Mio Moov GPS questions

[DeniseM]

In 2008 I got DH a Mio Moov 500 for Christmas.

I thought he would use it, but we used it once on a trip to Tahoe (actually he didn't touch it - I used it) and then he put it in his desk, and never opened the box again.

Last night he got it out (yes, 3 years later!) and said - let's take this to Las Vegas.

I asked him - Is it charged? Have you ever updated the maps?
Got a dumb look back - no DH is not a techy.

So I went to the Mio website and could find nothing, then I called customer service and talked to someone in another country.

After taking down all my info. and a long discussion he said: That model has been discontinued - we don't support it any more, but I can offer you a discount if you buy a new one!

Finally the question- Is there anyway to update the maps, and if not, is it pointless to take it to LV with 2008 maps?

I googled and found this website, but I am not sure about using it - http://www.filecrop.com/mio-moov-500-map-update.html

 

[Passepartout]

I wouldn't invest a lot of time or money in this, but what the heck. Plug it in to your computer with the presumably included USB cord and click on the 'update maps' link for your model. If it works, fine. If not, you probably aren't out much. Next time, buy a Garmin. Get one with the model suffix LM or LMT which stands for lifetime maps or lifetime maps/traffic.

Alternately, just take the Mio with you. Since the recession hit Las Vegas pretty hard, there haven't been a lot of new roads started since then. Even though the map data may be 3 years old, you should be able to input addresses and get to them. What really gets out-of-date fastest is the points of interest. Businesses change, start up, go out of business, move.

My stand alone Garmin is about that same age, and DW's built-in Toyota nav system is a 2005. It costs double what mine cost for new maps and the one in the car is almost $200 on eBay! One day when we are flush, we'll but a new portable, but now.

Santa, are you listening?

Jim

 

[DeniseM]

Hi Jim - Are you saying to use the unknown website that I googled?

http://www.filecrop.com/mio-moov-500-map-update.html

 

[Talent312]

I got a similar cold-shoulder from Garmin about one of their discontinued models, but I'm still using it.

I'm a little leary of public file sharing sites, but if you have decent antivirus software that scans downloadables, it should be safe enuff. But that won't tell you if the file is useable. You might try to see if the Mio website has something to say about this particular update.

Of course, not updating at all is the safest option. You may miss some new construction or place names, but roads don't change all that much. It'll take you where you need to go.

Many newer GPS units include lifetime map updates with software for you 'puter that automatically checks for and downloads available updates.

 

[Passepartout]

Hi Jim - Are you saying to use the unknown website that I googled?

http://www.filecrop.com/mio-moov-500-map-update.html

Like Talent312 said- assuming you have up-to-date virus scanning, sure. I'm not familiar with how your particular unit loads maps, but perhaps following the update instructions in either your owner's guide or online will give you the sequence. I know my Garmin allows loading maps onto microSD card and selecting either the onboard memory or reading from the card. Hopefully yours is similar.

Also, as he said, if you are uncomfortable trying to update it, just take it on your trip as is.

BTW, I clicked the link and neither my Web Of Trust nor AVG sounded an alarm for what that's worth.

Jim

 

[DeniseM]

The GPS was pretty much a bust - it could be used as a map, but it could not find any addresses, so I guess the map was too old and out of synch.

 

[ricoba]

If you have a smart phone, use its GPS rather than pay to update an out of date item.