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[Goattee]

I live in Bangkok with my Thai partner. He is fluent in Thai and English and he does the driving. So he knows all the rules (and lack thereof) in driving here. His sense of direction fails when he is out of familiar parts of Bangkok. I thought I'd get a gift to make driving a less harrowing experience. Can you help?

I am in the US right now and hoping to get a good deal on a major brand GPS system (most likely Garmin or TomTom). Here are the things I'd like to determine:

• Are there good maps for Bangkok? How about the other major population centers? (less important to us but nice to know)
  
• Are the maps better for Garmin or TomTom?
  
• Are there any important drawbacks that make GPS in Bangkok a waste of money? Or can it really help you navigate around khlongs and through complicated interconnected sois?
  
• Where/how do you obtain the maps? And what is the cost?

I can read Amazon reviews, etc. to find the best hardware within a product family so unless you have really strong recommendations on particular models, my concern is mostly on map availability and quality.

[metro33777]

Hi.

  I purchased a micro sd card on Ebay loaded with maps from southeast Asia as well as 7 other countries for my Garmin GPS. I have toyed around with it but not used it in Thailand yet, I will in July. I have located my wifes home town on it and it has updated maps for America.  I am very happy with it and have traveled through America with outstanding results.

Just an idea thrown at you to try Ebay. They also sell GPS units for reasonable prices. I have purchased a reconditioned unit from CompUSA.com. It is excellent unit at a fraction of the original price, unfortunately neither of my GPS units contain Thai as a language option, but they are low end units.

Hope I have given you an idea or 2.

[hkt83100]

I use my Nokia N82 with the built-in Maps 2.0, and it works pretty well. For voice guidance you need a license which you can buy for a week, month, or year. The maps are free to download. There are several phones with GPS, just have a look. Oh, the voice can be in almost every language, even in Thai :-)

[richard_smith237]

I have a locally purchased Garmin Nuvi 200 (I think thats the model - it was about B9900 from MBK).

It's slow to start up and locate the satellites, it looses satellite reception along Sukhumvit (under the sky train).

On the positive I've found it useful with good maps both in and outside of Bangkok and it takes a lot of stress away from traveling to unknown parts.

IMO - A dedicated GPS is a better option than a one on a phone.

> The ESRI map is (with the garmin) is very detailed for the majority of Thailand.
> IMO Garmin appears to be more common here. I'm not sure about the Map quality and comparison.
> I have never thought my GPS was a waste of money.
> It might just be easier to buy the GPS locally with the maps pre-loaded rather than being charged to have the maps loaded (maybe some other responders can advise on this).

[eTiMaGo]

richard_smith237, on 2009-11-28 10:44:22, said:

I have a locally purchased Garmin Nuvi 200 (I think thats the model - it was about B9900 from MBK).

It's slow to start up and locate the satellites, it looses satellite reception along Sukhumvit (under the sky train).

On the positive I've found it useful with good maps both in and outside of Bangkok and it takes a lot of stress away from traveling to unknown parts.

IMO - A dedicated GPS is a better option than a one on a phone.

> The ESRI map is (with the garmin) is very detailed for the majority of Thailand.
> IMO Garmin appears to be more common here. I'm not sure about the Map quality and comparison.
> I have never thought my GPS was a waste of money.
> It might just be easier to buy the GPS locally with the maps pre-loaded rather than being charged to have the maps loaded (maybe some other responders can advise on this).

Agreed with the above - I have a 3-year old Garmin 310 unit, and the maps are rather good, very detailed.
GPS is definitely the most useful add-on I've had on the car, I have a rather bad sense of orientation, I'd probably be in Mongolia by now if I didn't have it
And yes, best to buy it directly here from ESRI/Gadgettrend, you'll get support and I think they offer free map updates for a year

Lastly, don't blindly follow your GPS... It may take you from A to B, but it's hardly as good as knowledge of the roads and experience

Apart from Garmin, I don't think TomTom has any local maps, but there's a lot of units sold under different brands, but using the same navigation software called SpeedNavi, which is pretty decent too, and I think cheaper than Garmin.

[billd766]

I use a Garmin Nuvi 260  W and my maps are from Rottweiler who I found through Thai Visa.

The Rottweiler maps I have found to be very good and not that expensive though I cannot remember the cost as it was over a year ago.

I also use it on my motorcycle and in hindsight I wish I had bought a model with Bluetooth so that I can hear it.

All I can say it that the system works well for me though at times it misses a turn or tells me to go on a different road it is excellent for 99% of the time and the detail is very good down to 70 metres if I need it.

[robbo1957]

billd766, on 2009-11-28 15:53:10, said:

I use a Garmin Nuvi 260 W and my maps are from Rottweiler who I found through Thai Visa.

The Rottweiler maps I have found to be very good and not that expensive though I cannot remember the cost as it was over a year ago.

I also use it on my motorcycle and in hindsight I wish I had bought a model with Bluetooth so that I can hear it.

All I can say it that the system works well for me though at times it misses a turn or tells me to go on a different road it is excellent for 99% of the time and the detail is very good down to 70 metres if I need it.

I have the Garmin in my ISUZI Pick-up,the touch screen KENWOOD,and it is crap,takes 1 hour to locate sats and always lose signal in Bangkok with the high rise buildings and SKY Train ect.I Drive from Hua Hin to Pattaya,4 hours and sometimes cannot pick up a SAt during the whole journey

[WildChilli]

we use a garmin GPS  that we bourght  in BKK
it sertanly does work well althoug it helps if he is fluent in thai writing as it  can become  a bit hard
to find some shopping centers or other places with  a official name and a nick name
but as for navigating to get from one address to a nother  it have been great  not always the shortest way but .. who am i to complain as without it
i would take 3 times  as long to get from A to B
should he happen to  do a detur it will guide him back on track

worked well when visiting freinds in udon thani  and korat as well as in BKK

ALL IN ALL A HAPPY GPS USER

though i do preffer the more USER freindly TOMTOM  and will get my maps updated for next time i need it

[WildChilli]

hey robbo have you tryed restarting it or recalibrate it to factory default

i belive there is a setting on the garmin nuvi to recalibrate it  should pick up the satelites easyer after duing that

good luck ..  m8

a few times we lost conection under the skytrain and over head motorway .. but only for a  minute or so ..

[billd766]

robbo1957, on 2009-11-28 16:40:51, said:

billd766, on 2009-11-28 15:53:10, said:

I use a Garmin Nuvi 260 W and my maps are from Rottweiler who I found through Thai Visa.

The Rottweiler maps I have found to be very good and not that expensive though I cannot remember the cost as it was over a year ago.

I also use it on my motorcycle and in hindsight I wish I had bought a model with Bluetooth so that I can hear it.

All I can say it that the system works well for me though at times it misses a turn or tells me to go on a different road it is excellent for 99% of the time and the detail is very good down to 70 metres if I need it.

I have the Garmin in my ISUZI Pick-up,the touch screen KENWOOD,and it is crap,takes 1 hour to locate sats and always lose signal in Bangkok with the high rise buildings and SKY Train ect.I Drive from Hua Hin to Pattaya,4 hours and sometimes cannot pick up a SAt during the whole journey

Mine boots up in a couple of minutes if I don't use it for a few days but otherwise usually in a minute or less and I don't think I have lost a signal in Bangkok.

It sometimes gets confused if I stop at a junction under the Skytrain but picks up as soon as I move off.

It works in Thai but my wife won't use it as she "knows the way anyway".

Edited by billd766, 2009-11-28 17:00:32.

[aidenai]

robbo1957, on 2009-11-28 16:40:51, said:

I have the Garmin in my ISUZI Pick-up,the touch screen KENWOOD,and it is crap,takes 1 hour to locate sats and always lose signal in Bangkok with the high rise buildings and SKY Train ect.I Drive from Hua Hin to Pattaya,4 hours and sometimes cannot pick up a SAt during the whole journey

I have in my MU7 the Kenwood DNX7340BT Garmin with TSM V10 and external antennae mounted on the dashboard. It locks onto the satellites in seconds. If have an accuracy of 3 metres hence a great reception i.e satellite connection.

There might be something wrong with your equipment.

[jackspratt]

You may be better off looking in the GPS forum here:  http://www.thaivisa....marks-f145.html

[janvranckx]

I use the latest version of IGO 8 R3 on my pocket PC (ASUS A632 with GPS) and it works perfect. Everything on 2 Gb SD card. I use it already 2 years and I'm very happy. POI and 3D buildings are also available. The maps are from Teleatlas updated Dec 2008.

[jackspratt]

I did a lot of research before deciding which GPS unit to buy, and ended up settling on a Garmin (nuvi 260) - mainly for the ease of obtaining and updating maps.

There are 3 or 4 different maps available that I am aware of:

- Thai Street Map (now v10)

- SE Asia (v4.5) - also includes Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Macau

- Rottweiler (not sure about version)

- a Topo map (version also unknown).

By googling something like "garmin maps thailand" you will come up with a variety of options to obtain these maps. In my experience, some options are cheaper than others if you have a bit of computer savvy.

[honey2000]

I was given a lift by a friend recently, he had a new GPSr, and I 've seen quite a few, was really impressed by it, excellent clear graphics it was in Thai/English..a very polite lady Thai giving the guidance. It was I-something and only 8000 baht.
PM me if you wish and I will ask him about it. he's in Kazakstan now so might be a day or two.
I'd buy one but use a Garmin 60CSx (get a fix in an oubliet), on my push bike and never take the car further than Big C from Somprasong Condo.

[Gary A]

I have just heard from Eagle GPS and was told that ESRI has lowered the V 10 map price to 2,000 baht. They have eliminated the one free update but 2,000 baht for the complete Thailand map is quite reasonable. The map comes on a CD.

It would appear that the many pirated maps floating around has forced them to lower their prices.

[jackspratt]

Gary A, on 2009-11-29 14:21:56, said:

I have just heard from Eagle GPS and was told that ESRI has lowered the V 10 map price to 2,000 baht. They have eliminated the one free update but 2,000 baht for the complete Thailand map is quite reasonable. The map comes on a CD.

It would appear that the many pirated maps floating around has forced them to lower their prices.

Ain't competition wonderful  

[metro33777]

Check out this webpage. Information about Garmin GPS, should be somewhat helpful. Good luck.

www.asiatradingonline.com/garmin2.htm

Ken

[robertsonmartin]

I recently bought a Garmin Nuvi 205W in the UK for the equivalent thai price of 5000 baht, with the thinking of buying the thai map over here (Phuket).

The shop I found which sells the Garmin's (in Central Festival) the guy wouldn't sell me the official ESRI map for thailand unless I bought one of their units (same model was 9,900 baht) so after a tiny tiny bit of research on the internet I managed to download the map (v.9) directly from the net.

Great piece of software, thousands of POI's. Works like a treat. One happy GPS customer. !!!

[pampal]

I have several Garmin units all bought outside Thailand. I have the Garmin map on SD I bought in the US and the ESRI downloaded for free. IMO the ESRI has much more detail and is better with street names.

[Theo007]

I purchased a great GPS system on eBay at a very reasonable price and got the maps here. The English version tells me that I'm speeding but the Thai one doesn't bother, wonder why!

[InterestedObserver]

Theo007, on 2009-12-06 09:42:52, said:

I purchased a great GPS system on eBay at a very reasonable price and got the maps here. The English version tells me that I'm speeding but the Thai one doesn't bother, wonder why!

Could it be because Thai drivers usually don't pay attention to the posted speed limits.     

[gotlost]

GPS is only as good as the person that use it and knows that they are the computer not the GPS.

[jb5music]

They don't need to make GPS so you can track where you are. They need to make GPS
that tracks every excessive smoke spewing exhaust pipe and the direction it's traveling and at what velocity.
Instead of every excessive smoke spewing exhaust pipe tracking where you are and what direction you're
heading and at what velocity.

They need to make GPS foreigner vehicle tracking scramblers.

(fun fun fun)

[farangkeenok]

I bought a garmin Nuvi 200 recently.

Can not say I am very impressed with how it handles around Bangkok. Guided me to a shortcut which turned to be a dead end about 3 times already.

Told me to take the expressway while I knew a shorter road...

Guess I am spoiled with the more userfriendly TomTom in Europe.

Can not remember which maps are off factory installed in the garmin, but I am sure there are better ones.

Advice anyone?

BR