I do a good bit of motorbiking around the country (not off road), and could do with a portable version of something like google maps, but one that shows me where I am. All I want is the visual, showing me where I am. Don't need any written or spoken directions, only a map of Thailand, in English, that I can zoom in on and see where I am at any moment.

Would like to mount it on the motorbike too, but not a massive requirement. Don't need any info about where amenities are or anything else. Don't even need it to plot a course.

With the phone applications I presume it needs to be connected to the internet to show you where you are, so out on the jungle roads where there's no reception it won't pinpoint your location, and you would also have to be paying for a monthly internet charge on the phone itself. My current phone wakes me up in the morning, can call and msg, that's all I need from it.

So any ideas on what the most basic option is for what I'm looking for?

Cheers chaps.

Can't answer --- but someone will.

My solution is a smartphone with built in GPS. I have to be available 24/7 for emails for work anyways ... so it was a perfect solution for me.

Yep Im with jdinasia, I have 2 smarties (N8 and N97) and both work flawlessly for GPS work, having said that I have Garmin running on them as the Nokia ovi maps is garbage.

Thanks. So a Nokia smartphone, with inbuilt GPS... sounds okay.

How much is a cheap smartphone with inbuilt GPS, with Thai maps in English?

And presumably a monthly internet connection for it?

Cheers.

Edited January 25, 201115 yr by appropriate

Thanks. So a Nokia smartphone, with inbuilt GPS... sounds okay.

How much is a cheap smartphone with inbuilt GPS, with Thai maps in English?

And presumably a monthly internet connection for it?

Cheers.

New or used? ---- you can prepay gprs/edge internet or get it on postpay sometimes. I use a BB 9700 --- pay 650 a month for unlimited service for all the BB/internet functions. My calling plan comes with 5 hours additional (to unlimited?) gprs -- I guess if I stick my SIM in a different phone it could be useful.

My phone wasn't cheap, but I could lay the expense off on work.

I pay 100b for 20hrs data connection per month, this easily covers my GPS usage and general web browsing from my phone.

Cheers.

I pay 100b for 20hrs data connection per month, this easily covers my GPS usage and general web browsing from my phone.

That sounds great. I'd struggle to use my phone for 20 hrs a month even with the GPS.

So picking up a N97 smartphone and getting that package sounds good. Do you know what company it's with?

Do the smartphones come with the Thai maps (in English) installed, or do you have to purchase them?

Cheers, great info.

Edited January 25, 201115 yr by appropriate

Im with AIS, the maps are free via Ovi Store (Online), I actually found them to be a bit "clunky" so I installed Garmin XT instead.... cant really tell how to do this as it involves piracy and thats against forum rules but if you google it you will find links for the software and how to install it.

BTW if your only really wanting to do this to have a GPS unit it would actually be best to purchase a proper standalone unit (look at Thaivisa Classifieds), you can get a Garmin for about 5,000b with maps.......... an N97 will cost you more than 20,000b but there are cheaper phones that can also act as a GPS as well.

an N97 will cost you more than 20,000b

haha, thanks. Standalone it is then. Was thinking of a phone under 5,000. As it would get so little use, I think its worth spending only around this amount.

Its not exactly high tech but has worked for me for years. Its called a road map It opens out to give you a good view of the road system, towns and even elevations etc. very cheap at around 120 baht. The magnetic tank bag I have also has a waterproof pocket on the top where you can put the map and read it as you ride

I have Garmin XT on my HTC smart phone. It cost 2000THB extra to have it legally sold with phone (that was 2009 so check latest prices). Reason I like it is because the smart phones screen is far better than any standalone Garmin product I have seen for same or less price. Maps are included and do not need any internet access to use as they are stored on phone. There is a free Garmin POI program that allows for creation any number of user defined way points from other sources like Google Earth for turn by turn navigation on the Garmin XT phone app. Although strangely the Garmin software doesn't run unless there is a phone signal, which it could use to update traffic info, fuel prices etc, it doesn't use the phone to access any maps so there are no phone calls incurred.They generally get updated once a year or if you know where to look can be downloaded and installed for nothing for any part of the world.

For extreme remote parts where there is no phone signal, and most likely no vector based turn by turn navigation maps I have found Garmin less useful and prefer other products that run on smart phones and can use down-loadable Google Earth maps or satellite imagery most useful in some kind of raster image format.

Its not exactly high tech but has worked for me for years. Its called a road map It opens out to give you a good view of the road system, towns and even elevations etc. very cheap at around 120 baht. The magnetic tank bag I have also has a waterproof pocket on the top where you can put the map and read it as you ride

Once you've (re)invented voice activated navigation for your road map you'll be able to keep your eyes on the road and increase the safety of your nearest road users ;-)

If you try this link to Gadgetrend it may be of use to you.

A quick look shows a Garmin Nuvi 1250 for 5,900 baht new.

They also sell Ram mounts should you want to mount it on your bike.

Ride safely and enjoy.

I had a similar need ... looked at waterproof motorbike-specific GPS but the cost was scary high. Went for a basic Garmin Nuvi and a waterproof bag - been less than impressed though ....

It takes 20 minutes to find the satellites from switch on - unless I'm still in exactly the same place as when I switched it off. Loses satellite fix every time I go near the Skytrain or under an Expressway, tries to send me over fields and through houses and does not find Thai addresses when written in English.

Total waste of money. I've gone back to my old Roadway map and compass.

Sounds like I should have gone down the mobile phone route?

(The traditional 'Long haired GPS' option is also worth considering ... but running costs can be high)

Edited January 26, 201115 yr by Familyonthemove

^ Cheers. Interesting info.

Its not exactly high tech but has worked for me for years. Its called a road map It opens out to give you a good view of the road system, towns and even elevations etc. very cheap at around 120 baht. The magnetic tank bag I have also has a waterproof pocket on the top where you can put the map and read it as you ride

Those roadmaps are both crap and dangerously incorrect.

I've been using them for 2 years. They can not be trusted. If you haven't realised this, you haven't really used them.

Edited January 26, 201115 yr by appropriate

I had a similar need ... looked at waterproof motorbike-specific GPS but the cost was scary high. Went for a basic Garmin Nuvi and a waterproof bag - been less than impressed though ....

It takes 20 minutes to find the satellites from switch on - unless I'm still in exactly the same place as when I switched it off. Loses satellite fix every time I go near the Skytrain or under an Expressway, tries to send me over fields and through houses and does not find Thai addresses when written in English.

Total waste of money. I've gone back to my old Roadway map and compass.

Sounds like I should have gone down the mobile phone route?

(The traditional 'Long haired GPS' option is also worth considering ... but running costs can be high)

Until you move from Sukhumvit Road, off the BTS Skytrain route, you are going to continue to have GPS signal issues. If you don't use your GPS roughly every six hours, or have moved from the last position fix, then it has to reload the satellite orbital information every time you turn it "on". This takes time, especially with a weak or no signal. A Smartphone using A-GPS would certainly work better in your situation. I have not heard of a solution for the Thai-English translation/transliteration problem.

Edited January 26, 201115 yr by InterestedObserver

I have a Nokia phone with GPS in it and it works great with English Language and no need to connect to the internet or telephone and no annual bill to up date.

I had a similar need ... looked at waterproof motorbike-specific GPS but the cost was scary high. Went for a basic Garmin Nuvi and a waterproof bag - been less than impressed though ....

It takes 20 minutes to find the satellites from switch on - unless I'm still in exactly the same place as when I switched it off. Loses satellite fix every time I go near the Skytrain or under an Expressway, tries to send me over fields and through houses and does not find Thai addresses when written in English.

Total waste of money. I've gone back to my old Roadway map and compass.

Sounds like I should have gone down the mobile phone route?

(The traditional 'Long haired GPS' option is also worth considering ... but running costs can be high)

Until you move from Sukhumvit Road, off the BTS Skytrain route, you are going to continue to have GPS signal issues. If you don't use your GPS roughly every six hours, or have moved from the last position fix, then it has to reload the satellite orbital information every time you turn it "on". This takes time, especially with a weak or no signal. A Smartphone using A-GPS would certainly work better in your situation. I have not heard of a solution for the Thai-English translation/transliteration problem.

Thanks .... this really helps me to understand the issues ....

<br />I have a Nokia phone with GPS in it and it works great with English Language and no need to connect to the internet or telephone and no annual bill to up date.<br />

<br /><br /><br />Cool. What model do you have? And how much did it cost?

<br />Its not exactly high tech but has worked for me for years. Its called a road map  <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> It opens out to give you a good view of the road system, towns and even elevations etc. very cheap at around 120 baht. The magnetic tank bag I have also has a waterproof pocket on the top where you can put the map and read it as you ride  <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

Btw, as an example of how incorrect the maps you're using are, check out the following link of a google maps ride from BKK to a national park in Saraburi. Zoom in from highway 33 to show the ring roads around Saraburi. Then look at them in the thinknet map of central Thailand that the 7-11 sells for 120b.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Chalerm+Maha+Nakhon+Expy%2FRoute+3119&daddr=Don+Muang+Toll+Way%2FUttraphimuk+Toll+Way%2FRoute+31+to:14.01271,100.61511+to:14.03958,100.6166+to:14.053644,100.6171702+to:14.047964,100.6169539+to:14.040547,100.6166384+to:14.053998,100.6171856+to:14.16929,100.61786+to:14.23444,100.72033+to:14.31639,100.83743+to:Unknown+road+to:Suwanna+Sorn+Rd%2FRoute+33+to:Phahon+Yothin+133%2FRoute+305+to:Chalerm+Maha+Nakhon+Expy%2FRoute+3119&geocode=FVq_0QAdmEX-BQ%3BFZSB1QAdpEL_BQ%3BFSbR1QAdxkP_BSkhuFlDKYDiMDGwWWQLN5IBEw%3BFRw61gAdmEn_BSlBUlBKHYDiMDFRkEkLN5IBEw%3BFQxx1gAd0kv_BSlHZKIE_3_iMDHQeRMDUr5IdQ%3BFdxa1gAd-Ur_BSnBsEWqAYDiMDEgUGQLN5IBEw%3BFeM91gAdvkn_BSkdKZWqA4DiMDEgW5ILN5IBEw%3BFW5y1gAd4Uv_BSlHZKIE_3_iMDHQeRMDUr5IdQ%3BFco02AAdhE7_BSmntDWxn3jiMDEwayILN5IBEw%3BFUgz2QAdyt4ABilDUYcBV48dMTFAzicLN5IBEw%3BFWZz2gAdNqgCBinndYoXhpEdMTGR9ygLN5IBEw%3BFd5O3AAd5I4EBg%3BFULL2AAdeFYIBg%3BFYxm1QAdcF3_BQ%3BFWS_0QAd1EX-BQ&hl=en&mra=mrv&mrcr=0&via=2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10&sll=13.756893,100.567474&sspn=0.081034,0.154324&ie=UTF8&ll=13.813577,100.579319&spn=0.081015,0.154324&z=13

GPS signals are extremely weak by nature. Garmin has a lot of overhead costs built into their prices, so you'll find a cheap end model will have a poor quality low end GPS antenna and you'll be crippled from the go in regions of high canopy cover. I have had much better results in built up areas with assisted GPS enabled smart phones.

Techline GP-107 GPS with 5" screen. I bought one a couple of months ago at Khlong Thom market (Nw corner of Chinatown Bangkok) for 3000b at a stall that sells only Techline car stuff and it works fine everywhere I've been in Thailand, speaks English, locates satellites in around 2 mins from start.

^ jeez, sounds like a good deal.

Saw some no-brand one in Big C today for 4,700b.

Saw another no-name brand (Ano or something) for 3,700b in Carrefour today. As well as some of the garmins.

But just a question, do you purely run them on batteries? Or do they connect into the bike's battery?

And as well, is it easy to get a holder that connects to your handlebars? I don't think I've seen them for sale, but haven't looked.

Cheers.

I've got Google Maps on my old iPaq with internal GPS and the 695 Baht unlimited mobile internet AIS SIM.

Got me out of a few spots, but I do so miss TomTom.

Edited February 1, 201115 yr by MJP

Saw another no-name brand (Ano or something) for 3,700b in Carrefour today. As well as some of the garmins.

But just a question, do you purely run them on batteries? Or do they connect into the bike's battery?

And as well, is it easy to get a holder that connects to your handlebars? I don't think I've seen them for sale, but haven't looked.

Cheers.

On my bike I have a cigarette lighter (3 hole) that I have had for years wired across the bike battery and I put a switch in line so that I can turn it on and off when I want. That lives in the side pannier.

My Garmin Nuvi clips onto a Ram mounting on the handlebars.

Gadgetrend should be able to help you with most of the things you will need.

They are here......

http://www.gadgetrend.com/

They have 2 stores in Bangkok and if you are too far away they will post it to you.

Edited February 2, 201115 yr by billd766

Saw another no-name brand (Ano or something) for 3,700b in Carrefour today. As well as some of the garmins.

But just a question, do you purely run them on batteries? Or do they connect into the bike's battery?

And as well, is it easy to get a holder that connects to your handlebars? I don't think I've seen them for sale, but haven't looked.

Cheers.

The Techline has an internal rechargeable battery with a cable and cigarette lighter plug for a car, which you could modify, and a USB cable so you can update and download info and recharge from your computer. Also comes with a two axis adjustable mount with a very effective suction cup base. I have mine on my car's windscreen but if you have a flat section on your fuel tank you could put it there.

great, thanks.

Marine grade cigarette lighter receptacle;

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=265-274

This is the best way but there are other ways to do this. Common speaker connectors work well. They have plus and minus male and female plugs that handle 12 volts easily.

Both my hand held Garmins use two AA batteries that last longer than 20 hours per set. Rechargeable AA NiCads also work well.

Edited February 3, 201115 yr by Gary A

I bought a Besta GPS Learner 3 at Big C mall at a book store. This was soon after my first trip here in Chiang Rai. I know I paid way to much for it, but being unable to speak thai, I took forever to find this one, so took it. I have had years of experience using GPS both marine navigation and flight nav.. This is a reasonable unit for road use, map is accurate and does have a charger for 12 volt cig lighter, but could be hard wired into a bike. Does connect to the computer to charge and save or send data between. What I found very handy is the english to thai dictionary as well as a number of languages. Has both thai and english voice commands if you want to use "TURN RIGHT 10 M".

Stuff like that. Also has the usual bells and whisles I never use. Oh one thing handy is you can put in a phone number (land line) and it locates and plots a route to. Also can save tracks, find by POI, Gov., Business say 7-11 near you

This is my first stand alone GPS that you can carry or use in a vehicle, all my experience is with GPS interfaced with computer mapping and radar, but seems to work well and works every where I have taken it, both in the bush and BKK. I am trying to recall price, but I think it was 14000 baht in 2010. Using it now for 6 months here. Map card is for all thailand which you can then break searches down to as small as a town. Went down to a lake south of CR and even the trails (thai roads) between rice fields were on the map. Yes, I was lost but saved by the GPS!!!! If it is close to dark, I do a "near" search for hotel and there you go. The great thing for me is being able to get off road, find old roads leading back to CR from say WAAWII or VaVi in thai and never worry about being lost.