Yesterday I went to MBK to take a look at some GPS.

I was initially interested in the Garmin 215w. But the salesman recommended me Garmin 1460, citing that it is newer.

He also recommended a local brand Leona 520, which he said I could buy an optional " Leona reverse camera" to attach to the back of my car and use it together.

He said if I intend to use the GPS in Thailand AND overseas, I should get the Garmin 1460. But if I intend to use only in Thailand, I should get the Leona 520. I'm not very sure about this "Leona" brand......has anyone used it before?

Any feedback from users of the Garmin 215w and the Garmin 1460? Any big difference besides the latter being "newer"?

Thanks a lot.

The Garmin 215W with ESRI Thailand Street Map (TSM) v.10 is a perfectly good auto-routing GPS for use in Thailand, and elsewhere overseas with another map installed. It does everything you need for good, basic car GPS navigation. If you have lots of $$$ then you can get a 'newer' model with more bells and whistles. I have a basic Garmin 205 that gets me from point A to point B nicely, never been lost in Bangkok or elsewhere. ESRI TSM v.10 is arguably the best map of Thailand available. You need to keep the map updated as new versions are released.

Edited January 21, 201016 yr by InterestedObserver

If I'm a map idiot and miss a turn, will the GPS correct re-direct me to my desitnation all over again?

Should I remove the GPS from my car when it's parked? I read about thieves breaking into cars to get hold of the GPS...??

Yes and Yes. Also the portable friction mount accessory is handy to have, no need to mess about with the suction cup.

As for myself, I'm pleased to see new maps and new GPS units being introduced here in Thailand. Garmin has long been our only logical choice along with ESRI maps.

Unfortunately I can't offer any opinion on the new maps or units. We can thank other map makers and GPS manufacturers for the drastic price cuts on Garmin units and ESRI maps. The first ESRI map I bought cost me 7,000 baht and the latest map is 2,000 baht. It seems likely that Garmin will be knocked off their throne in the near future.

I have just purchased the Nuvi 1460 2 months ago and I find the following features very worthwhile (I got it through the internet online for RM1020.00)

1. It has a 5" screen - definitely better than the Nuvi 265 or 760 for failing eyes.

2. It is faster to lock on to the satellites and refreshes faster than the old Nuvis.

3. It has several map conventions which I like very much. Besides storing maps in a hidden /system directory (which you have to unhide the hidden files in your Windows to see). Here you see all your usual gmapsupp.img, gmapbmap/img, gmapprom.img etc, you will find there is another subdir called /map (Or you have to create it yourself) that stores other maps.

4. They now use the SDmicro card and in the card you can create 2 subdirs i.e. /garmin and /map (or create them yourself). /Garmin stores the usual maps as mentioned but in /map - you can now store any map names.. i.e. it will recognize any XXXX.img files. The number of maps is only limited by the size of your memory card! You then select the map you need via the Map INFO menu when the unit is turned on.

5. Only machines bought from authorized dealers in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia can read JVs created by Garmin authorized maps.

6. There are still some bugs with Nuvi 1460 even with the firmware updated to ver 2.30, hopfully Garmin Singapore at www.garmin.com.sg will have the new updates soon to correct them.... (Do not update other machines bought elsewhere with this firmware or it may render your UK or US machines inoperable!)

You can quite safely buy the Nuvi 1460 as the "local" machine as other countries will sell the unit called Nuvi 1450 etc.... with different JV capabilities...

In general, I love the Nuvi 1460!!!

Also bought my Garmin Nuvi 1460 the other day locally for 17,900 THB.

5inch screen is bright and clear, having fun setting up customized routes. Since I live on Sukhumvit Road, Garmin will not automatically know how to take you to your final destination through the back streets but instead will steer you towards the heavily congested main Sukhumvit road.

Also bought my Garmin Nuvi 1460 the other day locally for 17,900 THB.

5inch screen is bright and clear, having fun setting up customized routes. Since I live on Sukhumvit Road, Garmin will not automatically know how to take you to your final destination through the back streets but instead will steer you towards the heavily congested main Sukhumvit road.

The system that I had in the UK allowed me to 'highlight and block' areas that I didn't want to enter..thus it forced the unit to find the best alternate route...is this possible on th 1460 please?

The system that I had in the UK allowed me to 'highlight and block' areas that I didn't want to enter..thus it forced the unit to find the best alternate route...is this possible on th 1460 please?

Was the system you had in the UK a Garmin?

I have just purchased the Nuvi 1460 2 months ago and I find the following features very worthwhile (I got it through the internet online for RM1020.00)

4. They now use the SDmicro card and in the card you can create 2 subdirs i.e. /garmin and /map (or create them yourself). /Garmin stores the usual maps as mentioned but in /map - you can now store any map names.. i.e. it will recognize any XXXX.img files. The number of maps is only limited by the size of your memory card! You then select the map you need via the Map INFO menu when the unit is turned on.

I'm sure this is a good product but couldn't you do the above with a Nuvi? On my 250, I've not bothered to update the map in internal memory and use maps on SD card which can be switched in a similar way. If you want to spend about 12K baht, the 5" screen sounds very nice. But for anybody who wants an inexpensive option, an imported NUVI with a local map will do the job.

Also bought my Garmin Nuvi 1460 the other day locally for 17,900 THB.

5inch screen is bright and clear, having fun setting up customized routes. Since I live on Sukhumvit Road, Garmin will not automatically know how to take you to your final destination through the back streets but instead will steer you towards the heavily congested main Sukhumvit road.

The system that I had in the UK allowed me to 'highlight and block' areas that I didn't want to enter..thus it forced the unit to find the best alternate route...is this possible on th 1460 please?

as far as I know, the closest NUVI function that matches what you mentioned could be the "DETOUR" function, let me play around with this function to see if this indeed is a way to block those areas where you don't want to enter/drive.

thx

thx

Also bought my Garmin Nuvi 1460 the other day locally for 17,900 THB.

5inch screen is bright and clear, having fun setting up customized routes. Since I live on Sukhumvit Road, Garmin will not automatically know how to take you to your final destination through the back streets but instead will steer you towards the heavily congested main Sukhumvit road.

The system that I had in the UK allowed me to 'highlight and block' areas that I didn't want to enter..thus it forced the unit to find the best alternate route...is this possible on th 1460 please?

as far as I know, the closest NUVI function that matches what you mentioned could be the "DETOUR" function, let me play around with this function to see if this indeed is a way to block those areas where you don't want to enter/drive.

thx

thx

i am thinking of buying one, can it not be set up to show shortest distance or fastest, short route uses the back streets which is what i want.