For about a year or two, car GPS systems have started to become available in the Philippines. There are at least 3 or 4 different companies offering portable GPS in the country and some car dealerships have also started bundling them with a new purchase of a motor vehicle.
Before the time when local maps were available to navigation systems, I used to rely on printed maps (I bought a whole book for Metro Manila at NBS or was it 7-11) and trace my route a day before I travel or head to my destination.
For longer trips, Google Maps was also a great help (much more with WikiMapia). There was a time I also used Ovi Maps on my Nokia E71 and it was pretty good. In several occasions, my iPad 3G was also was also a good tool for me to figure out what street I an driving on.
So far, the current line-up of GPS devices are pretty capable. They’re not that complete or very extensive but they’re able to do the job most of the time.
Anybody out there using a GPS in their car or have some other solutions (as a cheaper alternative) like Ovi Maps on their phone or iPad too?
I still rely on my map book since Metro Manila is small for me to consider getting a GPS. The only places i haven’t been to yet are Taguig, Pateros, Malabon, Navotas.
where can I download a GPS Philippine map for my Garmin Nuvi 1490t?
@alvin, try this: http://esambale.wikispaces.com/osmphil_garmin
@Eugene, thanks but when I tried it with my Garmin Nuvi 1490t the names of the roads/street doesn’t show. Is there something that I didn’t do?
Do you really need GPS in the car? – kung ayaw mo ma carnap habang nag tatanong ng directions sa walang alam na tao, bili na!
I also use Navdroyd with my android phone and it works really great. We always have trips out of town and it has really been indispensable. Best 350 pesos that I’ve spent.
I downloaded the Navdroyd for free but you bought it for P350? are there additional features?