Posted by
fries174
17 yrs ago
If you have Blackberry, does your GPS work well in HK? Specifically in Midlevels?
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My experience is that GPS in general doesn't work well in HK, especially in areas like Midlevels with both steep hills and lots of tall buildings. Satellite reception is much impaired.
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Got it. That is unfortunate! So then you would not recommend renting an international blackberry for its GPS capabilities? Do you have any suggestions for a good, cheap, small map of HK? Do they have free ones in the subway stations?
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I recommend not renting that Blackberry. If nothing else, HK (the city parts) is quite compact and mass transport is superb. Once you've taken the MTR/bus to where you are going, you're likely within easy walking distance. And taxis are cheap.
I would use an old fashioned map. Get the "Hong Kong Guidebook". It's a great mapbook with "everything" including bus routes, MTR exits and so forth. You can find it in most booksellers and even some 7-11s. I still carry it in my bag after 2 years in HK. It's less than HK$ 100 if memory serves.
There are free tourist maps in most hotels, but they are next to useless in my opinion.
Every MTR station has a good map of the surrounding area posted. Also the exits are very clearly signed and lettered/numbered. The system is a paragon of clarity actually.
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Great, thanks for the map tip! I am also bringing a Time Out HK guide so between those two I should be covered.
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One more thing: You can always ask people on the street. HKers tend to be very nice about it. My mother-in-law, whose English is less than perfect, would ask random people if she was a bit lost. If they didn't know they would typically turn around and ask the next random person passing, Once or twice she had a whole crowd discussing in rapid fire Cantonese before they reached a decision and let her know where she should be going. ;)
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Good to know! I have done a lot of solo backpacking around Europe but always w/my BB's GPS. So thank you. Also just curious, what do you do in HK and where are you from?
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I am originally from Sweden but have not lived there for some years. I am mostly a stay at home dad but have some part time jobs including fixing computers and doing HK orientations.
Are you coming to live or visit?
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Oh, I visited Sweden last year. I am coming to visit a friend from New York and also casing the idea of coming to live.
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Dense building areas, highrises and trees and not GPS friendly expecially the cheap GPS modules they fit in cell phones, Blackberries, etc.
HongKong is also unfriendly in downtown - even professional GPS systems that use 2 separate receivers have difficulties in HK.
How about using an application that uses cell tower locations to guide you? (Google) If you are in cell range you are in location range.
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How accurate is the cell tower guidance?
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Can you get this cell tower application on BB? Does it go by a particular name? Thanks!
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Well, Google Maps for the BB will get you an approximate (very very approximate) location based on the cell tower you are using. But it is only "accurate" to the nearest 500 meters or so so not a lot of use for navigation.
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Ah Google Maps is what I use for GPS. I think I'll just go with a normal cell phone and a map. Like a trip back in time! Thanks for your help.
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