Mio 136+ GPS

Now, before everyone sighs and mumbles "overpriced toy", let's look at two things I've got to tell you - one, a GPS is far from a toy, and even my most cynical colleague now admits one would be useful, and two, you can't call them over-priced anymore...

I picked up a Mio 136+ for less than $400 from a leading electrical retailer, complete with a new release UBD (which ended up in the wifes car... I can honestly say the paper version has been superceded...) - MIO have a bit of a track history for doing quality GPS units at heavily reduced pricing to establish their name in the marketplace.

The 136+ is a neat, compact unit, unlike previous generation GPS systems that were a big, heavy lump hanging over your dash - it needs line of sight to your windscreen, or an external antenna, but comes complete with a remarkably sturdy, flexible neck suction cup mount that's stayed secure despite +40c days in December, and both 240V and 12V chargers... Mio supplied a complimentary upgrade to the latest version of MioMap, a sublicensed issue of a very successful positioning package from another manufacturer, and the latest release of the Sensis Australia maps.

The unit is remarkably easy to program to your destination, matching your input on the touch sensitive screen until it has a short list of matches, when it will pop up a list to choose from - that's frequently from four or five letters for a city name, and two or three with street names - via points are easily selected, and make it quick to go a 'favourite' way, whilst still letting the GPS cover any detours you may need to make, etc...

I've found it absolutely invaluable for avoiding traffic jams and the like... There are thousands of predefined 'points of interest', from petrol stations to restaurants, parks, all sorts of businesses, etc...

Instructions are issued clearly, with plenty of advance warning, and there are a few options for voice sets - I must admit that Phillipa, with her soft, defined English accent is much harder to argue with than the American Jason, but your preferences may vary.

The first lesson I learnt was to trust the unit, after taking a road that I knew would get me to my destination quicker, only to find out that I couldn't turn right at the traffic lights, necessitating another five odd kilometres before a quick u-turn to get back on track... luckily it's not programmed with an "I told you to turn at the NEXT left... but you never listen to me..." option, unlike some navigators I've had...

The display, especially on the upgraded software, is exceptional, you can choose to use a 2D flat mapping system, but the 3D auto zooming and tilting display is brilliant, it has a nice big box showing the direction of your next turn, including things like soft, bear right turns, u-turns, roundabouts, etc... the display zooms out as you travel faster, so you have more warning of upcoming changes, turns, etc, and closes back in as you approach turns and travel slower... it's all very intuitive, and takes a moments flick of the eyes to take in, much like your rear view mirror... the display is customisable for the details to include, allowing your 3 preferences of distance to next turn, distance to destination, time to destination, elapsed time, speed, etc...

So, yes, it's quick to program, saves me a ton of looking at maps and finding streets, reading street signs and hoping I've picked the best way - you can, incidentally, set your preferences based on fastest, shortest, or most economical route - but the biggest boon for my usage, as a sales person, is to be able to go directly to the clients premesis - the Mio knows exactly where number 343 is, which side of the road, so all I need to do is drive there and park... it's actually nice and relaxing to go on a sales call, or pickup/delivery, knowing that I don't have to search amongst hundreds of haphazardly numbered houses and buildings, trying to find my destination, only to realise the only place to park nearby was 200 metres back... having a constantly updated time of arrival ensures that if I'm running late for an appointment I can notify my client in advance, AND give them an idea of how long I will be... the fact that the unit also advises me of speed limits, traffic cameras, and a double check on my speed, too, is a bonus...

Things I'd like to have: The ability to save particular routes, the option of announcing stop signs, school zones, etc, the return of definable speed alerts, being able to use my contacts as shortcuts for entering locations, shortcuts for favourite way points... (these sorts of things tend to be found on more expensive units, and I guess that's how they get you to upgrade in the future...)

Ultimately, a GPS ends up complimenting your skill as a driver - it allows you to concentrate on getting to your destination safely, and efficiently, leaving you free to concentrate on the road, and your fellow drivers antics - and anything that helps you drive safely has to be a good thing...