OpenStreetMap
In Japan, a new GPS is expensive. A Garmin Legend HCx (very popular with OSM users) on Amazon costs $196.79 (USD) in America, but ￥52,914 (JPY) in Japan. This is $578.93 (USD), almost 3 times the price! I will search for a better price.
Today I added a Lawson convenience store with Mapzen. I tried to add another store, but Mapzen crashed three times.
I walked the same road 6 times. The paths are very far apart, about 80 meters overall. All roads in the city are street canyons with tall buildings. Do you think that the satellite transmissions are bouncing on the buildings, confusing the GPS? Do you think that new GPS technology adjusts for this?
Thank you for your advice.
Discussion
Comment from JohnSmith on 2 June 2010 at 10:35
What about mobile phones with GPS functionality?
Comment from imroy on 2 June 2010 at 11:07
Ouch, that is a big markup. Is that price for something coming from the U.S or Japan?
One alternative is to use a Bluetooth GPS receiver with a mobile phone - why have a screen and maps in your GPS receiver when your phone already does? I've been quite happy with my Transystem i-Blue 747A+. I bought it a year ago from a HK seller for just under AU$100.
Signal reflection ("multi-path") and blockage by buildings is a pretty big problem for GPS units. Newer receivers have better multi-path detection and correction, but they're still not perfect.
Comment from jcmapper on 2 June 2010 at 11:54
I would suggest eBay, avoid the markup entirely. Shipping might be prohibitive though, not sure.