Frequent Asked Questions

What is GPS? GPS Definition - Global Positioning System (GPS) is a generic term for satellite navigation systems that provide auto geo-spatial positioning with global coverage. GPS allows small electronic receivers/module to determine their location (longitude, latitude, and altitude) to within a few metres using time signals transmitted along a line of sight by radio from satellites. Receivers on the ground with a fixed position can also be used to calculate the precise time as a reference for scientific experiments.

Do we need to pay for satellite subscription? - GPS Satellite is developed by the United States Department of Defense for the purpose of civilian use as a public sharing resource in 1983. Since then GPS has been used widely for navigation world-wide and they is no subscription chargers for the GPS usage as it's a common sharing system around the globe.

How does your GPS connect to the satellite? - GPS receivers/modules are communicate through radio signals. Just like all electromagnetic radiation, but it is usually at low frequencies (below approx. 2 MHz or below) ground effect transmission causes significant diffraction, allowing photons to partially follow the Earth's curvature along multiply deflected straight lines. To compliance with the radiation regulation in Singapore, all our GPS module has been regulated and approved by IDA to use in Singapore and there is no worries on conflicting with the local radio frequency.

How does your GPS receiver link with my phone? - GPS receivers are available in many interfaces. However Bluetooth has been the most recent popular platform since Bluetooth connection arrived in 2000. Our GPS receiver mostly are Bluetooth platform, but we also carry some other interface such as Compact Flash Card GPS Receiver (Holux GR-271), USB type GPS Receiver (Qstarz Q778/Holux GR-213) or even something you can plug it into your in-car cigarette lighter port (Holux GPSlim 239). Maka provide a wide range GPS solution for your specify needs.

What are the hidden cost if I want to use GPS? - GPS is a toll-free resources around the earth and there's NO charges to use GPS, but however there will be a cost for the GPS receiver paid to manufacturers. It also requires a software if you plan to use it for NAVIGATION purposes. There are some Opensource software on the net and there's also some commercial softwares like Mapking, TomTom, Agis or iGO, but most of them are one-time charge and there should not be any hidden cost running a GPS.

What does # of channel mean? Does it mean more channel is better? - There are at least 27 Medium Earth Orbit satellites (27 channel satellites) that transmit precise microwave signals to your GPS module/receiver. However, many manufacturer have developed and declared their GPS Receiver has 32, 44 or 51 channels even though there is only 27 orbit satellites in the sky. Even though we only need to pick up 4 to get your location fix and maximum you can only received up to 12 satellites, but high capacity GPS receiver will shorten the fixing time (more sensitive) and allow you to pick up another satellite faster compare to small capacity GPS receiver, so it won't lose or drop signals.

Will bad weather condition affects the GPS reception? - Bad weather condition will have a slight impact on the GPS reception. Bad weather condition here refers to cloudy sky, rain and snow. A raining day may sometimes take a while longer to get GPS signal as compare to a non-cloudy sunny day.

Does your GPS receiver come with any software? - No, our GPS receiver does not bundle-in with any softwares. There are both open source GPS software and commercial GPS softare available. Open source GPS software can be downloaded from internet whereas commercial software such as Mapking, Agis, TomTom, iGO, Papago can be purchase at appointed resellers.

Does your Marbella navigator come with any software? - Yes, our Marbella navigator come with Singapore and Malaysia maps. There is no subsequent/hidden chargers if you choose our Marbella navigator solution.

Is the software free? - Yes, some of the open source software could be free, please kindly visit our opensource software guide for more info. Commercial software maps such as Mapking, TomTom, Agis, iGO or Papago is chargeable at a minor fee. IT's impossible to get those commercial software maps without additional charges. And if someone offer you such bundle, please be careful as it might be pirated software.

How do I download maps for other countries - Some of the open source software are also available in other countries. You can access and download it from them through the web. If you wish to have a licensed maps with better graphics, You can purchase most of the Asian maps from Mapking and Agis. If you wish to own a map of Australia, you may consider to approach TomTom, iGO or Destinator to find out how much is your cost. You can also ask TomTom or iGO for their USA or Eurpoean maps. Please kindly contact our friendly staff to advise further on how to select maps to fit your travelling needs.

Which software I should use for my Handphone/PDA/PDA Phone/Palm/Blackberry? -

Type	Handphone*	PDA**	PDA Phone***	PC/Laptop	Mac	Palm	Blackberry
Open Source	Smart2go	Malsingmaps Google Smart2go	Malsingmaps Google Smart2go	Malsingmaps Google	Google	Malsingmaps	Google
Commercial	Mapking Agis TomTom Garmin	Mapking Agis TomTom Garmin	Mapking Agis TomTom Garmin	Mapking	N/A	ShowMap	N/A
Subscription	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

*Handphone Type refers to mainly Nokia Symbian series or Sony Ericsson P990i/Pi Symbian UIQ III series.

**PDA Type refers to mainly Windows based Pocket PC platform. Pocket PC (HP/Compaq/Fujitsu/Acer/Dopod/Asus 2001/2002/2003 is compatible.)

***PDA Phone refers to Windows Mobile 5 or 6th ed. PDA phone EXCLUDING Samsung i600 or whichever is operating by "Windows Mobile 5 or 6 SMARTPHONE EDITION." PDA phones such as Dopod/HTC/O2/HP/Eten/Asus/Palm Treo 750v.

Is the software one-time charge - Most of the commercial software are one-time charge, there is no subsequent chargers or usage chargers.

How about map update? Any charges - Some of the open source maps has even free map updates; such as smart2go, malsingmaps (through POI contribution) or even Google.

Commercial such as Mapking or Agis does not usually charge for map updates in Singapore and Malaysia even after a period of time. Members are able to retrieve the new changes on the road from their website with frequency of 1-2 month.

However, other countries such as USA/Europe/Australia may only provide free update for the first year after purchase. You still able to use the full software features even without any map updates.

How frequently does the map updates? How to get updates - Map GIS provider usually update their maps approx. once every 1.5 month. Some map company such as Mapking even claim to update their maps once every 2-4 weeks. Users may retrieve the update link from Map company website or you can drop them a visit if you are nearby.

Mapking licensed users are eligible to retrieve updates from Maka website too, all the updates instruction is provided. Click here

Any voice navigation? Where does the voice navigation come from - Voice navigation and instruction come from the software via your PDA/Handphone/PC speaker. It will not come out from the GPS receiver.

What is GPS receiver? - It's a small electronic receivers to determine your location (longitude, latitude, and altitude) to within a few metres using time signals transmitted along a line of sight by radio from satellites. Receivers on the ground with a fixed position can also be used to calculate the precise time as a reference for scientific experiments or integration with technological/land surveying projects.

What's so good about Qstarz GPS Receiver compare to others? - Qstarz BT-GPS series is quite handy and small. It's based on 51 channels platform which give you higher sensitivity. It is equipped with the latest technology, and is minimal power-consumption. Qstarz BT model have a continuous navigation time of at least 25 hours up to 48 hours, depending on the model. It comes with an Auto On-off power saving mode which means Qstarz will turn off by itself when your GPS receiver is away from your PDA.

Is your GPS heat resistance under the hot sun? - Qstarz BT GPS receiver or Holux GPS Receiver has the heat resistance up to 85°degrees, we always drive under the hot sun in Singapore and Malaysia, so we strongly believe it has no problem in operating under the hot sun.

Moreover, Maka cover warranty period up to three (3) years and therefore, users are able to feedback to us if they have encounter any operational faults. So far, we have received ZERO complaints.

What is Travel Recorder? - Travel Recorder is just another type of GPS receiver, but with additional data log features. Unlike a normal GPS receiver providing you navigation routing tools, travel recorder has built-in memory which records your travelling logs. Usually you can record up to 200,000 waypoints depending on how big is the in-built memory.

Most of the people thought this is something actually too advance for them, but you can integrated travel recorder into your lifestyle easily as the lists of features;

1) Travel Recorder is also a Bluetooth GPS receiver which provides you routing instruction from A-B.

2) Travel recorder allows you to do Photo-Geotag. The most encounter experience after your holiday trip is - People tempted to forget where they took this picture? With this travel recorder, it will memorise your travelling log (GPS coordinates) into the recorder and once you retrieve it into your PC/notebook, travel recorder will match the time you took the picture shoot with your digital camera. It's very easy to operate because it comes with a software.

3) Blog It! - besides photo geo-tagging, it can also tag video clips from your digi-cam. It's exciting to review your memorable moment and travel recorder will help you recall more details and how fun your trip was.

4) Data logger - Now you have a GPS receiver which will guide you through your way from A to B, but you will be struggling one day without a GPS. Travel recorder will log all your travel route and you can learn how to get to your desire destination without a GPS next time. You can clearly show your travelling log from your laptop and try to get on the road next time without a GPS.

What else can GPS Receiver do? - Besides navigation and road planning, GPS receiver can also be use for land surveying, coordinates tracking, marine/fishing. Some technological company also integrates our GPS receiver with their on-hand projects.

Can your GPS receiver link with my Car DVD Player? - No, GPS receiver can't link or connect with your in-car DVD or TV monitor. It's sad to say even your in-car DVD player has a Bluetooth function still does not stand a chance to make it work. Simply because there is NO software application for it.

If you have a in-car PC running on Microsoft Windows with USB serial port connection and you can consider our Qstarz USB connection type GPS receiver to link up. This is the only way it will work with your in-car monitor.

Can I still pair up with my Bluetooth Handsfree while I am using Bluetooth GPS Receiver for navigation? - Yes, you definitely can link your Bluetooth handsfree while you paired up with your GPS receiver. There will not be any interference or interruption when call comes in. GPS navigation software will still operating at the background while you are talking to people through Bluetooth handsfree.

What is Marbella Navigator? - Marbella navigator is All-in-One GPS solution for those people whom wish to own a dedicate GPS system. It has a built-in GPS receiver (module), speaker and LCD monitor which is available in both 3.5 or 4.3 inch. Without any connecting interface (Bluetooth, Compact Flash Card or USB), Marbella navigator is a stand-alone GPS navigator which will route your way.

What's the difference between Navigator and GPS Receiver? - The difference between a car navigator and a GPS receiver would be mobility. If you have a phone which is compatible with GPS software application, then a GPS receiver would be an ideal to carry as something extra. A car navigator is a dedicate GPS solution which everything is already in-built. It's less hassle as it's plug and play.

As like ourselves, all our handphone are mostly PDA or Nokia Symbian phone, therefore we think it's wise to carry a GPS receiver for our daily navigation. Some people may find it troublesome to carry 'extra' gadgets with them and they do not wish their GPS get interrupted by phone call. That's when you should consider the Marbella navigator.

Does it have Voice Guidance? - Yes, Marbella navigator has built-in speaker and GPS application. Therefore, a nice and clear voice prompt will delivered to you through it's quality speakers. Users may also wish to link their car-speaker or earpiece to Marbella navigator from it's output stereo 3.5mm jack.

What map Marbella come with? - Marbella navigator come with Singapore and Malaysia maps. Including the entire Singapore and Peninsula Malaysia. (From Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur and Penang). With it's powerful Samsung 400MHz processor, you will be able to plan your trip at your finger tips.

Can Marbella used in other country? - Marbella navigator is also available in many countries and we are providing a wide range of country maps as optional. Besides Singapore and Malaysia maps, you can also purchase maps for Europe (West and East besides Russia), South Africa, USA, Canada, Thailand, Australia and most of the major pacific country in the world. Our map is powered by one of the biggest map software company - Tele Atlas and it's comprehensive too.

What else can your Marbella Navigator do? - Besides ordinary navigation function, Marbella is also a portable Multimedia player. You can play your favourite movies or super star songs with MP3/MP4/MPEG/WMV/ASF format. You can also view your JPEG pictures at your finger tips too. Just have to load everything into the SD card and you can simply turn the Marbella Navigator into a portable Media player.

Can I AV-Out to my Car DVD Player? - No, you can't output the navigation to your in-car DVD player. It does not support AV-output at this stage, perhaps in soon future. Most of the navigator does not support this features.