Home » Review: Mio Cyclo 200 – Cycle into the unknown!

Review: Mio Cyclo 200 – Cycle into the unknown!

Mio-cyclo-1

Mio Cycle 200 is the easy to use bicycle navigation device for anyone who enjoys cycling. With cycle paths and road maps pre-installed, you are able to get started right out of the box. You have the option to follow your own preferred routes, or do the standard A to B routing. There is even a Surprise Me feature which finds three surprising bicycle routes based on your entered time or distance. A large anti-glare 3.4” screen and clear sound make sure every instruction is clear and easy to follow. All this is packaged in a water proof case and the battery gives you 10 hours of usage time.

It measures your time, speed, distance, height, calorie consumption and more. With the desktop application, you can store your data, manage your route history, and make that all-so-important share with friends. You can also download routes and enjoy new roads and add areas of interest.

Top Features

  • Easy and User Friendly Navigation
  • Cycle paths and road maps pre-installed
  • Turn-by-turn instructions
  • Surprise Me Feature
  • Cycling related POIs

In the box

  • Cyclo 200
  • AC and USB Charger
  • Bike Mount Kit

 

Setup and Installation

The Mio Cyclo 200 is pretty much ready to go from the moment you turn it on, and easy to use. The included bike mount also makes it incredibly easy for you to attach it to any bike handle. You do have the need to cable tie it into place, which means this isn’t easy to move from bike to bike.

There is an alternative on offer, which allows you to mount it via the more traditional screw and nut option. This you have to buy as an extra though.

front_bike_holder

It also easily clips off and on, so you don’t have to worry about leaving it on your bike at all times. Trying various bumpy routes, it worked well, and did not give me the fear of it falling off and getting lost for ever.

Navigation

The real deal on offer here is the turn-by-turn navigation. Funnily enough I know many a people who have done the Land’s End to John O’Groats Cycle ride, and one of the most important things during the journey is not only knowing your route well (and avoiding costly/tiring de-tours), but also knowing exactly where the important points of interests are, everything from bike shops to food, and in between.

The Mio Cyclo, with it’s 3.5″ anti-glare touch screen gives you access to all of this, through a simple UI and menu system. Whether you want to navigate a journey of a few miles, or something major like going all across UK, just add your destination and you should be good to go. Maps of Europe were included in our test pack, which meant that you are good to go anywhere around Europe.

The screen guides you, and every instruction is also accompanied by an audible alert to make sure you don’t miss it. While the screen features good data while cycling, the alert may be a tad soft at times under layers of hats/helmets, etc.

And no, you’re not just restricted to roads, this one includes cycle paths as well.

The Cycle 200 is also packaged in an IPX5 waterproof casing, meaning you don’t have to worry about bad weather, and it features 10 hours of battery life on top.

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Surprise Me

This is by far my favourite feature. It works on the premise that you enter your wanted ‘cycling distance’, and it will come up with a circular route that will span that distance. This is great, specially if you are cycling in your locality, and have already explored all the local options. While Oxford was not entirely the best place to use this, mainly as I have tried everything I can find, it was interesting to travel a few miles out of Oxford and try it again. It showed me different routes, over and over again, and the choice was brilliant.

Cycling is all about discovering what nature has to offer, and this particular feature is rather good in that case.

Desktop Application

From the device, you can then download your performance, your speed, and your maps to your desktop. The application works well, and gives you plenty of detail. You can then download your GPS maps and upload them to other services if needed.

You can also upload your own routes, and such like.

 

More information

More information on the Mio Cyclo 200 can be found on the Mio website:

http://eu.mio.com/en_gb/cyclo-200.htm

More on the Front Bike Holder can be found on the website too:

http://eu.mio.com/shop/product_info_new.php?products_id=7338#.VsYec_KLTIU

It normally retails for £149, but is available for £134.99 currently from Tredz.co.uk.

Verdict

A great and user friendly screen and UI make this one of the best cycling gadgets we have tried.

 

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