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Because of the language, it's very easy to get going in the wrong direction in China so I always checked the GPS to verify where we were and what direction we were heading. My wife and I almost ended up on a train to Chengdu instead of Zenshou because they sound similar. My wife and I backpacked for 29 days in China at the end of 2008. If you travel in China and you aren't fluent in the language, you'll want to take advantage of any opportunity or tool to double and triple check where you're going. My unit is 100% up to date with the software updates on the Garmin website.Be advised that the Chinese government isn't keen on foreigners carrying GPS devices but if you just don't go waiving it around everywhere like a freak, you'll probably be fine, I didn't have any issues. I also used the maps to find a place to stay in Xi'an since it has a bunch of food, hotels, etc on the maps. practically no one speaks English in China, and if they do, they are probably to shy to talk to you.
The language is so complex, they don't even understand each other sometimes. This map pack was invaluable for confirming that we were going in the right direction. and that was a misunderstanding between two Chinese people, not between me and a Chinese. The maps are less detailed in the rural areas, as would be expected. It's not so easy that you can just ask anyone for directions. The GPS is adds peace of mind.I'm not sure why the NUVIs are having such problems but these maps worked flawlessly on my 60csx handheld. As a point of reference, tourists aren't supposed to even bring tourists books with maps into China.
This map product is not only out of date on what roads and expressways exist, but there exists a shift from real location. If tracking on a long stretch of road, it can be seen clearly because the track created by the GPS unit runs off to one side by a 100 meters or more. Makes it tough to navigate in a city.
I asked Garmin technical support about this and got this reply (June 1, 2009):Thank you for contacting Garmin International. It is not intentional on our part, however the Chinese government does "shift" the mapping.I think this is mainly to with China's legislation in regards to security in China and the use of GPS devices, so as to distort it not to give an accurate reading.We would not be able to guarantee the accuracy of the mapping. Some customers have found it useful and some have not.
So I probably now have a second one of these that will not work. Again, it appears to be just another copied map.
I checked it first in the US, and it had the maps of China, and i was able to identify my main places of interest. However when I arrived in China I was stunned to see that the maps were all offset from actual positions.
I bought this before a two month trip to China. I began to be worried that this was not an original map, because it didn't have the Garmin sticker on it, so I had a replacement sent from Amazon.
I would be on a highway, and it would show me as a mile out in the ocean. Garmin technical support was little help in resolving the problem either.
On, I believe a Garmin site, it says that if the maps are copied, they won't sink up right. But won't find out till I go back to China.
IT IS A COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY. Certainly Garmin's version of this map has wrecked their reputation.
This was a useless combination. I had purchased & used the China NT 2008 map with my Garmin Oregon 400T within the last month.
I would not even resell it to anyone as it would wreck my reputation. It gave me loop-the-loop navigation, failed to show travelways over 10 years old, and was generally off by 100s of feet.
This product deserves negative stars as it is also a waste of time. Recommend purchasing a GPS in China - like many taxis and bus drivers do.DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT.
GARMIN/AMAZON I WANT MY MONEY BACK.
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