Clarion Clarion MiND Black Best Price, Reviews, Compare
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Clarion Clarion MiND Black Best Price, Reviews, Compare.
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6/3/2009 Update
I've been using the draw for a few weeks now. It has a lot of potential and things can be done, but many applications/features lack the quality of a worn product: inconsistent and corrupt interface, missing features etc.
Major issues:
1. Microscopic POI database. Only 2 mln POIs, and so far, no design to consume or import additional POIs. Huge spot for me, and no easy intention around. Finding missing POIs using Google at home takes longer than on a regular GPS unit with built-in POIs. You cannot spend Google on the road (or it is mighty more difficult) . Some GPS devices have 6 or more millions of POIs; you can really like it after using the diminutive 2mln Clarion's database.
2. POI search accelerate can be from 10 seconds to 3 minutes!!! depending on user's entry. 3 minutes - it is fair an absurd number. It must be fixed.
3. No Bluetooth hands-free calling. (The GPS is supposed to work with a phone. Why not hands-free calling? I need a BT headset? How many more electronics should I carry? )
4. Bluetooth dial-up network (DUN) doesn't work with my phone. I was surprised because it was one of the major selling points. Clarion provides only a list of compatible networks and my network is on that list. No list of compatible/supported phones.(My phone's DUN works with my other devices)
My hope is that Clarion will retain releasing updates and improving its functionality.
Written before 6/3/2009
The great:
1. Integration with the Internet:
a) You can send POIs from the Internet to ClarionMiND. Even with trustworthy GPS units finding POIs may be difficult: you either don't acquire it or you score too many. ClarionMiND lets you thought your run on your computer at home using Google Maps, and send POIs to the draw. Tremendous feature!!!
b) Spacious desktop-class Internet browser. You will be able to do everything you can do on your desktop at home, including Flash videos.
c) Google search, and it is integrated with navigation.
2. Navigation (I will update this review on route quality after I utilize the unit more) :
a) So far routes gawk satisfactory.
b) Lane benefit. It shows which lane on a multi-lane road you should acquire.
c) Nice job with verbalize directions. For example, it tells you something like, "go to the suitable side of the road" in order to prepare you for correct turn.
d) All info needed for navigation is on the screen: compass heading (N, NE, E...), arrival time, distance, next and fresh street.
e) auto-zoom.
3. POI
a) Very mercurial search
b) You can preview POIs on the intention. This is something nice and fresh. You can assume a single or a group of POIs and scrutinize them on a temporary way.
4. Address entry
a) Very rapidly.
b) QWERTY keyboard
c) Predictable entry. Only estimable keys are active. As you maintain entering data, it shows what was found at the top of the hide.
d) It remembers previous entry, and lets you re-start search from any level: residence, city, street.
5. Hardware:
a) Ravishing, high-resolution, gargantuan screen
b) Touchscreen works well. It is responsive.
c) Dedicated hardware buttons for Home, Top Menu, Music/Sound.
d) Titanic to enjoy in hands
6. Free Internet traffic. So far, I didn't salvage if it is integrated with navigation. There will be an option for radio traffic which, most likely, will be integrated.
7. Internet weather, news, email etc
8. Fleet GPS lock. Less than 30 seconds.
The bad:
1.POI database is diminutive. I couldn't regain retail stores like, Walmart, Target, Costco etc
2.The car mount is terrible. It is a few 100s dollars diagram with a "$1" mount. Very difficult to mount/dismount.
3.After you mount the contrivance, it automatically limits its Internet functionality. Result: you cannot expend the Internet in your garage when the plot is mounted. You have to dismount it 1st, check the Internet, mount it again. Unpleasant!!! If they wanted to invent it splendid, they should detect vehicle run from the GPS.
4.Addresses are not displayed in the American format (number street, city zip), but as zip city street number.
5.Keyboard
a) Inconsistent keys. Sometimes, it is character-only; sometimes, characters and digits.
b) Inconsistent behavior: to gain, sometimes you have to click "Aid", sometimes "Enter"; sometimes something else.
6.Too many keystrokes needed to glance the route overview.
7.Original time is not displayed during navigation.
8.The way gets very hot.
9. Video player doesn't pick up many video formats.
The bottom line:
It is a spacious navigation device: very quickly, detailed spoken commands, plenty of details on the cover, huge draw, obedient routes. The diagram could be a perfect GPS but they have to add more POIs, BT hands-free calling, and polish the interface. ClarionMiND works very well with the Internet: it will have more or less of a practical meaning for different people.
I have ragged this unit for a few weeks. The navigation fragment is favorable. Google search is useless without Wifi. POI is a joke...it cannot even win Walmart down the street. In order to derive any usefulness in searches, I had to setup Wifi in my car. Traffic integration is poor. The traffic applet cannot zoom. You have to switch screens to peep traffic. This cannot be done if you mount the unit. Mounting the unit switches it to car mode. The traffic receiver NK1U works okay if you catch a signal. Gawk my review. Overall, the unit is composed very rough. I am hopeful that with software updates, traffic can be updated via Wifi instead of the Docking area. I had a Flow Stutter prior to this unit, but it got stolen. The Slump Reveal had better traffic information...I miss my now stolen and tiresome (company is on skeleton crew) Scramble Boom.
I was very disappointed with this for several reasons. I bought it primarily for a GPS unit, which worked exquisite, but I was really disappointed to explore that it does not feature the Bluetooth hands free calling. This was one of the features I was told (by an Amazon tech) that it had prior to my steal. The unit has a "Contacts" setting to store your personal contacts, including telephone numbers. What's the point of this setting, if you cannot call through the GPS via Bluetooth? As far as the internet, I do not have many Wi-fi connections in my residence, so the Bluetooth connection feature was sharp. However, even though I have an internet connection service on my Verizon cellular phone, I realized that to connect to the internet through this draw, it would cost an additional $50/month for this service. What a joke! Because of this, I was unable to play with the additional online features of the unit. The unit is on its scheme attend to Amazon and I idea on purchasing a respectable Garmin GPS with bluetooth hands free calling. I hope my two cents will encourage someone with their future GPS buying decision.
