Great info David, thanks a lot,
Hubert gave me a copy of the new Mae-Hon-Song map last year[

]. It is a great map[8D] and I would recommend it to everyone travelling to that area. However, I lost the map when the damed top box of the R1100GS fell off the bike[

]! The highway vultures are very effective in Thailand [B)].... I am already asked Peera to buy me another copy for my up coming trip this Dec.[

]
Now back to GPS, I have never used one [:I]or know how to use one. But my many touring in China prompt me to take a move toward this direction. Tibet is on my itinerary next year since I could not go this year due to SARS[V].
My plan to revisit North America in the next 3 years also supported my therory to go for a GPS.
I agree Garmin seems to be the top choice for bikers. However, I could not find the information from Garmin's website:
1. Is it water/dust proof and shock proof?
2. If not, any suggestion on how to make it biking proof[

)]?
A friend of mine who tour from Germany to Hong Kong told me that the Garmin GPS 176 is good also. Any comment? My main concern is where can I get good Asian map software support for the GPS[:0]
Ride on,
Franki