Has anyone had much experience with the Garmin gpsmap 62s and south east asia maps? I have read mixed responses from web-sites many indicating that the maps were inaccurate, dated and of little use to someone traveling. I am debating as to even take my gps on a back-packing trip based on the poor quality of the maps according to internet reviews and wondered if anyone has any experience with the Garmin device as a whole in Thailand or will a local A-Z fare me better?

Thank you.

Can't speak to the GPSMAP 62S but I can attest to the fact that City Navigator Southeast Asia NT is a good map for on the road use. You won't get lost in Thailand when using it. However, it is not a topographic map for hiking. A slightly better local on the road map is available in Thailand for use with Garmin GPS units. I have three thailand maps on my Garmin GPS, including City Navigator South East Asia NT, and don't find a significant difference between the three. No map is 100% up to date and accurate.

Edited April 12, 201115 yr by InterestedObserver

I recently paid the US $100 and downloaded the latest V 6.5 Garmin S.E.A map. I did this AFTER numerous emails to assure myself that the map had been indeed updated. My specific question was whether the new map showed highway 7 connecting to highway 3 in mid Pattaya. It turns out that it does NOT even though I was assured it did.

That's the least of the problem. Yesterday I made the trip to Jomtien using the new map. I was pleased reviewing the routing. It does route differently than the ESRI map. Unfortunately just outside of Jomtien, it wanted me to turn right. There was no road there. It then recalculated and advised me to turn on another road that ended up to be blocked, as in no through traffic. I actually stopped and changed to the ESRI map which guided me out of the the mess.

The ESRI map is not perfect but it is MUCH more reliable than the new S.E.A Garmin map. The ESRI map now shows the small roads in my village. The Garmin map does NOT. There is a short cut on a good paved road that I normally use. The road does NOT show on the Garmin map. It is my opinion that the Garmin map stinks.

Gary A, you are correct in commenting that the current Garmin (NAVTEQ) S.E.A. map shows highway 7 only going as far as route 3240, a few km short of highway 3 mid Pattaya. I've been waiting for NAVTEQ to correct this before I update my Garmin map. However, both the ESRI and Rotweiler maps have the correct highway 7, Pattaya connection shown. FYI the Garmin S.E.A map is the only map that shows the small roads in the wife's village south of Phetchabun.Thailand GPS maps and turn-by-turn guidance are a give and take, as you've so often pointed out.

I've got the Garmin 62S

apart from it does not show the distance to the next turn, which the 60 csx does, its a fantastic mapping gps, the wireless data transfer function is very useful if you have at least 2 62S's in a group ride

Gary A, you are correct in commenting that the current Garmin (NAVTEQ) S.E.A. map shows highway 7 only going as far as route 3240, a few km short of highway 3 mid Pattaya. I've been waiting for NAVTEQ to correct this before I update my Garmin map. However, both the ESRI and Rotweiler maps have the correct highway 7, Pattaya connection shown. FYI the Garmin S.E.A map is the only map that shows the small roads in the wife's village south of Phetchabun.Thailand GPS maps and turn-by-turn guidance are a give and take, as you've so often pointed out.