Hey guys,

I'm a complete newbie when it comes to GPS systems. I finally built up the courage to buy and drive a car in China. I haven't driven very far cause I don't know my way around so I'm in the process of buying a GPS system. I know a lot of bros here have one so I'm asking for recommendations.

Should I get one built into my car (with an entertainment unit; touch screen; the works) or rather a portable one with a nice and big screen? Also, my Chinese is shit... so I'm going to need the system to run in English BUT will also need to be able to input Chinese characters (addresses).

Any help is appreciated.

A friend and I traveled to Hua Qang Lu in SZ last year where most of the electronics are for sale.
He bought a local 6" GPS with many features besides giving directions.  If I recall, we had to wait for the shopkeeper to download a program with USA directions.  Also, other countries are available as well.  
The GPS off the rack are for China with options for Chinese and English.  They are able to program your GPS to whatever country you wish.  
If you wish to use the GPS in China, you will have to  know the correct spelling to get proper directions.  Their uses of "Zs" "Qs" and "Xs: drive me insane and knowing how to use them properly.
The cost of the 6" GPS was in the area of 1000 RMB.

Good luck

RMB1,000 only!? That's not too bad. I was expecting to spend a bit more than that. Will have to go to SZ to check it out.. but I wouldn't be able to drive my car there seeing I don't have a GPS to give me directions! lol..

Just take the SZ MTR from Lu Hou station and count 5 stops to Hua Qang Lu and follow the crowd.
There are plenty of stalls within all those buildings that you should have no problem finding one.  Plan to spend several hours there to explore.

Good luck

I think ruggers15 needs street directions as he is driving from wherever he is in China.  I would suggest ruggers15 follow the long-distance buses that travel from his city of origin to Shenzhen.  He may learn about some short-cuts (including the illegal ones).

I tried a Chinese GPS for a while and the experience convinced me to spend almost double to buy a Garmin ...

There are 2 big issues:-
1. map quality
2. positioning accuracy

If a map is incorrect, it will take you down blind alleys / tell you to make forbidden turns / etc. all of which add considerable time and stress to your journey.

If the positioning is incorrect you show up on the street parallel, and it'll frequently be recalculating  the path ... which in turn requires you to be highly alert and skeptical about the information it's giving you ... which again defeats the object of having one in the first place.

As an alternative: consider using a Nokia phone - with or without GPS - the map data can be downloaded and stored on the phone, saving you data roaming charges.  

But I've been very happy with the Garmin.

Oh, no point getting one built-in, that just makes it harder to update and means you can't use it in your pocket ...

Enjoy!!

I use a Windows Mobile phone whereby you can get maps loaded onto your phone. That way, I have a GPS with me whether I walk or drive. Map providers that I use are: Mapking (http://www.mapking.com/eng/home/index.html), iGo (http://www.igomyway.com/en/).

I use Mapking for my Asia travel and iGo for Australia, New Zealand etc.

Awesome stuff guys! Thanks.

My brother in law had one for when he lived in China. He bought it in China and like me, he was a bit of a newbie. He paid 2K for it and it kept giving him wrong directions, making up streets, etc... he was getting lost all the time thanks to the GPS.