Outer Limits 4x4 Board

i have been looking into buying a GPS, i am looking at a handheld that i can plug into my laptop.

I have talked to afew people about them, different models and functions but i want to know what your real world experiance is, what to buy and what not to.

I thought this had been discussed before but i couldnt find the link.

Cheers
NICK

i used to work for a company that dealt with both Garmin and Magellan..
I would recommend any of the Garmin GPS models over the Magellans.
I personally use a Garmin Emap which has not missed a beat in nearly 3 years.

If you want value, buy Magellan from USA, its 1/2 the price what you pay here. and thats landed here...

Prices are about US$280 for a Platinum and US$380 for a Color on any
web site. Cheaper if you bargain... The color comes in at about AU$570, compared to local price of $1,400 !!

Basemaps are available on yahoogroup magellan meridian with a step by step on how to change them.

I got a Platinum from www.mall24-7.com Via Ebay... Cleaned up!!!!!

i currently use just the cheap garmin etrex yellow unit, which i picked up for less than $300 from www.ja-gps.com.au (they have a shop in south brisbane, best prices i found anywhere in aus)

this is a direct link to the one that i've got-> http://www.ja-gps.com.au/gpsprod_etrex.html

last year when i went to vic, i set a waypoint in my mates driveway, used it to navigate all the way to vic and back, and when we got home, it was about 5 metres out.....pretty good i reckon

the software i use on the computer is oziexplorer and i got it for free off the net. i haven't used it _that_ much, so i can't tell you all the little details, but i have managed to upload some maps and waypoints to it pretty easy.

ive got a garmin 12 and works great even in thick tree cover mounted on the dash in its holder only problem is a incar charger is over $100 due to it not using 12dc , aa batteries run out pretty quick but i believe they all chew the power all in all id buy the same one again

my Garmin 12XL is very good, it is hardwired into the 12DC of the car.

i run it with laptop software using the combo power/ serial lead

i also have an extrenal aerial on the snorkle.

all this can be yours for $400

Roly

Nick I am doing a deal on 5 GPS's for work, they are Garmin 72's
http://www.gme.net.au/garmin/gar_gps72.html

Pm me if you want me to get something local for you the price i have for these is pretty good.

We use the Garmin 12's and the Magellan Marine for work out on the water. Side by side they have similar features but we've found the Magellan is more user friendly and a larger display makes it easier on the go. We've also found that the Magellan picks up quicker than the Garmin. Dont know how either go under tree cover as ours are only used out in the open water. Although the swell simulates some of my $wd experiences.

Bohdidog

Just purchased a Magalin FX312 Map Colour. All l can say is that it is brilliant to use and the colour screen is cool. Features l looked for were, a large screen, simplicity in use and a keypad for entering co ordinates quick.

Ausie price over 2 grand, we got it in from the states for just over $900.

As a handheld for out of the car l use an e map aswell, nice big screen to see, and also easy to use.

which one of these are better or don't get anyof them

Magellan GPS 315, 12-Channel GPS Receiver

Garmin eTrex GPS Receiver and data/power lead

Magellan Meridian GPS, 64MB SD card, Aus map

taziiy, i've just got that basic yellow garmin etrex one, and it's fine for 4wd use. i use it on the beach to mark locations of camps, then even when you come back months later, at night, it'll guide you right to the camp.

i've never had a problem with reception with it sitting on my dash, so i haven't even bothered to get an external aerial yet

does anyone have idea of rough shop prices for these units .Heres another one i just found.

When I purchased mine i ended up going for the emap instead of the etrex reason being if you do any touring or road travelling it is great for the maps and navigation. And when you go to buy it really look into prices cause they differ big time ,we tried

Jhonny appleseed
Olbis
Arb southside

Olbis being considerably cheaper than arb the reason i got told was the price that they got sold to arb dunno why

i agree with GQ...
the E-map as I have is great.. I also find that if you get horribly lost in the forest you can still work out where the nearest main road or town is due to the mapping function..

the etrax one just gives like a snail trail of where u have been doesn't it

taziiy wrote:the etrax one just gives like a snail trail of where u have been doesn't it

yep

ok so look for the 1 's with a map thing in them.

Stick to 1 of 3 E-Map, Meridian of Magalin 330, all have good map software, good size screens and are easy to use.

Joe.

Originally you said you wanted to plug into a laptop.
If so, you can load all the maps you need in to the laptop and dispense with the expensive GPS's (or is that GPI for plural?) I load onto a laptop and use the E-trex (same as Antt) and it is great. If I go bushwalking I carry a Topo, a Compass and the Etrex, that way if I drop the e-trex off a cliff (I go canyoning a lot) I am not stuck.
Works great with the laptop, Ozeplorer and the LPI Topo CD's (not cheap!)
There is a sight around that sells the E-trex PC and Power lead for about $50 instead of the factory unit that is costed at about $120ish.
By the way, my car got broken into and I lost an E-trex, Uniden 40, Mobile and my hat. E-trex cheaper to replace.
Pretty annoyed about the hat though.

I've had a Garmin GPS III (no longer available) for many years and it has worked great. Advantage of later models is more memory for waypoints track log etc.

From what I've heard stay away from Magellan - bad reputation!

Think about the features that you need and study what is in the different models - with the different models the feature lists are varied to appeal to different end uses.

For vehicle use memory for large number of waypoints, routes and track logs. External high gain (powered) antennae is desirable - especially in dense forests and mountainous areas. Power from vehicle is important (essential with ext antennae). 12 parallel channels are necessary - most modern GPS recievers are these days.

Some Garmins are low voltage and cables to power them from the vehicle are more expensive because they have to provide dc - dc voltage regulation (if that is the right description??). Others can be powered directly from cig lighter.

Some don't have connection for external antennae. With these you can use an external re-radiating antennae, but these are more expensive than normal antennae.

Nick said he wanted to use a laptop. This gives another option to use an intelligent antennae (gps reciever built into the antennae). These are cheaper than conventional reciever because they don't have all the user memory and software/firmware - the laptop/handheld pda provides all this and programs such as OziExplorer provide much more versatility.

I can recommend OziExplorer - great software, great support, free upgrades new features added regularly. Very popular world wide. Very useful addition to gps.

Free version of Ozi is limited - $130 to register for all features. Trial version lets use test more features but has other nags. Also 3d map version for another $40 - makes 3d maps from normal topos if you have DEM data. Some great 3rd party add-ons also available - many free. Biggest extra cost is purchase of maps, or you can scan paper maps. NASA landsat images are free.

Johny Appleseed is one of the best places for gps recievers - someone else has given the link in this topic. www.gpsoz.com.au is one of the best places for cables and maps.

Bush65 wrote:From what I've heard stay away from Magellan - bad reputation!

Is that like stay away from Toyota, or Nissan or Zook.. everywhere you go people whinge about this or that, Ive heard the same about Garmin! Thats what I mean, some people just ahve shit luck with their stuff.

YMMV

Both as good as each other if you are buying current models produced in the last year or 2. We run both a Garmin and a Magalin in our comp car.

check out this site for a magellen VS garmin writeup-> http://www.gpsinformation.org/dale/mvsg.htm

antt wrote:check out this site for a magellen VS garmin writeup-> http://www.gpsinformation.org/dale/mvsg.htm

Some fancy words and shit but in my opinion he doesn't cover the two main GPS units l would consider buying if l was looking again, the E-map or Meridian.

ok i think i got a hold on most of the info, from what i have read hooking it ( a cheaper handheld) upto a laptop with an exterior ariel and the right software is going to give me a complete unit as good as a $1500 all in one at a fraction of the cost?

At this point i tend to lean towards the garmin 12 series, these seem to be cheap on e-bay is there a reason for this, anyone bought of ebay?

NICK

Nick, there is a garmin 12 and a 12xl. Not sure of other differences, but I think I am correct saying that only the xl version has a port for external aerial.

Bogged - good point re my earlier comment on magellens. Was based upon discussions on an Oziexplorer e-mail list. I did not get any hint that those making adverse comments about magellan quality had any kind of mine vs yours attitude. Rather from what I can tell from their many replies on other subjects and help given to others on the list, that they have a lot of experience and technical expertise in that field.

Until then I was seriously considering upgrading to a maggelan because of the maps on sd cards for them. Have since ordered a dell axim pocket pc to use with OziExploreCE and my existing gps - overall a much better aproach but i'm still waiting for dell to deliver (3+ weeks now).

Bush65 wrote: but i'm still waiting for dell to deliver (3+ weeks now).

After many dealings with DULL computers and servers, they suck. And their Support, is good, but field techs aint the worlds best....

NICK wrote:At this point i tend to lean towards the garmin 12 series, these seem to be cheap on e-bay is there a reason for this, anyone bought of ebay?

NICK

Nick,

I've bought 100's a things over the yrs off ebay, and never had a problem. Just dont buy from people with shit or no feedback. Email them and ask for a phone number and call and ask questions, that way you have a chance they are real.


Also dont get caught up in the battle, wait for last 5 mins and put in a bid. otherwise someone outbids you then you outbid them then they.... and the price goes up and up, some sellers have accounts, and bid on their own things to up the price.


ymmv

here's some that has gone threw ebay latly

Magellan Meridian Color GPS, 128MB, Aus. map
3033687013 AU $940.00
$617.96


Magellan Meridian Platinum GPS 128MB, Aus map
3033705991 AU $780.00
$512.77


Magellan GPS 315, 12-Channel GPS Receiver
3034023395 AU $228.49
$150.21


Garmin eTrex GPS Receiver and data/power lead
3033888384 AU $255.00
$167.64

Magellan GPS 315, 12-Channel GPS Receiver
3034023350 AU $265.00
$174.21

i have no problem in buying off ebay or over the net, the question was more around dodgie software, seconds being sold cheaper.


NICK