I want to buy a GPS for use in the UK and Thailand. Would I be better buying in the UK or Thailand? I assume I can have two sets of maps in one GPS unit? Does anyone have any recommendations for what to buy and/or shops / web-sites to buy from - doesn't need to be anything fancy, but a large screen and junction view would be nice.

Just buy a smart phone or tablet in the UK.

Galaxy tab 7" + Syngic software will do the job perfectly.

Thanks for that suggestion, I already have a Samsung phone so I'm downloading the 7 day free trial of the Sygic Thailand map, even if the screen is too small for longterm use, I can evaluate the software on the phone.

Many thanks.

I would recommend that you buy yourself a Garmin unit in the UK with UK/Europe maps already installed on it, take a look at the Nuvi 3760. When you arrive over here in LOS, purchase the Thailand Street Map SD card and off you go! Garmin products are sold via a Company called esri over here as are the maps. esri's main office is in Silom, Bangkok there staff are very friendly and helpful. You can also have maps downloaded by "Techy" shops and/or market stalls.

Everyone apparently has their own opinion. My opinion is to buy one here. You would be hard pressed to find anything with the latest Thai maps and junction view for less than 4,000 baht. Junction view only works on Thai purchased units. You can buy European and UK maps on a separate memory card and they will work fine.

Some people who have never used a dedicated GPS with the ESRI TSM map maybe able to use the Sygic map but my guess is that you will be sorely disappointed when you try to use Sygic. Yes, I am one of them who was disappointed. I have a Samsung S3 and have found no Android map worth using. Driving and fiddling with your phone is not a good idea.

Thanks to everyone for their helpfull suggestions. Here's what I have done so far:

I tried the Sygic app on my Galaxy S3. It is certainly unbeatable at the price. Outside Bangkok, away from complex expresway junctions, it is excellent. You do have to look at the map, as sometimes the voice is misleading, e.g. tells you to turn left when map clearly shows to go straight over junction. In Bangkok, it didn't give me the detail I wanted at expressway junctions and when to move from frontage road to main road and back (but a more confident driver, especially one who can read Thai signposts would probably be OK).

If you have a navigator (human) to operate the software, this is fine, but I think it would be a bit dodgy doing it yourself while driving, especially getting back to the map after receiving a phonecall. Again, if you're more confident and don't need reading glasses, this would be less of a problem.

There is a 7 day, fully functional free trial. Definitely worth trying.

I then went to to the GPS Society office / shop near Chong Nongsi BTS. They were very helpful, had a guy who spoke English and a more technical woman who he translated for. Having showed me the various options, they left me for as long as I wanted to play with the demo unit, simulate driving routes, etc. I bought the Nuvi 2465 which was the cheapest unit that includes lifetime map updates. The more expensive units have no extra navigating functionality.

I've been very pleased with it so far. An added bonus that I was unaware of is that it connects to my phone via Bluetooth and acts as a handsfree unit, this also works very well. It has an option to use voice control that I haven't played with yet, but looks quite useful.

UK maps are available on a microSD card, but very expensive at 3,300 baht and no lifetime updates, junction view or lane assist. I might just buy a cheap UK sat nav.

Thanks again for the help.

i just downloaded wisepilot 5 day free trial to get me up to Bueng Kan (Nong Khai) and back, it done the job, then i have paid 2 quid for 1 month and it works a treat around bkk as i sat in a taxi going places

give it a try you got nothing to lose

I tested various free and pay GPS solutions on my Android phone and in the end I paid 4000B for a Garmin Nuvi40 here and have not regretted it for an instant. It is streets ahead (sorry) of the Android software that I tested, and the display and sound functions are much more practical also.

YMMV

i just got a Samsung note 2 android and after long talks in the shop I was convinced it had GPS and so no problems.

When I tried to use it the phablet needed to connect to a data plan. Which is what I dont want as it just chews money.

I have an old Nokia that doesnt need to connect to the internet to get the GPS navigating.

So the question is what decent Navigation software is there that doesnt need a data plan?

Travelled all over the country with a Garmain purchased in Sainburys UK at the time half the price of here for same model, and a real 12 months warranty period. I purchased the ESRI Thailand map on SD card. Still going fine 3 years later, although i have had the map updated.

yes 2 sets of maps no problem.

Edited July 7, 201313 yr by marstons

So the question is what decent Navigation software is there that doesnt need a data plan?

Look for a cache function on your software to download the areas you need for use when you don't have a connection. You may have to drill down a little in the program settings while you're connected to a wifi. I'm not sure which programs do and don't have the ability- sorry.

Sygic comes with the maps when you pay for it. I actually paid for it, but quit using it- just don't remember why. It was one of a dozen or so apps I bought in the honeymoon period with my smartphone, then quit using them

I use Google Maps and OruxMaps for walking around and tracking my location in a taxi.

But for driving, I ditch them both and use my 3990 baht Garmin Nuvi40.

Edited July 7, 201313 yr by impulse

thanks

i found one called Mapfactor and its got turn by turn voice and no need to be connected to wifi or internet and FREE