Product Description

Mio 269 is a mobile GPS navigation system that integrates Global Position System (GPS) and geographic map database to show real-time location. Features include detailed maps of the US and Canada on an internal hard drive, point-to-point driving directions that uses voice and visual guidance for turn-by-turn directions, automatic route recalculation and trip planning. The Mio 269 also stores contact information for easy access and has millions of points of interest including ATMs, gas stations, airports, lodging, restaurants and many more! The Mio 269 can also be used as a portable MP3 player.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #77917 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Mio
• Model: Mio 269
• Dimensions: 2.80" h x 1.00" w x 5.40" l, 3.00 pounds

Features

• Palm-sized GPS navigator with 2.5 GB built-in hard drive and integrated MP3 player
• 32 MB flash ROM and 64 MB SDRAM memory; 3.5-inch color transflective LCD screen
• Turn-by-turn visual and voice guidance; automatically reroutes driver after wrong turn
• Includes preinstalled maps of continental U.S., Hawaii, and Canada; no installation or setup required
• Millions of points of interest; includes AC and car chargers; 5.42 by 2.83 by 1.02 inches (W x H x D)

Amazon.com Product Description
Navigate your way through both city streets and rural paths with the Mio 269, a sleek, easy-to-use GPS system that offers both visual and voice guidance. Housed in a flat, lightweight chassis and equipped with preinstalled maps of the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Canada on its built-in 2.5 GB hard drive, the Mio 269 makes it easy to tour unfamiliar areas whether on foot or in the car. To operate, the user merely removes the device from the box and flips the "instant-on" switch, with no installation required (all the maps and software come preloaded). Once activated, the Mio 269's powerful Intel Xscale 300 MHz processor and MioMap CE navigation software take over, delivering on-the-spot GPS access and intuitive navigation, with millions of points of interest from which to choose.

The Mio 269's comprehensive route planning is reliable and easy to follow, with point-by-point driving directions conveyed both verbally and visually in real time. Merely select the town, road, and number, and the device guides you professionally to your destination. Should users take a wrong turn or experience an unplanned detour, the Mio 269 automatically recalculates the route and delivers new directions. In 3D mode, the crisp color LCD conveys a safe and informative grasp of what lies ahead, including landmarks, road conditions, and points of interest (which include airports, gas stations, hospitals, restaurants, and tourist attractions).

When you're not in the car, the Mio 269 makes a great hiking or strolling companion, as it not only tells you where to go in a strange city, but also fits handily in a jacket pocket, with no wires sticking out or switches that might break off. And at 0.44 pounds, it barely makes a dent in your walking weight.

The Mio 269 offers an added bonus by doubling as an MP3 media player when not functioning as a GPS receiver. The MP3 software also comes preinstalled, and the hard drive includes 500 MB of free storage space for music--up to 8 hours. For added map storage, users can insert an SD or MMC card into the onboard slot, which holds cards as large as 1 GB. They can then install new maps and other information via the USB 1.1 port, which connects seamlessly to a PC for quick, reliable data transfer.

So whether you're driving down a motorway or biking down a country road, the Mio 269 will keep you firmly on track. The device comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (with 4.5 hours of active battery life per charge) and measures 5.42 by 2.83 by 1.02 inches (W x H x D).

What's in the Box
Mio 269 GPS navigator, 12-volt car charger, external GPS antenna, AC adapter, USB cable, car mount, integral device holder, carrying case, earphones, remote control, bicycle mount, user's manual.

Customer Reviews

Works good
Having used my MIO 269 for about a month, I am very satisfied with its performance. The user interface is not intuitively obvious but after using the device and referring to the User Manual a few times, I really like its abilities. It has never failed to lead me to my destination and quickly recalculates new routes when I choose a different route than suggested. The maps are a little outdated (2004?) and I am trying to find out how to get updated maps, if possible. Overall, I am very happy with the GPS device but it was a little frustrating at first figuring out how to use it. Having purchased mine for only $199, I'm not complaining. I believe I got a lot for the money. The only major drawback I have is that you can't use the MP3 player at the same time as the GPS.

Nice idea, but...
Pros: Nice hardware / form factor design.

Cons: Allows you to enter contacts, but no routing from those contacts; inaccurate maps (even in areas that haven't changed in decades); thin POI database; device time not set by GPS; silly keyboard interface (why should I have to cycle through three keyboards just to enter a numerical address?); inaccurate ETA/ETR calculations; navigation lost when travelling on region boundaries; inaccurate touch-screen registration on some menu entries; turn notification at the exact point of the turn (couldn't it give a little more notice based on current velocity?)... There are more.

Other Thoughts: I bought this in July 2005, because I liked the physical design and I fly a lot, needing to carry a GPS with me. If you need a GPS that fits nicely in your laptop bag when you travel, *and* you're willing to put up with a junk UI, this is your device. If you want a nice UI, try another brand.

Swanky little GPS unit...
Overall, we are very pleased with the Mio 269. It is chocked full of features. It was especially handy on our recent trip to Oahu in that one of the features it has is the POI (point-of-interests.) Sometimes, maps just aren't so clear on where the good stuff is hiding in Hawaii. The Mio pointed them out to us. It is user-friendly-no preloading of software-just turn it on and it locates where you are instantly. Without reading the manual, I had no problem operating the unit. If you drive a route with it turned on, it will automatically remember that route and give you directions without prior programming...handy in case of road construction and detours. It is about the size of a pocket calculator, but the display is plenty sizeable, readible and the maps are rich and colorful. One of the features (can be turned on/off) is that it lets you know when you are exceeding the speed limit (a nice feature if you are in unfamiliar territory or a school zone!) We like that it is versatile enough to go from car to on foot for hikes. It also can be used as an MP3, a feature used while taking a bike ride...yes, it has a bike mount too. It does not have a car mount though or cannot be affixed to the window as having anything suctioned to your window is illegal in California, so that can be a problem if you don't have a place in your car to set it in a visible position. It comes with a lighter adaptor for the car and a nice protective case. It is easy to estow out of site like in a console or in the glove compartment. The price and the versatility of this unit made it a great first GPS purchase for us.