Just bought a Garmin Nuvi 40 for my car from the ESRI showroom in Bangkok last Monday and tried it out for the first time today. The 40 is supposed to lane assist and speak the names of the streets. Best I can tell it does neither. I assume this is the function of the map software. The software is the ESRI version 12.1. I know Garmin sells their City Navigator® Southeast Asia NT maps. Can anyone ell me if the City Navigator map is any better, worse, or about the same as the ESRI maps?

I'm also very disappointed with the map detail of the ESRI maps compared to what I am use to in the US. If this is the best there is in Thailand, then I can accept that. But I'm hoping the City Navigator maps will be much better.

Can a Garmin be bought in Bangkok with City Navigator preloaded or do all Garmin units come with the ESRI software?

My unit came with a warning note that reads as follows: “Please do not download the English OS from Garmin Web Site and install it on Thai OS nuvi, otherwise you wouldn't be able to revert back to Thai OS any more”. I assume they are talking about the maps when they say OS. Would downloading City Navigator maps be one solution that would work?

I'm hoping ESRI will load the City Navigator maps for free, but do not have a lot of confidence in that working or even if they can.

Thanks.

Why not post on the GPS forum plenty of info there. I find no problem with esri map

Ain't modern technology and gadetry wonderful?

Best gps i used so far is sygic on ipad. it works pretty fast and solid. My gps on double din 7" car unit is both slow and unaccurate despite the external antenna!

Ain't modern technology and gadetry wonderful?

That and knowing roughly where you are going before setting out.

If you are not happy with that map, you'll be really disappointed with the Garmin map or any other map that is available here. You're no longer in Kansas.

I have recently picked up the Garmin Nuvi 2565 which I believe has the same V12.1 maps. No issue with the text to speach guidance, lane assist, junction view, all appear to work well.

Have only had it for a week or so but so far happy with it.

I have an earlier model Nuvi 1360,works really well,all in English,also came with message stating warning to not d/load the english o/s from web site,still unsure on this though.

Hi,i purchased the small 3.5" Garmin, mapping is fine but street names were in Thai,looked up information on operator disk and found the english settings followed instructions step by step ,changed format to english works fine. p.s i did not download from Garmin site.hope this helped.

I think that you have a software problem and the correct files are not downloaded.

You should be a member of GPS Society and your Garmin registered there for free map updates ets. http://www.gpssociety.com/ . They have helped me out in the past... have had e-mail etc contact when I messed up my update.

Register with them now you will get things sorted. Your Garmin has JV it's just a matter of getting the correct files loaded ... shame on the shop for not setting it up for you!

It's amazing how many permutations, and features, are available on all these models. It seems weird to slice the market segments so thin with so many models, but clearly Garmin is successful.

I do not spend enough time with the platform to become/stay familiar but these are my comments:

I think Lane Assist is a function accessed from within the map. It may or may not be available, for any/all locations/maps.

The ESRI TSM 12.01/12.1 (versions I am familiar with) come in dual (Thai and English) versions which allow you to view maps with either Thai or English names/script.

On my nuvi 1300 (from the U.S., TSM 12.01 Dual added, hacked for Thai UI, menu, maps, voice, POI, et al.) there is a file in the Voice sub-directory named Thai_.vpm, which I believe allows the system to speak in Thai? I also have several versions of English, Spanish, French/Canadien. In the keyboard subdirectory there is a th_TH.kbd file, along with all the others. I think I have some glx files in the Text sub-directory but I cannot figure out which may be Thai.

Net, net you should be able to toggle the system menus/UI between Thai and English, you should be able to toggle the ESRI map of Thailand between Thai (script) and English, you should be able to toggle the spoken directions between Thai and English (although sometimes the English pronunciation of some Thai street names is strangely amusing, or amusingly strange). I haven't driven enough to know if Lane Assist works here, I don't remember hearing it to date, and I've been in some situations where it would've helped; I will try to determine this as soon as I can.

Edited May 9, 201214 yr by lomatopo

Net, net you should be able to toggle the system menus/UI between Thai and English, you should be able to toggle the ESRI map of Thailand between Thai (script) and English, you should be able to toggle the spoken directions between Thai and English (although sometimes the English pronunciation of some Thai street names is strangely amusing, or amusingly strange). I haven't driven enough to know if Lane Assist works here, I don't remember hearing it to date, and I've been in some situations where it would've helped; I will try to determine this as soon as I can.

I have recently picked up the Garmin Nuvi 2565 which I believe has the same V12.1 maps. No issue with the text to speach guidance, lane assist, junction view, all appear to work well.

Have only had it for a week or so but so far happy with it.

I purchased a Nuvi 2565 yesterday and the sales lady had the GUI and language in english. This morning it is all in Thai and for the life of me I cannot work out how to switch it back to english. I looked on the net but nothing. I think I have tried every sub-menu several times also in vain. Does this have something to do with the downloaded software as I have a small note which says "Please do not download the english OS from the garmin website on Thai OS etc"? Did she show me one unit (english) and sell me another that is in Thai?

Hi I have a 1490 Garmin Nuvi, worked before I left Seattle downloaded Thai Language to it and the other 2 units for my Brother in Law and his wife. No Issues!

I had heard of others having issues. So I decided to wait and test unit here before I purchased Map Update... not upgrade, that would just give me new USA Version.

So I came here knowning I would need SE asia Maps or at least Thailand's, have not done it yet. System works here using GPS locating compass points and I can go from a point A to a Point B and return, it tracks gps mapping to keep me on track... just no Map It will reference compass points in English or Thai just not what I was used to in Seattle If I had a Micro SD Card with map on it, I could try and see if any issues arise. Even a older Map would work for my test. Before I spend Big Bucks and get one from Garmin. Email Me!! If you have a workable older Version I can test. To insure total system is working.

Edited May 30, 201214 yr by davidstipek

It's amazing how many permutations, and features, are available on all these models. It seems weird to slice the market segments so thin with so many models, but clearly Garmin is successful.

I do not spend enough time with the platform to become/stay familiar but these are my comments:

I think Lane Assist is a function accessed from within the map. It may or may not be available, for any/all locations/maps.

The ESRI TSM 12.01/12.1 (versions I am familiar with) come in dual (Thai and English) versions which allow you to view maps with either Thai or English names/script.

On my nuvi 1300 (from the U.S., TSM 12.01 Dual added, hacked for Thai UI, menu, maps, voice, POI, et al.) there is a file in the Voice sub-directory named Thai_.vpm, which I believe allows the system to speak in Thai? I also have several versions of English, Spanish, French/Canadien. In the keyboard subdirectory there is a th_TH.kbd file, along with all the others. I think I have some glx files in the Text sub-directory but I cannot figure out which may be Thai.

Net, net you should be able to toggle the system menus/UI between Thai and English, you should be able to toggle the ESRI map of Thailand between Thai (script) and English, you should be able to toggle the spoken directions between Thai and English (although sometimes the English pronunciation of some Thai street names is strangely amusing, or amusingly strange). I haven't driven enough to know if Lane Assist works here, I don't remember hearing it to date, and I've been in some situations where it would've helped; I will try to determine this as soon as I can.

On my Garmin 1490t Nuvi, if I do not use the strangely Bulky power cord (I have a Cell phone adapter that lets system work) Lane assist will not work. Also only in Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Udon Thani. I don't believe it was working other areas. I gave that system to my sister in law in Seattle, so can't check further. All I have now is a English (USA) version 1490t Nuvi and in need of testing software before I buy. (Like a Dummy I gave her the wrong unit as I had installed Thai on it and her Husbands and ran out of time as they needed to get to Airport ASAP.

The Garmin Montana 600 series is awesome - nothing comes close

https://buy.garmin.c...D=75227&ra=true

Edited June 13, 201214 yr by RidersCorner