By Ian Neubauer
Sydney: Mio’s new range of car navigation systems will be one of the first units to offer Traffic Management Channel (TMC) — a subscription-based technology that provides realtime information on traffic congestion and suggests alternative routes.
The new range includes the entry-level C320, a slim GPS unit featuring a 4.3-inch LCD colour screen, turn-by-turn voice guidance, split-screen technology and preloaded mapping with over 500,000 points of interest for RRP $449.
The top-of-the-range C720t model includes all of these features as well as an integrated 2 megapixel digital camera, built-in audio and video player, hands-free calling through a Bluetooth-enabled phone and TMC hardware and software for RRP $699.
Mio Technology Australia sales director, Peter Ferrigno, described the new range as the ultimate car navigation systems.
“For individuals who spend a lot of time on the road for work such as truck drivers and couriers, Mio will enable them to save considerable time, money and stress,” he said.
“Furthermore, for thousands of drivers who turn their car on in the morning and just don’t know what traffic to expect, they can simply turn on their Mio device, see what traffic lies ahead and make the appropriate adjustments to their route.”
The new range is scheduled for release in December. TMC services will be available in Melbourne and Brisbane by December. Sydney and Brisbane service are due to launch early next year, while Perth and Adelaide services are due to launch early 2009. TMC lifetime subscription is RRP $129.