Mio's C710 is an in-car GPS navigation device that's also small enough to use when you're on foot. At 21mm thick, it fits in the hand like a PDA, and comes with a carry strap, pouch and a mounting clip for a bicycle.

However, that doesn't mean you have to compromise when using it in a car. The 3.5in TFT screen is bright and the maps are clear and easy to read, even zooming in to provide extra detail when you approach a turn. The speakers are loud enough to be heard over traffic and the Mio comes loaded with maps of 24 European countries.

You can find an address by street name, but also by full seven-digit postcode or from a contacts list that's synchronised with Microsoft Outlook. For a service (such as a petrol station or hotel) rather than a location, just search the point of interest (POI) database instead. The Mio also comes with a speed camera POI database - something that's usually a chargeable extra.

To plan a journey in advance, you can manually set a start point, otherwise the Mio uses your current GPS co-ordinates, as detected by the sensitive receiver. Trip calculations (and recalculations on wrong turns) are snappy, taking just over 13 seconds to compute a journey from south London to Edinburgh. The C710 never got us lost, although the software strongly favours main roads and sometimes misses obvious shortcuts.

Several controls are placed on the map display, letting you zoom in and out and even change the 3D tilt angle. They're a little small for large fingers and the menu system is unnecessarily complicated, so you'll need a little time to get to grips with all the functions.

As well as the Mio Map software, the device also comes with a calculator that doubles as a currency converter, a JPEG picture viewer and an MP3 player. The C710 can also operate as a hands-free device with a Bluetooth-equipped mobile phone. Full European maps add significant value to the already likeable C710 and if you're a keen walker or cyclist, you'll love the compact size.TYPE GPS device SCREEN 3.5in LCD (320 x 240) BATTERY 4.5 hours SOFTWARE Mio Map 3.1 MAPS 24 European countries (inc. UK) EXTRAS car kit, cycle mount, earphones SIZE 113 x 21 x 81mm WEIGHT 172g
Compact and quick to plan a route, the DigiWalker is a GPS device that's good for walkers and motorists alike. Use the C710 in a car, on a bike, or on foot, once you're familiar with the menus and settings.

Author: RK

Mio DigiWalker C710