Which GPS/route calculator would you buy?

[DoctorP]

I want a car navigator system...or maybe one of the handheld models, so that I can move it from car to car.

Which model would you buy? Which ones have the maps for this area?

Are there any with English support? The English support is not necessary, but it would be a plus!

I remember reading a while back, where people in Yokusuka were having issues with units they bought through the PX...something to do with the local maps not being included, and they had to pay extra.

Any suggestions?

[P_chan]

Garmin is a good compnay. But they don't have any maps of the japan region. You might be able to find some user created maps online, but they won't be complete. The only way your gonna get a gps over here with detailed maps, is if you buy a japanese model.

[ja_Patriot]

I'd have a look around at Best or Yamada and check one which ones are available with Oki / Japan maps plus English menu & voice simulation. Then see if available cheaper at the BX.

I used to have Magellan but gave to my son.

[TheLastDon]

DocP, I have a Japanese one made by Toyota that works good.

It doesn't have an English menu but it was not difficult to figure out after awhile. A lot of trial and error. If you want to get from point A to point B it will give you a couple of different routes and give an estimated time of arrival. You can scroll the map manually and set a point you want to get to.

Also you can set the destination by entering a phone number, entering the postal code, or entering a map code.

I haven't seen any kind of GPS with detailed English maps yet. I know some of the new Docomo phones have navigation with the actual sat picture just like Google Earth.

[Bones]

Hey Doc,

I'll ask the kids to see what they use. Our son just purchased a new car for his wife-to-be, and this thing blew my mind. Constant up-dates about traffic conditions, including where safety checks were being carried out by the local cops, which traffic cameras were active, and a lot of other stuff.

Will let you know in a day, or so.

NBTP

[DoctorP]

DocP, I have a Japanese one made by Toyota that works good.

It doesn't have an English menu but it was not difficult to figure out after awhile. A lot of trial and error. If you want to get from point A to point B it will give you a couple of different routes and give an estimated time of arrival. You can scroll the map manually and set a point you want to get to.

Also you can set the destination by entering a phone number, entering the postal code, or entering a map code.

I haven't seen any kind of GPS with detailed English maps yet. I know some of the new Docomo phones have navigation with the actual sat picture just like Google Earth.

Yeah, I like the phone number feature...comes in real handy! I'm not looking for English maps, but rather English menus. I know that some of the models have English menus which make it easier to operate some of the features. I don't expect the maps to be in English though and really don't need them to be.

[-GoBLIN-]

subscribed.... had the same question yesterday.

[Asshat]

Interoperabilty is the answer. There is plenty of GIS datum for this island available in English. The question is, can you get the datum, and can the machine you purchase handle the format?

Garmin will handle almost any GIS format by the way, and Okinawa nautical charts have been available for ten years...and are very accurate.

[Bobaganoosh]

I just ordered the Garmin Nuvi 360 and was wondering the same thing. The best solution i've found so far is http://uud.info/en/navi/

[DoctorP]

I saw the Garmin I3 on sale yesterday and almost bought it, but garmin doesn't have asian maps/software.

[P_chan]

I've got a garmin vista hand held I use for geocaching and it works just fine. Sure, it doesn't have a map (Naha is just a dot in the ocean) but I can still use the direction finding. I almost bought a garmin GPS for my car, until i found out they don't offer maps of japan.

[-GoBLIN-]

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Asian-Nuvi-350-Automotive/dp/B000SAJSD2



anyone?

[Asshat]

I tried to say this in my first post. Many GPS units allow a GIS down load from a PC. There are a few sources of Japan GIS datum. I have one that is very excellent, in English but expensive...more than you need for Okinawa.

I don't want to do the research on this, but don't feel limited by the ready-made cartography that comes with a unit. Garmin makes at least one walk about type of unit that accepted GIS datum from the NOAA for the island of Guam. Two unrelated pieces of gear....a Garmin receiver, and data from the US Gov as share ware.

[DoctorP]

ummmm....thanks?

[Asshat]

ummmm....thanks?

http://freegeographytools.com/2007/importing-gis-data-into-a-gps-unit

There are some software packages around like Arc View which I use that have very accurate data of this island. If you know anyone who messes with this stuff you can get extremely accurate data. That data is in files that can be uploaded to most GPS receivers.

One of the problems is that few agencies have taken the time to correlate existing Okinawa files and apply English to them. The military has. (no surprise) Also, Google earth now incorporates shape files for Okinawa.

[Bobaganoosh]

This one (http://uud.info/en/navi/) already has 300,000 public POI (in Romaji) and covers all of Japan. It also supports turn by turn navigation, and is really detailed. it's for Garmin only though. BUT, it does cost 9,450YEN. If you're like me and don't have a clue what GIS Datum is, this looks like a good deal.

[DoctorP]

Thanks to both of you...Bob that looks pretty good.

[Asshat]

This one (http://uud.info/en/navi/) already has 300,000 public POI (in Romaji) and covers all of Japan. It also supports turn by turn navigation, and is really detailed. it's for Garmin only though. BUT, it does cost 9,450YEN. If you're like me and don't have a clue what GIS Datum is, this looks like a good deal.

http://www.gis.com/whatisgis/

As I said, if the info is too technical, DP is going to have to stick with Japanese. My advice was for English.