I bought a Nuvi 1250 with the ESRI Thailand Map but I've found that it's almost totally useless in Bangkok .... is this to be expected from the base models?

The first problem is that it takes at least 15 minutes to locate the satelites from switch on - so by the time it know's where it is I'm already well on my way.

Then it loses satelite reception every 10 minutes and gets lost.

It can not locate satellites when I'm driving under the SkyTrain ... which as I live on Sukhumvit is most the time

And finally it can rarely find addresses of locations when I use the English (American) keyboard.

There seem to be many happy Garmin users on TV - so is mine a defective unit or did I buy the wrong model?

Thanks!

It can not locate satellites when I'm driving under the SkyTrain ... which as I live on Sukhumvit is most the time

This is the root cause of most of your problems as the GPS needs a clear, unobstructed view of the sky to receive signals. You should have at least three green bars on the satellite signal strength indicator. Does your vehicle have metallic tinted windows?

And finally it can rarely find addresses of locations when I use the English (American) keyboard.

Common complaint, the English language data base does not relate very well with Thai street names. It's a translation thing.

Edited January 12, 201115 yr by InterestedObserver

It can not locate satellites when I'm driving under the SkyTrain ... which as I live on Sukhumvit is most the time

This is the root cause of most of your problems as the GPS needs a clear, unobstructed view of the sky to receive signals. You should have at least three green bars on the satellite signal strength indicator. Does your vehicle have metallic tinted windows?

And finally it can rarely find addresses of locations when I use the English (American) keyboard.

Common complaint, the English language data base does not relate very well with Thai street names. It's a translation thing.

Thanks for the comments .... the car has normal tinted widows ... but you are right about the Sky Train and the GPS does seem to work a little better if it's placed under the windscreen area and not further back in the car?

the thing is that Thais spell a place/street in so many different ways, i thought that Patong i Phuket was easy, not so my Garmin only know Pa tong, find a hotel, supermarket or restaurant and go from there, and as you know it work on satellites so clear view is a must