big fella posted:

Hi chump_boy i can use a map and compass not a problem. But finding out just what my gps can acutally do for me besides giving me the coordinates of where i am and and where i am going to is what i want to find out

Regards BigFella

chump_boy posted:

No worries - I see where you are coming from.

I tend to still use the map and compass myself, and if ever I use a GPS it is to verify what I know already. Hell, I hardly ever use a compass, since the Blue Mountains are pretty easy to navigate in.

Some of the responses you got below look pretty good - good luck with your learning.

Cheers,

Chump

big fella posted:

Doug thanks for the reply you can play and play with it but it is sometimes better if some body can give you a hand that is for both

Regards BigFella

arthurking83 posted:

May just be easier to team up with someone and "have a play" :)

I'd love to volunteer, but as I'm currently "one handed" (and wrong handed at that!), I can only help with the teaching of the GPS functions!!! ;)

Regular use of the GPS is the only way to get a real idea on what it can do..... as you already know how to read maps/navigate etc...... the GPS is only there to serve the purpose of making that job easier.....not really to make it redundant.

RTFM is a saying I hate to use......and I hardly ever do so.......and is becoming increasingly more difficult as more products appear with only a CD with a pdf of the Manual!!!!! :(
You may find you could learn more(than a course) by following the manual and pushing them buttons!

ps. if it's a specific function, on a particular model, that you're after.......
......ask at www.gpsaustralia.net/

:)

Sand Man (SA) posted:

Brian,

Just some clarification.

When you say "plot a course" do you mean plan a route?

If you mean you want a record of where you have been, the GPS will do that for you, providing you leave it switched on whilst driving.

A GPS has an automatic Tracking feature that will remain in the GPS' non-volatile
memory until you specifically delete it.
So you will have a record that you can download to any program, after you have completed your trip. What you won't record however is any waypoints for any feature of location you wish to "register". This waypoint recording usually means selecting a menu item, say within OziExplorer, or clicking on the "Waypopint - Man Overboard" icon. This will register the co-ordinates of your current location and save it to a *.wpt file.
The "Moving Map" feature of OziExplorer will automatically record a multiple series of tracking points which can be saved in sectins, or as a whole *.plt file and both files can be subsequently loaded via OziExplorer to display both the route (track) taken and any waypoints registered along the way.

This is basically the construction of a Trek, as shown in the Treks section on ExplorOz, along with manually recorded odometer readings which coinside with waypoints for each feature, intersection, etc.

Member - Doug T (QLD) posted:

Brian
I now keep this URL in a handy place for quick reference, just rewad the specs on what this this little beaut does and also take note of the price , I just love mine.

www.ja-gps.com.au/garmin_quest_1.html

Doug

Member - Brian H (QLD) posted:

I do mean plan a route ............. I simple want to have the gps set up with the computer, place all the way points in or as best as i can prior to leaving, in sections maybe so as not to huge. Inclusive of points of interest. I would then like at the end of my trip have a photo's and waypoints. Yes simple to what is in trek notes.

Maybe i'm just bitting off to much and should simple go with hard copies and relax lol.

Man overboard will also be used as required.

I have been to a couple of GPS shops even shows and asked about what I am after either they are seem / not interested in talking to a computer / GPS DUMMY or they go so fast and talk in a whole differnt langange which i simply get lost in. I admit i'm slow on the uptake and its not my field of expertice but want to learn.

Brian

Member - Doug T (QLD) posted:

Yes Brian the you can do all of that and more with a quest , you can plan/make a route and make waypoints on your PC/Laptop with the Garmin software, it will tell you exactly how many Klms it is , you can then load that route to your GPS from the Computer, you can then transfer that route and waypoints from your GPS to OziExplorer Mapping Software that you would install on your computer, then you can add photo's to waypoints , Brian this must sound complicated to you I know but it all comes from hands on useage , yep you will stuff things up as i did when I was teaching myself , as long as you don't alter data settings within the GPS you should not have any problems, if you do want to change something in the settings write it down first so you know how to get it back to where it was set , Maybe I should set up a GPS store in Birdsville, Don't like big cities , Brian did you read the Quest info I sent you www.ja-gps.com.au/garmin_quest_1.html , Just for something to do I will use my Widget screen shooter and take a couple of shots of what Garmin software looks like for you . I will be back here in about 45 mins with the URL for you .
Doug

Member - Doug T (QLD) posted:

Brian
go to the link and if your on dial up just give it time to load the photo's

Site Link

Doug

Member - Brian H (QLD) posted:

Thanks for that Doug,

I have the mapping programs rapster and Ozi ..... I have a garmin GPS 72 (proberly need to upgrade) which I was told will do the job with the computer. Its just the one i have for my boating needs.

Brian

Member - Doug T (QLD) posted:

That's ok Brian, The Quest is a very comprehensible unit , It can record every turn and movement for over 2200 klm, I will leave the demo pics there for a couple of days then they will be removed.

Doug

Member - Brian H (QLD) posted:

Doug,

Just checked that link out and thats what I am after. Not to mention the Aussie map so i can show where i'm been. Work on that one when i learn more.

I assume I use the hema maps plot a route, give it a name, and then load into the GPS ???

Brian

Member - Doug T (QLD) posted:

You can best plot or make the route with the garmin maps but transfer the route and waypoints from Garmin to Oziexplorer .

Hey that little screen-shooter widget I use is a handy little gizmo eh , can copy anything that is on the computer screen into a jpg photo , then i load it into Photoimpact 11 and trim it or make it bigger etc, then use the photo in Frontpage to add it to the internet. au.widgets.yahoo.com/ if you want to check the 1000s of them out

Doug

Member - Doug T (QLD) posted:

Brian
I also have the Hema Desert Tracks CD and the Simpson Desert CD and i use it with Oziexplorer , Very complicated but i have it all in the 1 index in OziExplorer, I just copied the map files into the map folder in OziExplorer on the C drive , I would presume the Cape York map CD will work the same , when i open the index it has the sections outlined in blue

big fella posted:

Hi aussie traveller had my gps for a while so can do some things. After you had used yours then did the course was there things that you learnt that you hadn't been able to do from reading the manual and playing around with it

Regards BigFella

big fella posted:

I have a meridan platium i don't really have any real questions just curious if there are things that i can do that i don't know about

Regards BigFella

big fella posted:

thanks geoff that is the sought of answer i was after

Regards BigFella

Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) posted:

Hi BigFella,
I too have the book Kingsley talks about below.
It is a good read with valuable information on the subject of GPS navigation. To me it is a supplement to what Brian at GPSOz taught me.

Geoff.