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Editorial Review :
ClarionMiND is a completely new type of mobile Internet device created by the car audio and navigation expert Clarion. As a Next Generation Navigation plus Internet-Based Entertainment device, it provides GPS navigation, and with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled cellphone, the Internet can be accessed via a full browser anytime and anywhere. ClarionMiND has a new interface that allows you to navigate the real-world and the unlimited possibilities of the Internet at the touch of a finger. Standard Features: Available in Black, White and Red; 4.8-inch TFT WVGA Touch Screen; Built-In Navigation; Built-In WiFi; Stylus and Quick Reference Guide; Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery; Cigarette lighter and AC Adapter; Windshield Mount Kit. Hardware: Intel Atom Processor Architecture; 4.8 inch WVGA(800x480) Widescreen LCD Display with touch screen; Simple Three Buttons (Home, Control,Audio); Built in stylus holder; Headphone Jack; Built-In Speaker / Amplifier; Inter-changeable Li-Ion Battery and extended battery is available as an option. Storage: 512MB DRAM; 800MHz Clock Speed; 4GB Solid-State memory for Storage. I/O: MicroSD Card Slot; 2 USB Port (Standard 2.0/Mini); Built-In WiFi b/g; Built-In Bluetooth 2.0 EDR for Dial-up Networking (phone tethering) uses phone as a modem; Built-In SiRF GPS III 20-Channel GPS Antenna/Reciever; USB media control to external MP3 thru RealPlayer; Docking Station Connector for optional NK1. Dimensions: 6.61in(W) x 3.78in (H) x 1.06in (D) with Standard Battery; 6.61in(W) x 3.78in (H) x 1.42in (D) with Large battery (Option); Total Weight : With Standard Battery: 11.64oz With Large Battery: 13.76oz (Option.
Customer Review :
A Linux Geeks Dream
Overall as a GPS I pretty much agree with "Stan Matofu's" review of the device above. However, I purchased this device in December primarily as a portable media player for my car. Everything else that this device offers was extra, especially considering that I purchased this device for a shade over $100. After having it for a couple of weeks and hacking on it for a while, I would say that I am pretty pleased with the device. Firstly, the device has an Intel Atom Z530, Intel GMA500 (Poulsbo) integrated graphics and 4GB SSD, which is pretty "standard" netbook/UMPC class hardware. With the standard USB port that is built in, one can attach a thumbdrive of practically any size for an infinite amount of music on the go. Additionally, by plugging in a USB keyboard, and switching to virtual console 3 (Ctrl-Alt-F3), you can login as the root user and hack the device to your pleasure (default password is '1234'). Wifi support is pretty rock-solid. DUN support over Bluetooth works well with my Blackberry Storm, which is great because I can use this device as a quasi-internet tablet while in the car(parked of course :) ) The device itself is based on Asianux Midinux Linux which is a offshoot of Fedora. Ubuntu's netbook remix also runs on the device. Installing whichever OS you want on the device is pretty simple, as the USB ports are 1st in the boot order of the device. Heck, even Windows XP runs like a champ on this device. The hardware, according to its specifications, supports up to a 4GB microSD card. I've happily been using a Transcend 8GB microSDHC card with this device to store my music. At its original price of ~$600, there would be no way that I would have bought it. As a ~$100 GPS unit, it is quite serviceable. It has its quirks as all devices do, yet it has some pretty nice features, especially if you can connect it via PPP over Bluetooth so that it gets Internet in-vehicle. Finally, as a portable Linux based computer, it is very much worth the cost alone. I am purchasing a second one, just because it is so hackable.
Rating : 
Great MID Toy!!!
1st off, I use this device primarily as a "MID not a MIND"; can do without the GPS navigation, I know my directions well nuff and can still actually read a map.
1. What I find are its outstanding qualities:
- Amazon price for this product for what's basically a miniature surfing computer spells out as a nice little cheap toy!
- Wi Fi connection, this machine seems to instantaneously hook up faster than my laptop or hard rive.
- Browser, surfing, e-mails, etc. as described; works just like a larger laptop or desktop. I understand you can surf with most smart phones now, but their screens are still way to small for my taste.
- File manager and RealPlayer software for storing some important pics, those good enough that you can use for your Clarion wallpaper choices, other so-so pics can stay in the flash drive.
- Good enough size LCD screen, clean picture resolution, vibrant colors. Audio good enough for this small device.
- Real Player software good enough to use for watching MP4 movies while sitting around in a plane plus opening your picture files.
2. Good: 4 GB internal memory only, however, I am always using USB 2.0 flash drives. One of my 8 GB flash drive hold ups to 6-7 full length DVD movies, MP4 files that is.
3. Sucks: Battery life, charged and re-charged this a few times and I feel like I'm only getting 30-45 minutes life out of it. This in mind, I usually keep it plugged in while monkeying around with it in the sofa. I am getting a Duracell 100 watt mobile power source to use, see if this'll get me an extended 2-3 hours more when I can't find an outlet.
Bottom line, for a $129 mobile internet device with Free Amazon Shipping, what's not to like about this?! Gave this a 5-Star, discounting battery performance which I believe is totally independent of this device's useful capabilities.
Rating :
amazon very disapointing!!!!
Well actually i wasn't able to event try it since amazon send me a broken one and does not want to replace it for me.
Amazon try to send working items so nobody looses time, mine is very precious i presume that yours too.
Rating :
mediocre at best
With the description of this product, it seemed almost too good to be true... Well, it was too good to be true.
First and most importantly, the GPS itself is using 1st quater 2008 navteq maps. These are nearly two years old. I tried contacting Clarion support, and they said that is the latest they have. The GPS itself acquired very quickly for me, and seemed to route quite well and quickly. So if you intend to use this product strictly for GPS, and don't mind 1st quater 2008 maps, I'd say it's just okay. The speaker itself is really quiet. Don't expect a loud turn by turn. If you just wanted to use the GPS only, I think money is better spent elsewhere-- this unit is large, and the bevel is pretty thick. If you compare it to other GPS systems, this GPS is huge.
As for the my.clarion.com, it picked up my account pretty easily-- site seemed okay, but really there isn't a whole lot there. Integration with traffic.com is neat, but in real practice it's rather silly-- there aren't that many people with 3G USB dongles so the update you would run would be right before you head out of the house or office which doesn't do most people a whole lot of good.
As for the other internet connectivity, youtube stutters (tried about 5 videos, all the same... and it's NOT my internet connection). Mozilla browser was half decent. Didn't bother trying the myspace integration. But POI's sent from Google seemed to work, but it's really no big deal.
All in all, I'd say this product isn't ready for prime time... even if you just wanted to use it as a MID, don't waste your money.
Rating :
great features for the price
With recent price reduction, the Mind is competing in the household GPS range, and it competes very well.
*The GPS antenna is sensitive enough to pick up sigal even in middle of the room. The Navteq software provides an easy and familiar interface.
*The file explorer even displays chinese characters.
*With the October update, the real player now plays most types of avi, mp4, and rm files. Most files played smoothly, but a few has pixel update problems.
*The entire interface is fairly easy to use, with shortcut buttons for home, brightness, and volume.
There are a just few minor imperfections:
*Traffic is basically just a webpage, pretty useless.
*Youtube video stutters.
*The rims are too thick. It should instead house a 6" screen.
Overall, the Mind really offers a lot for the price. It competes with Q1 & Viliv at household GPS price.
Rating :
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