Mio C310x vs ViaMichelin X-930

yechi7 · 03-09-07, 01:29 PM

I'm considering buying my 1st GPS. I'm looking cheap price & decent quality. I'm trying to decide between Axim-based or stand-alone. I've been comparing 2 GPS systems that both cost $200: Mio C310x or ViaMichelin X-930. They both have received great reviews. Opinions & advice? :rolling:

Dovid

tware · 03-09-07, 02:29 PM

If you have the PDA, the garmin 10x is hard to ignore. It turns you pda into a $400 Nuvi (the 350, or if you have a BT phone with dataplan, the 360)... and with a net connection, you get free travel info (whereas you pay on the nuvi). The hassles of not being 'all in one' are easy to excuse when you compare the functionality of a PDA+Garmin 10x to the 310x.

I admit to a fascination with the 310x.. I really want one to play with, although I've owned almost all the PDA based Nav software at one time. I would only get one to put iGuidance on it. And since I've set iG 3 aside once I tried the Garmin XT package, I dont think the 310X compares.

But... if you dont have the PDA, that changes everything (from cost/benefit standpoint)

yechi7 · 03-09-07, 04:23 PM

But the Garmin 10x is $200 & the Mio C310x is $200. Don't you think the all-in-one Mio is a better deal for the money? Plus, you don't have to drag your Axim out all the time. Or is the Garmin that much better?

Dovid

tware · 03-09-07, 05:19 PM

depends on your expectations. I tend to buy new maps every year (giving me streets within the last 18 months or so - at best). So, the idea of buying a 310x and using the software it comes with is not so desirable. I think that unit is a massive hit because people are putting Tom Tom and iG on it.. as well as other functionality. In that regard, the 310x is a great little device. Unmodified, it's not that impressive. Again, boils down to expectations.. If you are patient (for new maps from Mio in a few months) and dont expect it to perform like a $500 Nuvi, you're golden.

ViaMichelin X-930 is EU only? it's hardware is not very impressive (CPU and ram)

But again.. much like the Windows vs Mac debate.. nobody buys a PC to have a PC, they buy a computer to run some application they want. Same with these units... once you have an average SirfIII chipset in the box and a stable platform to run on, all these machines are equal and youre evaluating the software thats installed on them. The 310x has the edge as it has been shown to run other software... but you've increased your cost to acquire new software to run on it.

My earlier point was that Garmin XT is very appliance like in it's interface. It's alittle immature/quirky, but is going to be *the* application to beat, much like Nuvi has become in the GPS market. For me, cable management isnt such a big deal when I paid $160 to get the functional equivalent of a 500+ machine.

yechi7 · 03-09-07, 05:33 PM

What do you think of the option of the Visiontac VGPS-700 Bluetooth GPS Receiver? On sale now for $100. I already have an Axim x51v & also have the Dell GPS Navigation system software 3 CD set Rev A01, July '06, which was given to me. How would all this compare?

Also, the ViaMichelin X-930 is not only EU, apparently. This link is from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...087633-9800140

Dovid

tware · 03-09-07, 05:58 PM

right now, I sort of look at all SirfIII units as the same, choose the form factor that suits you best.

however, while you cant use Visiontac with Garmin XT software... the Garmin 10x will work great with any other nav software.

I believe Dell nav is based on iG 2.x?

the only reason I popped into this thread is that I just went thru considering the 310x for my wife (she has a pda). And we ended up with Garmin. With XT, your PDA will act more "all in one" than ever before. But I can appreciate the simplicity of the AIO's. I just dont like compromises in the navigation, thats the *only* reason to have one. How it looks is secondary. Still important, I have a nice car and I dont like the dash cluttered.. but you still have to mount and run power to a AIO anyway.

And I didnt want to spend so much money for what is most popular right now (nuvi).

Schira · 03-09-07, 07:10 PM

You won't regret your buy of a 310X. It is very stable. It won't hang/ crash like a pda based system. You won't touch iGuidance once you use it. super fluid map browsing itself was sufficient to hook me on to it. Buy it after they release map updates. ( depending on your location, maps could be outdated, means 99% of the roads will still be there).
Even if someone installs other softwares on 310X, I don't think they will use it like they do the MioMap.

Also see

http://www.i-go.com/en/products/iGO_...creenshots.php

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/f...sp?FORUM_ID=37