The Explorer replied:

Hello
A lot of people use HP Ipaq 2210's (or similar) with CF or Bluetooth GPS and OziExplorerCE. It does not have autorouting but you can create routes and it will say "turn left", "veer right" etc - probably adequate for out of city work. Making routes can however be laborious for some. One good thing about Oziexplorer is map availability - good selection for a lot of areas at various scales and you can scan/compile your own maps if you're keen. You can aslo use calibrated airphoto's for more detailed work.

I have no experience with Navman's but understand that you must use their maps whether you like it or not and coverage in out of city areas is not good?? Best bet would be to get one in you hands and have a look.

Cheers
Greg

baza replied:

I have a navman 4410 and Ipaq 4450. The smartst software that comes with it is good for Cities and towns, it is basically UDB's maps. The voice guidance and back on track are great. Offroad I use oziexplorer and whatever map I want- or can get. Combo works well, 4410 lasts more than 30 hours on battery - just put it in your pocket if you go for a walk, it still picks up the signal well.
I have a PDA holder that attaches to the windscreen (suction cup thing) and works well.
Downside - no where near as rugged as a magellan meridan etc. Just need to remember this.

Groove replied:

Comparing Oziexplorer to turn by turn nav software is not really a fair comparison, they are really very different applications.

Oziexplorer is great when you are off the beaten track, the range of maps available to suite is really limitless.

As for turn by turn software, I have been using Destinator 3, and have found it great. It works on Windows CE and there is a version for PC. The maps are accurate (for Sydney anyway) and the routing is not to bad.

I have used it on a PDA but definately prefer a laptop because of the larger screen, and I think PDAs are over priced for what they are.

I agree that laptops in cars are cumbersom which is why I use this touch screen with the laptop under the seat and its easily removable if I want to use it elsewhere.

I cant comment on others as this is the only one I have used.

Cheers Patrol

Member - Andrew O replied:

Navman maps come from the same source as whereis.com.au (UBD). I personally have a PDA/GPS/Ozi CE & Destinator combo, but go out with my brother who has a Navman. We were west of Nambucca last November and ended up on a track that was not on my map - but clearly marked on his Navman - so we just got it to tell us the easiest way back to camp (which meant proceeding further with the "unmarked" track) and got back safely.

The real problem for me is that I was using the Auslig 1:250K maps, so got the result I deserved - but also out in some fairly obscure country, the Navman came through.

At the end of the day, they are good for different reasons - why not get the both - the gps with navman navigation built in, then add the PDA/Ozi later if you feel like it? Or get the ipaq with the sleeve for the navman add on, and Ozi later. Lots of ways of skinning this cat now, but as has been mentioned, they both offer different things - I'll certainly never drop Ozi - its great for trip planning (using routes) and Destinator good around town.

Cheers
Andrew

Member - Jeff M (WA) replied:

I have seen a couple of Laptop setups with thrid part 7" Touchscreen mounted in the vehicle andthe laptop stowed safley away. Very neat, gives you the best of both worlds IMO. Then at camp you can take the laptop out and go over the maps with the big screen etc.

Mark replied:

I also have a Navman Pin & so far have only found a couple of roads not listed. I also downloaded a program called Navigator 11 from vito tech, no maps but it gives me all the features that my Magellan 315 had that was lacking in the Navman software, altimeter, waypoints, speedo, breadcrumb trail, heading & compass. Once you have the main program you can download extra's for free, you can even plot acceleration rate etc.
Cheers