Anyone with a Garmin handheld GPS ?

[FlorC]

I bought a Garmin GPSmap 67 in europe. Of course it had european maps.

How do I get a more detailed map of Thailand without paying for the expensive

Garmin one.

 

Lazada has this :SD CARD GARMIN MAP Topographic Maps + OpenStreetMap Topographic maps and routes, Thai and international maps. | Lazada.co.th

 

But I don't really trust that and it says :

Thai TOPO MAP in Thai for devices that support Thai language only.

I'd rather have an English language map of Thailand.

[Robert Paulson]

The road maps I use for Garmin have English. It’s just hard to search sometimes because of the transliteration 

[Digitalbanana]

28 minutes ago, FlorC said:

How do I get a more detailed map of Thailand without paying for the expensive

Cannot you use any number of free services found on smart phone apps, many of which work offline?

[gargamon]

Used to have garmin hand held GPSs. Google maps on a phone are much less trouble. Garmin GPSs are now in the trash bin.

[FlorC]

I don't want a smartphone , that is why I bought the Garmin 67.

Li-battery lasts 180 hours , no smartphone can do that.

 

I also bought a new camera because I don't want a smartphone.

[impulse]

OP may want to have a look here:

 

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/08/how-to-installing-free-maps-on-your-garmin-fenix-5-plus-forerunner-945-or-marq-series-watch.html

 

As for compatible devices, here’s the list of devices this will work on. It also will work on most of the handheld type outdoor devices too. If it supports Garmin maps, it’ll support 3rd party maps.

[rcjoop]

You can download the maps via the OSM site, there are several options

 

https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download

 

 

[FlorC]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

OP may want to have a look here:

 

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/08/how-to-installing-free-maps-on-your-garmin-fenix-5-plus-forerunner-945-or-marq-series-watch.html

 

As for compatible devices, here’s the list of devices this will work on. It also will work on most of the handheld type outdoor devices too. If it supports Garmin maps, it’ll support 3rd party maps.

Good link , Thanks. 

BBBike  seems worth a try and some good comments below the how to article.

1 hour ago, rcjoop said:

You can download the maps via the OSM site, there are several options

 

https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download

 

 

Yes also good link , worth a try too.

 

Thanks guys !

[SingAPorn]

Had a garmin watch and a hand held gps back before google maps was on iphone. Garmin quality is very bad and the batteries did not last. To replace them costs a fortune and it's definately not worth the money. Use google maps on your phone - it is a far better option.

[0ffshore360]

Garmin has been obseleted .

Had it's day like Skype.

Thanks much.

 

[topt]

1 hour ago, SingAPorn said:

Had a garmin watch and a hand held gps back before google maps was on iphone. Garmin quality is very bad and the batteries did not last. To replace them costs a fortune and it's definately not worth the money. Use google maps on your phone - it is a far better option.

For you possibly.

1 hour ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Garmin has been obseleted .

Had it's day like Skype.

Thanks much.

 

Not a hand held but my Garmin car GPS has not had its day yet and is still used - just saying.........

Oh and based on comments in many threads about contacting institutions in the home country lots on here still use Skype........

[FlorC]

12 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

Had a garmin watch and a hand held gps back before google maps was on iphone. Garmin quality is very bad and the batteries did not last. To replace them costs a fortune and it's definately not worth the money. Use google maps on your phone - it is a far better option.

I guess you didn't read my post.

Garmin switched to Li batteries in handheld and the gpsmap67 goes 130 hours , more in expedition mode. No smart phone can do that.

Screen is smaller than smartphone , but my gps doesn't spy on me and is more rugged than a phone.

I had my Garmin 12 for 22 years before it died. 

[Ralf001]

Not handheld but I have a Garmin Zumo XT for my motorbike, purchased locally with Thai maps installed... works great.

[Farma]

Before buying a map it could be worthwhile checking if your device is region restricted. I checked with a garmin dealer. 

 

My garmin drivesmart 60 purchased in Australia is region restricted and won't accept garmin thai maps.

 

I did find a 3rd party thai map that works as a map but street names etc are gobbledygook.

 

It works fine with middle east and European maps.

 

I've read in the past there's been disagreements between the Thai garmin map supplier and garmin.

Edited May 8 by Farma
extra info

[Soondae]

On 5/7/2024 at 3:47 PM, gargamon said:

Used to have garmin hand held GPSs. Google maps on a phone are much less trouble. Garmin GPSs are now in the trash bin.

Yep, my $1000 Garmin Colorado GPS went in the recycle bin, my iPhone with Google Maps is better here in Thailand.

[arithai12]

On 5/7/2024 at 4:02 PM, FlorC said:

I don't want a smartphone , that is why I bought the Garmin 67.

Li-battery lasts 180 hours , no smartphone can do that.

 

I also bought a new camera because I don't want a smartphone.

My smartphone can do GPS and camera and maps, but you are right I have to recharge it every 120 hours, indeed it's a bit of a pain to connect it to a USB charger before I go to bed.

[GreasyFingers]

On 5/7/2024 at 4:02 PM, FlorC said:

I don't want a smartphone , that is why I bought the Garmin 67.

Li-battery lasts 180 hours , no smartphone can do that.

 

I also bought a new camera because I don't want a smartphone.

You are too smart for this forum.

[FlorC]

44 minutes ago, arithai12 said:

My smartphone can do GPS and camera and maps, but you are right I have to recharge it every 120 hours, indeed it's a bit of a pain to connect it to a USB charger before I go to bed.

I don't know much about smartphones , but I doubt very much you can have 120 hours of ACTIVE gps tracking on one charge.

[kidneyw]

I still use a GPSmap76CSx which I bought about fourteen years ago. Still works fine in Thailand.

[Russ McD]

Some of the earlier posts elude to Open Street Map - there are ways to convert that "map" into a file called gmapsupp.img that you can load onto an SD card (or the unit itself). 

But it can be complicated and frustrating to make it work if you are not too savvy with computers & file structures.  There is a guide here which gives an overview of the process.

I do this on a regular basis for the my Zumo unit, and also on a mates 60c, so I imagine the 67 is similar.

If you are anywhere close to Chiang Mai I cud do it for for you, but I'm out of town at the mo - send me a PM if you are struggling and I will attempt to help.

Russ.

 

[FlorC]

Thanks Russ McD, but I can manage it.

 

I already downloaded a Thailand map from one of the links above. 316 MB.

Next time I go to the city , I'll buy a microSD card , because I only have SD's.

From what I've read , it is better to have it on a microSD than in the directory of the gps itself.

A bit anxious about maybe malware in such downloads that could harm my new GPS.

You can't see in those .img files.

[moose7117]

If you requesting an answer for your question, i can help, otherwise there are a lot of other opinions above that may or may not help.

 

As regards Your Garmin Handheld.

I run  Garmin Zumo System on my bike to navigate and i purchased a dedicated Thailand Map through 

Garmin Showroom & Service Center

Sathorn Nakorn Tower, 100/38-39, 22nd Floor, North Sathon Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

 

You can buy the Map on a small sd card that should plug into your handheld or you can either send your handheld to them or just drop in.

When you purchase the local map you will get a free update.

 

I have found this local addition to be very good, regularly updated and for exceed the Official garmin worldwide SE Asia maps.

 

[FlorC]

^ The Thai Garmin site is only in Thai. Even the translation by Edge browser is pretty much useless.

I have more than enough money but I'm not paying 50-100 euro (what it costs in europe)

for a garmin map. 

I don't live near bangkok. Long ago I had a little problem with the rubber battery compartment of my GPS12,

and they were uncooperative and unfriendly and expensive.

Later I went to Garmin in my country , and they gave me the rubber battery closer for free.

I'll stick to the free maps in the links above.

[moose7117]

ok, up to you.