Have been happily using a garmin nuvi with esri map for two years. Astounding level of detail and number and variety of POIs. I regularly use the "shortest distance" option to discover amazing back road routes - even to places to which I thought I knew the best or shortest way.

Tried out the android Google maps with voice navigation just now. Does not have the POIs. For me, this is the deal-breaker. Cannot even find the local Tesco or branch of my bank.

And without the shortest route option ... no good for me.

Google maps is not really even in the game without a full database of POIs. I wish they were as the Garmin units are absurdly expensive relative to phones and tablets.

From within Google Maps one can simple speak, "Find the nearest Tesco Lotus", click on the car icon, choose the Direction, then click on the Navigate (blue arrow) icon. Requires a data connection, but a bit easier maybe, and certainly more up to date? Who needs a local, static list of POIs when you have the interwebs?

Ummmm, just tried Google Maps again and this time it HAD my local Tesco and bank branch ...

Don't know what happened.

Anyway, if there really is no offline caching (or shortest route option), Garmin $$$ is still coming out way ahead.

loma - I have been MANY places in Thailand where there is no mobile phone availability, even if one wanted to pay for data. An offline POI database is critical.

I have an old Garmin Nuvi 205W that have never been updated but still works ok but the battery is dying so I won't buy new updated maps.

I am considering if I should buy a Garmin Nuvi 42 to 4000 bath or spend app 1100- 1400 bath on the Sygic maps for Thailand and then run from my smart phone

The good thing about the Sygic maps are that they will be updated for free whenever they come and you are on-line.

I am currently running the Sygic app and are on the free 7 days trial, Sygic uses Tom Tom maps and I quite like it but one major problem is that I can't get a GPS signal inside my truck (Garmin no problem).

I will try experimenting some more, if still no signal in my truck, I see no other options than buying a new Garmin, Goggle maps is out of the question, I only uses I-net on my phone via Wi-Fi.

loma - I have been MANY places in Thailand where there is no mobile phone availability, even if one wanted to pay for data. An offline POI database is critical.

Yes, I imagine there are a few places where there is no mobile phone service, and hence no mobile data (even GPRS/EDGE). Of course one wonders how many POIs there are in those locations.

For POIs you are relying on the map provider, and of course they cannot keep those up to date, and the unit may not be able to store as many POIs as you might be looking for?

More and more of Thailand has been mapped with Streetview, which adds another layer of functionality to Maps. I think Maps/Nav does have turn-by-turn, voice-assist, traffic, and re-routing.

Maps, with a data connection, arguably gives you access to pretty much anything on the internet which may be nearby. I do not believe a dedicated sat nav system will ever be able to provide that level of detail?

But for those who are accustomed to traditional sat. nav systems, a smartphone system may not be acceptable. And for those people, they should continue using the traditional system. For others, a smartphone app. may be useful, hence threads like this are good to keep people informed on the options.

loma - no offence but what a ridiculous argument you make. There are MANY POIs where there is no cell signal. Natural features such as caves and waterfalls, wats, features in National Parks ...

And as far as the "interwebs" and the joy of being tied to a signal ... obviously it can be better to have your database offline - both maps and POIs. yes, frequent data updates are a plus.

The upshot is: there are pros and cons to each setup. But without offline data, Google Maps just doesn't cut it for many users.

The map loaded on the new nuvis - Nostra Map Thailand - is available for android as an app. this seems promising but it currently does not have voice navigation.

The upshot is: there are pros and cons to each setup. But without offline data, Google Maps just doesn't cut it for many users.

I think we are in agreement.

I'm not 100% certain, but I do think you may be able to cache GMaps for off-line use, with the latest version (7.1), with the "ok maps" hack. You do get a message that maps cannot be pre-loaded for this area, but I think they are being cached none the less?

It seems like the GMaps app. cache grows each time I do this, and I get incredible detail on those areas I've cached, when I close my WiFI and mobile data connections.

Still experimenting with this so will follow up.