reliable gps in malta ?

djinn Active member

97POSTS

15 years ago

Are there now any gps (garmin or other) reliable and up to date in Malta ? I've been told they never were satisfactory, but there may be something more recent on the market. I have no sense of orientation and it would be a great help.I need something that I can take off the car windshield, not built-in.Tks.

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hammersfan ViP

532POSTS

15 years ago

There are - I myself use iGO 8 (from Nav-N-Go) on an iPaq PDA. I am sure there are others too in a dedicated portable GPS format.

Of course, it's not perfect, but it's pretty good.

Tim

Laurent1967 Serial expat

979POSTS

15 years ago

Hi
I use a TomTom. card is Europe
some few mistake but really really helpfull
street name are in maltese generally

hammersfan ViP

532POSTS

15 years ago

Yeah - the street names are in Maltese on mine too - so there is a bit of a triq to using it!

em850 Member

1POSTS

15 years ago

I have tried a few gps apps聽 including copilot but nothing beats wcities included in the navmans. It basically plays the role of a city guide.聽 I think Mio has the best gps software and map updates which are perfect for remote travelling around Europe.

iamharibo Contributor

189POSTS

15 years ago

hammersfan wrote:
Yeah - the street names are in Maltese on mine too - so there is a bit of a triq to using it!

haha brilliant

Eagle Contributor

131POSTS

15 years ago

Can anyone clarify if they bought the GPS software in Malta and where. And what version are you using ?

hammersfan ViP

532POSTS

15 years ago

Not a personal recommendation, but a quick search brought up this place...http://www.medcomms.com.mt/prispe.htm

they claim to have various Garmin Nuvi GPS devices with pre-loaded Malta and Gozo maps.

Good luck

Eagle Contributor

131POSTS

15 years ago

Thanks for that tip, I should have specified more clearly. I am after the SD card only for a Win mobile 5 device. The GPS I have at the moment is TomTom and doesnt offer the downloads compatible with "old" device even though its barely 3 years old.

I dont want to buy another GPS, if I can slot in a SD Card, hopefully. Or do somekind of hack.

hammersfan ViP

532POSTS

15 years ago

#10

I have maps for a win mobile 5 device...an iPaq PDA running iGO8...don't know if it's compatible with what you want...but I'd be happy to share with you...send me a PM if interested.

Tim

Laurent1967 Serial expat

979POSTS

15 years ago

#11

I bought my Gps Tom Tom one V1 in聽 june 2006 and I can update the card every year with tom tom home.

You just need a SD with 2 Gb.

Eagle Contributor

131POSTS

15 years ago

#12

Laurent1967 wrote:
I bought my Gps Tom Tom one V1 in聽 june 2006 and I can update the card every year with tom tom home.

You just need a SD with 2 Gb.

Thanks for that note, I have TT nav 6, and they do not offer the Downloads anymore for my phone. Do you want to make a trade for a share of your map?

Sarafima ViP

122POSTS

15 years ago

#13

I bought the card from medconm and I am constantly lost...

Eagle Contributor

131POSTS

15 years ago

#14

Thanks everyone. I spoke to someone who said I could upgrade my iphone which is os3.0 to version 4.0 and apparently it uses the phone as a gps. I havent tested and will try to do this after backing up my stuff so seems I may have some options.

me3512 Serial expat

476POSTS

15 years ago

#15

I have both tomtom and nav4g for the iphone 3gs...聽聽tomtom is OK and nav4g is terrible.

Suzanna2010 Active member

82POSTS

15 years ago

#16

I was sold a Garmin in the UK and told it worked in Malta.................it didnt!

me3512 Serial expat

476POSTS

15 years ago

#17

which garmin did you get?聽 Ususly with the garmin software you can download the italy maps and they include malta....聽聽you can use the garmin XT maps in almost all garmin devices.

Send me the model number of your garmin and I will se if I have the maps in my collection.

me3512 Serial expat

476POSTS

15 years ago

#18

I just got the garmin 1350... Ill let you know how well it works when I get back in country... So far I love it, but I am currently in Poland.

Suzanna2010 Active member

82POSTS

15 years ago

#19

Not sure which Garmin I have, will have to check

...I think its on its way out as takes ages to start and yesterday was sending me round in circles!聽 My daughter has a Tom Tom and that seems way more stable!!

me3512 Serial expat

476POSTS

15 years ago

#20

Please let me know the model # when you can, and I will have the maps you want/need on my return.聽聽I will also see what I can do about speeding that 'ol thing up for you if you like.

Suzanna2010 Active member

82POSTS

15 years ago

#21

ok, it says its a Garmin nuvi 1340.....if i could speed up the start process that would be a real help as at present I have to go out to car and plug it in about 10 mins before I want to drive anywhere!!!

me3512 Serial expat

476POSTS

15 years ago

#22

Plug it into your pc,聽 if you don't have one create a gamin account and update the gamin firmware.聽 I can do this for you on my account when I get back on he 27th.聽聽I also have the new maps.聽聽I have the 1350 I think.聽聽聽I'll verify when I get home they take the same software.聽聽 No problem.聽聽I hacked mine I can modify yours to

Darlin Active member

62POSTS

15 years ago

#23

I don't use GPS, when I got stuck, I get out of the car, ask someone in the street and he gives me the right directions...
Doesn't this save few bucks ?

me3512 Serial expat

476POSTS

15 years ago

#24

Well yeah, theres another option....聽聽it's an island... you can always go in circles to

Suzanna2010 Active member

82POSTS

15 years ago

#25

Darlin.....Im impressed....and shocked .....a man that asks directions?! surely not!!!

Suzanna2010 Active member

82POSTS

15 years ago

#26

thanks Chad, Im not home until next weekend so will try then.聽 So do you use yours in Malta then?

me3512 Serial expat

476POSTS

15 years ago

#27

I just picked it up last week, and Ill be back home about the same time you will so I'll have to tell you then.聽

Alf007 Contributor

119POSTS

15 years ago

#28

I have a Garmin... and well.. a couple of times I have ended in dead ends and cliffs with no roads... the problem if you use it in the SHORTEST DISTANCE it will send you through the shortest distance no matter what...

djinn Active member

97POSTS

15 years ago

#29

Last time i took a wrong turn after the Marsa race tracks,I ended up in a deadend that obviously caters to the horses (hay, buggies,...) and when I reversed and tried to stop a young man on foot, headed for his car, he pretended not to hear me. I called 6 times till I got to his level, asked why he wouldn't answer, said I needed directions to get out of that area. He was short and very gruff. Also, when you ask for directions, they often come out so complicated that you lose track in the mid of the explanation.Assuming that people know, which is not always the case.

me3512 Serial expat

476POSTS

15 years ago

#30

OK I have a new garmin nuvi 1350, with the 2011 update to the maps...聽聽here's my experience with using GPS in MALTA.

ME CALLING MY INSURANCE COMPANY:

me:聽 Hello can I have your address please so I can locate you with my gps.

ins: it's in the XXXXXX building

me: what is the building number?

ins: we dont have one.

me: what???聽 how is that possible?

ins: Well everyone knows where the building is...聽

me: I dont know where it is

ins: It's next to the greenery, across from the church.

me: that describes 30 places in that town.

ins: well that's where we are.
____________________________________________________________-

OK enough of that, needless to say I was pissed.聽 The GPS works beautifully, I have no issues with it, the problem comes in when you dont have a building number.聽 Malta itself has 2 postal methods and one goes by building name ( which GPS does not recognize ) and the other is a proper addressing scheme.

Also not joking on that phone conversation, it is word for word...聽 Took me 2 hours to find it because the blond couldn't give proper directions.

me3512 Serial expat

476POSTS

15 years ago

#31

Just an addition to my last post....聽 even with all the addressing complications I use the thing all the time.聽聽It is a lifesaver.

I'll also be picking up a car soon, Hopefully next week and will definitely need the gps to get around this zoo.

Darlin Active member

62POSTS

15 years ago

#32

djinn wrote:
Last time i took a wrong turn after the Marsa race tracks,I ended up in a deadend that obviously caters to the horses (hay, buggies,...) and when I reversed and tried to stop a young man on foot, headed for his car, he pretended not to hear me. I called 6 times till I got to his level, asked why he wouldn't answer, said I needed directions to get out of that area. He was short and very gruff. Also, when you ask for directions, they often come out so complicated that you lose track in the mid of the explanation.Assuming that people know, which is not always the case.

Hi Djinn
U must be unlucky that day crossing this guy
Well, I have never used a GPS, I found it easier to search the address on google earth before leaving so I have an approximative idea where is it going to be and when I am near that area I just ask people, All the people I have crossed in the street were nice and helpful, sometimes they spent 5 minutes to explain you that it is just next turn on the left they really want to be helpful, I really appreciate.

ursamajor Member

1POSTS

15 years ago

#33

Best solution:

1) get yourself a 'smart' phone from any of the local mobile operators or bring yours with you from the UK ( a 3G Android phone (from Samsung, HTC or Motorola) is probably best given compatibility and features with Google Maps)
2) Get a local sim card with one of the providers - prices having been coming down given the competition for voice and all offer data economic packages for data access ( my Melita one is prepaid and seems not to be charging me anything for data provided I top up 10 Euros per month...)
3) Download Google Maps ( which automatically updates and on my android phone provides voice guidance)....

And you are good to go - even if you do get 'lost' ( which is never far here in Malta) you'll have a good sense where you are and can find your way..

hammersfan ViP

532POSTS

15 years ago

#34

Hi ursamajor,

Welcome to the forum and thanks for your input.

I agree with your recommendatins and definitely people should buy an unlocked phone in the UK - much cheaper than buying here.

I have an Android phone - how do you get voice navigation for Google Maps? I installed Sygic Mobile Maps 10 for that feature. Is the voice navigation from Google Maps as good as from a specialist vendor like Sygic/Garmin/etc?

BTW - I'm in Naxxar too. Maybe we'll meet up somtime.

Tim

djinn Active member

97POSTS

15 years ago

#35

I had thought of a smartphone, but 500 to 600 Euros ... (Yes, I could check with Melita or Vodafone which has a great coverage as well as good service).I didn't think I could have voice guidance on a phone. Which smartphone are you using, ursamajor ?
Thank you very much for the tip.

hammersfan ViP

532POSTS

15 years ago

#36

I got a Samsung i5500 Europa for 拢79 and an LG GT540 Optima for 拢99 - both unlocked Android Smart phones - from carphone warehouse last time I was in the UK. On Malta I think they are much more expensive (familiar story).

Tim

me3512 Serial expat

476POSTS

15 years ago

#37

I have my iphone and have tomtom on it along with gpd4d and a couple others... it's terrible.聽 I am always skowing that I am not on the road etc... ( I use the vodaphone service )聽

I also have the garmin 1350 with the updated maps, and it is excelent as long as you use the "eco route" feature that keeps you on the main roads.聽 If you use the "shortest distance" feature you better be prepared to go off roading and should have 4 wheel drive.聽聽It's a triq

S