Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I am looking soon (not now) to buying a GPS. What is a good type? I want to be able to get me in and out of tracks, country roads and towns. It doesn't have to be able to navigate around Sydney or talk to me. It would be good to be able to take out of the car for treks. Must be able to run off 12V if required. Also would like colour screen. Simple.

Hi,

I use 2 different types of GPS. I have a computer running OziExplorer in my Vitara (you can see the screen in my Avatar on the pass side). I mostly do 4WD touring and travel with my kids only so I need a computerised navigator. OziExplorer is great for my purpose. I also use a Garmin eTrex that I program from OziExplorer. It gives you an audible warning when you are approaching a waypoint (turn point etc).

GPS is really a specialised field and different things suit different users. My computer setup was put together with old parts and was fairly inespensive but it is bulky. The eTrex is tiny but has no mapping. You can get them with maps (Garmin eTrex Legend/Magellin Explorist 300+ etc) but the maps are really limited to main roads with very little off road stuff.

For my use, in off road touring, OziExplorer on a computer is awesome and for walking away from the car, the eTrex is great. Computer is full colour of course and I run NatMap on DVD for the maps. My eTrex is monochrome only.

I know this subject area fairly well and am happy to discuss it further if you have any questions. Perhaps offline might be best to save boring the other folks.

Cheers

Clive

My vote is for Magellan Meridian with Discover Aus software - been ruinning it for 4 years and love it.

PK wrote:My vote is for Magellan Meridian with Discover Aus software - been ruinning it for 4 years and love it.

I second that...... It has been very reliable.

my vote is an explorist 400,500,600 or XL running discover AUS topo mapping. im running a explorist 600 with discover aus topo and couldnt be happier its small and light enough to carry hiking but has a large enough screen to view when mounted in my car.

Thanks guys.Handy info

I agree, I have an explorist 600, good in the car, its waterproof as well so it works well on my motorbike, and if you get it with the 512mb preloaded SD software as mentioned earlier it also has the topography (how steep the earea is), so far it seems to have all the offroad tracks I have been on in it. Also the travel pack comes with the cig charger, and car mount swivel.

Cheers

Azz

I have a Megellan Meridian Platinium and am very happy with it so far, I also use OziExplorer with it, and am just waiting for some funds to purchase DiscoverAus.

If you want some more information, check out this site http://www.gpsaustralia.net/.

You are also able to download some electronic maps etc to use with Ozi.


Cheers

Zam

Im I correct in thinking that you can get pre-loaded maps and imported maps on SD cards? That is like each card is like a mini atlas or street directory, so you would whack in the NSW map for NSW travelling and Vic for Vic etc? Coulld you then get a Sydney SD and Canberra SD? How many megs is really needed inbuilt into the unit? Also if I get an US import (cheaper) will this give me greif re maps?
Thanks in advance. (Must get to work sooner or later!)

OK, I am sorta new to this as well, however, do have some basic knowledge.

So depending on which GPSr you get will depend on how much memory comes standard and also whether it has an external Sd card available.

Obviously the SD cards come in various sizes.

If you purchase DiscoverAus Streets and Tracks(DAST), you basically get a 256mb SD Card, however, you have to know which GPSr your using as they are specific to the type of GPSr, I think DAST costs about $300 and gives you all states all streets and all tracks. It is fantastic for touring navigating to streets whatever, and used in conjunction with OziExplorer even better, although have used it i currently dont own it as I am waiting for Funds, hehe.

Hoep this helps.


Cheers


Zam

i run a PDA with bluetooth gps, braket, etc etc with Destinator for on road use. It gives u turn by turn navigation to peoples houses and for the bush, i use ozi explorer. For street navigation there are many types and they all do the same job. But for out on the track, ozi explorer is the way to go. Its much better then a colour meridian etc, because they are full colour maps u get for hema or topo. If you cant find a map you want, and u have it on a paper. Scan it on a big flat bed scanner and u can use that. The only problem is you have to be computer inclined to work one as they are a bit fidly and they arnt easy to use while ure driving where as a dedicated gps has big bottons to push.

just my 2 cents

Julian

The magellan explorist 600 pack I got comes with a DiscoverAus streets & tracks Topo maps with 512MB preloaded SD card, it covers all of australia, you just need to go into the menu of the gps to change the state you are in, its that easy, it seems the 512mb card does have a fair bit of free space on it.

Hope this answers the question about the cards.

http://www.raneye.com.au/electronics/pr ... cts_id=651

This was the pack that I purchased.


Cheers

Azz

QIKAZZ
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:14 pm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The magellan explorist 600 pack I got comes with a DiscoverAus streets & tracks Topo maps with 512MB preloaded SD card, it covers all of australia, you just need to go into the menu of the gps to change the state you are in, its that easy, it seems the 512mb card does have a fair bit of free space on it.

Hope this answers the question about the cards.

http://www.raneye.com.au/electronics/pr ... cts_id=651

This was the pack that I purchased.


Cheers

Azz


Wow. I think I have just found what I'm after. That is once I get enough $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Haven't had a chance to get it dirty yet... but have "acquired" a real nice touch screen unit recently, runs oziexplorer and good screen quality.

http://www.pointnshoot.org/

and follow the "New Toy" thread.

Spock

I picked up a Magellan Explorist 500 and it is a great little unit. I bought mine before they were available in Aus brand new on the internet from the USA with a 512Mb SD card for $480 Australian - delivered to my door. In Aus you are looking at $800 plus for the same item without the 512Mb Card.

There are a couple of down sides to purchasing from the states
1. The explorist comes with a base map for the country it is purchased in. Mine is for the US, and the Aus components are very sparse. You will most likely use detailed mapping software anyway, and these work fine no matter what the basemap is.
2. Warranty is return to Magellan USA so could be up for $60-80 round trip in postage for warranty complaints. On the plus side, if it does break you could buy a new one from the states and have spent roughly the same cash

Do a search on google for online shops in the USA, and maybe even eBay. Just beware some companies seem to have cracking prices then try to charge $75USD international shipping

keencdk wrote:I picked up a Magellan Explorist 500 and it is a great little unit. I bought mine before they were available in Aus brand new on the internet from the USA with a 512Mb SD card for $480 Australian - delivered to my door. In Aus you are looking at $800 plus for the same item without the 512Mb Card.

There are a couple of down sides to purchasing from the states
1. The explorist comes with a base map for the country it is purchased in. Mine is for the US, and the Aus components are very sparse. You will most likely use detailed mapping software anyway, and these work fine no matter what the basemap is.
2. Warranty is return to Magellan USA so could be up for $60-80 round trip in postage for warranty complaints. On the plus side, if it does break you could buy a new one from the states and have spent roughly the same cash

Do a search on google for online shops in the USA, and maybe even eBay. Just beware some companies seem to have cracking prices then try to charge $75USD international shipping

1. You should be able to load the basemap using the secret menus in the unit (list available via Google, search for "explorist" and "secret menu") and the basemap can be downloaded from peer to peer sharing software like eMule.

2. I have had dealings with Magellan in the states and they have stated that Next Destination in Australia are bound to service your warranty as they are the local authorised distributor, regardless of where it was purchased. They won't like it but as part of their distributorship they must.

GQ4.8coilcab wrote:i run a PDA with bluetooth gps, braket, etc etc with Destinator for on road use. It gives u turn by turn navigation to peoples houses and for the bush, i use ozi explorer. For street navigation there are many types and they all do the same job. But for out on the track, ozi explorer is the way to go. Its much better then a colour meridian etc, because they are full colour maps u get for hema or topo. If you cant find a map you want, and u have it on a paper. Scan it on a big flat bed scanner and u can use that. The only problem is you have to be computer inclined to work one as they are a bit fidly and they arnt easy to use while ure driving where as a dedicated gps has big bottons to push.

just my 2 cents

Julian

What brand pda you using ? i have been thinking about using a pda/ pocket pc with ozi explorer ce. Have seen some cheap hp jornada's and ipaq's for a good price.

can you copy the map of the sd card using a sd/usb reader.

I have had a look at the Magellan series but am worried about the battery life. How long would they last. I alsi believe the XL takes different batteries to the others.

I`m running a Garmin Map76 with Mapsource software (metroguide), I find it to be handy for all my applications, on road, in the bush & even in the boat. It`s waterproof, runs on 12 v with the lead you can pick up for around $12, also runs standard or rechargeable AA batteries for hand use etc. Haven`t run a laptop in the car as yet, but i have had it hooked up at home & it works a treat. All up I spent around $650

Vineboy

I took my Magellan eXplorist motor bike riding the other weekend, we were riding from 10am until 3pm, it was switched on the entire time and I think the battery indicator at the end of the day showed above half battery left, personally I rekon thats not bad, besides if you are going to be using it in your 4wd most of the time you can use the cig lighter and run it off that, and it will charge the bat at the same time.

Hope this helps ya

Cheers

Azz

P.S I read on the Magellan website that you get about 17hrs out of the 600.

I have the Explorist 600 and I’m very happy with it, the traveller pack is great value. The only downside is you can’t view the maps on your pc but most people buy oziexplorer and some raster maps anyway.
Charlie

ausoops wrote:can you copy the map of the sd card using a sd/usb reader.

You can copy the SECURE digital card but it won’t work in you GPS unless you’re a computer hacker who can somehow change the serial number of the card to match the original.

Regards Charlie

I use a hp 2210 but anything with bluetooth and HP will work, toshibas dont like destinator and havent heard of people using palms much. Make sure you can get a cradle for it though, check http://www.bitdistribution.com.au for a cradle.

I would rather use a palm as I already use an old m515 palm so have some palm software. Or can you use these old palms?

PK wrote:My vote is for Magellan Meridian with Discover Aus software - been ruinning it for 4 years and love it.

hey guys ,Im looking at a meridian color to buy and was thinking of running the disco aus topo with it. Also have they stopped making these new now ?