Will a GPS PND bought from abroad work in India?

androdev · 2nd January 2010, 11:54

hmmm.. not sure if my notes are helpful to anyone but still would like to post my research material here :-) I started hunting for a decent GPS device, after a *loooootttt* of research I found my needs are better met by a carputer/umpc kinda of thing that does GPS and million other things. Interested people might want to try viliv s5 or x70. I am planning to buy x70 and will post my experience soon.

contactme27 · 12th January 2010, 09:40

Just placed the order from dealextreme.
Now I have to wait and see.
DealExtreme: $84.91 4.8" LCD 372MHz CPU Windows CE .NET 5.0 Core GPS Navigator + 2GB Maps SD

agent009 · 15th January 2010, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by contactme27

Just placed the order from dealextreme.
Now I have to wait and see.
DealExtreme: $84.91 4.8" LCD 372MHz CPU Windows CE .NET 5.0 Core GPS Navigator + 2GB Maps SD

eagerly waiting for your feed back...I'll postpone my purchase for a month..

nkapoor777 · 24th January 2010, 02:39

I am looking at the Garmin 755T to be bought from the US. I don't need Bluetooth as I've got the Punto emotion pack with Blue&Me. It costs just about $200 on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-755T-Portable-Navigator-Traffic/dp/B001ELJERE/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1264269407&s r=8-12

I want to know:
1. Can I use free google maps on this device?
2. If I need to choose between Satguide (2k) and MMI (7k) for Garmin maps, is paying a hefty premium for MMI worth it?

DerAlte · 24th January 2010, 12:23

@nkapoor777, you will not be able to make mgmaps (offline google maps) or on-line google maps run on the Garmin 755T device.

The Satguide map for Garmin has the same content as the MMI one. A 'map' usually has the map of roads etc., as well as a database of addresses, landmarks and PoI (Points of Interest). In neither of these maps are the addresses decently searchable on the Garmin device - something to do with how the data is organized, as well as lack of quality control on the data. Provided you are somehow able to describe the destination, Garmin is able to do a decent job of finding an appropriate route with these maps.

Points of interest are plenty in either of these databases, like Pizza, Banks, Gas stations, Shopping etc. Search is a bit tedious, as somehow name-based search does not seem to return relevant entries many times. One needs to figure out a way to beat the software by devious methods, like approximately reaching the desired area (colony, road etc.), by scrolling in map mode (not navigation mode), selecting one of the many PoIs that show up, and then searching by name. The resulting list just might contain what you are looking for in the first few pages.

PS: If you want a Garmin device, perhaps you will be better off looking for a model with suffix 'W' - World model, like '205W' or '260W'. Other models might have US-specific peculiarities, which might be either unusable in other areas, or irritatingly deficient if you try. 755T has 'traffic updates' (not sure how that pulls traffic data), so that the unit can avoid roads that have traffic jams. Try using that in India!

nkapoor777 · 24th January 2010, 13:33

Thanks DerAlte. It does make sense to me. I am on to this model now (Garmin Nuvi750). Getting it at $160 including taxes and shipping from Walmart.

Walmart.com: Garmin nuvi 750 Portable GPS w/ 4.3" Screen, Spoken Street Names, MP3 Player & FM Transmitter: GPS & Navigation

PS: Why 7xx series instead of 2xx? Because I would like to have the 4.3" screen along with FM transmitter to relay audio through car speakers. What say?

DerAlte · 24th January 2010, 18:24

My 260W is also with a 4.3" screen - cost me all of $180 at Best Buy in Thanksgiving sale in 2008. Though it has Codecs installed as a part of the firmware, it does not have a media player.

Great idea to have a Media Player in-built with an FM transmitter. This is really needed when we rent a car in US and don't know which station plays what in a strange town, and none of them play Indian songs.

daredeviljpr · 30th January 2010, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkapoor777

Thanks DerAlte. It does make sense to me. I am on to this model now (Garmin Nuvi750). Getting it at $160 including taxes and shipping from Walmart.

Walmart.com: Garmin nuvi 750 Portable GPS w/ 4.3" Screen, Spoken Street Names, MP3 Player & FM Transmitter: GPS & Navigation

Garmin Nuvi750 is a discontinued product. Is it a good idea to buy a discontinued product?

DerAlte · 30th January 2010, 17:54

Nothing wrong with buying a discontinued one, they will still be supported. There are no consumables to worry about, and the software does not need updates. Even if it does, Garmin is sure to remember applicable old models.

daredeviljpr · 30th January 2010, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Nothing wrong with buying a discontinued one, they will still be supported. There are no consumables to worry about, and the software does not need updates. Even if it does, Garmin is sure to remember applicable old models.

Thanks. I am also planning to get a Nuvi 750. Can we get some kind of Media Player installed on Garmin devices that can play videos?

DerAlte · 31st January 2010, 12:23

Even though they are Win CE devices, there is no way of accessing the system area for adding applications. Garmin's implementation of USB limits visibility to some folders only. Perhaps it is their idea of a fool-proof device that does its primary job well under any circumstances. User application installability is not a design goal for their devices. Also, safety can be compromised if video is allowed to be played - definitely a no-no for a company like Garmin. With Garmin devices, one has to explicitly agree to comply with safety regulations (there is a specific dialog screen for it on power-up), not to operate the device when the car is moving.

It is only the Taiwan / China PNDs which use that as a USP for getting sales. They don't have to answer anyone if an accident takes place with the driver's attention diverted by video playing on the navigation device.

Some Garmin devices do have a media player for playing audio via the car's sound system, coupling with it via an FM transmitter.

NetfreakBombay · 31st January 2010, 12:45

^^^ I thought Gamin units run Linux. Are you sure about Win CE.. ?

KishoreC · 4th February 2010, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by KishoreC

After waiting for almost a month, today I got the update that they are out of stock.

Waiting for my refund.

Sorry for this late update as I haven't been active in the forum for quite sometime. Finally I got my device and bought SatGuide from SatNav. Installation and activation was painless as the SatNav customer service was very helpful. My device is now working beautifully. Have tested it in Bangalore, Bangalore - Mysore - Bandipur and Bangalore - Hogenekkal.

So the full set is.

1. Cheap Chinese Device from DX (Win CE 6), cost (Rs. 5500).
2. SatGuide from SatNav with One India Map ( Rs. 2100).

Couple of Points:
1. Satguide is actually the One India Map over MioMap software.
2. Pretty impressive within the city, not that good out on highways.
3. Periodic Map updates are supposedly free for a year.

Hope this info helps someone.
Kishore.

tsk1979 · 5th February 2010, 10:08

@Kishore, I was thinking satguide is actually "destinator" software and not miomap.
It was mapmyindia which is actually Mireo(miomap) software.

murali67 · 12th February 2010, 21:39

I have bought Navigon 2100 sometime back in US and is lying useless here due to non availability of indian maps from Navigon. I have tried with the Navigon but they do not have one for Asia.

Have already unlocked using diffrent SW but left without maps. Can someone help me with tips on using other maps available in India.

2nd January 2010, 11:54	#451
androdev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 3,255 Thanked: 25,284 Times	hmmm.. not sure if my notes are helpful to anyone but still would like to post my research material here :-) I started hunting for a decent GPS device, after a loooootttt of research I found my needs are better met by a carputer/umpc kinda of thing that does GPS and million other things. Interested people might want to try viliv s5 or x70. I am planning to buy x70 and will post my experience soon.
	() Thanks

12th January 2010, 09:40	#452
contactme27 BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 225 Thanked: 21 Times	Just placed the order from dealextreme. Now I have to wait and see. DealExtreme: $84.91 4.8" LCD 372MHz CPU Windows CE .NET 5.0 Core GPS Navigator + 2GB Maps SD
	() Thanks

24th January 2010, 02:39	#454
nkapoor777 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 609 Thanked: 147 Times	I am looking at the Garmin 755T to be bought from the US. I don't need Bluetooth as I've got the Punto emotion pack with Blue&Me. It costs just about $200 on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-755T-Portable-Navigator-Traffic/dp/B001ELJERE/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1264269407&s r=8-12 I want to know: 1. Can I use free google maps on this device? 2. If I need to choose between Satguide (2k) and MMI (7k) for Garmin maps, is paying a hefty premium for MMI worth it?
	() Thanks

24th January 2010, 12:23	#455
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,035 Thanked: 2,920 Times	@nkapoor777, you will not be able to make mgmaps (offline google maps) or on-line google maps run on the Garmin 755T device. The Satguide map for Garmin has the same content as the MMI one. A 'map' usually has the map of roads etc., as well as a database of addresses, landmarks and PoI (Points of Interest). In neither of these maps are the addresses decently searchable on the Garmin device - something to do with how the data is organized, as well as lack of quality control on the data. Provided you are somehow able to describe the destination, Garmin is able to do a decent job of finding an appropriate route with these maps. Points of interest are plenty in either of these databases, like Pizza, Banks, Gas stations, Shopping etc. Search is a bit tedious, as somehow name-based search does not seem to return relevant entries many times. One needs to figure out a way to beat the software by devious methods, like approximately reaching the desired area (colony, road etc.), by scrolling in map mode (not navigation mode), selecting one of the many PoIs that show up, and then searching by name. The resulting list just might contain what you are looking for in the first few pages. PS: If you want a Garmin device, perhaps you will be better off looking for a model with suffix 'W' - World model, like '205W' or '260W'. Other models might have US-specific peculiarities, which might be either unusable in other areas, or irritatingly deficient if you try. 755T has 'traffic updates' (not sure how that pulls traffic data), so that the unit can avoid roads that have traffic jams. Try using that in India! Last edited by DerAlte : 24th January 2010 at 12:38.
	() Thanks

24th January 2010, 13:33	#456
nkapoor777 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 609 Thanked: 147 Times	Thanks DerAlte. It does make sense to me. I am on to this model now (Garmin Nuvi750). Getting it at $160 including taxes and shipping from Walmart. Walmart.com: Garmin nuvi 750 Portable GPS w/ 4.3" Screen, Spoken Street Names, MP3 Player & FM Transmitter: GPS & Navigation PS: Why 7xx series instead of 2xx? Because I would like to have the 4.3" screen along with FM transmitter to relay audio through car speakers. What say? Last edited by nkapoor777 : 24th January 2010 at 13:36.
	() Thanks

24th January 2010, 18:24	#457
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,035 Thanked: 2,920 Times	My 260W is also with a 4.3" screen - cost me all of $180 at Best Buy in Thanksgiving sale in 2008. Though it has Codecs installed as a part of the firmware, it does not have a media player. Great idea to have a Media Player in-built with an FM transmitter. This is really needed when we rent a car in US and don't know which station plays what in a strange town, and none of them play Indian songs.
	() Thanks

30th January 2010, 17:54	#459
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,035 Thanked: 2,920 Times	Nothing wrong with buying a discontinued one, they will still be supported. There are no consumables to worry about, and the software does not need updates. Even if it does, Garmin is sure to remember applicable old models.
	() Thanks

31st January 2010, 12:23	#461
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,035 Thanked: 2,920 Times	Even though they are Win CE devices, there is no way of accessing the system area for adding applications. Garmin's implementation of USB limits visibility to some folders only. Perhaps it is their idea of a fool-proof device that does its primary job well under any circumstances. User application installability is not a design goal for their devices. Also, safety can be compromised if video is allowed to be played - definitely a no-no for a company like Garmin. With Garmin devices, one has to explicitly agree to comply with safety regulations (there is a specific dialog screen for it on power-up), not to operate the device when the car is moving. It is only the Taiwan / China PNDs which use that as a USP for getting sales. They don't have to answer anyone if an accident takes place with the driver's attention diverted by video playing on the navigation device. Some Garmin devices do have a media player for playing audio via the car's sound system, coupling with it via an FM transmitter.
	() Thanks

31st January 2010, 12:45	#462
NetfreakBombay Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,481 Thanked: 1,128 Times	^^^ I thought Gamin units run Linux. Are you sure about Win CE.. ?
	() Thanks

5th February 2010, 10:08	#464
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,695 Thanked: 23,484 Times View My Garage	@Kishore, I was thinking satguide is actually "destinator" software and not miomap. It was mapmyindia which is actually Mireo(miomap) software.
	() Thanks

12th February 2010, 21:39	#465
murali67 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4 Thanked: 0 Times	I have bought Navigon 2100 sometime back in US and is lying useless here due to non availability of indian maps from Navigon. I have tried with the Navigon but they do not have one for Asia. Have already unlocked using diffrent SW but left without maps. Can someone help me with tips on using other maps available in India.
	() Thanks