Mio Digiwalker C220

In a field dominated by Magellan, Garmin and TomTom, you might not have heard of the Mio brand. But the Mio Digiwalker C220 is not to be overlooked. Experts say it's just as competent as the premiere manufacturers at getting you around town, and for an outstanding price.

List Price: $40
  • Overall
Key Features
  • 3.5-inch display
  • 20-channel GPS receiver
  • SD/MMC memory card
Pros
  • One of the cheapest GPS devices on the market
  • Navigation accuracy akin to that of higher-priced models
Cons
  • Sunlight glare can greatly affect readability
  • Volume control is difficult to access

Mio Digiwalker C220 Overall - NA

The Mio Digiwalker C220 is noteworthy for its speed and usability. However, reviewers did find room for improvement with regards to volume control, and some found the display very difficult to read in sunlight. But then again, there is that can't be beat price -- even if improvements would be helpful, the Mio Digiwalker C220's less than $100 price tag makes its shortcomings seem less harsh.

Mio's follow-up to the Digiwalker C220 is the Digiwalker C230, which features real-time text-to-speech and an improved display. 

What the Experts Say:

  • "Mio C220 does a good job at all the features it promises. It is easy to use and has a great value for the price. We strongly recommend it." -- Navigadget
  • "Recall that the Mio C220 is a value oriented model that can be bought for less than $200 online. With a price like that, you'll get an entry level GPS without text to speech, and without media players, but what you will get is a solid unit with good routing." - GPS Lodge
  • "Though the Mio C220 offers ease of use, accurate directions, and an affordable price tag, its poor screen makes this in-car GPS device almost unusable." -- CNET

  • "If you're looking for a no-nonsense GPS unit that does navigation very well, you should take a look at the Mio C220 -- it delivers an incredible value for that price level." -- Ubergizmo

Mio Digiwalker C220 Performance - NA

The Mio C220's focus is performance without clutter. "GPS units tend to pack more and more features including contacts, music and video but with the C220, Mio chooses a different strategy and creates a GPS unit that is very good at GPS navigation at a very affordable price," says Ubergizmo.

Mio Digiwalker C220 Ease of Use - NA

Opinions on the Mio Digiwalker C220's usability are mixed. Laptop Mag likes the no-brainer setup, saying "the Mio DigiWalker C220 works right out of the box and gets you where you need to go with little hassle." But GPS Lodge is somewhat non-committal about the interface, saying that it's "a decent interface that is better than most other offerings out there, not the best, but one that I don't hesitate to recommend to buyers." Reviewers also would have liked for it to have been easier to change the volume. 

Mio Digiwalker C220 Design - NA

The Mio C220 is small and light, weighing in at 3.8 ounces. "The look of the Mio C220 will blend with most car interior as it is fairly neutral", says Ubergizmo. "It has a decent display, which makes the maps quite readable." However, some reviewers have a very difficult time reading the Mio Digiwalker C220's 3.5-inch screen in the daytime, as the display handles sun glare poorly. 

Mio Digiwalker C220 Features - NA

Reviewers like the points-of-interest (POI) database, but the Mio Digiwalker C220 isn't really known for being feature-rich. "As a basic, entry-level system, you don't get much else with the Mio C220," states CNET.

Other GPS Devices to Consider

MSRP: $299 Mio DigiWalker C520

A great device for going against the grain, the Mio DigiWalker C520 offers abundant features for its price class, and an easy-to-use 4.3-inch touchscreen. However, some say its navigation capabilities are not superior to other mid-range GPS devices.

MSRP: $170 Garmin nuvi 205

One of the newest entry-level PNDs, the Garmin nuvi 205 delivers Garmin's trademark simple design and easy operation.

MSRP: $500 TomTom GO 930

Reviewers praise the TomTom GO 930 for its novel features and accessibility. Its performance is considered good, if not quite class-leading. However, some feel that the GO 930's voice command feature could be improved.

MSRP: $130 Mio Moov 200

Like other Mios, the Moov 200 has a bottom line that's easier to digest than other GPS devices, but you'll have to do without some coveted convenience features -- the Moov's appeal is basic navigation.