Come on, surrender, it is over.
@JFH
Prove to me you're not just a fanboy making all of this up. How about a link or two about data usage in Ovi? I looked and everything I find suggests that it does require a data plan; even if it doesn't use it much its still a requirement! Or how about some numbers? What's the typical monthly bill going to be on a Nokia C6? That factors into the cost a lot. If you're going to argue about value then lets compare apples to apples. You can use historical data to predict things which can not yet be known (if you're smart enough to know how to do that).
Or you can use fanboy inspired and hate-fueled internet rumors to backup your claim, like that's credible.
Its ok, I've overstood...
Thanks for mentioning Wordy Rappinghood...I'll have to listen to that when I get home tonight.
@CRA1G What are words worth?
That looks nice and uncluttered, unlike most GPS UIs blaring their various features at you.
If the EU has their way you won't be using any cellphone for navigation.. Not everyone likes Nokia phones.
PND's have a place in the market, just they have to keep their price in check that is all.
@sys3175
PND's are dead.
Not still dead, but surely almost at their end...
:-)