You may be right. My ESRI map from Gadget Trend is only in English but the guy who loaded my map knew I wanted English. It's odd that my unit gives a choice of about a dozen different languages but NO Thai language. Garmin gives this message for the Thai map;

For domestic US market only

There is a substantial difference between the ESRI map sold in the US and the one sold in Thailand: The map sold in the US cannot be updated for free as the ESRI map sold in Thailand and contains only V7 not V8.

@Gary A:

How is the resolution detail of your ESRI map for Buri Ram province and vicinity? Small streets are contained here for Amphoe Huay Rat?

You may be right. My ESRI map from Gadget Trend is only in English but the guy who loaded my map knew I wanted English. It's odd that my unit gives a choice of about a dozen different languages but NO Thai language. Garmin gives this message for the Thai map;

For domestic US market only

There is a substantial difference between the ESRI map sold in the US and the one sold in Thailand: The map sold in the US cannot be updated for free as the ESRI map sold in Thailand and contains only V7 not V8.

@Gary A:

How is the resolution detail of your ESRI map for Buri Ram province and vicinity? Small streets are contained here for Amphoe Huay Rat?

Here's a shot of my computer screen. This is the Rotweiler map but it appears to be the same as ESRI. The ESRI map cannot be used on your computer.

I bought Nuvi 200 W have ESRI map at EAGLE GPS Shop they have more GPS and map http://www.eaglegps.info/shopdemo/

How much for the install..

I can get the 250w for about 7 - 8k baht but its Euro maps version.

How much for the install..

I can get the 250w for about 7 - 8k baht but its Euro maps version.

7,000 baht for the ESRI map. I had Gadget Trend put my map on a one GIG CF card and he charged me and extra 500 baht for the card. I am entitled to one free upgrade and upgrades after that are 1,500 baht.

Regarding the ESRI Thailand maps: there are two versions, one is in English language and one is in Thai. You can only load one of them at a time onto a Nuvi. There is also a special operating system loaded onto the Nuvis sold in Thailand, and that includes Thai language capability (spoken and written).

Now that I think about it, I once had a Garmin GPS in a hire car on a business trip to America that included spoken Thai directions (but no written Thai capability). I turned it on just for fun on the way to the office in the morning and received some puzzled looks from the guys that drove to lunch.

So essentially the mapping options are..

Rottwieler.. Forced donation ?? about 100 USD ?? Works on desktop too.

ERSI v7.. 120 USD from garmin website ??

ERSI V8.. 7000 Baht (200+ USD) with a free years updates from gadget trend.

Anyone used them all or knows differences ??

So essentially the mapping options are..

Rottwieler.. Forced donation ?? about 100 USD ?? Works on desktop too.

ERSI v7.. 120 USD from garmin website ??

ERSI V8.. 7000 Baht (200+ USD) with a free years updates from gadget trend.

Anyone used them all or knows differences ??

I have both. The Rotweiler maps have the advantage of being able to use the maps on your computers and the donation (?) licenses two GPS devices. It also has a number of other maps available at no additional charge, Laos and Cambodia being two that I use. (actually just look at) The disadvantage is that the Thailand map doesn't work well on either of my two units. I have a Street Pilot 2610 and an eTrex Legend CX. Rotweiler claims they work well on Nuvi units. (?). I don't know. The eTrex is usable but has routing errors and that is irritating. Upgrades and new maps are free from Rotweiler.

I love my Street Pilot so went ahead and had Gadget Trend install the ESRI Thailand map. It works perfectly. It can ONLY be used on the unit it was purchased for and can NOT be used on a PC. As far as I can tell, both maps are detailed the same and are the same size in the memory. The ESRI map routes consistently and does a good job as far as shorter or faster routes are concerned.

So I assume you have the V8 up to date maps then ??

In that case Rotweiller would seem to be equal to the v8 maps but not 100% compatible with non nuvi devices ??

With a nuvi 250w being about 120 GBP it makes it a pretty cheap setup that way.

Could someone PM me the Rottwieler webpage.. Google doesnt seem to throw it back at me with common searches and I would like to have a read.

Could someone PM me the Rottwieler webpage.. Google doesnt seem to throw it back at me with common searches and I would like to have a read.

http://rotweilermaps.com/

That was simple.. Thanks..

OK one more.. As I am thinking of a nuvi model.. I see this on the info page.

All POIs are fully searchable in accordance with Garmin standards.

The roadway or street name search capability functions are

limited on Nuvi and some StreetPilot series GPSrs. This is due to Garmin

having locked-out this capability when using custom maps on your GPSr.

So is this noticeable, surely not be able to search a streetname is a bit of a deal breaker no ???

OK one more.. As I am thinking of a nuvi model.. I see this on the info page.

All POIs are fully searchable in accordance with Garmin standards.

The roadway or street name search capability functions are

limited on Nuvi and some StreetPilot series GPSrs. This is due to Garmin

having locked-out this capability when using custom maps on your GPSr.

So is this noticeable, surely not be able to search a streetname is a bit of a deal breaker no ???

I wouldn't call it a deal breaker.

Many street names are on there, but the intersection function is very poor.

Normally when I try to find somewhere I ask for a landmark(e.g. a hotel) close buy and then pinpoint using the map function.

Even with certain limited functionality I now wouldn't be without one.

Cheers

So you really cant input a street name and have it locate it ??

Sorry but that sounds like a deal killer in my mind, thats exactly (and only) the functionality I want. I was guessing there would be some thai / roman phonetic issues but not doing a street name lookup and guide, well what else is there (I dont need to find the ATM or a garage) ??

And how about the Garmin downloadable v7 or ERSI v8 maps ??

Sounds like its not for you.

Cheers

So you really cant input a street name and have it locate it ??

Sorry but that sounds like a deal killer in my mind, thats exactly (and only) the functionality I want. I was guessing there would be some thai / roman phonetic issues but not doing a street name lookup and guide, well what else is there (I dont need to find the ATM or a garage) ??

And how about the Garmin downloadable v7 or ERSI v8 maps ??

I was going to search for a street and realized that I don't know the name of a single street. The ESRI map does find them. I had to input the name of the city and then choose a street by typing some gibberish letters. It then suggests names of streets that match the first letters I typed. I have never used a street address here in Thailand. I normally ask for the names of places like hotels. Intersections work too.

If you think you're going to be able to type in an address and find it, you're going to be disappointed.

Well that has me thoroughly puzzled.. I had navi fitted to my car back in Europe, street address and off you went. So when someone your trying to get to gives you thier home address.. What do you do ?? I mean residential area without a hotel on the corner ?? Or a biz has an address listed on a website ?? The system really cannot find these for you ?? Thats the big appeal, heres an address take me there ?!?

When you say gibberish letters ?? Do you mean Thai script ?? I imagined some problems with phonetics but then I used to have that all over mainland Europe also, the system I had back then (alpine) used to list the streets that started with those letters.. A minute of messing around with possible spellings would cut the options down until you found the official spelling.

Also when you say 'intersection' isnt that just the combination of 2 street names ?? I mean outside of BKK many (99%) of our junctions dont have some fancy name, its merely where street A and street B cross. I am struggling so see how an intersection works if the basics of streets dont.

I am not trying to put anyone or anything down or niggle or nitpick, just this has thrown my idea for a loop and is totally counter to how I have used GPS navi in the past.

Certainly thats put me right off the rottwieller maps solution.

Edited February 19, 200818 yr by LivinLOS

Well that has me thoroughly puzzled.. I had navi fitted to my car back in Europe, street address and off you went. So when someone your trying to get to gives you thier home address.. What do you do ?? I mean residential area without a hotel on the corner ?? Or a biz has an address listed on a website ?? The system really cannot find these for you ?? Thats the big appeal, heres an address take me there ?!?

When you say gibberish letters ?? Do you mean Thai script ?? I imagined some problems with phonetics but then I used to have that all over mainland Europe also, the system I had back then (alpine) used to list the streets that started with those letters.. A minute of messing around with possible spellings would cut the options down until you found the official spelling.

Also when you say 'intersection' isnt that just the combination of 2 street names ?? I mean outside of BKK many (99%) of our junctions dont have some fancy name, its merely where street A and street B cross. I am struggling so see how an intersection works if the basics of streets dont.

I am not trying to put anyone or anything down or niggle or nitpick, just this has thrown my idea for a loop and is totally counter to how I have used GPS navi in the past.

Certainly thats put me right off the rottwieller maps solution.

I put in English letters and it suggests streets starting with those letters. One of the problems is there are so many different spellings. Jomtien for instance is spelled Na Chom Thian on the map. Addresses will have Bang Lamung, Beach Road , Ban something and other numbers that the map doesn't have on it. No way would I try to find an address with the GPS. The absolute best way is to get the coordinates and then you can go right to their front door. I sometimes use Google Earth to get coordinates. They are amazingly accurate. That works with both Rotweiler and ESRI. Sometimes I get as close as I can and they come and guide me the rest of the way. Once there I mark the coordinates and can always easily find it back.

I put in English letters and it suggests streets starting with those letters. One of the problems is there are so many different spellings. Jomtien for instance is spelled Na Chom Thian on the map. Addresses will have Bang Lamung, Beach Road , Ban something and other numbers that the map doesn't have on it. No way would I try to find an address with the GPS. The absolute best way is to get the coordinates and then you can go right to their front door. I sometimes use Google Earth to get coordinates. They are amazingly accurate. That works with both Rotweiler and ESRI. Sometimes I get as close as I can and they come and guide me the rest of the way. Once there I mark the coordinates and can always easily find it back.

Gary,

Not sure you can do that with a Nuvi. Certainly can't with a C320.

Cheers

I put in English letters and it suggests streets starting with those letters. One of the problems is there are so many different spellings. Jomtien for instance is spelled Na Chom Thian on the map. Addresses will have Bang Lamung, Beach Road , Ban something and other numbers that the map doesn't have on it. No way would I try to find an address with the GPS. The absolute best way is to get the coordinates and then you can go right to their front door. I sometimes use Google Earth to get coordinates. They are amazingly accurate. That works with both Rotweiler and ESRI. Sometimes I get as close as I can and they come and guide me the rest of the way. Once there I mark the coordinates and can always easily find it back.

First thanks for all these time wasting answers.

OK I think I am getting the picture.. so in other words the functionality is there (I couldnt get my head around not being able to) but the execution thanks to screwed up transliteration and what sounds like non standardised implementation of common naming prefixes (baan etc) leads to it being unusable.

I take it this is the same for the ERSI maps as the rottwieller maps ?? Does one seem easier than the other ?? Or they both dont work very well in this regard ?? Theres no way to restrict the searching to within one city / zone for less choices ?? For example if I wanted a road in only hua hin to select town hua hin and then narrow it down that way to less road chances ?? I am really just trying to find out how people are getting the devices to work for them in a real world situations. If your not able to get the destination understood from a Thai roman version of the address it sounds like a basic building block of useability is not there.

Do I just have to accept that currently the basic fact is none of these current systems are much good at simply inputting an address, perhaps narrowing it down out of multiple selections, and being given the best route to it ?? I had read quite a few happy user reviews in the motoring section so am more than a little surprised.

First thanks for all these time wasting answers.

OK I think I am getting the picture.. so in other words the functionality is there (I couldnt get my head around not being able to) but the execution thanks to screwed up transliteration and what sounds like non standardised implementation of common naming prefixes (baan etc) leads to it being unusable.

I take it this is the same for the ERSI maps as the rottwieller maps ?? Does one seem easier than the other ?? Or they both dont work very well in this regard ?? Theres no way to restrict the searching to within one city / zone for less choices ?? For example if I wanted a road in only hua hin to select town hua hin and then narrow it down that way to less road chances ?? I am really just trying to find out how people are getting the devices to work for them in a real world situations. If your not able to get the destination understood from a Thai roman version of the address it sounds like a basic building block of useability is not there.

Do I just have to accept that currently the basic fact is none of these current systems are much good at simply inputting an address, perhaps narrowing it down out of multiple selections, and being given the best route to it ?? I had read quite a few happy user reviews in the motoring section so am more than a little surprised.

I am one of those happy users.

Generally when I want to find a place I haven't been before , its a business of golf course or whatever. these you can search for and it works very well . I believe regardless of whether it's ESRI or Roty.

Its few and far between times I only have an address to work with.

For example if I want to go to "283 Sukhumvit 55 Klongton Nua Watthana Bangkok 10110" its going to be tough, sure I will find Thonglor but its a long street.

The fact that I know that its the address of Gadgetrend and that its also the address for Home Place Building means its very easy to programme into the machine.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

I put in English letters and it suggests streets starting with those letters. One of the problems is there are so many different spellings. Jomtien for instance is spelled Na Chom Thian on the map. Addresses will have Bang Lamung, Beach Road , Ban something and other numbers that the map doesn't have on it. No way would I try to find an address with the GPS. The absolute best way is to get the coordinates and then you can go right to their front door. I sometimes use Google Earth to get coordinates. They are amazingly accurate. That works with both Rotweiler and ESRI. Sometimes I get as close as I can and they come and guide me the rest of the way. Once there I mark the coordinates and can always easily find it back.

Gary,

Not sure you can do that with a Nuvi. Certainly can't with a C320.

Cheers

That's cities and addresses with a Street Pilot 2610. My eTrex has the Rotweiler maps with glitches so I didn't try it with that unit. As I said, I'd hate to have to try to find an address with any GPS here in Thailand.

To enter coordinates with the 2610, I press and hold the "Page" button for a few seconds. It displays the coordinates where you are and allows you to name them whatever you like. If you want to enter different coordinates, you just replace what it shows with whatever coordinates you want, name it what you want, and you can choose show map or go to. It will then automatically save it to waypoints and recently found places. That model Street pilot also has a remote control.

Well I am still a bit confused.. (sorry for going over and over this I am really trying to work out the usability aspect)..

When you say "The fact that I know that its the address of Gadgetrend and that its also the address for Home Place Building means its very easy to programme into the machine." so how does this make it easy ?? I am assuming that it doesnt have an up to date current business directory built in so how does "gadgetrend" help in terms of putting it into the machine to find ?? Does the machine have lists of "home place building" on multiple streets to narrow it down ?? Seems that would be even greater detail than street level and subject to far greater change ??

It was comments like that which threw me earlier.. With Gary saying if he had a Hotel name then its easier ?? Or an intersection ?? Does the map solution have all hotels listed by name ?? Like a current business directory.. I find it hard to imagine that when roads itself are hard.

Really I need to play with one for a while but know of nowhere selling them on Phuket to test.

I have a Nuvi 200 with the ESRI map, and the street address lookup is just not very easy to work with. ESRI uses a lot of unusual spellings (as Gary A points out above) and at least for me, it has to be input with exactly the "ESRI spelling" or the Nuvi cannot find it. I just use nearby landmarks, and it does find those fairly easily, although the search function can be quite slow, sometimes taking 60 seconds or longer to come up with anything. The other option is to manually find the point on a map, then tell it to go there. All in all, the street function lookup failures are not such a big deal. I still find the Nuvi 200 invaluable and it has paid for itself many times over in the time savings in getting somewhere in the jumble of illogically planned Bangkok streets and sois. I've even learned new short cuts from it.

There is however an interesting drawback: simply mindlessly following the map and audio directions creates sort of a crutch and I don't find myself actually learning how to get to a place. I once went out without the Nuvi in the car and had a difficult time finding a place that I had driven to three times before, just because I had been listening to the Nuvi and not really paying any attention to how I was getting there.

Well I am still a bit confused.. (sorry for going over and over this I am really trying to work out the usability aspect)..

When you say "The fact that I know that its the address of Gadgetrend and that its also the address for Home Place Building means its very easy to programme into the machine." so how does this make it easy ?? I am assuming that it doesnt have an up to date current business directory built in so how does "gadgetrend" help in terms of putting it into the machine to find ?? Does the machine have lists of "home place building" on multiple streets to narrow it down ?? Seems that would be even greater detail than street level and subject to far greater change ??

It was comments like that which threw me earlier.. With Gary saying if he had a Hotel name then its easier ?? Or an intersection ?? Does the map solution have all hotels listed by name ?? Like a current business directory.. I find it hard to imagine that when roads itself are hard.

Really I need to play with one for a while but know of nowhere selling them on Phuket to test.

Yes, it does have a fairly extensive database of building names, restaurants, hotels, etc. In fact, it does have Gadgetrend as a findable location - I searched for it and found it when I needed to drop by for a map update. When you find a business after doing a search, you also get the exact address and phone number should you need to phone them. I sometimes use it for a telephone directory using that feature.

OK thats a plus that I never expected..

Also looking.. If you buy the map from Garmin direct at 10 USD you also get the MicroSD card included..

Just have to get it posted over from USA I imagine.

Most hotels have a farang spelling. For instance, I put in Landmark and it shows me right where it is, Sukhumvit Road, Klong Toei, Bangkok 10110 along with the phone number. Sometimes hotels have the same names, so then I can look at the address and that tells me which one I want. That search works nation wide. I'm afraid that I use mine for a crutch too. I go where it tell me to go and don't watch as I should.

After you learn to use it, there are very few places you can't find. There are several hundred thousand what they call points of interest so you can normally find a point of interest that is close to where you want to go and best of all they use farang spelling. I'm addicted and the reason I have two units is in case the one I am using would have a problem. I get the hand held out of the glove box, turn it on and it knows where I'm at and will always guide me home or wherever else I want to go. Sure beats a compass.

Most hotels have a farang spelling. For instance, I put in Landmark and it shows me right where it is, Sukhumvit Road, Klong Toei, Bangkok 10110 along with the phone number. Sometimes hotels have the same names, so then I can look at the address and that tells me which one I want. That search works nation wide. I'm afraid that I use mine for a crutch too. I go where it tell me to go and don't watch as I should.

After you learn to use it, there are very few places you can't find. There are several hundred thousand what they call points of interest so you can normally find a point of interest that is close to where you want to go and best of all they use farang spelling. I'm addicted and the reason I have two units is in case the one I am using would have a problem. I get the hand held out of the glove box, turn it on and it knows where I'm at and will always guide me home or wherever else I want to go. Sure beats a compass.

If I remember correctly and apologies if I don't' , Gary took quite a while asking questions about GPS here and was initially very sceptical. I would guess you would have to say he is now the biggest proponent of the Gamin's on this site.

So if an old codger like Gary has been convinced I'm sure everybody else will be if they take the plunge.

Cheers

Gary tongue firmly rested in cheek