Review for Garmins GPS w/ Philippine Maps

**CVT** · June 16th, 2010 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by ferrarifan

Afaik, RG does not or rarely update the free map. For sure, the Bolinao part is only one of the several errors there is in the free map. As I've said, your correction will likely end up in the contributor's version of the map.

This version, I understand, is a recent release. There are a lot of places of interests that were added here.

It is still best to rely on local knowledge when navigating and ask locals if the GPS fails you, in fact even when the GPS seem to work just fine. You'll just never know what lies in the roads ahead. But in your case, you have indicated that you've done that and still you ended up in an almost disastrous situation, so I guess it was a combination of map inadequacy, bad judgment and bad luck.

I am still responsible and I am charging this to my personal experience. However, since I've been there and have done that, I feel that it is my responsibility to my fellow motorists, to inform roadguide, so that their free map, which is accessible to everyone, will reflect the true condition of the road. This hopefully, will prevent a similar experience in the future

10.1K:mop:

**ferrarifan** · June 16th, 2010 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by CVT

This version, I understand, is a recent release. There are a lot of places of interests that were added here.

I am still responsible and I am charging this to my personal experience. However, since I've been there and have done that, I feel that it is my responsibility to my fellow motorists, to inform roadguide, so that their free map, which is accessible to everyone, will reflect the true condition of the road. This hopefully, will prevent a similar experience in the future

10.1K:mop:

Yes, but afaik, it is still an old contributor's map, released August last year. So there are many changes that occurred since then. Here's how the roadguide updating works. All updates are incorporated in the contributor's version of the map. As I've said before, your correction will probably end up in the contributor's version and not in the free version. They do not update the free map like the contributor's map. What they do is when they feel that the free map is too old and obsolete for public use, they upgrade it to another version but it still will be an old contributor's version. The free map now is ver 1.07 while the latest contributor's map is ver 1.13e.

So my bet is that the free map will stay as is and the changes you'll tell them will be incorporated in the contributor's map. So unless I'm wrong in my assumptions, unless you become a contributor, you and other people who use the free map cannot enjoy those changes, up until RG decides to upgrade the free map again probably in another year or two.

**pugo** · July 13th, 2010 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by ferrarifan

Afaik, RG does not or rarely update the free map. For sure, the Bolinao part is only one of the several errors there is in the free map. As I've said, your correction will likely end up in the contributor's version of the map.

There lies the difference between the free map and the contributor's map. As for the issue of safety, well I think that given the free map is an old map, I think it is prudent for users to be cautious when using it. No map is perfect. Even the updated map has its own pitfalls, albeit less compared to the free map. And I believe the RG guys acknowledge the inadequacy of their map by putting this in the EULA of the free map...

"JKLinc cannot be held responsible for any mishaps caused by the use of these maps, be it of a personal or material nature."

It is still best to rely on local knowledge when navigating and ask locals if the GPS fails you, in fact even when the GPS seem to work just fine. You'll just never know what lies in the roads ahead. But in your case, you have indicated that you've done that and still you ended up in an almost disastrous situation, so I guess it was a combination of map inadequacy, bad judgment and bad luck.

korek, kailangan pa rin natin yung tinatawag na instinct..
mga sir, ask ko lang po.. plano ko rin sana bumili ng GPS unit, ask may comparison na ba kayo ng Garmin GPS vs not branded GPS unit.. syempre less cost yung not branded.

Salamat po and more power!!

**headspace** · September 29th, 2010 06:24 PM

lurker here. my first time to join in. not sure if this is way out of the topic. anyway, found this gps thing will be useful though i have a confusion. which is better the free downloadable map or the licensed map? and why? thanks!

**headspace** · October 1st, 2010 09:31 PM

or which is the most accurate... the downloadable or the licensed map?

**jmpet626** · October 1st, 2010 09:47 PM

Gamit ko sa garmin 255w ko yung Free maps sa roadguide.ph. Spoken street names na din

**Chinoi** · October 3rd, 2010 10:44 PM

I've installed NaviComputer GPS Software in my Omnia2. It comes with Luzon map only. I use it to drive in Makati at kita naman yun mga pangalan ng building. Ang problem ay yun car marker is not accurate. Nasa kabilang kalsada at nag counterflow.

. But it still okay. Because its free software naman.

**kinyo** · July 5th, 2011 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by CVT

For those who are using roadguide.ph map, please be aware of our experience when we used it during our travel to Bolinao over the weekend.... Please see link below.

Bolinao Beach Resorts - Page 4 - Tsikot Philippines 2011

I am writing a letter to the admins of roadguide this week, requesting to delete the road segment marked as main road, and which is actually a very rough road before someone gets in trouble....

10.1K:mop:

hmm ... it took some time for roadguide to correct this ... the latest contributors' version 1.26 now shows proper unpaved tracks