iFox vs Garmin for BKK
 

I have always heard that if you want to buy a GPS, you should buy a Garmin. I haven't done any research yet, but the 2 predominant favorites for BKK (and Thailand in general) GPS units are from iFOX and Garmin. I am looking at the Nuvi 200 and the iFox 120 (i think??). The PowerBuy rep was leaning towards the iFOX, but the interface seemed a bit crowded. I wasn't able to see the Garmin screen (the unit wasn't charged) but i have the Nuvi 660 for the US and assume the interface will be similar. Does anyone have experience or a preference for either one? I'm partial to the Garmin, but if iFox updates are free and more frequent than Garmin it might be a better bet. I'm not too happy about the "no return" policy here, but i guess when in BKK...
Thanks for you kind reco's.

so, i went with a garmin
 

Maybe no one has heard of iFox outside of Thailand? Anyway, i went with the Garmin. It's a lot different than my US model. All of the menus are in the same place and it has the same functionality, but the ways navigate the system are different. This is probably due to the search/browse by province or state option and the need to add T. for tanon or S. for Soi when you are searching. however it's not consistent because i found Soi 12 in Rangsit without typing Soi. It works best when things are entered in Thai instead of English. There appears to be mild confusion when going over the bridges or bypassing them and turning. But this could just be my unfamiliarity with the BKK road systems. Overall, unless you are a human key map or atlas, i would recommend this GPS for getting around town.

I would recommend a taxi!

I played around with a cheap eTrex many years ago, it was fun for a while to plot different places but a big waste of time. Still have the eTrex and it still works pretty good but never used it for anything useful. I suppose that if I had fallen out of a boat and it was in a waterproof container it might come in handy but absolutely unnecessary for ordinary getting about on normal hikes or trips.

Thailand has good roads, you can pick up a cheap road map if you want or even one of the free maps at the airport. Unless you intend to walk out into the jungle somewhere and play Tarzan you won't need it .

If you do get one play with it a while back home to get a feel for it. I find a little cheap compass to be useful even if it is one attached to a watchband. You can use it just to get a basic direction and then follow the many street signs that are often even in English!

Good luck.

Could you swap out the Thai maps on this for US maps or other countries?

Map swap...
 

I have a Nuvi 660 for the US and it has the option of purchasing maps for Europe or Asia. So, I would be surprised if you COULDN'T do exactly that. The interface for the Garmin I bought in Thailand and the one i have in the US are nearly identical. Once we got used to the best way to search for places in BKK it worked great.

May I ask how much was the unit and where in BKK did you get it?
Thank you very much!