India maps for Garmin devices (especially Garmin Edge 705)

[navnitbelur]

I'm considering buying a Garmin Edge 705 GPS cycle comp / trainer. I live in Bangalore and ride mostly off-road around Whitefield and Sarjapur area.

Does anyone using this device know where to get good India maps?

How accurate are the maps?

Is it possible to get turn by turn directions using India maps for this device?

Thanks in advance for responses.

[RNair]

I have been looking for India maps myself and some sources told me about maymyindia.com who sells maps on SD cards that are apparently compatible with 705. I have not tried it yet so cannot confirm. It retails for 7000rs.

Garmin also has the City Navigator NT for India. I assume this is good for 70 cities and towns and I am 100% sure Bangalore is in there. But I am not sure how good it is with the rural roads.

[deepakvrao]

MapmyIndia is crap. Rajesh, think twice before spending on this. Mapping is really really bad. I have one for my car, but it borders on unusable, even in cities like Bangalore, leave aside rural roads.

[RNair]

I am not buying it. I just put it out there. Glad I made it clear that I have never used it. Thanks for the warning! If I do buy I will get the Garmin City Navigator for Urban spaces. Thought having a GPS on TFN is a total overkill.

[Minkey Chief]

MapmyIndia is crap. Rajesh, think twice before spending on this. Mapping is really really bad. I have one for my car, but it borders on unusable, even in cities like Bangalore, leave aside rural roads.

Okay so we can't get manufacturing quite right... I don't have to like it, but okay, I'll accept it. But SOFTWARE????

[deepakvrao]

MC,

Two issues here.

1. The mapping is crappy
2. We have complete morons in charge of traffic here, so one ways are changed every week, roads are blocked at will etc.

[jerryr]

If you don't mind tinkering with the software, you can create your own map based on data from http://www.openstreetmap.org. Routing support is still not quite usable, but its good enough if all you want is to know where you are on the map. Also useful for finding your way back if you get lost
I use it on my Garmin Vista, and can confirm that the maps are mostly accurate.

-Jerry

[cheewachai]

I have been using SatGuide Maps since the last 3 years ... while they are not accurate and have issues with ever changing one-ways and new roads cropping up all the time.

I am running the maps on Navigation System running a Destinator Navigation Software ... which is well known in the US and Europe. I love it because i can confidently take shortcuts thru side roads etc ... without winding down the window and asking people who are quite clueless for directions ...

Usability to some extent is navigation software dependent... Garmin Nuvi devices also have a very good navigation software. I did find mapmyindia and also the cheaper satnav devices (not based on Destinator) to be too cluttered in user interface.

[RNair]

What is strange about this mapmyindia.com map is that it retails for 7000rs while the city navigator NT (100% compatible with 705) from Garmin is a $100.

[navnitbelur]

I guess I won't try the mapmyindia maps after reading these posts.

Is anyone using the Garmin City Navigator in rural areas around Bangalore? It would be great if it at least showed some highways that run through the rural areas - just to have some reference while riding. I'm not going to be doing much riding on city streets. But I guess I could use the 705 as a hand held when commuting in the city and the city maps would be useful then.

OpenStreetMap sounds like a good option. Will try that out.

[RohanMapmyIndia]

Hi - I am a Director at MapmyIndia. While I respect Dr. Deepak's comments, I take pretty strong objection to his opinion that MapmyIndia Maps are CRAP.

On the contrary - MapmyIndia offers India's BEST maps. So much so that our maps are most WIDELY deployed for GPS navigation by car companies in India - General Motors, Ford, Maruti, Tata, Mitsubishi all of them provide GPS and maps from MapmyIndia.

If you want corroboration - visit the Chevy Cruze website: http://www.chevycruze.in - click on features, then accessories, then convenience - scroll down to GPS nav system.

Further still - it comes built into the Ford Endeavor (the 40% market share SUV leader). Visit Ford's website: http://www.india.ford.com/servlet/Conte ... &site=FIPL. You will see they talk about a built-in SATNAV system (Satellite Navigation). if you run some searches on Google, you will find it's a MapmyIndia system.

Like I said - while I respect Deepak's opinion - you have to understand Automotive companies put far more testing, rational and weighted thought before choosing a map provider.

With regards to the best maps for Garmin - Tata has just started making GPS navigation systems available as accessories to their cars. They are working closely, again with MapmyIndia, to get MapmyIndia Maps along with Garmin systems. In fact - just to give you an idea - MapmyIndia sells more maps for Garmin in India, by far, than all other available options (NT city navigator etc etc).

I say all this because truly we do offer India's best maps - for garmin devices, 4,10,000 towns and villages connected by nearly 1 million kilometers of highways and roads, with 401 cities at street level detail, and 1 million points of interest. Even your Royal Enfield core team guys use our maps with their Garmin devices!

MapmyIndia pioneered digital mapping in India in 1995 - we have over 400 field surveyors and 150+ map specialists have been continuously collecting/processing high quality digital maps for over 15 years. And we update these maps every 6 months, and keep them good.

I know it was WAY TOO long a post, but I hope I could address many of the concerns. Deepak - am more than happy to discuss with you.

[deepakvrao]

Rohan,

You may very well take strong objection to my statement BUT that is a statement made by an end user with no vested interest.

I will say it again - mapmyindia is CRAP.

In Bangalore, mapping is extremely sketchy in peripheral areas and the driving directions are very poor too.

I used this in Belgaum, and there it does not even show the road that you are on half [or more] of the times. In fact, the only place I found this reasonably decent was in Goa.

The UI is clunky and a pain to navigate.

I have a Garmin for the US and a TomTom for Europe, have used both extensively, so its with some basis that I am passing this opinion.

If this were available on a trial basis like software, I doubt you would have any customers putting down money for it.

You say you update maps every 6 months? When I spoke to customer service, they said that I was not entitled to any updates. This was within 4 months of buying the software. So if you do not even give a year of free updates, do you expect customers to buy new software every 6 months?

I wonder if readers on this [and other] forums will take the word of a user, or a advertisement spiel made by a director of the company in question.

The wonderful thing about internet forums is that potential customers of any product can find genuine reviews and opinions of the item before buying it.

Guys - if you even think of this software make sure you try it before buying it.

[RNair]

Hi - I am a Director at MapmyIndia. While I respect Dr. Deepak's comments, I take pretty strong objection to his opinion that MapmyIndia Maps are CRAP.

Holy cow! Since when did we have directors raising objections on a forum? Are consumers not entitled to a opinion anymore! Hilarious Now I believe what Deepak has to say.

Send me a free copy that I can use for 30 days and let me see the real fact.

[kk27]

well the best way is just map it on your MapmyRIDE.com, works like a charm... heck it even works superbly with Edge 305 ;P.

What I'm wondering is how did Mr. Rohan come to know about this post anyway???
And Mr. Rohan while it's nice for you to come out here to defend your product, you could have had the courtesy to follow the forum rules & introduce yourself in a separate thread before coming out here on the defensive.

Also I don't know how could you say that you have an objection to Deepak;s opinion???

[deepakvrao]

Send me a free copy that I can use for 30 days and let me see the real fact.

I would love too also, in case they really have pulled up their socks since I bought it [I think a year ago]. I would be extremely happy if we do have a usable GPS system in India.

[bappud]

Poor Rohan! How little does he know about this group.

I am looking forward to Rohan doing the right thing and addressing the Doc's concerns. What I am curious about is the way he will go about it. Hope it ends with a

[rotorbuddy]

In fact, the only place I found this reasonably decent was in Goa.

Exactly the same experience. Goa seemed to be the only place where I found the mapping good.

So much so that our maps are most WIDELY deployed for GPS navigation by car companies in India

MapmyIndia may be most widely deployed in India...but that's for want of something better. Garmin, TomTom, Route 66 etc do not have adequate mapping coverage in India, especially outside big cities and so, people have no choice but to put up with whatever Mapmyindia offers.
Wide Deployment does not mean best maps!!

[rushibhai]

Don't they have an option to update maps periodically (for perhaps a small fee/subscription)?

I do agree that those are not the best maps.

[deepakvrao]

In fact, the only place I found this reasonably decent was in Goa.

Exactly the same experience. Goa seemed to be the only place where I found the mapping good.

So much so that our maps are most WIDELY deployed for GPS navigation by car companies in India

MapmyIndia may be most widely deployed in India...but that's for want of something better. Garmin, TomTom, Route 66 etc do not have adequate mapping coverage in India, especially outside big cities and so, people have no choice but to put up with whatever Mapmyindia offers.
Wide Deployment does not mean best maps!!

Don't they have an option to update maps periodically (for perhaps a small fee/subscription)?

I do agree that those are not the best maps.

rushibhai

So at least I'm not the only one.

Rushi - no updates or so I was told on the phone.

Sridhar - you are so right. Wide deployment does not make it a good product.

[Minkey Chief]

I was also surprised at the tone of the post from Rohan. That and lines like this:

Like I said - while I respect Deepak's opinion - you have to understand Automotive companies put far more testing, rational and weighted thought before choosing a map provider.

...didn't exactly shout out that this is company that cares about its customer and what they think.

I take pretty strong objection to his opinion that MapmyIndia Maps are CRAP.

On the contrary - MapmyIndia offers India's BEST maps.

There's a leap of faith between those two sentences. "India's BEST maps"... to a layperson like me can mean anything.

[anands]

well the best way is just map it on your MapmyRIDE.com, works like a charm... heck it even works superbly with Edge 305 ;P.

Hey KK - does this mean that the I can upload maps and/or routes onto the 305? I'm choosing between the Edge 305 and 605 and thought you could only upload routes onto the 605 and 705.

I find that I can find my way almost perfectly using favourites marked on Google Earth on my Blackberry Curve (with GPS). I also have the Trimble Allsport loaded on the BB through which I upload routes and so far haven't strayed more than 30m of track. And this is deep in the Aravallis miles on paths and trails that are miles away from any roads or villages.

[RohanMapmyIndia]

lol - this has kickstarted lots of pent up feelings and opinions - both pre- my speaking out, and post-

first off - i fully agree with the power of the internet - we launched mapmyindia.com in 2004 - which at that time was india's first and only mapping portal - allowing indian consumers for the first time to be able to search for interactive maps and directions across india (this is pre- google maps world-wide launch era, and pre yahoo's launch in india - btw, yahoo's india maps is powered by mapmyindia data - check out http://in.maps.yahoo.com - the copyright notice is to CE Info Systems, which is our company that owns/runs the mapmyindia brand.)

coming back to the point, i agree with the power of internet, and users to give their feedback/opinions rather than me defending our company's own products. sample this what people have to say about mapmyindia:

1) http://business.rediff.com/special/2009 ... l-maps.htm

"Though i agree Google maps are good ..but what good they are is only when you come to know when you compare detailing..at least for India! Ive traveled extensively across the country and felt that MapmyIndia maps are excellent with coverage and detail and Google maps are not even close.
A stand alone GPS device from MMI costs about 11k with a latest all India Map, which is not bad.. i mean when you can buy a 5 lakh car and a 20k music setup on top, how about a 11k GPS?? What happens when you ask a random guy on the highway about directions and he misguides you... you just wasted a few hundred bucks of petrol or may be he just gave your wife that stare that you would wanna shoot him !!
A GPS is a GPS, you cant compare with a mobile phone GPS or people on the road..same way a Digi cam is a cam, no matter you have a good camera phone.
In my opinion, buying one is worth it and MapmyIndia has the best possibles ones as of now.

Munish
Mumbai
"

"While GPS is not an easily affordable right now, it is definetely the way forward what with all the big guns jumping in the ring.
Map My India should be lauded for being pioneers in this field. They have a pretty useful website too that lets you search direction free of cost, and a nifty marketing strategy (google maps/directions & chances are their site would come up first), I know for Delhi & NCR at least as I often look it up, way too useful than asking every Tom d*** & harry (dilliwallah's propensity for leading one up the wrong direction is legendary).

Much much better than the sick Eicher City maps which was the only source of reference till some time ago; the blasted thing cost a sum and won't even list prominent landmarks or establishments if they haven't paid them royalty (I'd much rather use my Oxford school Atlas instead for general knowledge).
"

2) Fortunately/unfortunately, hackers find MapmyIndia's maps to be the *BEST* in the market (that's where i picked up the BEST adjective from) - and you would agree hackers are the ones who really do go out of their way to try/use/abuse all possible options - and their opinions, altho bad for business, counts a TON for credibility by users.

http://xsellize.com/showthread.php/7583 ... ndia/page3

thank YOU so much for ur post JAG
but bro the maps in sagic india are provided by MAP MY INDIA,
and mapmyindia's maps are most accurated and most recent and almost all of the india coverage,
I know this because i already used mapmyindia GPS NAVIGATION SYS,
SO PLEASE CRACK SAGIC INDIA, EVERYONE WAITING FOR BADLYYYYYYYYY,
THANKS AGAIN FOR UR POST

3) I can give you many many more user opinions on various forums across the web - but how about you just search yourself on google, and deepak you will find you are in the vast minority.

maybe i can explain the problem you have with mapmyindia, deepak - you said you are basing your opinion on using garmin in US and tomtom in Europe extensively. have you tried using them in india? and then comparing apple to apple, india experience to india experience? alot of things are awesome in US/Europe, and India aspires to be as good - but it will take time. But honestly, given how complex India is to map (imagine collecting data and walking/driving across the length/breadth of India for 15 years! its mindboggling if you give it a fair thought), we give a PRETTY solid experience. And we are getting better with every update.

which brings me to the next question - which product of mapmyindia have you bought and used? you say we don't give updates? we have a pretty solid update track record over the last 2 years:

1) we released v1.0 of our map in Sep 2007 - with 18 cities at street level and 55,000 towns/villages,
2) v2.0 in Apr 2008 - with 174 cities at street level and 130,000 towns/villages
3) v2.1 in Sep 2008 - with 202 cities at street level
4) v3.0 in Apr 2009 - with 401 cities at street level, and 410,000 towns/villages
5) v4.0 in Nov 2009 - with 620 cities at street level, and 576,000 towns/villages - this last update covers 90% of india's population where they live and travel too. and for some context regarding bangalore - the city has grown SO MUCH in the past few years. our map went from covering about 400 sq km of the main city, to covering all the NEW outgrowth area of about 2400 sq km in our updates!!! that's about 6x the area our new map covers.

most of our customers have availed the updates which were made available - check out our upgrade policy here: http://www.mapmyindia.com/gps/products/ ... grade.html

in case you have been told by our customer care, no upgrades are available, i am curious which product you have purchased? upgrade are DEFINITELY available for our car GPS navigators, and for our maps for garmin customers. ping me directly, and i will set you up with the process to get your upgrade if you are an existing customer.

someone said the most widely deployed map is not the best one - sure, i can agree with that. one big company can dump LOTS of devices in the market with one map - it makes it no better. but i think people would start disagreeing with you when MULTIPLE company dump LOTS of DIFFFERENT devices with the SAME map - especially when so much competitive map offerings are available in the marketplace. mapmyindia must have done something right - the forums will give you some clue, to how excited the average to power user is with a mapmyindia experience.

finally - addressing the personal comments - someone said the director of a company coming on a forum and 'defending' his products is not CUSTOMER-CENTRIC. how many directors of companies have you read/seen on forums actively engaging with consumers/customers/prospects? lesser so - how many of them have you seen openly introduce themselves, especially to people who seem bent on criticism of something that has obviously gotten accceptance. the latest by the way is that Stuff Magazine has rated Mapmyindia the BEST SAT-NAV (satellite navigator) of the YEAR - alongside the Wii which is the best toy, the HTC Hero, which is the best phone etc etc - check out and skip some slides to mapmyindia on this link: http://getahead.rediff.com/slide-show/2 ... s-2009.htm


i will go back to the comparison to the garmin in US and tomtom in Europe remark deepak made - if i find indian companies doing something for india, i tend to feel pretty darned proud - and encourage further innovation/entrepreneurship, cuz ppl are devoting their lives to improving our own country. i don't tomtom about how other countries are amazing, and how intl companies are amazing - and ridicule local players. but anyhow, to each his own. we take criticism on our chin, and it only fuels our passion to work harder and make our products better.

hope this addresses most folks' concerns here - and gives you enough reason to buy/try mapmyindia's products. there are bunch of offers going for year-end festivities which give you incentive to try our products check the latest out at http://navigator.mapmyindia.com!

feel free to throw brickbats of bouquets - happy to take any further questions/comments on maps, gps, mapmyindia etc which will help make your travel safe, secure, confident and fun in india!

[Minkey Chief]

finally - addressing the personal comments - someone said the director of a company coming on a forum and 'defending' his products is not CUSTOMER-CENTRIC.

Actually, a director of a company coming on a forum and trying to browbeat a complaining customer into admitting he was wrong does not speak for a company that takes criticism very well.

You are still trying to prove Deepak wrong by posting reviews and throwing out interesting, but irrelevant, facts about the company. Whether you were here before or after Yahoo tells me nothing about the quality of your product.

The tone of your post is: "You said my product is crap, and I am going to prove to you it isn't crap". Instead of: "You said my product is crap, tell me what was wrong. What did you expect, and how did the product not live up to your expectations?"

if i find indian companies doing something for india, i tend to feel pretty darned proud - and encourage further innovation/entrepreneurship, cuz ppl are devoting their lives to improving our own country. i don't tomtom about how other countries are amazing, and how intl companies are amazing - and ridicule local players.

Criticism, even if harsh, isn't ridicule. I have about a 1,000 more words to write about this paragraph, but that's going to go way off-topic again, so I'll put a cork in it.

[kk27]

See I know for sure that in a service sector one cannot have all happy customers, but the only way forward is not to justify to them instead just hear them out, take their feedback, if you improve on it great...if not atleast the customer is happy that he/she was heard & their point taken.

They say "Feedback is the Breakfast of Champions" , which is not to seen here!!!

[RohanMapmyIndia]

absolutely valid point - my intention is to hear ur feedback on our products, with the intention to improve in future where we have gone wrong

pls tell us wat all we can improve in our products... whr r the issues u have faced? etc etc