Gadgets

AVT offers portable GPS in the Philippines

Abe Olandres February 24, 2009 · 2 min read

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AVT today announced a whole line of GPS devices specific for the Philippine market. That’s turn-by-turn GPS navigation available for the entire Greater Metro Manila and all national highways from Abra to Davao.

AVT introduced their most affordable GPS device, the Navigator A800, for an introductory price of Php18,500. The device has a 4.3″ LCD touchscreen, pre-loaded with maps of greater Metro Manila, has turn-by-turn voice direction, 2D/3D map display with some multimedia capabilities (photo, video and music player).

gps philippines

Powered by a Samsung ARM 400MHz, the A800 stores all data on a memory card (up to 32GB) that you can switch anytime if you want to add more maps or multimedia files for playback. AVT will provide updates to your device every 3 months for 2 years for free. A minimal fee per update will be charge after that. Updates can be downloaded on their site and saved to the SD card.

Maps are developed and provided by Accu-Map Philippines. It covers 100% of Metro Manila and National Highways Road Network and has 12,869 points of interest for Metro Manila and 40,276 nationwide.

We went around Makati to try out the device. My first impression is that the touchscreen is very responsive, GPS tracking was also accurate. The system is also aware of the one-way streets in Makati as well as u-turn (or no u-turn) slots along EDSA. It’s not 100% MMDA-proof (I asked!) but it’s fairly accurate that it even knows how to go around gated communities or subdivisions.

Check out AVT.ph for more info about the other models.

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

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118 Comments

Napoleon · 15 years ago

map of makati including Bonifacio global city

julie · 15 years ago

i have gps touchcreen,,,who ever interested to buy free to email me,,.,ty

aoh · 15 years ago

http://www.avt.ph

ricky · 15 years ago

parang mahal, bili na lang ako ng mapa sa national booksgtore..

D’ tour guide · 16 years ago

pag gps hanap nyo meron ngayon mura lang pocket pc na all in na yun mp3, flash, radio, movie player etc… mga 7k lang yung updated pa lahat ng map sa pinas, maganda pa nun kahit sa labas pwede mong gamit kasi di namimili ng map… spend wise lang… im using mine for 2 years na nag update lang ako ng map ko…

baron · 16 years ago

Try to search some gps gadgets…Orion GPS gadgets is more advantages…try to search somewhere in Mandaluyong…..

anonymouse · 16 years ago

18.5k are you kidding?! there are stuff similar to that offered for 12k -that itself is already expensive. some crappy china gps’s cost as low as 5k -but its a bad investment tho :/

alex · 16 years ago

sa sm north annex may nagbibinta din ng GPS kaso GARMIN brand…..

anuh kaya ang mas maganda garmin or avt?

Arvin · 16 years ago

I compared before AVT and those original Garmin units from several garage companies (sulit, ebay etc.) and also the new upcoming Garmin clones (units with pirated Garmin XT software), they can not even scratch on the funcionality and quality of the carnavi. So I bought a unit from carnavi [http://www.carnavi.ph], the map details are really awesome. Check it out, you will not believe. And beside this they offer service, what I really miss with all the other GPS sellers.

Look at this videos about AVT:
http://www.youtube.com/user/testronix

Look at the details at carnavi:
http://www.youtube.com/user/carNAViPhilippines

Greetings
Arvin

Mariz · 16 years ago

i am selling car accessories with 1 year warranty that includes the avt gps asnd avt stereo

lukin4gps · 16 years ago

really mariz? where?

Mariz · 16 years ago

i know where to buy this for only 15k asap!!!

navigator list · 17 years ago

yung gusto makabili ng gps meron ako updated lahat pati map direct from manufacturer…
call lang for info: 0919******* or email: ge****@yahoo.com
tested ko na tong gps ko 1 year ko natong gamit….
as in mura lang talaga….

navigator list · 17 years ago

yung gusto makabili ng gps meron ako updated lahat pati map direct from manufacturer…
call lang for info: 0919******* or email: ge****@yahoo.com
tested ko na tong gps ko 1 year ko natong gamit….

Vernon · 17 years ago

sa mga gustong maka tipid.. bili nalang kayo windows mobile device na meron na gps..

you can use this following programs:

*map asia (not freeware)

*garmin (not freeware)

*googlemap (freeware but needs internet connection)

*NaviComputer (freeware… use predownloaded maps of google earth or yahoomaps)

jexean · 17 years ago

Do you have dealers along las pinas area?

Mimi · 17 years ago

The biggest “no no” with all the navigation devices is taking out the SD Card without shutting down the engine first. Pulling it out abruptly can corrupt the unit.

Simply return your devices to the dealers where you brought it from, so they can reformat it. I’m sure it has warranty.

sherwin · 17 years ago

I am interested in buying AVT car stereo and is considering also a unit with GPS. can you please help? I need to know the specs, the price and of course, if it would fit in the TOYOTA FORTUNER.. Thank you.

anly · 17 years ago

wer can i buy paccard bell compasseo 370?

Marion Marking · 17 years ago

I think I found the vendor:

ASIATYPE, INC.
Suite 114, Columbia Tower
Ortigas Avenue, Greenhills
Mandaluyong City
Philippines 1550

Tel: +63 2 744 6262
Fax: +63 2 727 6053

I really need my Navigator fixed. I’m lost without it!

If you have stuff that can help, anyone, please reply.

Since I lost the manual, I don’t even know where to put my media files!

Marion Marking · 17 years ago

Hello, Abe.

Allow me to ask something technical, please?

AVT A800 gives me the following error messages:

“dt init fail,code(6030200)”
Then
“OnAppInit Fail”

Also–
Fatal Application Error
Application Navigator.exe has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. If the problem persists, contact the program vendor.
Program: Navigator.exe
Exception: 0xC0000005
Address:01BE8024

Two Questions:
Who is the “program vendor”?
Am I doing something wrong?

I already tried resetting. Nothing, same errors. Before this happened, the A800 failed to read my position several times.

But I clicked here and there and it fixed itself.

I lost the manual (somewhere in the paper piles around me in the office) and all I was able to download was a flyer.

Help, please?

[We met at Shang Palace–Dell launch?–and I was very interested to know about your successful blogging career. Very inspirational! Congrats!]

Cheers,

Marion

Tina · 17 years ago

The street data on these gadgets are not as detailed (or even correct) as you might think. For a gadget like this to be worth your hard-earned money, you should be able to get regular updates of the map that’s installed in the on-board navigator. Currently, there is no decent street-level map for areas outside of Metro Manila, so this gadget will not really be worth it.

If you really want to buy the gadget, make sure you ask if you get free updates on the map, and how often they update their maps.

mikko · 17 years ago

A800 is great..if ever nagkamali ka pa din sa direction automatically it will recalculate ur new route…

DopeMan · 17 years ago

Hi Guys,

Is this thing worth it? I’m planning on getting it for my CRV. It’s about time GPS becomes a standard here. Your feedbacks are appreciated.

Mich · 17 years ago

can you use the AVT GPS unit if you install other maps and use it in other countries?

aoh · 17 years ago

Luis, vat included in 18,500. no senior citizen discount. check out http://www.avt.ph, u can ask there where u can purchase one

LUIS Kodumal · 17 years ago

WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT (AVT A800).IS VAT INCLUDED?ACCEPT SENIOR CITIZEN’S CARD?

Michael Alan Hamlin · 17 years ago

Ok, within an hour of sending a note to AVT via a website form, I received a call from AVT’s Mark. The units arrive Monday at Toyota and Ford. But he will also drop one by my office Monday as well. Now I’m impressed. Hopefully, I’ll be impressed with the device as well.

Michael Alan Hamlin · 17 years ago

Just spent three hours searching for this product in Alabang malls and dealerships. It’s absolutely not available anywhere. Hard to understand how a company can launch a product and not have it available in one of what should be its best markets.

michelle · 17 years ago

I saw on TV this morning on ANC, they featured the Navigator A-800. Good review from that guy of Gadgets magazine. I’m yet to try it though.

Dmitar Berbatov · 17 years ago

SORRY BUT AVT A800 SUCKS!!! DOES’NT MET MY EXPECTATIONS, But thanks to the info given by mr. dela torre, now i’m using packard bell compasseo 370… and this works really well.. Great product and very user friendly…. thanks packard bell!!!

aoh · 17 years ago

Guys, the AVT A800 is available mostly in CAR DEALERS (eg toyota quezon ave, honda quezon ave, toyota commonwealth, etc) you can check em out there, they sell it at 18,500 too, good price for a CASA bought item

noel (work at home dad) · 17 years ago

ok na ok ‘to pag road trip!

Erick Dela Cruz · 17 years ago

Hi guys, Packard Bell Compasseo is better! at a reasonable Price of 15-16K …….it’s more accurate! Ive seen this unit in one of the Car exhibit @ SMX Mall of Asia even celebreties buy this nice GPS Device…. nice gadget to show off.
For me don’t just consider the promotional add on TV or via new paper add test the unit first!

Erick (Smart Communication)

Jomar Dela Torre · 17 years ago

I did compare it with Packard Bell Compasseo 370, and found out it is more accurate and a user friendly device. the best thing….., it is more cheaper…. I purchase the unit @ Pixeltone Multimedia Co.(sole distributor) 726-0199/724-4692

Jomar
(San Miguel Corp.)

AsiaDriver · 17 years ago

Folks,

18K is really too much for a simple navi,in US or Europe those cost 50%less!!!

Check out http://www.car-navi.ph, they offer units with maps for the whole Philippines and not only Metro Manila for starting at 10.000P. And they also offer units with Bluetooth Handsfree and in-dash devices, like luxury cars have it.

Greetings

AsiaDriver

mirko · 17 years ago

‘found this…

http://www.accu-map.com/forum/

Lheem · 17 years ago

Actually Obed, SM Marikina is already in the Navigator A800.

Yes Jhay, I agree with you. A detailed CALABARZON map particularly the NCR suburbs must be added soon.

john · 17 years ago

actually matagal nang merong GPS dito sa pinas. the maps are community supported and are free pero pang garmin lang.

community supported meaning yung mga map updates libre basta mag contribute ka ng trax at waypoint. full rp coverage.

http://www.roadguide.ph

Levi · 17 years ago

you may contact me, if you will be interested to buy some. e-mail me at lb****@asiatype.com

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 17 years ago

It will be available in malls and car accessory stores by the 28th.

chris · 17 years ago

wer i can get this one?

bp000 · 17 years ago

WHOA!!! A fully functional gps in manila.. and at an awesome price of 18.5k! This is worth-it!!! Were can i get them???

Glenn · 17 years ago

Wow! This is very nice for those people who love to go on road trips! 18,500 is, I think, a reasonable price if this device is really accurate. :)

dee · 17 years ago

NICE. this is perfect for street idiots like me. haha.

Andre Marcelo-Tanner · 17 years ago

needs to support stuff like OSM so it can be up to date :)

Obed · 17 years ago

I read a review in T3 Mag I think for a GPS system, its a 2006 map so wala pang SM Marikina when they tried it. hahaha

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 17 years ago

They offered 50% discount to the press so I ordered one. *hehe* Will do a full review once I get it.

Jhay · 17 years ago

My grandfather would love this! Especially if the service would expand to include more detailed maps of the CALABARZON region, it would help local tourism a lot.

Jerome G. · 17 years ago

The investment for such could be worth it considering how bad street navigation can be in Metro Manila especially for inner parts of cities. And the cost of the device isn’t bad at all considering its has touchscreen. I wonder though if it offers some sort of API or SDK for possible 3rd party development.