Top GPS Guide

Relatively small for a device with both an integrated mobile phone and a GPS receiver; some well thought-out user interface elements; available with and without navigation software.

The Mio A701 is a decent GSM/GPRS/GPS handheld with some nice features, although it lacks Wi-Fi. We aren’t the biggest fans of Mio Map, but you can buy this device without the navigation software and install another application.

Handhelds are convenient platforms for GPS navigation, and the current trend is for manufacturers to build the GPS receiver into the device, rather than rely on an external unit. This provides an even more convenient solution: there’s no need to pair the handheld with a Bluetooth GPS receiver or fiddle with wired connections, you avoid separate charge cables and you don’t have to find in-vehicle locations for two devices.

The Mio A701 is slightly taller than the average small-format connected Pocket PC thanks to its built-in GPS receiver, whose antenna is located above the screen. It’s also thicker than many similar devices, such as the i-mate JAMin and Orange SPV M600. Although these differences are small (the A701 measures 59mm by 117mm by 22mm and weighs 150g), they do mean that the Mio A701 feels a little large both for the pocket and when held to the ear to make voice calls.

The flash memory slot, which accommodates SD and MultiMediaCards (MMCs), is located on the right-hand side, as its more usual spot on the top edge is occupied by the GPS antenna. The slot is covered by a rubber protector, which looks susceptible to breaking off. The right-hand side also houses the reset button, a 2.5mm headset connector and a button for starting the built-in 1.3-megapixel camera.

A further row of five very small icons to the bottom right of Mio’s Today screen allow you to flip between landscape and portrait formats, see the battery charge level, control the built-in Bluetooth 1.2 module, jump to the memory settings area (to close running applications) and download the Ephemeris data that allows the SiRFStar III GPS chipset to fix your position faster. This needs to be downloaded over the air at regular intervals, but is not required for the receiver to function.

measure up as a GSP device: “As a GPS phone, the Mio A701 delivers the goods with precise positioning, extensive map management functionality, a decent user interface and a bright 2.7-inch screen for hassle-free navigation. Battery life is good, the bundled 512 MB memory card alleviates any storage issues, and aside from being able to boil an egg while waiting for the GPS application to start up, performance is impeccable. While the HP iPAQ hw6915 may be a better choice for business users, the A701 has the upper, better looking and more compact hand insofar as GPS is concerned.”

Tags: battery charge, bluetooth gps receiver, ephemeris data, flash memory, gps antenna, GPS Maps, gps navigation, gsm gprs, interface elements, memory settings, mio a701, mmcs, multimediacards, navigation software, orange spv m600, pc thanks, small icons, top edge

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Posted on August 21st, 2008 by admin
Filed under: GPS Maps