Buying a GPS System in Bangkok

[Guest]

Can anyone who lives in Bangkok suggest where I can go to get a GPS system for my new 2009 Honda City? I need something to help me get around BKK itself and I figure there are enough regulars who live here that must know of a few places. My ideal system would be a combo GPS and DVD player. Do they make such a system?

Also, is there any specific systems that people like over others? Any information is appreciated.

Thanks,
Nhscotsman

[jadeite]

I ended up getting a GPS mobile phone. Does the trick with built in maps and calls out directions as you drive so you don't ever have to study the small LCD. For dash mounted units Garmin is often recommended. The IT mall in Fortune tower is a good place for shopping, next to Rama 9 subway station. Careful about buying a GPS outside Thailand and bringing it in because region protection has once again reared its ugly head in some cases.

[SamplerDoc]

Take a look in Panthip

[Stogie]

 Make sure they test it and that it is working and that your purchase comes from an unopened box.

A friend of mine almost bought one last week from Pantip and was given so much bullshit and the device didn't hold a charge out of the box when plugged in, he decided (wisely) not to bother.

Dealers in Pantip are guessing that farang customers in there will not be around to pick a fight over refunds etc...

[rossco]

Garmin Nuvi 200 W is the only model currently available with Thailand in any detail.
Cost 9900 Baht. Shops in BKK and Pattaya have them BUT I agree with Stogie - make sure original and in the box ALSO you must ask the shop to 'download' the English version not Thai - unless you can read Thai.

Town/Place spelling can be confusing.
Kabinburi - not known but Kabin Buri is!

This is a mobile unit which has a windscreen mount and power cable plugging into the Cigarette lighter. So you can use this on in a car or a motorbike or even walking!

So the trick is to store all the destinations you want when you have been there once, and then save it as a destination for the future. Thai place names/spelling can be confusing.

I get mine next week so will try to write an opinion on it.

[Guest]

Hiya,
Buying anything other than movies makes me nervous because you never know what you€™re getting. I was trying to buy a IPOD and even though most stores told me they were all fakes, there were some that did try and sell to me saying they were the REAL thing. But I had already been warned. So to go out and pay 10,000 baht for a GPS from Pantip, I will be very weary. The GG that I live with says she will go and buy it, thinking that Thai€™s don€™t normally cheat Thai€™s, but we all know that€™s not always true either.

Anyone that has bought one or buys one in the near future and feels it€™s either working good nw or it does in the near future, PLEASE message me anytime and let me the facts on the system you bought and where you bought it and the price.
My Mom in the USA wants to send me one, but even she can€™t get the store there to guarantee that it will work here in Thailand and like I told her€¦.€What good will a GPS system be if it€™s only good in the United States?€

Thanks for the input guys and gals and if you have any further info, please let me know.

You guys are always good for helping people, this is one of the reasons I chat here.
Nhscotsman

[katoeylover]

If you can wait, can bring a Tomtom from the UK.

[rossco]

I looked into buying a Garmin in the US and I could not get it loaded with Thailand data.

A friend who has the Nuvi 2oo is pleased with it BUT he had to get the store to download the Thailand map/data in the store - the data was not on a SIM but downloaded direct into the unit.

I would be wary of buying a Sat Nav outside Thailand as a map of UK/Europe or US is not much use here.

If you buy here through a reputable store - unit in original packaging and Garmin guarantee/warranty included no problem. My friend bought his at the store next to the Mercure - Grand Mercure Bangkok Park Avenue
30 Sukhumvit Road Soi 22 Klongtoey 10110 BANGKOK

Sorry I do not have the name of the store.

[Guest]

Hi,
Nice to hear from all of you. This GPS is something that I am totally clueless about but as I said I just bought a new car and the GG I room with can't read a map to save her life and even though she has lived in BKK most of her life, she doesn't know shit about BKK streets other than down in Rama II. I never have had an argument with her for the most part, but ever since I have gotten the car, we get in and fight, so the GPS is very much needed.

So I called Honda and they don't have one for the new 2009 Honda City (what I bought for a car), so I have to look for alternate places to get it. I went to Power Zone as was suggested here and this is what I found:
Power Zone has:

Mio C320B - 13,900
Garmon NAV1200 - 9,990
Garmon NAV1200W - 13,990
IFox NV-120 - This one I think was either 10,000 or 14,000

Can you guys and gals vouch for any of them? Some people have told me the portable ones are best and some use the cell phones with the GPS. I€™m not sure the phone one would be the best choice for me. I know some people use them I know but how good are they really. I figure the good unit will be a lifesaver for me, especially getting around this city. The maps are useless and the signs being half in Thai are nearly useless too...haha.

Any info you can give me guys is GREATLY appreciated!
Nhscotsman

[Road Runner]

I would never buy a GPS ready installed by a car manufacturer. They actually buy them of one of the mainstream manufacturers like Garmin.
The problem is though that once they have supplied the car they have no interest in updating either the software or the maps. So your 2008 software/maps will stay 2008 until you sell/scrap the car.

Manufacturers like Garmin (US) and TomTom (UK) and others regularly supply software and map updates via their website for free.
TomTom which I have is very good at this  -  I have no experience per se of Garmin but they are probably the same.


Nhscotsman,

I would suggest going for one of the Garmin models  -  they are usually well built and reliable.

Main thing is though have a play with them in the shop and see if you like the software.
After all you will have to drive and either listen or attempt to program it while driving.

I bought the TomTom in the UK because it got all the best write ups about usability and when I went and had a play with one in a shop I liked it.

I'm sure there must be online reviews for all the above models you saw in Powerbuy so do a Google search and see what comes up.

RR.

[Guest]

Can anyone suggest a place in Bangkok that would have a good selection of Garmin GPS systems? I went to Pantip and though many have wide variety of selections, very few actually have sealed boxes, thus making me very weary or buying anything. I had a few tell me flat out that they were either returns that had been repaired at the factory or they were fakes all together. Getting originals is difficult in Thailand one guy told me, so everyone buys imitations. I can see it with a cheap IPOD, but not for a decent GPS system. SB and the others who said to be careful, THANK YOU for the heads up on buying at Pantip!

One fellow suggested perhaps I should be buying it in the USA and then having it shipped here, he felt I could get a REAL one, probably at a cheaper price, but then I am concerned with the voltage issues. I would hate to not be able to charge it or are they ONLY charged via the car itself? I know absolutely nothing about these systems and am learning as I go, so please if I ask or make a stupid statement, don€™t flame me about it, ok?

I tried to contact Garmin directly but their Asia site is located in Taiwan and the webpage is in Taiwanese and is not readable to me and the US address isn€™t any help either. Their reply was to contact the Taiwan office. Talk about a vicious circle.

UPDATE: I finally had my Mom email Garmin from the US and they replied back to her and said that the best for my use here in Thailand would be either their model #750 (last years model) or the #755 (this years model) and she can get it for $349.00/12,300 baht, but they didn€™t say where in Thailand I could get it, so I am on the hunt.
Nhscotsman

[rossco]

HELLLO

I gave you the address of a GPS store:

If you buy here through a reputable store - unit in original packaging and Garmin guarantee/warranty included no problem. My friend bought his at the store next to the Mercure - Grand Mercure Bangkok Park Avenue
30 Sukhumvit Road Soi 22 Klongtoey 10110 BANGKOK

Sorry I do not have the name of the store.

[Guest]

Thanks
Nhscotsman

[rossco]

Store name is Futurama .......