gps in vietnam

[BinhJerome 14]

Does anyone know if you can get a portable GPS device in Vietnam? I have read they do not have detailed maps, but if you can still mark way points of places you have been you would still be able to get around okay even without a map. If you know a place to get one there please let me know, I leave in about 8 hours, so it is a bit late to get one on ebay. Jerome

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

There's a personal electronics shop in the MaxiMark in Saigon. I saw GPS units there, but I didn't really look them over. I bought a Kim Tu Dien ED62 pocket translator there. I paid a bit more than you'd get the same unit for in San Jose. From what I understand, the VN government slaps a heavy tariff on imported electronics, which is why everyone wants you to bring laptops and cell phones from the US.

There seem to be a lot of sites on the internet where people have uploaded maps of Vietnam they've created with Topo, or some other mapping software, and converted them for use with popular GPS units like Garmin. Here's an example:

http://sites.google.com/site/rcmaps2/home

[BinhJerome 14]

There's a personal electronics shop in the MaxiMark in Saigon. I saw GPS units there, but I didn't really look them over. I bought a Kim Tu Dien ED62 pocket translator there. I paid a bit more than you'd get the same unit for in San Jose. From what I understand, the VN government slaps a heavy tariff on imported electronics, which is why everyone wants you to bring laptops and cell phones from the US.

There seem to be a lot of sites on the internet where people have uploaded maps of Vietnam they've created with Topo, or some other mapping software, and converted them for use with popular GPS units like Garmin. Here's an example:

http://sites.google....te/rcmaps2/home

Thanks Jim, I know I will be wanting to get one once I am there. With Binh teaching, I will want to get out of the apartment and do some walking and getting used to where things are, especially before she turns me loose on a motor bike. We still have heated discussions on this subject, but I am finially winning her over to my side. Binh wants me to rent one first, and I just want to buy a new one instead, I feel why waste money on rent when you know you are going to buy one eventually. 7 more hours before my plane leaves wooo hooo!

[WeatherEmperor 21]

Thanks Jim, I know I will be wanting to get one once I am there. With Binh teaching, I will want to get out of the apartment and do some walking and getting used to where things are, especially before she turns me loose on a motor bike. We still have heated discussions on this subject, but I am finially winning her over to my side. Binh wants me to rent one first, and I just want to buy a new one instead, I feel why waste money on rent when you know you are going to buy one eventually. 7 more hours before my plane leaves wooo hooo!

Oh boy another dangerous motor biker on the road...haha just kidding! Have a safe trip Jerome and remember buy the bike don't rent

<CARRICK>

Edited March 18, 2010 by WeatherEmperor

[Haonie 0]

Thanks Jim, I know I will be wanting to get one once I am there. With Binh teaching, I will want to get out of the apartment and do some walking and getting used to where things are, especially before she turns me loose on a motor bike. We still have heated discussions on this subject, but I am finially winning her over to my side. Binh wants me to rent one first, and I just want to buy a new one instead, I feel why waste money on rent when you know you are going to buy one eventually. 7 more hours before my plane leaves wooo hooo!

I agree with you to buy one if you're going to stay there for a while, just don't waste money for rent. About the GPS, better buy it in Vietnam not from US. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

[NQT1976 1]

dreaming about GPS in Vietnam ? 50 years later maybe

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

dreaming about GPS in Vietnam ? 50 years later maybe

GPS doesn't require any local support or services. The receiver just picks up signals from two or more satellites, and uses the information to calculate it's position on the globe, usually accurate to within meters. These satellites are in stationary orbits surrounding the earth. With few exceptions, GPS works everywhere in the world. The technology has become so ubiquitous that many cell phones now include GPS receivers, and can transmit your location on a digital sub-channel under certain conditions, such as when making an emergency services call.

GPS navigators are a bit more involved than the simple receivers in cell phones. Besides being able to calculate your longitude and latitude, they also contain extensive street level maps, and can display your position on the map. GPS navigators are available in Vietnam. I have seen them. I've also seen them installed in some taxis there. The hard part is finding a GPS navigator with an accurate street level map of Vietnam.

[NQT1976 1]

GPS doesn't require any local support or services. The receiver just picks up signals from two or more satellites, and uses the information to calculate it's position on the globe, usually accurate to within meters. These satellites are in stationary orbits surrounding the earth. With few exceptions, GPS works everywhere in the world. The technology has become so ubiquitous that many cell phones now include GPS receivers, and can transmit your location on a digital sub-channel under certain conditions, such as when making an emergency services call.

GPS navigators are a bit more involved than the simple receivers in cell phones. Besides being able to calculate your longitude and latitude, they also contain extensive street level maps, and can display your position on the map. GPS navigators are available in Vietnam. I have seen them. I've also seen them installed in some taxis there. The hard part is finding a GPS navigator with an accurate street level map of Vietnam.

they do have MAP for vietnam, lao,campuchia here http://asiagps.org/forum/showthread.php?t=339 made by Garmin but I don't think it is accurate.

again you need 50 more year to get it accurate like in US.

[lindal24 1]

Have you tried downloading/testing this site/link?

...if anyone has and find that it works, please let me know...THANKS!

[ScottThuy 140]

Given the high duty on imported technology into VN.. it could be cheaper to hop on a flight to Singapore and enjoy a weekend there and buy it in Sing and bring back to VN than buying in VN... I checked into GPS last year and the maps that I found were very limited in detail and as was stated it may be some time before they get it updated to meet your expectations.. maybe not 50 years, but not in the immediate future... As Jim said its all about the accuracy of the maps... the GPS on my phone worked from time to time... but not worth relying on it... I give them credit for working hard on the infrastructure.. last month I had 3G service in a very remote area that didnt have phone or electric...

Edited March 18, 2010 by ScottThuy

[Robert & Van 0]

I bought this little Item and used it in Vietnam and it work great for me. It tracks where ever you were, then you download the data to your computer and it shows you were you are. At even giving time.

http://www.gisteq.com/PhotoTrackr/PhotoTrackrCD111.php

[BinhJerome 14]

The accuracy for me is not that big of an issue, with Binh working 5 days a week, and me being turned loose on a motor bike, I know I will need GPS or I will be sitting at a coffe shop waiting for her to get off work. I think most all GPS have a waypoint mode so you can track multiple locations where you have been, even if the maps are not accurate, I can still find home, the market, her mothers house ect. ect.... Also I am leaving in about an hour from Korea, almost there!!!!! Jerome