It has a massive screen even compared to most sat navs on the market today.
This means even more detail on screen and clearer directions. Spoken directions and lane guidance are both standard features but this Mio device also has lifetime map updates and safety camera data, both of which mean after a few years use you shouldn’t find yourself needing to get a new sat nav.
Sat Nav: Car navigation with safety at the forefront
- Lifetime Map Updates
- Safety Camera Data
- IQ Routes™
- LearnMe Pro
Always find your way - Lifetime Map Updates
Never worry about road changes or closures thanks to the device's built-in Lifetime Map Updates. Connect your device to your PC, install the MioMore™ Software and you'll always know when there's an update available, and you'll never get lost.
Safety at the forefront - Safety Camera Data
The Spirit 8500 LM satnav comes with pre-installed safety camera data, so that you'll always know how fast you can go and at what speed. The data updates for the lifetime of the device too, because with Mio you can drive forever.
Real-life information for real-life journeys - IQ Routes™
By collecting real data from other drivers, IQ Route optimises your journey so you can avoid closed roads and congestion.
You drive, your device learns - LearnMe Pro
The more you drive, the more it learns with the LearnMe Pro feature. The tool learns and monitors your driving style so it can provide you with personalised routes that suit your journey preferences.
Never lose your car - Find My Car
We never think it will happen to us, but sometimes finding where we parked our car in a busy parking lot can be tricky. The Spirit 8500 LM sat nav comes with Find My Car, so take the device with you when you leave your car, and let it guide you back to your car when you're ready.
Satnav System Specs
Hardware
GPS Chipset MediaTek MT3337E
Processor type Mstar 2532, 800 MHz
Touchscreen Yes
Display Type & Size 15.7cm (6.2")
Display Resolution 800 x 480
Battery Type 1100 mAh
Power Connector Mini USB
Memory / RAM 128 MB
micro SD Card Slot Yes
Max. SD Card Storage 64GB
Speaker Yes
Height (mm) 101.5
Width (mm) 173.1
Depth (mm) 17.7
Weight (gr) 275
Color Display Yes
Software
Lifetime Map Updates Yes
Lifetime Safety Camera Updates Yes
Road Speed Limit Information Yes
Spoken street names(TTS) Yes
Lane Guidance Yes
IQ Routes™ Yes
3D Junction View Yes
LearnMe Pro™ Yes
Pedestrian Mode Yes
Trip Planner Yes
Near Me Yes
Find My Car Yes
Tunnel guidance Yes
PND Operating System Windows CE 6.0
Navigation Software and Map Yes
Our Expert review of the Mio Spirit 8500 LM Sat Nav
What would you use it for?
Navigating from A to B. You would put the Mio Spirit 8500 LM GPS satellite navigation device in your car and using the network of satellites in orbit to calculate and direct a route from your current location to an intended destination.
What’s good about it?
It has a massive screen even compared to most sat navs on the market today. This means even more detail on screen and clearer directions. Spoken directions and lane guidance are both standard features but this Mio device also has lifetime map updates and safety camera data, both of which mean after a few years use you shouldn’t find yourself needing to get a new sat nav. If you’ve ever been on a journey and ran in to traffic in an unfamiliar part of the country, the Mio Spirit 8500 LM has IQ Routes which can change routes to avoid road closures and congestion.
Are there any drawbacks?
There is a lot packed in to the Mio Spirit 8500 LM, which there has to be when most people would rather use their smartphone than a standalone sat nav. It is super easy to use and the lifetime map updates is a bonus, but will that be enough to stop you’re average motorist from using Google Maps on their smartphone, we aren’t too sure.
Are there alternative products available?
Mainly from Tom Tom, but also in the rather large and dominant shape of your smartphone. If you have Apple or an Android handset you’ll have access to so many different navigation apps, which could be argued renders the humble sat nav obsolete.
