GPS Device

[J.Ravi]

A few days back, I got my MapMyIndia Lx130 navigator successfully updated to the new v7.0 maps. Now, the new maps show foot-prints of buildings including my home with door number. In the previous version, it didn't show those finer details.

Today, I was testing the navigator by searching some PoI in Assam, West Bengal and Odisha. To my horror, I could not locate Odisha in the list of states. For that, I need to go on this path: Select country>Other>Odisha to search PoI/towns/villages/street address in that state. In the earlier version, it was not so. I don't know, how many countries I have to select to access different states in India in the future upgrades of MMI maps.


I informed MMI about this goof-up. That customer support lady was arguing that if there is no problem, what do you want us to do? I told her point blank that Odisha is part and parcel of India, and so, it should be listed with the other states in India and not under other country! Then she agreed and noted down my contact number and navigator details. To be on the safer side, I sent an email also to the MMI customer support.

[HELLSTAR]

I'm thinking of importing a Garmin device and at the same time, I want a device which has AV in feature so that I can hook reverse rear view camera to it

Well for sure none of the GARMIN PNDs have this feature , that i am pretty sure . But thats one hell of an idea....might have to do with a lot of wires hanging around in your field of vision though

[ecruiser]

I see lot of China made GPS in DHGate for throw away prices, has anyone used it??

I know someone who bought one from DhGate in June 2011 for Rs. 2500/-. It arrived on time, but the internal speaker was not working. He got it fixed. The maps in it are very old though.

I myself bought one (Mediatek chipset) at an exhibition in April 2011 in Pune for Rs. 4000/-. The maps by nDrive.com were dated June 2009. Updates are available only upto June 2011 for Rs. 2,400 (checked last in Aug. 2012). While driving to Goa, after branching off from NH4 the GPS was useless. The GPS coordinates is the best feature in a GPS. Just get the coordinates from maps.google.com (after you have located your destination, just right click & select "What's this'. You will get the coordinates. Input these coordinates into the GPS and the GPS will take you there within 20 mtrs of your destination. For 4000/- it has everything, Bluetooth, FM transmitter (works very well), mp3, mp4 player, ebook reader. Don't understand why MMI & Garmin want so much money for their products.

Last week I purchased a Garmin Nuvi 50LM in Pune for Rs. 9,600/-. (Was Rs. 8,500/- in May 2012 at the time of launch). Went in for Garmin because of Lifetime Map updates (probably next 5 years only). Hope to use it on my tour next week. There is a review of it on TBHP. The GPS includes maps for India & Singapore/Malaysia.

[Diesel]

For iPhone users, Please use Navfree GPS Live India, Its free and effective. I have used it personally many times on a highway trip and it has voice guidance,POI,Route Overview and Rerouting,etc just like any other GPS navigation sold for a dime. It has Google search and Bing search to locate places.

And the major thing is,Its one time GPS maps installation around 150 MB and free updates for lifetime (Its an opensource GPS which is getting updated by thousands of people around the world everyday!!!) and there will be no additional data charges while using. So we dont need to worry about data charges end of month.

Below is the link for the same to download from iTunes. Apple users just goahead!!!

https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/navf...434595644?mt=8

[J.Ravi]

Just a few minutes back, I successfully updated the maps of my MapMyIndia Lx130 navigator to the new version 7.1. As usual, MapMyIndia did not bother to inform me of the latest version. I used to visit their website every now and then to know about the release of new version. Yesterday, I saw the new version of the maps here. Another thing I noticed was, when I logged in to my account, my registered device details were not there! I tried to re-register my device, but in vain. Immediately, I sent mail to the customer support of MapMyIndia raising these two issues. Today, I promptly received the upgraded map files and licence files in two separate mails. But, they conveniently kept quiet about the vanishing of my registered device details from my account! I downloaded the files, unzipped them and replaced the old ones with the new ones. I also copied and pasted my favourites from the previous version and pasted in the MapMyIndia folder of the new version so that I can have them in the new maps. Otherwise, the favourites folder in the new version will be empty.

Some of the features I noticed in the new version: NH numbers are prominently visible even in the route overview mode. English UK [in addition to English US] has been introduced in the languages option. Of course, more number of cities and PoI have been added.

[riyer]

Hi GH's,

Planning to buy a GPS Navigator. Checked on Reliance Auto Zone @ HSR Layout.
They have 2 brands: MapMyIndia and TomTom

After going thru the reviews I nail down to the two products:

1. TomTom Via120 - Rs. 12,999
Pros:
- European Company
- Landmark Navigation
- Advanced Lane Guidance
- Free Lifetime Maps
- Help Me Emergency Service Menu
- Dual Mounting Option
- Hands free calling via Blue tooth
- Voice Controls and Commands
- Frequent Destinations
- Ease of Use
- Car Symbols
- Map Corrections
- Voice Guidance and Spoken Street Names
- 1 Year Warranty
Cons:
- Read from the reviews that Maps might not be accurate all the time.


2. MapMyIndia Vx240 - Rs.16,490
- Indian Company
- Entertainment with Navigation
- Ultimate connectivity: Use your car speakers to listen to calls
- Use a reverse camera - never look back.
- Ever your guide
- Powered by India's best maps as it is an Indian Product
Cons:
- Need to pay for the Maps
- Too much of things captured on the map and it looks very cloudy.


Confused on which one to go for

Does any of the GH's already familiar with the above ones? if so, could you share your experience please?
Any other suggestions/products?

TIA.

[Wheels]

riyer;

I would recommend, of the two, MMI. They have good maps, very good maps. Tom Tom is good for Europe, not sure how good they are in India and do not think it is worth risking it.

Always go for a lifetime map buy; but then, make sure you have clarity on what "LifeTime" means. It can either be a fixed period or the life of the product. Do not think you will get the maps "for ever after".

Do a comparison with MMI and Garmin. Garmin has couple of good boxes. And I can vouch for MMI and Garmin maps in India. They are very good, even though not 100% correct. But then, I would say they have the best maps (offline) at the moment.

[fordfan]

Wheels which garmin product you suggest? I don't like MMI because of their policy of trying to make the users pay more for maps on Android devices

And question here MMI runs Sygic maps... Any idea who actually is the owner of the rights?

[sgiitk]

Garmin have four India Specific models - 40 & 50 and 2465 and 2565. All come with lifetime maps. 40 and 2465 are 4.3" while the others are 5". Remember the cheaper ones -40, 50 require that you get a mini USB cable, while a micro USB cable is include with the higher units. For specifics take a look at Garmin India. I got a Nüvi 265WT from the US in 2010 and bought Satguide maps locally. The lifetime maps made me switch to 2465. Now the Garmin Navteq maps are approaching the detail of the MMI maps, and are as good at least in the large /mid size cities.

[Wheels]

which garmin product you suggest?

I was using Garmin on my HTC for close to three years before I brought a dedicated unit. That was when my faith on their maps was firmed!

Currently have a Nuvi 1430; brought here in UAE but have used it in India also - perfectly happy.

As sgiitk mentioned, Gamin India website ( On The Road | Products | Garmin India ) mentions the available ones; would suggest go for the larger screen with a lifetime map. They all get the job done unless you are looking at route capture and retracking and such, which I doubt.