Spoken Street Names with Text-to-Speech

According to Mio: High quality, English language, Text-to-Speech engine calls out upcoming streets by name for the ultimate in easy navigation.

In Actual Use: The C520 does indeed call out address and provide turn by turn directions in easy to understand audio directions.

TMC Support with Optional TMC cradle (U.S. only)

According to Mio: Compatible with external Traffic Message Channel (TMC) receivers to display real time traffic incidents. TMC requires additional subscription charges.

In Actual Use: In actual use the TMC does provide real time (delayed by a few minutes and only as "real time" as is updated by the local authorities) information on screen of traffic and incidents. Unfortunately your ability to navigate around such incidents is not included. So if your route takes you through a congested area or packed highway due to an accident the software will not actively plot an alternate route.

Media Player

According to Mio: Integrated media player for entertainment on the road. Easily store content on SD memory cards and enjoy photos, video or music when you're traveling.

In Actual Use: The C520 does indeed support playback of photo's, MP3's and video. In our tests the built in speaker provided audio far to low to overcome surrounding noises of traffic and the vehicle to enable enjoyable audio when listening to MP3's or video. See our observation on hands free calling below:

Hands-Free Calling

According to Mio: Connect your device with your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone to make hands-free phone calls. By importing your contact list from Microsoft Outlook; making calls is as simple as selecting your contact from the list.

In Actual Use: One of the most innovative features of the C520 is its ability to ull down contact information from both your phone and Outlook and allow you to make phone calls to anyone with a phone number in your contact list. This feature is undermined however by the poor performance on the built in speaker which makes your ability to hear the person with whom you are speaking nearly impossible as traffic and your vehicle noise easily overcomes the power of the speaker even at full volume.

20-channel GPS Receiver

According to Mio: The highly sensitive SiRFstarIII GPS receiver provides accurate navigation, even in challenging environments such as forests or large cities.

In Actual Use: While we were unable to test out the feature in forests we can easily tell you that the C520 does follow your location where ever you are even in the middle of a brand new parking lot that used to be forest. The C520 does make the annoying habbit of trying to lock onto the nearest road when you come to close and assume its always traveling on known roads.

Easy to Use

According to Mio: With intuitive and large icons for data input and menu navigation, you will quickly be comfortable with the controls and can use the device to its fullest. Just turn it on and go!

In Actual Use: The C520 seems to overcompensate in the icons area and while the menu's are easy to see and navigate, finding what you are looking for in them may not be. It does take a while to become fully familiar with the C520 screens to the point where you can plot a route and get where your going without having to play with menus all day long.

Expandable Functionality with Memory Slot

According to Mio: SD/MMC memory card slot for additional maps and multimedia content.

In Actual Use: This feature of the C520 works just as advertised and allows for much more than Mio intended.

Clear Display

According to Mio: The widescreen 4.3" LCD color display provides navigation information at a glance, even in bright sunlight.

In Actual Use: The C520 uses a simply amazing display, easily one of the best and easiest to read that we have seen. It works well even in full daylight.

Portable Design

According to Mio: With a slim design, the device slips easily into your pocket, purse or briefcase.

In Actual Use: The C520 is very very portable, weighs almost nothing, is very compact, and has a good battery life which makes it an excellent traveling GPS companion.

Supports Import of Outlook® Contact Lists

According to Mio: Transfer contacts from Microsoft® Outlook® for instant navigation to their address.

In Actual Use: Works just as described.

Ready out of the Box

According to Mio: Everything needed for a great experience is in the box. Including pre-loaded maps and complete accessories.

In Actual Use: The C520 does indeed come with everything you can immediately need for this device. The only addition we would make is for a carrying case so you dont damage the screen when you want to use it as a walking mobile GPS.