best gps for 4wding?

[83-mud-lux]

hey all looking at buying a gps for 4wding i got around $800 mark and ill show you what im after.now i dont know alot about gps's but there is basic points in here aswell just puttin them in anyway.
-on road navigation
-mark a waypoint/dot point in the bush that i can return too if needed
-name the waypoint so we know what it is
-track the way we went to get from one track to the next or backtrack to get out.
-let me type in latitudinal/longitudinal measurements to find a destination
-stand up to the task of 4wding,dusty,damp,corugations etc.
-if we are in a 4wd park circle the park (roughly) name the park it is and also name the tracks that we have driven on.

just wondering what would be the best brand/style of gps to use for this situation
thats the main points i am after and if there is any more that anybody can think of feel free to add to the list..

cheers..smiley..

[hulsty]

I use my phone for that kind of stuff with suitable apps, oziexplorer for offroad, google maps on road, heaps more out there.

[hokey]

what ap do you use? is there an oziex ad?

[Struth]

Ozi for android. Costs $25.

I use it on my tablet in the car and it works well.

[mud guts]

Im interested in buying as well, but mainly comp use. Itd be good to hear from comp guys on pros & cons on different units. Touch screen good or bad? Also iPhone needs reception for it to work properly?

[tomzilla]

I have a Garmin Nuvi which i uploaded with shonkymaps - awesome free maps. We used this to get to Cape York and back for 3 weeks - i also had two other versions of mapping software but found shonkymaps was more accurate and easier to read. Also it's free! Great if you have a standard 'road only' gps and don't want to pay $$$ for a new gps.

http://shonkylogic.net/shonkymaps/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[hokey]

struth do you need reception to located yoursel on the map or does it work off the gps? want to use my htc phone

cheers

[83-mud-lux]

tomzilla juast a question about the gamin nuvi,are you able to mark waypoints on your gps as i dont want to go around the country i more just like exploring the forestry (mainly glasshouse mtns) and when i find a good hill i would like to mark a point and possibly saying briefly (hard, rocky track,easy,mud track etc.) so then we are able to return there when wanted instead of going "how do we get there".

also i have an iphone but not really interested in putting it on there because battery goes flat,need reception etc.

your help is appreciated..smiley.

[A.J.]

I'm pretty much in the same boat as 83-mud-lux.

I have a spare laptop I would like to use for navigation when out bush.

Any advice on software? I'm pretty much after waypoints and points of interest options as well.
A topographic option would also be tops

[pigletracing]

I use the HEMA HN5i Hema navagator.
it comes with 3 main styles of mapping, full street maping, 4WD maping & Topo mapping. Hema do all the mapping for Australia - NZ - Tas in street, 4WD & TOPPO, all their mapping is supplied free with the units, also CAMP6 (the aus wide free camp grounds) Camping with dog locations ect. if you use a specific servo (eg Caltex) you can program it to serch for all of them on the trip that you are doing. If you are Hungry type in resteraunts for the location you need (eg Dubbo) & it will bring up everything from hungry jacks to fine dining italian, just scroll threw to what you want to eat & hit the go button & it will take you straight there.
same as for accomadation in towns you have never been in.
I went up the beach the other month & played with the different mapping, I put up street first & it gave me all the speed limits & basic points of interest , I then went to 4WD mapping & it gave me everything that the street gave me but with more information in more detail. I then did the same run in TOPPO & F-ME I found things & spots that I have been driving past for 20years.
they retail for $799
We sell them in our three stores, just ask our staff for your Outerlimits Forum member discount.
TJM - COOPERS PLAINS - UNDERWOOD - GOLD COAST>
cheers piggy

[Struth]

Is that just the normal Hema Australia series of maps you get?

[cruiser60series]

iPhone and I assume android can use GPS apps in offline mode, just need to download the map before switching to offline mode and the GPS does the locations. When using the normal google map function on your iPhone you need 3G reception to download the map info...not your position. A good free iPhone app is xGPS (jailbroken phone) and a $10 app I have used is Gaia Gps, the latter with topo functionality. I have yet to find an app where you can load Garmin maps onto an smartphone but the two I have mentioned use the OpenSourceMaps cycle set which I think are as good if not better than shonkymaps in some respects.

[Struth]

I don't know if Ozi works on iphone but it is supposed to work on any android O/S.

Heres a link to what maps it will read,

http://www.oziexplorer3.com/android/using_maps.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[pigletracing]

Is that just the normal Hema Australia series of maps you get?

That & more,every map that hema makes is from full toppo to street are supplied free on the HN5i & they also do 2 years of free mapping software updates.
all these other gps/street mapping,nav mans ect have to buy their mapping software off HEMA so on non hema gps's you only get the basics (which are still great) but if you want it all supplied the first time get a Hema.
I have even used it in comps where you are putting in multiple waypoints (in lat -long) & it has been quick & easy to read & opperate, because it also has hours of battry backup when not connected to the car we use them on our quad bikes in the bush & even bush walking (not that I do the walking thing that much, ive got a drivers figure not a navi's figure)
DON'T GET LOST!!! GET A HEMA!!!
cheers piggy.

[83-mud-lux]

pigletracing that is the sorta thing im after so i will have to look into it.
is it possible to get maps of just the forestry to the hn5i aswell (eg.glasshouse mtns forestry) and so on.

cheers..smiley..

[CRUZAAMAD]

piglet, is it reverse camera option?
extra?/ cost?

[pigletracing]

(Q) REVERSE CAMERA ?? (A) = yes the Hema is able to be used as a screen for your reverse camera (all the av input ports ready for that) the only additional costs would be the actual camera & R/C cables for the rear of the car, & the choices there are huge from basic to infer-red, it also has blue tooth for your phone.
(Q) GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAIN MAPPING ?? (A) = HEMA say that every map they do is in there & they do the whole of AUS, when I used to do the Outback Challenge they supplied us with all Toppo mapping of the Broken hill area on paper maps, I wish I had the Hema back then. I havnt tried it personally myself for Glass house, but areas I have tried are well detailed eg:- Coolaoola, Rainbow, Fraser, Oxley Wild rivers, Yauragi National park,Kiparra, Werrikimbi,Bageo, Banda banda, ect ect. Im doing Morton with work tomorow & I will be using it on "street mapping" to get me to the barge & then "4WD Mapping" once im on the island.
cheers Piggy.

[pigletracing]

I use the HEMA HN5i Hema navagator.
it comes with 3 main styles of mapping, full street maping, 4WD maping & Topo mapping. Hema do all the mapping for Australia - NZ - Tas in street, 4WD & TOPPO, all their mapping is supplied free with the units, also CAMP6 (the aus wide free camp grounds) Camping with dog locations ect. if you use a specific servo (eg Caltex) you can program it to serch for all of them on the trip that you are doing. If you are Hungry type in resteraunts for the location you need (eg Dubbo) & it will bring up everything from hungry jacks to fine dining italian, just scroll threw to what you want to eat & hit the go button & it will take you straight there.
same as for accomadation in towns you have never been in.
I went up the beach the other month & played with the different mapping, I put up street first & it gave me all the speed limits & basic points of interest , I then went to 4WD mapping & it gave me everything that the street gave me but with more information in more detail. I then did the same run in TOPPO & F-ME I found things & spots that I have been driving past for 20years.
they retail for $799
We sell them in our three stores, just ask our staff for your Outerlimits Forum member discount.
TJM - COOPERS PLAINS - UNDERWOOD - GOLD COAST>
cheers piggy

SORRY GUYS, I should have said this at the beginning. Im not saying that the HEMA HN5i is the best unit out there ! but for what I want to use it for its the best for me.

[83-mud-lux]

ok,so your saying that it should have the basic maps for offroad tracks at glasshouse which is awesome,but can i still mark way points on a certain track and name the track/hill etc. as there is tracks out there that are already named (widowmaker,big red etc.) and if there is a track that i like for myself i can mark.
if that is the case i wil be buying one

also should say thanks for your help everyone especially pigletracing who has been a big help.

cheers..smiley..

[CRUZAAMAD]

exploroz has them selling for $745 members hm6.

[zookimal]

1. Had a $100 GPS laying around that runs WinCE like most do.
2. Mod the boot process to load a file explorer instead of the street nav.
3. Add OziExplorer and purchase license key.
4. Buy or add other maps as required.

The off the shelf units are good products but if you are tech savvy you can build your own legitimately for less money.

[RED60]

Choice magazine fairly recently did a writeup on quite a number of GPSs... while I don't think they specifically addressed the suitability for 4wd type requirements, the test would give a convenient comparison between what features are available in each brand/model.......

[pigletracing]

[quote="83-mud-lux"]ok,so your saying that it should have the basic maps for offroad tracks at glasshouse which is awesome,but can i still mark way points on a certain track and name the track/hill etc. as there is tracks out there that are already named (widowmaker,big red etc.) and if there is a track that i like for myself i can mark.
if that is the case i wil be buying one

also should say thanks for your help everyone especially pigletracing who has been a big help.

cheers..smiley..[/quote

(Q) CAN I MARK WAY POINTS (A) =yes you can mark way-points & name them your own names (eg;- home, camp track,oneway trail ect). The unit also has a learning mode, this can be used if you are in areas that have never been mapped eg;- conditions may have made a track unable to be used due to erosion, rock-slides ect but a new track has been forged threw to bypass the unpassable area. By using this learning mode you can enter that new track & name it (eg widow maker bypass 2) & it will be logged in your HEMA for future use. I also use this mode on bitumen where new estates have appeared that arnt mapped, after you go threw it once & mark it you have it forever.
You can also use it as a way-point to way-point mapping (eg;- ron moons book to cape york, follow the waypoints) doing a trip from way-point to way-point until you get to your destination.
We sell the HN5i to forum & Club members around the $750 mark, you see them for sale everywhere from camping shops to the major 4wd accessory outlets, & there are always bargins to be made at the 4wd Caravan & camping shows.
always happy to help.
cheers Piggy.

Ian McClenahan "piglet"
TJM - Coopers Plains - Underwood - Gold Coast.

[tomzilla]

tomzilla juast a question about the gamin nuvi,are you able to mark waypoints on your gps as i dont want to go around the country i more just like exploring the forestry (mainly glasshouse mtns) and when i find a good hill i would like to mark a point and possibly saying briefly (hard, rocky track,easy,mud track etc.) so then we are able to return there when wanted instead of going "how do we get there".

also i have an iphone but not really interested in putting it on there because battery goes flat,need reception etc.

your help is appreciated..smiley.

Hey mate yep you can still mark your map with favourites when on the trail. I actually did all of the marking and waypointing from home on the laptop before heading to the cape. I also had oztopo maps on there too