Mio 168 PDA with integrated Satellite Navigation

Build quality is generally good and it's a pleasure to see so many accessories included in the box (windscreen mount, car charger and carry pouch. The 128Mb SD card supplied is adequate (just) but you will really need at least 256Mb to do anything much beyond satellite navigation. As with most things like this the instruction manual supplied tells you WHAT you can do... but I had to invest in another book to tell me HOW to do it!

Overall I'm very pleased with it now its up and running. Just a few words of advice though: this unit is available at various places supplied with different Sat Nav. packages. Personally I don't think the Evesham package is among the better ones, and its certainly not the cheapest. I got mine with Navman Smart ST software (The unit retails under a different name but it's exactly the same, it just has the Navman software instead. 20% cheaper with better software in my opinion... see the website for details).

For this package listed here I'd say 5/5 for the hardware but only 3/5 for the software.

The Mio Digiwalker 168 is one of those devices that combines two in one - not only is it a GPS system, but it's also a Pocket PC too. The Digiwalker uses CoPilot software to guide you around the streets and laneways of Ireland,complete with maps and voice prompts.

Using the device was simple. CoPilot is installed as a program on the Digiwalker, and a 128Mbyte Secure Digital card contains the maps, preloaded. When you initialise the software, the opening screen gives the option of setting a new trip, adding a stop to the current trip or simply start driving.

Any addresses you input are saves as favourites, so you easily find them if you need them again. You can also save individual addresses such as your workplace or home address.

Once you've inputted your trip details, including the stops, the GPS software will try to pinpoint your current position. This can take a few minutes, especially if its cloudy.

The Guidance mode will give you the full experience - voice prompts, maps - while the planning mode will allow you to get directions to your chosen destination without the GPS system giving you the voice prompts. There's also a walking mode that allows you to take the handheld to the footpaths of Ireland.

The device can be set to show different facilities or points of interest, such as petrol stations, parking facilities or even museums. As you approach these points of interest, the software issues a voice prompt.

On the whole, this was a good device. The software rarely steered me wrong, but there was one or two wobbly moments - one when the GPS incorrectly told us to take the first turn off a roundabout instead of the second, but managed to give us the correct road name to take, and another when it tried to take me down a dark laneway that looked like it led to nowhere - turns out it was the correct road.

Whenever I wandered off the course planned by the GPS, it recalculated my route quickly and gave me alternative directions.

When I couldn't find specific addresses, they were easy to pinpoint on the map and adds as a stop.