I can buy via Ebay a cheap Chinese GPS that is water proof to app 5600 baht + import duty (don't know if 30%) ??

Cheapest Garmin alternative is the Zumo 220 to 20200 baht and with the latest Thailand installed and then up to +30k baht for the top bike model Zumo 550.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-3-Touchscreen-waterproof-Motorcycle-GPS-Navigation-NAV-Bluetooth-Connect-4GB-/200984662897?pt=GPS_Devices&hash=item2ecb9e9371

http://thailand-gps.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=41&product_id=111

Regarding this Chinese model, they write in the bottom that Garmin software might not work on it?

Do you guys think that will work here or am I wasting my money if going for the cheap Chinese model?

I mount my iPhone on my motorbike and use Google Maps... I'm not sure what advantages buying a standalone GPS would give you but I can tell you I have been very happy with this method, very simple and it has taken me all the way through Thailand and Laos with it. If you are curious, I can take a picture and explain how I mounted it.

I mount my iPhone on my motorbike and use Google Maps... I'm not sure what advantages buying a standalone GPS would give you but I can tell you I have been very happy with this method, very simple and it has taken me all the way through Thailand and Laos with it. If you are curious, I can take a picture and explain how I mounted it.

Well thanks but I prefer a dedicated GPS unit and the bike ones are 100% waterproof, I have a old Garmin 205W that have served me well but it's not suitable for bike use.

I also don't think Goggle maps are off-line maps and I tried the Sygic off-line maps (Android) but could't get a good gps signal in my truck but the Garmin no problem.

I been checking regarding the Chinese GPS by Goggling around and it appears to be tricky to get it working by installing Garmin software, not something I want to spend +5000 baht on and not sure if I can get it working or not.

I mount my iPhone on my motorbike and use Google Maps... I'm not sure what advantages buying a standalone GPS would give you but I can tell you I have been very happy with this method, very simple and it has taken me all the way through Thailand and Laos with it. If you are curious, I can take a picture and explain how I mounted it.

Well thanks but I prefer a dedicated GPS unit and the bike ones are 100% waterproof, I have a old Garmin 205W that have served me well but it's not suitable for bike use.

I also don't think Goggle maps are off-line maps and I tried the Sygic off-line maps (Android) but could't get a good gps signal in my truck but the Garmin no problem.

I been checking regarding the Chinese GPS by Goggling around and it appears to be tricky to get it working by installing Garmin software, not something I want to spend +5000 baht on and not sure if I can get it working or not.

Well different strokes for different folks. The case I use for my iPhone is waterproof. It's true that Google Maps are online but you can save map data if necessary. I almost never do because CAT my 3G gets a signal almost everywhere in the country, and I have ridden in some way out there places.

some software to download but it can turn your camera and mic on

delete things and track calls -check first

http://Your location precise location (GPS and network-based) approximate location (network-based) Network communication receive data from Internet full network access view network connections Phone calls read phone status and identity Storage modify or delete the contents of your USB storage Camera take pictures and videos Microphone record audio Your accounts find accounts on the device System tools modify system settings test access to protected storage

I went to buy a Garmin for a young couple starting a Van Delivery Service , they showed me the Latest Garmin Fish Finder, took me ten mins to realise it.

I mount my Android phone on my motorbikes using a standard bicycle phone mount available from one of the many Pantip Plaza's and Cycle shops for about 100 baht or an identical unit is available from Chiang Rai saddlebags for 350 baht.

For Android SatNav software try the following:-

Free offline SatNavs with good routing:

Mapfactor Navigator: Good but nigh on impossible to find on Play-store

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapfactor.navigator&hl=en_GB

OsmAnd: Also good

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.osmand&hl=en_GB

and if you are only after mapping software:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapswithme.maps&hl=en

All the above use OpenStreetMaps (OSM) which has the beauty of being user updateable if you find errors or missing roads/tracks so benefiting the community

Sygic is also good and extremely popular with over 30 million downloads though this is a paid for app.

Thanks o TwoPies.

I just downloaded Mapfactor on my Android phone, will test it later.

Off-line maps on a phone makes most sense to me, I don't need a data plan so only uses it for data conn via my Wi-Fi in the house.

So you guys using the phone for navigating on your bikes you will have to charge the phone all the time, Garmin sells "hot mounts" for bike gps units, how do you guys charge your phones during riding?

I drove to Bangkok from Pattaya and back last week in my truck to watch the Motor Expo, the Expo is located North of BKK near the old airport so I had to by-pass Bangkok in order to get there.

I used my Garmin 205W and it was excellent, on the Toll ways surrounding BKK it showed/told me where to exit and shift lanes and so on, to be honest I couldn't have done it without the Garmin but would have been completely lost, he-he.

Each to their own but personally I don't like Garmin. Their maps never seem to be very good.

I have a tom tom which I use on my bike here in the UK but the mapping for Thailand, although available, did not seem very detailed. A problem I also ad finding paper maps for Thailand.

After a lot of online searching I found Sygic. Very good detailed maps for thailand. Very impressed.

Used it on my Sony Android phone.

@Guzzi:

To charge/power the phone when used on a motorbike as a SatNav you can use a power pack:-

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/gadgets/1296022/go-baby-mobile-10-000mah-power-pack

or, the cheapest and easiest solution is just to carry a spare, fully charged battery, or two. I have found a fully charged phone will last for about 3 hours with the GPS switched on and Wi-F- off. If you have a spare battery or two then you should have no problems.

Be careful using SatNav around Bangkok due to the number of roads where motorbikes are banned. I do not have enough experience of Bangkok to give recommendations other than watch carefully what the other bikers are doing i.e. if you see a flyover ahead and ALL bikers are taking the slip road then maybe you should as well. This is a case where you have to use common sense and the SatNav.

@Carol:

I have used Sygic and agree, it is very good, over 30 million downloads and most of those in the last 12-18 months. They seem to have a reputation that is spreading rapidly by word of mouth however, Sygic is a paid for app. and my testing has been based on free. If I am evaluating Satnav's as a hobby I ain't going to pay to see how good the sw is.

and a useful tip for Android SatNav's:

I have all my place data, Name, Town, GPS co-ords etc. stored in Excel. I export from Excel in CSV format and, with a bit of simple editing, I can import to any of the Satnav's I wish to test.

Mapfactor Navigator:

the favorites file is in HTML format so you can use a simple text editor to add places.

Sygic:

My memory fails me but I believe the favorites file is in GPX format.

The following link may be of use for converting CSV to GPX

http://www.gpsu.co.uk/download.html#gpsufc

and the above website certainly has a host of other utilities

I have used Sygic as well as Tom Tom map software on my ipad for car navigation. I find

Tom Tom to be far superiour to Sygic.

I use a Garmin Nuvi 1390, with Rotweiler maps (US$50), and a RAM mount RAM-B-149Z-GA34U and power cable by Garmin Model: 010-11131-10. Put a clear plastic bag over it if it rains. Got my mount and cable at GPScity.ca

I keep my Nokia N8, it works great as GPS and battery life is not a problem, since I installed a12 volt socket on my bike.

I love my zumo great piece of kit expensive sure, but watertight and made for the bike. The screen is anti glare (better as the non bike dedicated gps units).

But yes the price is outrageous.

If you buy your Garmin from Power Station HD in Bangkok it comes with the Thai map used by the electrical company.

Every road in the country is on it - have even found that new roads being built will just end as you see the power transmission poles vanish in the distance.

I mount my iPhone on my motorbike and use Google Maps... I'm not sure what advantages buying a standalone GPS would give you but I can tell you I have been very happy with this method, very simple and it has taken me all the way through Thailand and Laos with it. If you are curious, I can take a picture and explain how I mounted it.

but you need to be connected all the time right? For google maps, I have iphone app too but is ofline

I mount my Android phone on my motorbikes using a standard bicycle phone mount available from one of the many Pantip Plaza's and Cycle shops for about 100 baht or an identical unit is available from Chiang Rai saddlebags for 350 baht.

For Android SatNav software try the following:-

Free offline SatNavs with good routing:

Mapfactor Navigator: Good but nigh on impossible to find on Play-store

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapfactor.navigator&hl=en_GB

OsmAnd: Also good

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.osmand&hl=en_GB

and if you are only after mapping software:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapswithme.maps&hl=en

All the above use OpenStreetMaps (OSM) which has the beauty of being user updateable if you find errors or missing roads/tracks so benefiting the community

Sygic is also good and extremely popular with over 30 million downloads though this is a paid for app.

I have sygic Thailand, the only app I ever paid for, it takes time till my iphone gets gps signal though, you have to drive around a bit or walk for few minutes

I keep my Nokia N8, it works great as GPS and battery life is not a problem, since I installed a12 volt socket on my bike.

12 v socket for bike? that is great, I coul duse my garmin nuvo 205 then, it is for car but it should work for bikes I think

 

I mount my iPhone on my motorbike and use Google Maps... I'm not sure what advantages buying a standalone GPS would give you but I can tell you I have been very happy with this method, very simple and it has taken me all the way through Thailand and Laos with it. If you are curious, I can take a picture and explain how I mounted it.

but you need to be connected all the time right? For google maps, I have iphone app too but is ofline

 

I am connected all the time, yes. However, it is possible to save a section of Google Maps for offline use. I've never done this before so I don't know how well it works, but it is worth giving it a try. The following article explains how to do it: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/software/3459515/how-save-google-maps-offline/

I have sygic Thailand, the only app I ever paid for, it takes time till my iphone gets gps signal though, you have to drive around a bit or walk for few minutes

Like you, I also thought the delay in obtaining lock was due to Sygic but after a lot of investigation this appears to not be the case. My findings are as follows:-

i) A mobile phone with GPS is always likely to be somewhat worse than a dedicated GPS unit and the reason is very simple; battery life. The dedicated GPS receivers are designed with only one function in mind, that of GPS! Mobile phones have to compromise on power consumption and therefore the GPS works but can be problematic.

ii) Prior to departing on a journey whereby I know I will require the mobile phone GPS unit I always Reset and Download new data for the AGPS. In Android this can be achieved using either GPS Satus & Toolbox:-

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2

or GPS Test:-

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstest

both apps should be self explanatory as to how to Reset and Download data for the AGPS.

I was forced to look into the patchy performance of mobile phone GPS units after a 250km bike trip whereby the GPS refused to lock about 3km from the destination. I thought this was most useful timing! The problem was the mobile phone GPS unit as neither Sygic or the free apps could obtain a GPS fix. A simple AGPS reset has resolved this issue on more than one occasion.

cheers

I have sygic Thailand, the only app I ever paid for, it takes time till my iphone gets gps signal though, you have to drive around a bit or walk for few minutes

Like you, I also thought the delay in obtaining lock was due to Sygic but after a lot of investigation this appears to not be the case. My findings are as follows:-

i) A mobile phone with GPS is always likely to be somewhat worse than a dedicated GPS unit and the reason is very simple; battery life. The dedicated GPS receivers are designed with only one function in mind, that of GPS! Mobile phones have to compromise on power consumption and therefore the GPS works but can be problematic.

ii) Prior to departing on a journey whereby I know I will require the mobile phone GPS unit I always Reset and Download new data for the AGPS. In Android this can be achieved using either GPS Satus & Toolbox:-

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2

or GPS Test:-

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstest

both apps should be self explanatory as to how to Reset and Download data for the AGPS.

I was forced to look into the patchy performance of mobile phone GPS units after a 250km bike trip whereby the GPS refused to lock about 3km from the destination. I thought this was most useful timing! The problem was the mobile phone GPS unit as neither Sygic or the free apps could obtain a GPS fix. A simple AGPS reset has resolved this issue on more than one occasion.

cheers

i-mobile 5.3 android phone, has a 3000mah battery.

Lasts 24hrs with gps on, wi-fi and bluetooth off. Longer if you run "flight mode".

Finds a GPS lock within 30s of turning it on.

Running Sygic

I drive around with it in my pocket and wear an earphone for directions.

Splice the mains and instal a water-proof cigarette lighter socket (similar to those commonly found in automotives BUT water-proof. You can now stick in any gps as per requirements. I got mine for slightly less than 1,200B shipped

Sent from my jack-in-the-box

I have sygic Thailand, the only app I ever paid for, it takes time till my iphone gets gps signal though, you have to drive around a bit or walk for few minutes

Like you, I also thought the delay in obtaining lock was due to Sygic but after a lot of investigation this appears to not be the case. My findings are as follows:-

i) A mobile phone with GPS is always likely to be somewhat worse than a dedicated GPS unit and the reason is very simple; battery life. The dedicated GPS receivers are designed with only one function in mind, that of GPS! Mobile phones have to compromise on power consumption and therefore the GPS works but can be problematic.

You may be correct that a dedicated GPS is better than a mobile phone but battery life is not really an issue. I use an external battery pack, Sanyo Eneloop KBC-L2B, 5000m-AH. A couple months ago I made it from Bangkok to Pakse Laos in 14 hours straight with Google Maps open and the GPS running almost the entire time.

You may be correct that a dedicated GPS is better than a mobile phone but battery life is not really an issue. I use an external battery pack, Sanyo Eneloop KBC-L2B, 5000m-AH. A couple months ago I made it from Bangkok to Pakse Laos in 14 hours straight with Google Maps open and the GPS running almost the entire time.

Apologies; What I meant to say was the GPS receivers in mobile phones are optimised for battery life whereas this is not the case for dedicated GPS receivers hence the sometimes poor GPS lock time of mobile phones. The radio receiver in a dedicated GPS units consumes significantly more power compared to the mobile phone GPS receiver and this equates to a greater receiver sensitivity and hence a better lock performance. The links I provided in my previous post can be used to reset the Assisted GPS (AGPS) in the mobile phones and help to improve the lock performance . This is not a be-all and end-all solution but it has sure helped me on occasions. Again, apologies for the confusion I caused.

As an aside, please be very careful using the cheapo cigarette lighter to USB converters available for powering your electronics. The car/motorbike voltage system is a very hostile environment resulting in the supply from the 12 volt battery way exceeding the nominal 12 volts hence I use a spare battery or, as DavidM suggested, use a separate standalone battery pack rather than a cigarette lighter supply. Look at this link:-

http://www.industrologic.com/autotransients.pdf

I know the app. note is dated 1999 but that is irrelevant. The car/motorbike 12 volt supply is anything but 12 volts under normal operating conditions. Load dumps, mentioned in the app. note, occur when you switch off a high current load, i.e. alternator/headlights/motors (starter, windscreen, window etc.) when the 12 volt supply can exceed 120 volts! Look at table 1 on page 2 where the battery voltage can be -100v for 200mSecs each time you switch off the ignition. I have no idea how well the electronics inside the cheapo cigarette lighter plugs have been designed but I am not prepared to risk expensive electronics with a cheapo plug when you can buy a spare battery or battery pack. You have been warned.

p.s. If the GPS receiver manufacturer has supplied a cigarette lighter plug unit this should be okay to use with the GPS receiver but may not be okay for charging your mobile phone.

Like you, I also thought the delay in obtaining lock was due to Sygic but after a lot of investigation this appears to not be the case. My findings are as follows:-

i) A mobile phone with GPS is always likely to be somewhat worse than a dedicated GPS unit and the reason is very simple; battery life. The dedicated GPS receivers are designed with only one function in mind, that of GPS! Mobile phones have to compromise on power consumption and therefore the GPS works but can be problematic.

ii) Prior to departing on a journey whereby I know I will require the mobile phone GPS unit I always Reset and Download new data for the AGPS. In Android this can be achieved using either GPS Satus & Toolbox:-

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2

or GPS Test:-

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstest

both apps should be self explanatory as to how to Reset and Download data for the AGPS.

I was forced to look into the patchy performance of mobile phone GPS units after a 250km bike trip whereby the GPS refused to lock about 3km from the destination. I thought this was most useful timing! The problem was the mobile phone GPS unit as neither Sygic or the free apps could obtain a GPS fix. A simple AGPS reset has resolved this issue on more than one occasion.

cheers

Thanks for the tips. I just downloaded GPS test. It took several min to get a signal but then the gps locked on 4 satellites. Accuracy about 40 feet.

I didn't have a clue that these aps existed so your post is very helpful to me. When I get back from work overseas I will check if I get a signal inside my truck as I was struggling with Sygic maps so I didn't buy the app.

My phone is a IQ4, not sure of how good the GPS unit is in it?

Back on topic, anybody bough one of those cheap Chinese GPS units??

Try GPS Test again and, if the lock still takes many minutes, press the Android 'menu key', followed by the GPS Test Settings

On the page that is displayed first select 'Clear AGPS' followed by 'Update AGPS'

Both of these menus are directly beneath the Upgrade box

You must have a WiFi connection for the 'Update AGPS' to work

After you have done this close GPS Test and restart, now the GPS lock time should be dramatically improved

It is always a good idea to update AGPS before leaving home, ie when you are still on WiFi. I've got the GPS Status & Toolbox app on my phone for this, don't remember where I heard about it, but any app performing this job will do just as well.

My observation is that with every new phone model the GPS fix seems to get faster, which would indicate that manufacturers are responsive to our needs. Sometimes I wonder whether prolonged exposure to heat (sunshine) reduces the efficacy of the GPS antenna but I have found no answer to this yet. I hope it is not built-in redundancy.

It is always a good idea to update AGPS before leaving home, ie when you are still on WiFi. I've got the GPS Status & Toolbox app on my phone for this, don't remember where I heard about it, but any app performing this job will do just as well.

Agreed. This is the information I have been trying to convey without ramming it down readers throats.

My observation is that with every new phone model the GPS fix seems to get faster, which would indicate that manufacturers are responsive to our needs.

I have no user experience of new phones, other than installing GPS sw on Android, so I am not qualified to comment on this.

Sometimes I wonder whether prolonged exposure to heat (sunshine) reduces the efficacy of the GPS antenna but I have found no answer to this yet.

but I am qualified to say, "No chance." This glib answer is not strictly true as there is a 'Noise Temperature' associated with all electronic components but to all practical intents and purposes you will not see any difference.

I hope it is not built-in redundancy.

Not sure what you are trying to imply but I do not feel it is relevant.

soon we should have a port of the Nokia "here" offline gps navigation maps for android.. should be good.