Based around the Miomap V3, the |Digiwalker’s software navigation is pretty straightforward once you get used to the menu structure, but like the Mio C210, it suffers as an in-car solution due to its small screen and often fiddly controls.
You do, however, get free speed camera alerts and a full range of points of interest across Europe. You can buy a TMC module separately to provide traffic updates so it’s well in line with modern advances in navigation.
A look at the feature set and design of the Digiwalker suggests that in-car use is more of a secondary purpose. In reality, the product is more likely to be used by those travelling on foot and provides a range of features to help you get by in and around Europe.
You’ll find seamless navigation through full European maps and a wide range of travel tools that include an electronic compass, alarm and world map. There’s also currency conversion, world clock, weather updates, area codes and even conversion standards for clothing. There are more than 250 countries in the database.
As if this weren’t enough, the Digiwalker offers impressive support for multimedia, featuring an Mp3 player, video player and photo viewer alongside 2GB of built-in memory on which to store additional files.
There’s an SD card slot on the side to up the capacity, and you’re provided with a leather carry case, headphones and a couple of lanyards in the box.
A selection of games will help stave off the boredom on long journeys – they’re all quite fun to play and look swish on the high-res screen. You can also synchronise the device with Outlook and upload your contacts.
Portability is paramount in such a product, and Mio has made the H610 pretty light and pocket-sized, although the styling may not appeal to all tastes.
Despite coming with a range of interchangeable covers, we weren’t particularly impressed on this front; it has quite a plastic feel and doesn’t give the impression it could take much punishment before breaking.
Just 4.5 hours of battery life with an active GPS antenna may be an issue for some. We’re also surprised there is no stylus, either in the box or on the device itself. Considering the small screen size and resulting miniature controls, we expected one to be included.
Many of the buttons, particularly on the Miomap software, are too small to accurately press with your finger. You’ll probably find yourself digging around for a substitute stylus to make it more usable on the move.
Despite these drawbacks, you get a wide range of features with the H610, but are paying quite a bit for all of this portable functionality. Compared to traditional
in- car solutions, the Digiwalker isn’t the most user-friendly, but its strengths lie in the additional features and travel-kit you won’t find anywhere else.
There’s no doubt the Digiwalker has the potential to be an essential companion for the modern jetsetter, and if you think you’ll get enough use out of the toolset and multimedia player you may end up wondering how you ever did without it. We expect to see more products offering similar functionality in the near future. Magellan, in particular, has some in the pipeline and will be interested to see how they compare.
Details
Price € 368
Contact Mio www.mio-tech.be
Specs
- 2GB internal capacity
- 2.7in display
- 4.5-hour battery life
- 22x60x87mm
- 166g
Verdict
Pros Wide range of tools for frequent travellers; doubles as a multimedia player; European maps included
Cons Small display and controls make it difficult to use on the move; fairly expensive; not particularly stylish
Features 5 stars
Performance 3 stars
Value for money 3 stars
Overall Despite its average performance on the GPS front, we were impressed by all the extras the Digiwalker has to offer, and would certainly like one to hand on a jaunt around Europe
Overall rating; 4 stars
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